This introductory course explores the fundamentals of dance as an expressive art form. Students will examine how dance has shaped and been shaped by various cultures and historical contexts, focusing on creativity, performance, and collaboration. The curriculum integrates anatomical awareness, psychological health for dancers, and the use of contemporary media in dance production. Through improvisation, choreography, and critical reflection, students will develop foundational technical skills, explore diverse dance genres, and create original works that convey personal and cultural ideas.

Intermediate Dance builds on foundational skills, encouraging students to explore the relationship between dance and societal, cultural, and historical events. Students will create and refine original works, incorporating diverse sources of inspiration. Emphasis is placed on performance techniques, including kinesthetic awareness and artistic projection, while also addressing the ethical aspects of dance production. Students will explore potential career paths in dance, and analyze dance from various genres and cultures, using content-specific vocabulary to provide feedback and evaluate choreographic works.

Honors Accomplished Dance is designed for advanced students to deeply engage with dance as an art form and professional field. Students will analyze the evolution of dance through history, explore contemporary innovations, and apply cross-disciplinary skills to enhance their dance practice. They will develop original solo works and adapt significant dance pieces, while addressing ethical issues such as copyright and fair use. Through refined technical execution and critical feedback, students will produce performances with artistic intent, using advanced choreographic and production elements to communicate complex ideas.

Honors Advanced Dance is an in-depth exploration of dance as a global, interdisciplinary art form. Students will analyze the historical expansion of dance and its impact on contemporary trends, while exploring innovations in technology and media. Through collaborative choreography, improvisation, and performance, students will refine their technical skills and artistic expression. The course emphasizes the development of strategies to prevent and address health issues in dancers, while also preparing students for various professional dance careers by focusing on legal and production aspects of the field. PRE–AP DANCE (select schools) This course is designed for students who intend to purse Dance as their electives in high school. The course focuses on skills associated with ideation, experimentation, creation, revision, reflection, and analysis—the full range of processes and activities that artists engage in while producing their work. Rather than limiting arts instruction to a singular focus on a final performance or finished portfolio and the development of technical skills that ensure the quality of this presentation, the Pre–AP Arts courses allow room for these COURSE DESCRIPTIONS – ARTS EDUCATION 49 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS – ARTS EDUCATIONculminating events while also emphasizing the opportunities for choice–making that enhance students’ abilities to think critically and creatively as artists. Students will receive Honors credit for the completion of this yearlong curriculum. HONORS ACCOMPLISHED BALLET ( select schools ) Students will develop an understanding of basic ballet technique and vocabulary. Dance history, anatomy, choreography, and performance are included. This process develops greater self–discipline and confidence. HONORS ADVANCED BALLET ( select schools ) This course offers advanced study of ballet technique, vocabulary, and some point work as well as the continued study of dance history, choreography, and performance. Dancers will continue to develop self–discipline and confidence. IB DANCE SL/HL ( select schools ) The IB DP dance course takes a holistic approach to dance, and embraces a variety of dance traditions and dance cultures— past, present and looking towards the future. Performance, creative and analytical skills are mutually developed and valued whether the students are writing papers or creating/ performing dances. The curriculum provides students with a liberal arts orientation to dance. This orientation facilitates the development of students who may become choreographers, dance scholars, performers or those, more broadly, who seek life enrichment through dance.

Part of the General Education department at Northern Guilford High.

This advanced course emphasizes technical mastery and artistic expression in dance. Students will analyze the global evolution of dance and its interdisciplinary connections, applying this knowledge to create, adapt, and perform original works. The curriculum includes improvisation, group choreography, and production design, fostering collaboration and critical thinking. Students will also address the prevention and management of physical and mental health challenges for dancers. The course prepares students for professional careers in dance through advanced performance techniques and exploration of legal and ethical considerations in choreography. INTERMEDIATE CONTEMPORARY DANCE (select schools) Intermediate Contemporary Dance is an introduction to a comprehensive selection of movement concepts through beginning level modern dance technique, improvisation, composition, theory, and analysis. Experiences will promote both a greater awareness of self and an increased understanding of the dance medium.

Contemporary Dance II is designed to increase the dancer’s skills in contemporary dance styles. Emphasis is on developing a refined kinesthetic sense and individual expression through technique and improvisation.

Assessment Choreography is the study of dance composition through explorations of choreographic theories and design. Students study the process of creating dance through a series of structured exercises and explorations of movement and movement design. Each student creates a dance to be presented in a public showing at the end of the semester.

Assessment This course offers an in-depth study of dance history, focusing on the global expansion of dance from the 19th century to today and its influence on current and future trends. Students will explore how dance intersects with society, culture, and other disciplines, analyzing how choreographers and dancers respond to historical events and cultural shifts. The course also examines technological advancements, professional career paths in dance, and ethical considerations in choreography, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of dance as a historical and evolving art form. 50

This course is designed as a survey of the fundamentals of Theatre: acting techniques, improvisation, terminology, and the history and philosophy of Theatre. There will be some play production. Inherent in this process is the development of self–discipline and greater self–confidence. Students may be expected to attend after school rehearsals and performances where participation is a required and graded portion of the course. An audition may be required.

This course emphasizes the rehearsal, production, and performance of various types of Theatre. Specific instruction on stage makeup, lighting, stage crafts, and costuming will be given. Students may be expected to attend after school rehearsals and performances where participation is a required and graded portion of the course. An audition may be required.

This course offers the student advanced studies in Theatre performance and production with an emphasis on directing skills. Students may be expected to attend after school rehearsals and performances where participation is a required and graded portion of the course. An audition may be required.