DANC 4206/08 3.0Winter Term 2009

Fourth Year Ballet TechniqueFinal project

Worth: 10%

Due: Written requirements and/performance due May 20th, 2009

Final Project Objective: Since this fourth year technique class represents for majority of the participants their finale year as a university dance student, the assignments for the Winter term will facilitate the transition from student to graduate. Students will have the opportunity to design a project, worth 10% around the following parameters.

Declaration of Final Project Option: April 6, 2009

Please hand in a brief declaration of the option you have chosen and briefly describe your plan of attack.

Project Options:

Option 1:

Attend a professional dance workshop (not limited to the GTA; however, must not interfere with this or other classes) that may aid your dance career. i.e. choreographic workshop, guest master class, seminar. Check out ‘s CPW (Choreographic Performance Workshop) and ATC (Alternative Technique Classes) series as a start. If you would like to take on-going professional classes downtown, please see me so we can work out an amount.

Write a 3-4 page reflection on this experience. How is this experience applicable to your chosen area of focus after you graduate. How has your York experience prepared you for partaking in this activity? How has this experience prepared your transition as a university dance graduate?

Option 2:

Write a 5 page reflection on The Inner Game of Tennisand its impact on your daily dance practice. How have the skills acquired during the reading and practice of the Gallway’s book impacted the way you approach class. How may this impact your future work after graduation (dance related or not). If your future work is not dance related, how are may these skills be transferable.

Option 3:

Design a ballet class. Write out your class in full with chosen time signatures for each exercise. Include an opening statement of your teaching philosophy and overall objective of your class. Present to our class: 1 barre, 1 centre adage and 1 allegro exercise. Check out sample ballet technique texts for sample classes. (e.g. Warren, Gretchen. Classical Ballet Technique. Tampa: University of South Florida Press, 1989 provides a wonderful sampling of various dancing masters’ class techniques. There are also a variety of guides in the library.)

Here is a very simple sample of how I tend to write out classes.

Plié 3/4 – facing sideways to the barre, feet 1st position, left hand on the barre

2 bar introduction – tendue to 2nd, arms lower 5th en bas

1-4 2 demis pliés; arms 5th en avant to 5th en haut

5-7 1 grand plié, simple port de bras

&8 tendue close 1st position

1-8 repeat in 1st but with forward and back extension

1-8repeat in 4th with a cambré en fondu and lunge

1-6 repeat 5th with circular port de bras

7-8 rise detourné to 2nd side

1-32repeat second side

Consult a ballet dictionary for proper spelling.

Option 4:

Perform a Ballet Variation of your choice on the final day. Options will be presented in class. We will all learn the variations; however, those wishing to adopt this option will be grade out of ten on their performance. Please keep a brief journal of your progress on this variation throughout the term and provide a 2 page summary of your experience learning and preparing to perform this variation. You can include content from the Inner Game of Tennis that may have facilitated this process.

Option 5:

Is there something I have not thought of feel free to present a written proposal of an additional option for April 6, 2009.