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Elements and Performance Criteria

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to

respond appropriately to feedback on own skill development and performance

consult with peers and mentors including interpersonal skills relating to listening questioning gaining feedback and giving information

initiative and enterprise skills to

work creatively with music and dance

adapt appropriately to cultural differences in dance

dance with artistry and assurance

communicate mood style and grace through dance

learning skills to

perfect virtuoso contemporary dance techniques through

practising complex movements and sequences

a positive attitude to dancing

excel at a personal physical conditioning program

planning and organising skills to

prepare for performances and auditions

plan practice time

selfmanagement skills to demonstrate professional work ethic

technical dance skills to

execute high level of competency in each section of class work including technical requirements such as

transference of weight

placement and coordination of body parts

strength and stability

employ physical control throughout solo performances

maintain correct posture weight placement and alignment in both parallel and fully rotated turnout position

retain and reproduce complex movement sequences

show alignment and extensions in combinations of a high level of difficulty

reproduce complex movement sequences on both sides of the body

show facility and speed in directional changes

respond to different time signatures

demonstrate facility in coordinated timing

perform high level isolation and energy placement techniques

retain and reproduce complex movement sequences

show alignment and extensions in combinations of a high level of difficulty

execute balances turns and jumps on and off centre in a wide variety of shapes

demonstrate a high level of spatial awareness including floor patterns and aerial pathways

exhibit a high level and range of coordination of limbs torso and head

exhibit confidence in creating movement sequences

show a consistent level of commitment

Required knowledge

choreographic and stylistic nuance in relation to contemporary dance

genres styles and philosophical nature of contemporary dance

influential choreographers in contemporary dance

relationship between acting and contemporary dance

correct contemporary dance terminology

roles or hierarchy in professional situations

virtuoso technique as it applies to each section of dance work such as

centre practice

principles underlying dance movements and virtuoso techniques such as

relationship with gravity

spatial awareness

successional movement

shifting weight

anatomical foundations including

articulation of the spine

engagement of the feet

bases of support including feet legs hands arms and torso

range of motion of the joints

differentiation of the legs and pelvis

risk factors in contemporary dance for the physical body

musical rhythms including

time signatures

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to execute

technical virtuosity

advanced sequences executed with brilliance speed and clarity to a professional standard

personal presentation and artistry through the refinement of individual artistic qualities and personality including interpretation and expression in solo performances

effective solo performance from selected repertoire at professional level

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to

fully equipped dance studios

appropriate music or accompanists

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge The following examples are appropriate for this unit

observation of practice or performance through full practical demonstration

verbal or written questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit

video recordings of performances or practice sessions

case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussing components of contemporary dance technique

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands eg literacy and the needs of particular groups eg people with disabilities and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties such as speakers of languages other than English remote communities and those with interrupted schooling

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended for example

CUADANA Perform dance repertoire at a professional level

CUADAN601A Perform dance repertoire at a professional level

CUADANA Extend contemporary dance performance skills to a professional level

CUADAN608A Extend contemporary dance performance skills to a professional level

CUADANA Extend allied contemporary dance techniques at a professional level

CUADAN610A Extend allied contemporary dance techniques at a professional level

CUAINDA Work professionally in the creative arts industry

CUAIND601A Work professionally in the creative arts industry.

Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Risk factors may relate to:	consistency of a physical fitness regime own ambition expectations of others injury-prevention strategies gender issues body image and eating disorders insufficient hydration poor nutrition incorrectly fitting footwear gender-appropriate performance techniques.
Warm-up and cool-down may include:	stretching joint-mobility exercises flexibility exercises aerobic activities anaerobic exercises coordinated breathing activities floor work.
Contemporary dance technique may include:	upper and lower body poses, phrases and movements correct breathing techniques balanced positions, including: elevation of steps body positions transitions while in motion and while stationary standing work and travel combinations jump work variations in timing and styles of movement expressing a range of emotions through the language of dance centre control spotting employment of strength and agility employing visualisation techniques employing strength and agility demonstrating an awareness of personal and general space when travelling and stationary using arm lines appropriately and extensively multi-turning exercises clean, sharp isocentric and polycentric isolations correct posture and alignment when in motion demonstrating safe dance practices in jumping and faster travelling steps footwork, arm lines and head movements in combination to express rhythm performing complex turns while maintaining good technique moving against gravity with confidence and knowledge.
Sections of class work may include:	warm up stretch floor work centre practice turns travelling sequences sequences with altered spatial organisations, combining all aspects of embodiment and temporal structures jumps cool down.
Performance attributesmay include:	strength, flexibility, coordination and cardiovascular endurance detailed musicality with attention to nuances of interpretation movement qualities to movement sequences strong sense of individuality and 'presence' in the execution of sequences sensibility in sequences of increasing difficulty alternative and structurally changing musical time signatures and phrasing for extended sequences different expressive qualities applied to movement sequences extensive and changing expressive qualities applied to movement sequences assured artistic interpretations of sequences and variations.
Footworkmay include:	multiple turns in centre and travelling configurations sequences that fully demonstrate the capacity to seamlessly transfer weight in all pathway directions sequences that require the full range of movement executed with style and confidence.
Repertoire may include:	contemporary modern ballet original choreography.
Physical learning and adaptability may include:	set exercises or sequences unseen exercises or sequences sequences from a range of techniques, such as: release Horton Limon Cunningham Graham execution of extended sequences to right and left sides without prompting self-correction.
Professional work ethicmay refer to:	attentive behaviour in creative practice awareness of: substance abuse addictive behaviours expectations of others eating disorders effective management of personal finances balanced diet energy levels and personal limitations stage and theatre etiquette developing strategies to: cope with performance anxiety maintain motivation effective personal hygiene habits, such as: clean and short nails clean and tied-up hair clean hands ongoing dedication to a physical conditioning exercise program maintaining concentration, focus and physical alertness in all performance activities maintaining costumes and other apparel maintaining a work-life balance punctuality and reliability working creatively with individual differences.
Extending scope of performance practice may include:	working effectively with tutor or coach participating in professional development and other learning opportunities undertaking training courses practising systemically participating in relevant groups or associations experimenting with own performance communicating with peers being involved in a range of relevant performance activities viewing and reviewing relevant performance events and activities.
Regimes and artistic strategies may include:	lectures seminars conferences symposiums master classes professional organisations practical workshops performance rehearsals individual training.