Application
Persons with some practical experience in dance apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit. They would normally perform as members of a group or ensemble and could be developing technique in dance styles, such as ballet, contemporary, jazz, ballroom, tap, cultural or street.
This unit concentrates on the development of basic dance techniques for a limited range of styles, suitable for young dancers at the commencement of their career. Skills are usually developed in a dance studio setting under the supervision of a teacher.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Explore basic dance techniques | 1.1. Identify principles and characteristics of a range of basic dance techniques 1.2. Discuss with relevant personnel the range of ways in which dance techniques can be used to create simple movement sequences 1.3. Identify relationship between dance techniques and accompanying music 1.4. Recognise that dance techniques are composed of a range of influences |
2. Participate in personal warm-up and class preparation | 2.1. Select and wear appropriate practice clothing and footwear 2.2. Identify a variety of effective warm-up techniques 2.3. Develop an appropriate warm-up strategy 2.4. Complete appropriate warm-up exercises 2.5. Apply safe dance practices |
3. Practise basic dance techniques | 3.1. Apply correct posture and body alignment appropriate to the dance technique and movement 3.2. Apply isolation and coordination of the upper and lower body within simple movement sequences 3.3. Apply locomotor 3.4. Apply falling, elevation and turning techniques in dance practice sessions 3.5. Apply balance, flexibility, coordination, weight transfer and control and articulation of individual body parts in an integrated manner in a range of techniques 3.6. Seek feedback from relevant personnel to facilitate improvement in developing basic dance techniques |
4. Develop combinations of dance techniques within specified exercises | 4.1. Discuss with relevant personnel the combinations of dance exercises to determine the requirements of the exercise 4.2. Apply memory retention, control and finesse when combining dance techniques within an exercise 4.3. Incorporate musicality and phrasing into dance exercises 4.4. Seek feedback from relevant personnel to facilitate improvement in developing combinations of basic dance techniques |
5. Participate in cool-down exercises | 5.1. Identify a variety of effective cool-down techniques 5.2. Develop an appropriate cool-down strategy 5.3. Complete appropriate cool-down exercises |
Required Skills
Required skills
communication skills to:
discuss dance issues with colleagues in an appropriate way
respond appropriately to feedback on own skill development
initiative and enterprise skills to:
apply techniques of music to movement in dance forms
express rhythms in physical form
learning skills to:
develop and practise basic dance techniques
develop a movement memory
listening skills to:
maintain correct tempi in movement sequences
maintain musical sensitivity, awareness and phrasing in exercises and routines
literacy skills to interpret and clarify written or verbal instructions
planning and organising skills to:
prepare for dance classes
plan practice time
problem-solving skills to seek assistance when problems arise
self-management skills to:
arrive at classes on time
dress appropriately
observe dance discipline and follow direction
apply safe dance practices
teamwork skills to:
work collaboratively with others involved in dance classes
train with others as a member of a team under direction
work in a cohesive partnership with a peer, interpreting a dance style.
Required knowledge
basic knowledge of OHS in the context of dance classes
well-developed knowledge of:
principles underlying dance movements and techniques, such as:
relationship with gravity
spatial awareness
successional movement
use of breath
folding
extending
rotating
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
importance of healthy food choices in relation to wellbeing and injury prevention, including five food groups and recommended daily amounts
dance terminology
structure of a dance class.
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: perform a range of dance movements within personal capabilities identify a range of basic dance techniques perform two dance sequences that demonstrate a mastery of basic dance techniques respond appropriately to constructive feedback on own performance. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to appropriate dance class areas or spaces, including outdoor locations. |
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: direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance evaluation of dance skills in a classroom setting verbal or written questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussion of issues and challenges that arise in the context of developing basic dance techniques direct observation or video recording of candidate developing basic dance techniques in dance classes. Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. 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: CUADAN202A Incorporate artistic expression into basic dance performances CUAPRF201A Prepare self for performances. |
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.
Basic dance techniques may relate to: | dance style, including: ballet bodyweather and butoh contemporary creative cultural, such as: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander African belly dancing Egyptian Hungarian Irish dance Khmer magical, mystical or spiritual dance Pacific Islander Polish ritual or sacred Russian Scottish Spanish jazz modern social, such as: foxtrot quickstep tango Viennese waltz waltz Argentine tango cha cha jive mambo paso doble rumba salsa street tap wheelchair dancing alignment focusing eyes and mind while performing improvisation isocentric and polycentric isolations locomotor exercises and sequences, such as: pirouettes posés piqués pencil turns châinés kicks jumps and leaps maintaining control in turning balances maintaining rhythm and tempo non-locomotor exercises and sequences, such as: pliés tendus using arm lines appropriately and extensively working at differing tempos working on centre and off centre. |
Relevant personnel may include: | choreographers community members fellow students manager mentors representatives of dance societies supervisor teachers. |
Relationship | correct timing phrasing. |
Accompanying music may include: | instrumental music vocal music traditional or folk music contemporary or soundscapes live or recorded music. |
Influences may include: | ballroom dancing classical ballet ethnic dance, such as: African Afro-American Indian Russian Spanish dancers, choreographers and musicians, such as: Isadora Duncan Katherine Dunham Doris Humphrey Gene Kelly Martha Graham Pearl Primus Bob Fosse James Brown musical theatre and Broadway shows traditional jazz, such as: jive rock and roll cakewalk black bottom charleston jitter bug boogie woogie swing urban folk, including: acid funk hip-hop rap soul dance techno trance. |
Warm-up techniques may include: | barre and floor exercises exercises for: body conditioning and strength development flexibility isometric control coordination improvement and enhancement exercises muscle contraction and release isolation and mobility of all body parts slow and relevant stretching slow and deep breathing. |
Safe dance practices | correct execution of dance steps appropriate clothing and footwear doing exercises and performing routines on flooring appropriate to genre and style of dance, such as: sprung softwood tarkett sprung parquet tongue and groove hardwood resined for ballroom and Latin dance non-slip for ballet wood for tap and Spanish nutrition and diet understanding the body’s capabilities and limitations, including: alignment flexibility (mobility) strength (stability) cardiorespiratory endurance muscular endurance warm-up and cool-down activities, such as: gentle stretches aerobic exercises anaerobic exercises breathing exercises. |
Body alignment | proper alignment of the torso, limbs, spine and shoulders, including: ear over the shoulder over the hips knee over the ankle. |
Locomotor | balance control and articulation of a body parts in an integrated manner coordination flexibility stamina weight transfer. |
Falling, elevation and turning | balance control and articulation of body parts in an integrated manner coordination flexibility stamina weight transfer. |
Cool-down techniques may include: | barre and floor exercises exercises for: body conditioning and strength development flexibility isometric control coordination improvement and enhancement exercises muscle contraction and release isolation and mobility of all body parts slow and relevant stretching slow deep breathing. |
Sectors
Performing arts - dance
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.