Dance Courses

7300A BEGINNING DANCE
7300P BEGINNING DANCE
(f) UC Approved
Beginning Dance is designed to teach students the basic principles of jazz dance, while incorporating ballet and modern techniques. Students will learn proper techniques for warm-ups, exercises, stretches on the floor, and movement phrases executed across the floor. In addition students are taught compositional elements, dance terminology, dance history, and injury prevention. Performance is a component of this class; therefore, students are required to perform in the Spring Dance Concert. The level of difficulty increases during the Spring semester, thus preparing the student for Intermediate Dance. A dance uniform is required.
Length of Course: Year
Open to Grades: 9,10,11,12
Note: This course may be taken as a fine art credit only. Space is limited. Note: Please refer to the P.E. Policy. This class may be repeated. Space is limited.

7301A INTERMEDIATE DANCE
7301P INTERMEDIATE DANCE (P.E. Credit)
(f) UC Approved
This course is open to all SMCHS students; however, student placement in this class is based on a successful audition that is determined by the Director of Dance. Intermediate Dance is a course designed to further student training in dance. Students will learn intermediate warm-ups, floor work, center work, and movement phrases executed across the floor. Students will learn more dance terminology and increase their dance skills. Members of the class will be introduced to group choreography and other concepts related to participation in the dance community. Performance is a component of this class; students are required to perform in the Spring Dance Concert. A dance uniform is required. This course may be taken for P.E. or Fine Art credit. This class may be repeated. Please refer to the P.E. policy.
Length of Course: Year
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Successful audition and teacher recommendation. Note: In order to receive PE credit for Dance, you must take two years of Intermediate or Advanced dance. Space is limited.

7302C ADVANCED DANCE H
(f) UC Approved
This honors course is open to all SMCHS students. Student placement in this class is based on a successful audition that is determined by the Director of Dance. This course is designed for the highly technical and highly trained dancer. Students will learn warmups, and difficult movement phrases executed across the floor, and dance combinations at the advanced level. Dancers at this level should be mentally and emotionally disciplined, and in excellent physical condition. Students will learn that dance is a highly skilled art and should be practiced in a professional manner. Performance is an essential component of this class; students are required to perform in the Spring Dance Concert and the SMCHS Christmas Production. Choreographic skills will be developed. This class may be repeated. Space is limited. A dance uniform is required.
Length of Course: Year
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Successful audition and teacher recommendation.
Note: In order to receive PE credit for Dance, you must take two years of intermediate and advanced dance. Space is limited.

7310C DANCE PRODUCTION H (Song & Dance Team)
(f) UC Approved
This honors course is open to all SMCHS students. Student placement in this class, based on a student’s successful audition, is determined by the Director of Dance. Dance Production is a yearlong course designed to teach the advanced dance student how to be a better performer, and how to view dance (both live performances and via videos) from a critical perspective. Dance techniques of Ballet, Modern and Jazz will be incorporated and students are required to have a solid technical dance background in these areas. Participation in the annual SMCHS Christmas Production and the SMCHS Dance Concert are also required. In addition to on-campus performances, this class will represent SMCHS at competitive Song and Dance Team competitions during the winter/early spring. The dates of these competitions will be arranged as far in advance as possible. Afternoon rehearsals occur three times per week; occasionally early morning and weekend rehearsals will be scheduled. All competitions and rehearsals are required. Participation in outside dance classes and one summer training camp (specified by the Director of Dance) is also required. This course may be taken for P.E. or Fine Art credit.
Length of Course: Year
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Advanced Dance background, Dean’s recommendation, and successful audition.

7320F DANCE IB HL 1
(f) UC Approved
Dance HL 1 IB is a course designed to prepare the grade 11 dancer for the IB Dance exams their senior year. Students interested in fulfilling the subject six requirement of the IB program or interested in earning an IB certificate in Dance may opt to take IB Dance. Students participate in their level appropriate dance technique class, and with IB Dance further explore the elements of Composition, Performance Techniques, and World Dance Studies. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will have prepared and performed a solo dance composition and completed work on a second choreographic study. In addition, a World Dance area of study will be declared and an abstract of the research project submitted. Attendance for the IB component of the course is a mandatory 90 minute session per week.
Length of Course: Year
Open to Grade: 11
Prerequisites: Prior dance experience and SMCHS Dance Director permission.

7321F DANCE IB HL 2
(f) UC Approved Dance
HL 2 IB is a course designed to prepare the grade 12 dancer for the IB Dance exams. Students interested in fulfilling the subject six requirement of the IB program or interested in earning an IB certificate in Dance may opt to take IB Dance. Students participate in their level appropriate dance technique class, and with IB Dance further explore the elements of Composition, Performance Techniques, and World Dance Studies. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will have prepared a total of 3- 4 choreographic studies; the third and fourth being completed in HL 2, and a personal statement on the choreographic process completed. The performance component will be finalized and the dancer will prepare 2-3 works for performance, with one of these works a solo. A World Dance research paper of 2500 words will be submitted.
Length of Course: Year
Open to Grade: 12
Prerequisites: Prior dance experience, SMCHS Dance Director permission, and successful completion of Dance IB HL 1

Students with little to no previous dance experience should sign up for Beginning Dance. Students with significant previous dance experience should audition for Intermediate Dance 1 or 2, Advanced Dance Honors or Dance Production Honors (if interested in competing with EDF Song & Dance Teams). Students become eligible for IB Dance their junior year if they have taken at least one dance class at SMCHS and obtain approval from the Director of Dance.

No previous dance experience is required for Beginning Dance. Auditions are only required for students interested in joining Intermediate Dance 1 or 2, Advanced Dance Honors or Dance Production Honors- EDF Song/Dance Teams. Audition were held on March 12th 2024, however video submissions are now open. Please email Mrs. Darwazeh for video submission information. 

Simply choose Beginning Dance as your elective. For Intermediate or Advanced Dance, students must attend the class placement audition or submit videos. Students that are interested in joining the Dance Production Honors Class (EDF Song/Dance Team) must attend the EDF Team auditions April 23-25th.