Performance: Dance (BFA) at Toronto Metropolitan University

The UB Dance Program is a nurturing and challenging artistic community where Versatility Matters. The program values education fueled by stimulating professional performing and teaching experiences. The BA dance degree includes a depth and breadth of curriculum with equal emphasis on ballet, modern, jazz and tap. The department does not offer a minor in dance. Various options in preparing for professional dance careers are available. Coursework includes performance, choreography, pedagogy, somatic practices, movement analysis, history, criticism and research.

Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate: in studio classes and performances technical proficiency and performance ability in diverse/broad range of movement disciplines and styles. Students will be able to do the following:

Diversified Technique Methodologies

• Demonstrate & instruct technical skills, rhythmic acuity moving musically & dynamically
• Incorporate instructional strategies to develop cognitive complexity in insightful use of dance vocabulary
• Demonstrate & develop instructional strategies for teaching the concepts of placement, elevation, control & style
• Demonstrate & develop instructional strategies for teaching the concepts of coordination, use of weight, directional focus
• Demonstrate & develop instructional strategies for teaching an understanding of musical accompaniment
• Demonstrate & develop instructional strategies for teaching the theories of diversified techniques 18 Dance Technique courses, from lower to upper levels that include: Ballet (6 levels), Modern (6 levels), Jazz (6 levels}. Students choose to take one of the above discipline through the 6th level and the remaining up to level 2, In addition students complete two levels of Tap

Cultural & Historical

• Demonstrate a knowledge of historical facts, as well as social and cultural issues that influenced development of dance as an art form
• Discuss, articulate, express, and debate a variety of cultural movement contexts technically, historically, philosophically, and aesthetically
• Examine and communicate the importance of dance history in relation to other arts, social and political concerns that influenced the dancers and choreographers of the time
• Discuss the role of dance in various cultures and historical periods
• Research theoretical and interdisciplinary approaches to dance arts and aesthetics

Choreography, Composition & Improvisation

• Apply choreographic principles, processes, and structures to create original work that exhibits choreographic intent
• Investigate and generate new movement solutions and constructively apply feedback to rework, revise, and refine choreography
• Verbally articulate informed ideas about choreography and dance performance
• Incorporate the process of movement exploration, concept development, manipulation of ideas, to generating original choreography for performance

The UB Dance Program is a nurturing and challenging artistic community where Versatility Matters. The program values education fueled by stimulating professional performing and teaching experiences. The BFA dance degree includes a depth and breadth of curriculum with equal emphasis on ballet, modern, jazz and tap. The department does not offer a minor in dance. Various options in preparing for professional dance careers are available. Coursework includes performance, choreography, pedagogy, somatic practices, movement analysis, history, criticism and research.

Learning Outcomes

DIVERSIFIED TECHNIQUE METHODOLOGIES

• Will demonstrate: Technical proficiency, rhythmic acuity moving musically & dynamically
• Will demonstrate: cognitive complexity in insightful use of dance vocabulary
• Will demonstrate: a well developed sense of placement, elevation, control & style
• Will demonstrate: a sense coordination, use of weight, directional focus
• Will demonstrate: an understanding of musical accompaniment
• Will demonstrate: knowledge of the theory of diversified techniques
• 23 Dance Technique courses, from lower to upper levels that include: Ballet (6 levels), Modern (6 levels), Jazz (6 levels), Tap (3 levels); Social Dance; Pas de Deux; and TH 108 Basic Acting

CULTURAL & HISTORICAL

• Will be able to: Demonstrate a knowledge of historical facts, as well as social and cultural issues that influenced development of dance as an art form
• Will be able to: Discuss, articulate, express, and debate a variety of cultural movement contexts technically, historically, philosophically, and aesthetically
• Will be able to: Examine and communicate the importance of dance history in relation to other arts, social! and political concerns that influenced the dancers and choreographers of the time
• Will be able to: Discuss the role of dance in various cultures and historical periods
• Will be able to: Research theoretical and interdisciplinary approaches to dance arts aesthetics

CHOREOGRAPHY, COMPOSITION & IMPROVISATION

• Will be able to: Apply choreographic principles, processes, and structures to create original work that exhibits choreographic intent
• Will be able to: Investigate and generate new movement solutions and constructively apply feedback to rework, revise, and refine choreography
• Will be able to: Verbally articulate informed ideas about choreography and dance performance
• Will be able to: Incorporate the process of movement exploration, concept development, manipulation of ideas, to generating original choreography for performance
• Will be able to: Move spontaneously, without premeditated choreographing

SOMATIC PRACTICES

• Will be able to: Explain kinesiological principles of the human body
• Will be able to: Assess & record anatomical strengths, weaknesses
• Will be able to: Examine the function of dance science and its role in building technical and artistic proficiency in dance technique
• Will be able to: Have a working knowledge of basic care for such injuries, and to correctly utilize conditioning practices
• Will be able to: Relate the principles of dance science in relation to dance and healthful living

Binghamton offers a BA in theatre, providing students with the opportunity to take courses in areas such as: acting, directing, dance, and design/technical theatre. In addition, students can also take courses in musical theater, performance theory, history or criticism.