Application
This unit applies to those who are consolidating their career in contexts where dancing skills are required. Performances could be in commercial or competition settings and dancers would usually be performing as members of an ensemble, though some solo work could be expected.
While supervision and guidance are provided in practice sessions and rehearsals, dancers are expected to display a high level of motivation and sense of responsibility for themselves and others during live performances.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Maintain a physical conditioning program | 1.1. In consultation with relevant personnel identify a range of techniques to improve stamina, strength and flexibility 1.2. Set realistic physical conditioning goals aimed at improving own dance technique 1.3. Identify risk factors that may inhibit the achievement of goals and seek professional advice as required 1.4. Take fatigue, personal limitations and boundaries into account when undertaking physical conditioning program 1.5. Always perform warm-up and cool-down activities in conjunction with dance activities 1.6. Ensure that clothing and footwear are appropriate for undertaking exercise regime and practising dance technique |
2. Use practice sessions to increase level of expertise in dance performance skills | 2.1. Practise a range of exercises in preparation for dance performances 2.2. Work with others to develop expertise in performing with a partner or in an ensemble 2.3. Practise basic solo pieces as required 2.4. Explore techniques to give performances a range of dynamics 2.5. Inject creativity, versatility, individuality and enthusiasm into the performance of exercises and dance routines 2.6. Ensure that flow and interaction with other dancers are smooth and well-timed |
3. Perform dances | 3.1. Undertake preparations appropriate to performance contexts 3.2. Ensure that personal presentation is appropriate to performance contexts 3.3. Prepare for competitions and auditions as required 3.4. Apply performance psychology techniques to preparations 3.5. Apply knowledge of the relevant dance style or genre 3.6. Sustain focus and concentration to produce performances that relate dance movements to the music's rhythm, melody and mood as required 3.7. Convey choreographic intent of dances through confident and precise execution of dance techniques 3.8. Contribute to debriefing sessions to evaluate quality of performances and to discuss ways of improving individual or ensemble technique |
4. Maintain expertise | 4.1. Continuously practise and refine combinations of complex movements and sequences 4.2. Maintain and update knowledge of terminology associated with chosen dance style 4.3. Use feedback from teachers and mentors to identify and develop ways to improve own dance performance skills 4.4. Regularly view performances by industry practitioners as a way of sourcing new ideas and trends, maintaining motivation, and improving own technique |
Required Skills
Required skills
communication skills to:
discuss dance and physical conditioning issues with relevant personnel
respond appropriately to feedback on own skill development and performance
initiative and enterprise skills to:
work creatively with music and dance
dance with artistry and assurance
communicate the mood or style of dances to audiences
learning skills to:
develop strong dance techniques through:
practising complex movements and sequences
a positive attitude to dancing
develop and implement a personal physical conditioning program
develop a movement memory
planning and organising skills to:
prepare for performances, auditions and competitions
plan practice time
self-management skills to:
arrive punctually at classes, rehearsals and performances
dress appropriately
observe dance discipline and follow direction
apply safe dance practices
teamwork skills to work collaboratively with others involved in dance classes and performances
technical dance skills to:
employ physical control throughout performances
respond to different time signatures
maintain correct posture, weight placement and alignment
retain and reproduce basic movement sequences.
Required knowledge
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
terminology associated with chosen dance style
stage geography and directions
musical rhythms, including:
time signatures
beat
tempo
syncopation
overview knowledge of:
ways to prepare for auditions and competitions, including performance psychology techniques
stagecraft as it relates to dancers, such as:
costumes
make-up
props
lighting
main periods in the history of chosen dance styles
ways of notating dance.
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 dance sequences on at least two occasions that demonstrate: an ability to perform with artistry and assurance well-developed technique in the chosen dance style spatial awareness in relation to other performers respond appropriately to constructive feedback on own performance. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to appropriate dance performance areas or spaces. |
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 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 performing in chosen dance style evaluation of live or recorded performances direct observation of candidate in rehearsals and performances. 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: CUADAN303A Develop dance partnering techniques CUAPRF405A Rehearse technique for performance CUAPRF406A Use technique in performance CUAPRF503A Prepare for and perform in a competitive environment. |
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.
Relevant personnel may include: | teachers mentors coaches medical practitioners nutrition experts colleagues family members performers representatives of dance societies. |
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 activities may include: | stretching joint-mobility exercises flexibility exercises aerobic activities anaerobic exercises coordinated breathing activities floor work. |
Exercises | using arm lines appropriately and extensively correct posture, weight placement and alignment demonstrating an awareness of personal and general space when travelling and stationary partnering techniques changing sides (left to right) changing directions changing facings responding to different time signatures using shape when moving in physically dynamic sequences interpreting rhythm to movement lifting techniques improvisation isocentric and polycentric isolations energy placement techniques strengthening flexibility. |
Preparations may relate to: | familiarisation with performance environment (space, location, size) and audience preparation of space to ensure safety of self and others mental preparation immediate physical preparation rehearsal appropriate to performance requirements awareness of time lines leading up to and immediately before performance props costumes or clothing make-up equipment appropriate footwear scores sheet music tapes competitions and auditions: rules judging criteria, including: ability to define and execute challenging parameters ability to transform ability to improvise choreography costumes entertainment value (the ‘x’ factor) execution feeling or spirit general appearance generation of relationship level of difficulty observation, objective and questioning attitude originality and creativity presence showmanship synchronisation technique versatility. |
Performance context | amateur production professional production solo ensemble corps de ballet audition competition. |
Aspects of personal presentation may include: | costumes accessories make-up hair posture way of moving. |
Performance psychology techniques | visualisations affirmations relaxation techniques mental rehearsal maintaining a work-life balance. |
Dance style or genre may include: | 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 street tap wheelchair dancing. |
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.