This unit applies to dancers who are moving towards professional careers in contexts where additional and complex contemporary skill-based dance technique and versatility are required for performing as members of a professional contemporary dance company in Australia or internationally.
At this level dance artists are constantly refining their technique and perfecting their artistry across complex contemporary dance repertoire, including the ability to work as a soloist or with a variety of partners effectively and convincingly.
Dancers are expected to display a high level of motivation and sense of responsibility for themselves and their colleagues during practice sessions, rehearsals and live performances.
Not applicable.
1. Rehearse a range of advanced allied contemporary dance techniques | 1.1. Practise a range of techniques required to perform duo work at a professional level 1.2. Incorporate understanding of the expressive, musical and formal aspects of partnering and reciprocity into performances 1.3. Develop rapport with partner during rehearsals and seamlessly adjust to a change of partner as required 1.4. Exhibit a professional level of physical learning and adaptability to incorporate unseen combinations across different 1.5. Incorporate understanding of nuances and characteristics of choreographic styles when performing group and solo work from contemporary dance 1.6. In dance tumbling display a strong and acrobatic stance both in static and inverted positions 1.7. Continuously work on perfecting a wide range of dance tumbling techniques |
2. Execute complex contemporary dance repertoire in practice sessions | 2.1. Practise repertoire with an increased awareness of and attention to rhythms and time signatures commonly used in contemporary dance 2.2. Convey a high level of spatial awareness appropriate to solo and group work 2.3. Execute group work with a professional sense of cohesion and solo work with a professional sense of musical individuality 2.4. Present variations and repertoire with a high level of artistry and assurance across |
3. Extend skills in improvisation | 3.1. Work on improvisational tasks of increasing complexity and diversity 3.2. Apply an ever expanding movement vocabulary and spontaneity in response to various stimuli 3.3. Achieve a mature performance quality through improvised solos and scored group work 3.4. Incorporate into the execution of improvisations an understanding of how an extended range of improvisational skills can extend choreographic possibilities |
4. Develop professional practice | 4.1. Develop and refine professional work ethic 4.2. Develop realistic parameters as a basis for 4.3. Identify regimes and artistic strategies that will refine own performance technique |
Required skills
communication skills to:
work collaboratively
demonstrate cooperation, consideration and develop rapport with partners
respond appropriately to feedback on own skill development
consult with peers and mentors, including interpersonal skills relating to listening, questioning, gaining feedback and giving information
initiative and enterprise skills to:
access, draw on and creatively develop a variety of imaginative stimuli
work creatively with music and dance
dance with artistry and assurance
communicate mood and style through dance
learning skills to:
perfect allied contemporary dance techniques through:
practising complex movements and sequences repeatedly
a capacity for advanced self-correction and concentrated response to feedback
a positive attitude to dancing
excel at a personal physical conditioning program
planning and organising skills to:
research and analyse from contemporary works:
use of improvisation, duo techniques and acrobatic moves
contexts and characteristics of artists involved in chosen repertoire
plan practice time
self-management skills to:
arrive punctually at classes and rehearsals
dress appropriately
observe dance discipline and follow direction
apply safe dance practices and identify risk factors
demonstrate professional work ethic
teamwork skills to work collaboratively with partner in dance classes
technical dance skills to:
execute high level of technical skills in solo, ensemble and partnership situations
employ physical control throughout execution of sequences
demonstrate timing and weight centring techniques with partner, applying them to lifts and counterbalances
demonstrate a high level of spatial awareness in partnering, including floor patterns and aerial pathways
sense needs of partner and adapt appropriately
emulate the style and intention of duo-work repertoire and choreography through partnering allied technique
replicate precisely physical instructions and choreographic material
undertake high order physical risk with awareness of safe dance practices.
Required knowledge
specialised knowledge of:
contemporary dance repertoire and performance
advanced dance practices required to engage and participate in the research, investigation and development of a choreographic work
principles underlying dance movements and techniques, such as:
movement efficiency
relationship with gravity
spatial awareness
successional movement
use of breath
folding
extending
rotating
giving and taking weight
placement and coordination of body parts
anatomical and alignment principles, including:
skeletal structure
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
partnering and improvisational techniques relevant to contemporary dance
mechanics of partnering
risk factors in partnering techniques and high level acrobatic work
principles of professional work ethic
well-developed knowledge of:
ways in which improvised partnering can contribute to the development of new material for choreography
holistic approaches to knowledge in alternative media
safe dance practice.
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 physical and conceptual understanding of the fundamental technical principles of allied contemporary dance techniques demonstrate advanced partnering skills to the professional level, including travelling steps, complex lifts and counterbalances execute improvised sequences in response to specific stimuli in solo, duet or group form synchronise instinctively in a duo and group situation safely execute advanced dance tumbling skills with speed and confidence work with a partner harmoniously and with rapport and confidence develop professional practice. |
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 and 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, repertoire and performance and partnering skills as they relate to allied contemporary dance techniques. 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: CUADAN601A Perform dance repertoire at a professional level CUADAN607A Extend contemporary dance technique to a professional level CUADAN608A Extend contemporary dance performance skills to a professional level CUAIND601A Work professionally in the creative arts industry CUAOHS602A Develop techniques for maintaining resilience in a competitive environment. |
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.
Techniques required to perform duo work at a professional level must include: | counterbalance support manipulation mechanics medium power lifting grip leverage thrust and counter-thrust coordinated timing. |
Physical learning and adaptability may include: | duo: weight exchange techniques with one or more partners falls, rolls and balances with or away from partners set sequences or weight exchanges improvised weight exchanges repertoire: solos duos group sequences reproduction from video reproduction from choreographer internet, book, journal and audiovisual research interviewing choreographers new work or work from the modern dance canon improvisation: increased range and sequencing of individually unique movement variable stimuli to trigger responses, including: text sound concept touch pictorial architectural organic alternative performance venues discussion and writing informal showings dance tumbling: exercises designed to increase strength, flexibility and agility use of alignment and control in various inverted weight bearing poses high velocity rolls and aerial work advanced acrobatic skills in relation to the contemporary dance technique continuing application of safe dance practice and its relevance to dance tumbling. |
Teaching methods may include: | student led and student centred learning methods in which initiative, self-motivation, creativity, empathy, responsiveness and sensitivity to the task are encouraged release techniques responses to scores. |
Repertoire may include: | contemporary dance repertoire modern ballet repertoire original choreography. |
Dance tumbling techniques | ability to move at a medium and high velocity pace with a complete and comprehensive understanding of the pathways when the body is both static aerial and inverted aerial straight line hand balance handstand drills. basic acrobatic tumbling skills, such as: forward rolls dive rolls cartwheels round-off back arches forward and back walkovers handsprings side rolls from standing prep side rolls from jumped prep side double leg pikes cargo rolls backward and forward over shoulder rotations low and medium fan or star flight jumps hami's half and full turns spat rotations butterfly jumps half twisting butterflies backward scorpions windmill and windmill rotation tunnel jumps. |
Dance tumbling techniques may include: | long horizontal barrels (single and double) nip ups static or running backflip side aerial (brounie) back sault. |
Rhythms may include: | syncopation, such as: 6/8 tacit unification monotone jazz. |
Time signatures may include: | 3/4 4/4 6/4. |
Repertoire may include: | solos duos group sequences reproduction from video reproduction from choreographer internet, book, journal and audiovisual research interviewing choreographer new work or work from the modern dance canon. |
Contemporary dance styles | Graham Cunningham Horton release Alvin Alley. |
Stimuli | music, such as: any type of musical style, like jazz, hip-hop and world vocal instrumental percussion, such as: drums hands feet stamps percussion instruments word motivation, such as: wobble, twitch, freeze vault, twirl, collapse pause, swell, jerk vibrate, bound, creep technical equipment, such as: lighting audiovisual fog machines scaffolding other props, objects and materials, such as: fabric instruments puppets or dolls piece of clothing ladder or chair boxes flowers footwear hat lipstick silent space various texts, such as: poetry newspaper articles lyrics advertisements. |
Professional work ethic | 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. |
Performing arts - dance
This unit contains employability skills.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.