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Dance Division

 
  

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Except for freshmen dance courses, all courses in the Dance Division satisfy the Kinetic Wellness graduation requirement. A Freshman dance class taken in addition to a KineticWellness course may be used as a fine arts credit. Sophomores may elect dance for one semester in place of Kinetic Wellness 2, but they must fulfill one semester of health education.
This is a modern dance-based curriculum integrated with ballet, jazz and world dance forms. Four levels of dance are
offered to accommodate the developmental needs of female and male students.

All courses, with the exception of Freshman Dance I and Dance I, require a placement audition. All courses encompass technical training, improvisation, composition, performance and critical analysis. Courses in dance also  share the essential understandings of the Kinetic Wellness department and contribute to personal wellness.
Students have a variety of opportunities to participate in co-curricular and extracurricular performances and dance events throughout the year.

PHILOSOPHY

Technical training, creating, performing and evaluating are the essential elements in the study of dance as an art form. The Dance Division regards the creative process to be of equal importance to technical training or finished products. Problem-solving, cooperative learning, critical thinking and self expression are the corner stones of the Dance Division's educational philosophy. Dance naturally occurs as an interdisciplinary art form that incorporates all the arts and makes connections between all disciplines. In the end, we hope to give our students another means to interpret the world around them and develop an appreciation for all of the visual and performing arts.

CURRICULUM

This is a modern dance based curriculum integrated with ballet, jazz and world dance forms along with elements of Yoga and Pilates. Students experience dance through technique, improvisation, composition and performance. Four levels of dance are offered on the Winnetka campus to accommodate the developmental needs of male and female students from novice to the highly skilled dancer. The Northfield campus presently offers two levels: Beginning Dance (no audition necessary) and Intermediate/Advanced (placement audition required).

Dance technique courses may be used to fulfill five semesters of the Kinetic Wellness requirement for graduation. Any dance course taken in addition to a Kinetic Wellness class receives Fine Arts credit. This option allows students, particularly interested freshmen, to include dance in their schedule as a Fine Arts elective.

Sophomore dancers in Dance 2,3,4* and Men's Dance must fulfill the KW Health requirement for graduation either of two ways:

  • Dance 1st semester and Health 2nd semester 
  • Dance two semesters and Health one semester during another period (This is the only option for sophomores recommended for Dance 4; Dance 4 must be taken the entire year)

All classes meet daily for approximately 30 minutes of activity. Dance Lab is a daily 75- minute class for serious minded advanced dancers to study in depth the art, craft and science of modern dance.

COURSE OFFERINGS

Except for Freshman Beginning Dance and Dance 1, level placement auditions are required for registration. Students currently enrolled in dance are assessed in class. Placement auditions are held for students new to NT dance. Courses may be repeated with permission of the instructor. All classes are sequentially arranged by ability level as follows:

  • Freshman Dance I - Full year on the Northfield Campus (Fine Arts minor) 
  • Freshman Dance II - Full year on the Northfield Campus (Fine Arts minor) 
  • Men's Dance - Full year
  • Dance I  - One semester on Winnetka Campus (Sophomores must fulfill KW Health semester)
  • Dance II - Full year
  • Dance III - Full year
  • Dance IV - Full year
  • Dance Lab I  - Full year, Jr./ Sr. only (Fine Arts major + Kinetic Wellness minor)
    No athletic waiver
    Senior Project participants must complete entire year
    Recommendation from current dance teacher is required for Dance Lab courses
  • Dance Lab II  - Full year, Sr. only (Fine Arts major + Kinetic Wellness minor)
    No athletic waiver
    Senior Project participants must complete entire year
    Recommendation from current dance teacher is required for Dance Lab courses

     

    PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES & DANCE EVENTS 2012-2013 

    Studio Performances are held throughout the year in order that classes may share their creative experiences with each other.    

    Kinesis Coffee, Winnetka Campus, M-180 

    Wednesday, September 12, 7-8pm

    Informational meeting for parents of Kinesis members

    Kinesis Car Wash, Winnetka Campus Visitor Lot

    Saturday, September 22, 10am-1pm

    Donations accepted to help fund Kinesis dance company costume budget, and for Supplies for Dreams, a charitable organization that provides school supplies for students at inner city schools.  This organization was founded by former Kinesis member, Aria Fiat.

    Northfield Dance Ensemble informational meeting, Winnetka Campus Dance Studios

    Tuesday, September 11, 3:30 pm

    Information and contracts will be given at this meeting (please attend one of the three times offered September 11, 12, or 24).  All students, whether enrolled in a dance class or not, are encouraged to participate in NDE.

    Northfield Dance Ensemble informational meeting, Winnetka Campus Dance Studios

    Wednesday, September 12, 7:45 am

    Information and contracts will be given at this meeting.  All students, whether enrolled in a dance class or not, are encouraged to participate in NDE.

    Northfield Dance Ensemble informational meeting, Northfield Dance Studio

    Monday, September 24, 3:10 pm

    Information and contracts will be given at this meeting.  All students, whether enrolled in a dance class or not, are encouraged to participate in NDE.

    Northfield Dance Ensemble Choreographers' audition, Northfield Campus Dance Studio

    September 20 (sophomores, juniors, and seniors) and September 25 (freshmen), 3:45-5:30 pm

    All level dance students are encouraged to show their original movement concepts in order to be selected for the winter showcase in January.

    NORTHFIELD Dance Ensemble Casting Day, Northfield Campus Dance Studio

    Thursday, September 27, 4:00-5:30pm

    This is the final day to join Northfield Dance Ensemble.  Please turn in your contract and information sheet today.  All choreographers will present their dances to the company.  All students, whether enrolled in a dance class or not, are encouraged to participate in NDE.

    Dance Day Auditions, Winnetka Dance Studios

    Tuesday, November 6, 3:30-6 pm

    The audition process is open to all New Trier students.  Adjudicators will give feedback and advice on dances, which may be choreographed in any style.  All dances must be complete.  No solos, please.  Callbacks will be held on Tuesday, December 4.

    Dance Day, Winnetka in Gaffney

    Wednesday, December 19, Periods 1-9

    (open to the public)  A free informal performance held in Gaffney Auditorium in December. The Northfield Dance Ensemble, Kinesis, and Menz Dance will be guest performers.

    Dance Placement Class, Northfield Dance Studio, Bldg F

    Friday, January 11, 4:00-5:15

    A modern dance class for all students (8th grade and above) who wish to be considered for the Freshman Dance 2 level or above.  New Trier students not currently in a dance class may also attend if they wish to be placed above Dance 1. 

    Freshman Dance 1 and Dance 1 do NOT require a placement class.  Note that a second date - January 31 - is offered for those that cannot attend this time.

    Dance Day 2, Northfield in Cornog

    Friday, January 25, Periods 5-9

    A free informal performance held in Cornog Auditorium. This is a performance venue for the freshmen. Select guest artists from "Dance Day Winnetka" will join the freshmen performance.

    Northfield Dance Ensemble Showcase in Cornog

    Friday, January 25, 7:30 pm  $5

    A presentation of choreography performed and choreographed exclusively by members of the Northfield Dance Ensemble.

    Dance Placement Class, Northfield Dance Studio, Bldg F

    Thursday, January 31, 4:00-5:15

    A modern dance class for all students (8th grade and above) who wish to be considered for the Freshman Dance 2 level or above.  New Trier students not currently in a dance class may also attend if they wish to be placed above Dance 1. 

    Freshman Dance 1 and Dance 1 do NOT require a placement class.  Note that this is the second, and last, audition date option for placement. 

    Kinesis Dance Company Concert, Northfield in Cornog 

    Thursday and Friday, January 31 and February 1, 7:30 pm, $7; Saturday, February 2, 2 pm, $5

    A formal winter concert by this junior and senior company held in Cornog Auditorium in January. Choreography is created by the students, faculty and guest artists. Saturday is a Family matinee with special guests, Menz Dance.  Auditions for new members are held each May.

    Dance Theater New Trier Choreographer Audition, Winnetka Dance Studios

    Thursday, February 19, 3:30pm

    All level dance students, particularly those in Dance Lab, are encouraged to present original material to be considered for choreography in the May DTNT concert.

    Dance Theater New Trier Audition, Winnetka Dance Studios

    Thursday, February 21, 3:45-5:30pm 
    An audition at the Winnetka Campus open to students enrolled in dance at New Trier. While this performance group consists primarily of Dance 4 and select Dance 3 students rehearsing for the spring concert in May, all other levels are invited and encouraged to attend.

    Spring Fling Dance Workshops, Winnetka Dance Studios

    Saturday, April 20, 8:30 - 2:00

    A day of workshops - jazz, ballet, yoga, musical theater, etc. - for all high school students.  Renowned guest teachers from around Chicagoland offer dancers a wide variety of styles.

    Dance Theater New Trier Concert, Winnetka in Gaffney

    Thursday and Friday, May 2-3, 7:30 pm, $7  

    A formal concert by this performance group consisting of primarily Dance 4 and select Dance 3 students held in Gaffney Auditorium in May. Choreography is created by the students, faculty and guest artists.  Rehearsals are held after school beginning in February.

    Kinesis Audition, Winnetka Dance Studios

    Tuesday, May 21, 3:30-6pm

    An audition at the Winnetka Campus open to students who will become juniors and seniors the following school year.  All students who are chosen for this ensemble are required to sign up for Dance Lab.  However, all students are invited and encouraged to attend this audition simply for the experience and practice of auditioning.