‘Everyone can dance! To what level and to what standard is reliant on the needs and desires of the dancer!’ - Melissa Stefano, 2008

D Determination
A Attitude
N New networks
C Challenge
E Entertainment experience

A fun atmosphere in which students can learn the basic technical elements of dance is the primary objective of AbbSchool dance. In addition, the program aims to develop self confidence in every student by providing an opportunity for free expression in a non threatening environment. Girls and boys are taught the fundamental elements of dance through a dynamic and challenging approach where every child can succeed.

Uniform
Senior School girls are required to wear the Abbotsleigh dance uniform to lessons. Junior School girls may wear their PE uniform or the dance uniform. All students must wear jazz shoes from Term 1 or from Term 2 if it is their first year dancing at Abbotsleigh. Jazz shoes are available from dance shops such as ‘Bloch’. The dance uniform is available at the uniform shop.

2009 Dance Showcase
Lights, Camera – Dance! The 2009 Dance showcase provides a performance opportunity for every dance student enrolled in the AbbSchool dance program. The purpose of the showcase is to ensure that every student enjoys the exhilaration of a professional dance performance experience.

General

Jazz
Abbotsleigh girls Years K–2
Jazz dance aims to generate self assurance through movement by teaching choreography which explores overall coordination. There is a focus on retaining choreography and developing stage presence as these two elements are an integral part of developing confidence. These classes have an emphasis on fun and students will have the opportunity to display their abilities during class time and in the Dance Showcase.

JFH (Jazz – Funk – Hip Hop)
Abbotsleigh girls Years 3–11 | Boys Years K–11
A combination of three disciplines associated with popular culture. In the style of Missy Elliot, Madonna, Pink or Destiny’s Child, JFH is expressive and will unite each dance genre’s choreography indicative of the music and the era.

Dance foundation
Boys and Abbotsleigh girls Years K–11
The purpose of this class is to allow each student to work to refine their dancing on a technical level. There is a strict focus on developing combinations and progressions that are challenging and often require repetition to master. The program includes instruction on turns at various levels and speeds, correct posture and kicks to increase flexibility. In addition, an essential part of this program is developing core stability and abdominal strength, the rationale behind this being that movement is easier to execute if overall body strength is increased.

Specialty

Tap Dance
Abbotsleigh girls Years K–11
Tap dance is a fusion of Irish dance and African shuffle. During the 1930s the two genres of dance fused and tap was born. Tap can be performed to music or, as demonstrated by the ‘Tap Dogs’, it can be an innovative way of creating sound percussion. Classes are held for students from Kindergarten to Year 11. Girls will not be required to have tap shoes until Semester 2 to enable both girls and parents to decide whether they wish to continue with tap. In Semester 1 girls can wear sandshoes or school shoes.

Dance Composition
Abbotsleigh girls Years 3–6
Dance composition is the practice and teaching of choreography. Choreography is literally ‘dance-writing’ and is the manipulation of the abstract elements of movement: space, shape, time, dynamics, motifs and energy. Composition at Abbotsleigh will encourage students to explore their creative dance skills inspired by a stimulus such as music, sounds, lyrics, props or emotions. Students are encouraged to organise a group of three or four and enrol as a group. Each class will include up to 16 girls (four groups).

Contemporary Dance
Boys and Abbotsleigh girls Years 7–11
Contemporary dance evolved as a rebellious response to the rigid constraints of classical ballet, and could be described as a less restricted style of theatrical dancing where movements are expressions of feelings, abstract ideas and philosophies relating to the human body and body-mind relationships. Contemporary dance may be observed in the work of many dance companies including Australia’s own Sydney Dance Company.

Musical Theatre — Dance & Drama
Abbotsleigh girls Years 7 & 8
Students will undertake one hour each of drama and dance with specialty teachers in each area. The primary objective is to create a musical theatre work combining music, dance, acting and song, challenging dancers and actors of any standard. This program would suit musical theatre enthusiasts or dancers and actors who wish for more of a challenge. Student will have an opportunity to perform at the annual Drama Recital held in September and Showcase in November.

Pure Break (also known as Bboying/Bgirling)
Boys and Abbotsleigh girls Years 7–11
In this class students will be learning basic break technique including top rocks, freezes, coffee grinders, crazy leg combinations, backspins, the worm, L-kicks and other power moves. Students will build their strength and core stability. However, this is a physically demanding class and students who wish to participate in Break must attend an interview to ensure the candidate is prepared for the commitment this class requires. Wristbands are particularly important.

Note: This is pure break – the style based on what you might see at the International Battle of the Year (not what you’d see on a ‘mainstream’ video clip!). To ensure maximum safety and protection, it is essential all class members bring the following items to class every week:

• kneepads (soft material, not hard plastic)
• wrist supports (found in the weight lifters’ section in sports stores – they will have either yellow or red stripes)
• dance uniform
• a thick beanie.

Selective
Abbotsleigh girls Years 8–10
Abbotsleigh’s selective program ensures that girls are challenged in performance and technical ability. To excel in jazz dance, the dancer must learn basic ballet technique and solid posture. If invited to participate in a selective class students can be sure they will be dancing with girls at a similar level.

Students are referred to the Dance Coordinator after recommendation from a dance teacher. The selective class is not a competitive team. However, many of the requirements stipulated for the Performance Team are encouraged to ensure each student excels and in doing so, prepares for the Performance Team audition if she chooses.

Street Latin
Boys and Abbotsleigh girls Years 7–11
Latin-American dances are typically known as the cha-cha, rumba, samba, salsa, mambo and merengue. Latin dances are generally faster paced and articulate more rhythmic expression. Music may be traditional Latin-American or contemporary popular music.

Superstar
Abbotsleigh girls Years 7–11
Students can build confidence, musicality, rhythm and a repertoire of dance moves and songs which they can perform with the help of music backing. Superstar will blend basic dance moves and the voice so that each girl can confidently sing and dance at the same time. Superstar encourages the performer to multi task on stage. Music selected will be taken from current top 40 hits.

Performance teams
The Performance Teams are for students with a sophisticated understanding of the technical elements required in dance and who possess a natural stage presence. These students must maintain a high level of commitment and be well organised. Generally students in performance teams have extensive dance training in ballet, contemporary, musical theatre and/or jazz.However, this is not a prerequisite. If the potential of an individual child is recognised they will be considered.

Students selected in the performance teams will be asked to purchase a dance costume that will be worn at each competition in which they participate.

Prerequisite for ALL Performance Teams All students on a team must be prepared to participate in a technical class or take ballet elsewhere. Under special circumstances (relevant to the Black Team only) students may be exempt from this rule at the discretion of the Dance Coordinator.

Black
Abbotsleigh girls Years 8–11
The Black Team is specifically selected on their technical merit and level of professionalism and ability as a performer and team member. A Black Team member is passionate about dance and may aspire to become a performer. Girls who participate as part of this team are also encouraged to nurture singing and acting so they are well equipped for a professional environment.

Gold
Abbotsleigh girls Years 7–11
The Gold Team combines Junior and Senior School girls and has been devised to allow girls to ease into the Senior School environment. Gold Team (like the Black Team) members are selected on their current technical ability but also demonstrate potential to excel technically. The 2009 team will focus on how dance enhances Musical Theatre.

Junior Performance Team
Abbotsleigh girls Years 3–6
The Junior Performance Team addresses the needs of those dancers in Years 3 to 6 who would like to experience competition and develop their performance skills. Girls are selected through an audition process where they are judged on expression, technical ability, presentation and individual style.

Junior Training Team
Abbotsleigh girls Years 2–6
This is a performance team for students in Years 2–6. A strict focus on technique, developing confidence, stage presence and a keen sense of musicality and rhythm will be the primary focus.