Dance - Advanced Level

Advanced level: 2 years

The Advanced Level of instruction seeks to improve the students’ sensibility and general knowledge in dance and their artistic expression. At the same time, this level of instruction further refines students’ advanced dance skills and techniques through comprehensive training. It emphasizes the speed and quality of these movements as well as the accuracy of integrated movements. This training can help students lay a good foundation for becoming outstanding performing artists. Students also learn how to develop and coordinate connecting movements. The purpose is for them to gradually understand and be able to express the spirit of Chinese dance in their performances.

Students who successfully graduate from the Advanced Level dance program will possess superb skills and techniques in dance and will have mastered the ability to convey the goodness and beauty of classical Chinese dance.

Fundamentals of Chinese Classical Dance V, VI

This course is a continuation of the Fundamentals of Chinese Classical Dance at the Intermediate Level and includes training on challenging tumbling techniques such as vertical turns with large postures, leaps with large postures, horizontal turns with large postures, mixed combinations, and combinations with performing elements.

Shen Yun (身韻) V, VI

The students will learn and apply movement combinations to specific roles and characters. Upon completion of this course, students are expected to proficiently use and coordinate elements of Chinese classical dance such as hand gestures, facial expressions, body movements, physical forms, and steps in their dances. Students will also perform Chinese classical dances that effectively express the ethnic bearings through the Shen Yun elements and techniques.

Chinese Folk and Ethnic Dances V, VI

This course further develops the students’ dance techniques and gradually moves them from classroom folk dance training to stage performances. Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to perform more advanced movement combinations required in folk dances, understand at a deeper level the characteristics and sensibilities of the ethnic or regional groups, and understand how cultural and environmental circumstances influence artistic styles and presentation.

Dance Composition

This course explores basic choreographic concepts such as space, time, and force. It guides the students in the process of creating a dance piece and teaches them what to do with a conceived idea, how to select materials, what approaches they can take to convey the message of the dance, how to select the right music, and so on. Every year the school provides students with opportunities to showcase their talents in international competitions. 

Stagecraft

This course studies and puts into practice various elements of theater production. Topics include set, costume, lighting, and sound design. Practical application in producing a dance concert will be included. Upon successful completion of this course, each student will understand the general principles of the planning, preparation, and organization of the technical aspects of theatrical presentation. Students will also have basic knowledge of the various materials and tools used in theatrical productions and have basic knowledge of the specialized technology and theory as it applies to the theatre, including color, electricity, acoustics, and design theory. Students will learn how to represent non-complex technical ideas through sketching, drafting, and model-making. They will acquire basic skills and a working vocabulary in scenery, costume, prop construction, scene painting, and make-up.

Dance Production

This course comprises more in-depth study and practice in the elements of theater production. A full dance production is planned, budgeted, and presented. The course provides training and hands-on experience in presenting performances, managing crew work, and handling all aspects of technical production through active participation in the mounting of dance productions.