Dance Division offers a comprehensive modern dance-based curriculum integrated with a variety of other dance styles including ballet, jazz, hip hop, musical theater, and world dance forms (Scope and Sequence).  Students experience dance through technique, improvisation, composition, and performance.  Multiple levels of dance are offered to accommodate the developmental needs of all students from novice to the highly skilled dancer.  Courses in dance share the essential understandings of the Kinetic Wellness department and contribute to personal wellness.

Problem-solving, cooperative learning, critical thinking, and self-expression are the cornerstones of the Dance Division's educational philosophy.  The Dance Division regards the creative process to be of equal importance to technical training or finished products.  In the end, we hope to give our students another means to interpret the world around them and develop an appreciation for all the visual and performing arts.  New Trier's entire Performing Arts Division is committed to offering students robust learning and performing experiences that emphasize creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and connection to community. 

All courses in the Dance Division satisfy the Kinetic Wellness graduation requirement. (Sophomores must fulfill one semester of health education.) 
Students have a variety of opportunities to participate in co-curricular and extracurricular performances and dance events throughout the year (see below).

Except for Kinetic Wellness 1/Dance, Dance 2, and Menz Dance (on hiatus), level placement classes are required for registration. Students currently enrolled in dance will be assessed for placement in their current class. Please contact the Dance Coordinator if you are new to New Trier dance and need to be placed. All Winnetka Campus courses may be repeated. Dance Division classes are sequentially arranged by ability level as follows:

• Kinetic Wellness 1/Dance- Full year on the Northfield Campus (Fulfills KW requirement, no level placement is required- open to any students who would like to dance).
• Kinetic Wellness 1/ Dance 2 (FD2)- Full year on the Northfield Campus, Students in this class are the only freshmen allowed to perform in Dance Theater New Trier and potentially audition for Kinesis. (Fulfills KW requirement, level placement class is required)
• Dance 2- Full year (Juniors/Seniors) or one semester (Sophomores) (No level placement is required; sophomores must fulfill one semester of Health)
• Dance 3- Full year or one semester (Sophomores must fulfill one semester of Health)
• Dance 4- Full year (Sophomores must fulfill one semester of Health during summer school or during the school year)
• Dance at Dawn- Full year, Early bird class (Open to all Juniors/Seniors and Sophomores by recommendation)
•  Dance Lab 1 and Dance Lab 2 (4-level courses)- Full year, Juniors and Seniors only, No athletic waiver (Recommendation from current dance teacher is required. Seniors wishing to go on Senior Project must choose an abbreviated project.)
• Menz Dance- (Currently on hiatus) Full year or one semester (No level placement is required; sophomores must fulfill one semester of Health)

Kinesis Car Wash: (Early Fall) Proceeds benefit a new cause each year. Contact Kinesis Directors or Dance Coordinator for more information.

Northfield Dance Ensemble Information Meetings: (Several dates in September) See the NDE tab for more detailed information.

Northfield Dance Ensemble Showcase: (Wednesday, January 7th; 7:00 pm; Cornog Auditorium) NDE is open to all New Trier students and presents original student choreographed dances.

Dance Day Northfield: (Thursday, January 8th; Periods 1b, 2b, 3a, 3c, 4b; Cornog Auditorium) A beloved annual celebration of student work, including a culmination of in-class choreographic projects created and presented by freshmen through senior students.

Dance Day Preview: (Friday, January 9th; Advisery) An Advisery Preview on the Winnetka Campus celebrating the art of dance.

Level Placement Classes: (Two dates in January/February- See the Rising Freshmen tab for details; 4:00-5:15; Northfield Dance Studio; F Building) Rising freshmen have an opportunity to be placed in our highest-level dance class- Kinetic Wellness 1/Freshman Dance 2. Students in this class are the only freshmen allowed to perform in Dance Theater New Trier and potentially be invited to audition for Kinesis. (Only attend one placement class, registration form in Rising Freshmen tab, wear dance clothes, contact Dance Coordinator with questions)

Kinesis Dance Company Concert: (Thursday and Friday, February 5th and 6th at 7:00; Saturday, February 7th at 2:00; Cornog Auditorium) Kinesis is comprised of advanced sophomore, junior, and senior dancers selected through an audition process. Kinesis Dance Company presents original choreography created by its members and a guest artist.

 Dance Division FUN Day!; (Saturday, February 7th; 12-3:30) Registration information will be available on the scrolling tab and Kinesis tab.

Dance Theater New Trier Dancer and Choreographer Auditions: (Late February; See Dance Teachers for details) Make Art. Make Friends. Dance Division’s annual spring concert.

Dance Day(s) Winnetka: (Wednesday, March 25th and Thursday, March 26th; All periods/Half Blocks; Gaffney Auditorium) A beloved annual celebration of student work, including a culmination of in-class choreographic projects created by freshmen through senior students.

Dance Theater New Trier Concert: (Thursday, April 30th and Friday, May 1st; 7:00 pm; Cornog Auditorium) A formal concert by Dance Division’s advanced and intermediate students. Original choreography is created by the students, faculty, and a guest artist.

Dance Lab Showcase: (Late May- TBA) A culminating performance of our capstone Dance Lab course in which students present sophisticated in-class choreographic studies and projects.

Kinesis Audition: (Late May; Contact Kinesis Directors or Dance Coordinator for the specific date) An audition at the Winnetka Campus open to rising juniors and seniors (and select rising sophomores). Juniors and seniors who are chosen for this ensemble are required to register for Dance Lab. However, all students are invited and encouraged to attend this audition simply for the experience and practice of auditioning. Registration form required.

Menz Showcase: (Currently on hiatus) A high-octane performance of dance, music, and general mayhem.

Summer Dance Camps: (Offered to all Rising 1st-9th Graders) See scrolling tab or contact Dance Coordinator for details

• Click here to view Dance Attire Information.