Warsaw Community High School

Dance I is an introduction to dance performance techniques and is open to all students of any grade level.

This class covers the basics of many genres including Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Jazz. As dancers move through this class, they’ll be able to learn and show their understanding of how to move artistically within choreographed movement. 

This performance class allows for students to grow in their skills as beginning dancers and provides opportunities for all students – regardless of physical background. They’ll work on technique, flexibility, and the artistry of this discipline as it functions systematically and as a form of artistic self-expression.

Along with physically dancing, students will be able to describe, analyze, interpret, and critique the live and recorded dance performances of professional companies in a given genre as well as their own performances. 

Dance I is offered as a one-semester, one-credit course with each semester culminating in a final Showcase of what they’ve learned. Participation in the rehearsals and Showcase performances is a required aspect of the course. 

This course may fulfill one semester of the PE Waiver. 

Prerequisites: None

Credits: 1 semester course, 1 credit per semester

Dance I for Athletes is very similar to the typical Dance I course. However this version of the class is designed specifically to enhance athletic performance through the fundamentals of dance technique and is open to student athletes of all grade levels.

Along with all of the traditional Dance I curriculum, this course will also focus on some of the fundamentals of athleticism, including balance, core strength, flexibility, agility, and confidence as a performer.

This course may fulfill one semester of the PE Waiver. Participation in the end of the semester dance showcase and rehearsals outside of class are REQUIRED.

Prerequisites: Must be a student athlete

Credits: 1 semester course, 1 credit per semester

Dance II is a one-semester, one-credit class which builds upon the basic principles and techniques learned in Dance I.

Admittance to Dance II is based on completion of Dance I and director approval. Proficiency and a willing attitude is considered.

These students will work to improve and refine their skills in the four main genres of Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, and Hip Hop. They will also continue to demonstrate their skill in the specifics of choreographed movement and grow in their performance ability. 

Along with all of this, these dancers will also move through intermediate-advanced levels of the following: physical conditioning, technique, and flexibility. 

Just as with Dance I, each semester will end in a showcase. Participation in the rehearsals and performance of these showcases is required. 

Prerequisites: Dance I or admittance amongst teacher approval

Credits: 1 semester course, 1 credit per semester

Dance III is an upper level dance course and students must complete Dance I and II before progressing to Dance III. Progression to this level is for grades 10, 11, and 12 and by the following: director’s approval, proficiency in techniques related to the four main genres, and attitude. These dancers must also understand the language, artistry, and physical requirements to perform at a higher level.

While exploring a number of dance styles physically, these dancers will also focus on the history of each style and continuing their education in analysis of dance performance. Dance III is also the course during which students begin to learn the basics of choreography.

Like all other Dance classes, this course culminates in a final showcase each semester – participation in which is required. 

Prerequisites: Dance Performance I and II, admittance amongst teacher approval

Credits: 1 semester course, 1 credit per semester

Advanced Dance IV is a full year advanced course in dance performance and technique. Entrance into this class is based on a required audition and director approval and is open to all grade levels. However, and after school audition is required to test out of the class and/or for underclassmen.

This class is similar to the Honors Class and is for students who are committed to dance in high school and are on their way towards the honors level. Advanced Dance IV provides students with the opportunity to perform all year at an attainable level. Progressing from Dance III, these dancers will continue learning advanced technical steps, vocabulary, and choreography – specifically in the styles of Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, and Contemporary. Continuing in these styles will allow these students to perform in multiple different numbers in each of the semester showcases. They will be able to demonstrate, at a high level, the artistry behind choreographed movement and grow in their performance quality while also taking on an understanding of anatomy and kinesiology paired with movement analysis. 

While much of the course is practical, these students will continue developing their analytical, evaluative, and appreciative critiques professional dance performances, as well as their own. Students must have a working understanding of choreographic elements and advanced dance language, and classroom etiquette.

Participation outside of normal school hours is also REQUIRED. Minimum of two performances per school year including end of Semester Dance Showcases.

Prerequisites: Dance I, II, III or admitted through invitation and/or audition by director

Credits: 2 semester course, 1 credit per semester

Honors Select Dance is a full year advanced course in dance performance and technique. Entrance into this honors class is based off of a required audition and director approval. It is open to all grade levels with incoming freshman requiring an after school audition time to test out of the other levels of Dance. Students will learn advanced technical steps, vocabulary, and choreography in the styles of Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, and Contemporary while performing in the same styles.

Artistry, expression, textures, dynamics, and creative freedom behind choreographed movement are essential and lead the dancers to grow in their performance ability and confidence. This course will also integrate anatomy, kinesiology, and movement analysis.

These dancers continue their study of analyzing, evaluating, and appreciating professional dance performances, as well as their own while demonstrating proficiency in the elements of choreography beyond the bounds of technique. Students will advance in creative choreography skills for performance numbers showcased in Dancing With The Stars For Charity (DWTS) throughout the school year as a requirement for the class. After school rehearsal time to choreograph and teach their teams is required. Along with required participation in DWTS, these dancers are required to perform in the showcases at the end of each semester. 

Prerequisites: Dance I, II, III, IV; Auditioned/Approved by teacher

Credits: 2 semester course, 1 credit per semester