Because it is active, physically demanding, intellectually stimulating and fun, placing huge emphasis on practical dance work as well as on the analysis of professional choreography. You will explore the work of some of the foremost names in modern dance, learning to understand their techniques and to apply them to your own creative work. Essential in preparing dancers for degree or vocational dance courses, but ideal for those with a love of dance who wish to explore and develop their own skills.
You will learn to use professional dance and will find out how to train effectively and safely. You will develop your teaching skills and will also be able to write about dance. Most importantly you will develop your creative skills as a choreographer.
Entry with:
Dance students on this course in the past have come from a variety of backgrounds and applicants will be assessed on individual experience. GCSE dance, formal training in any field, GCSE expressive arts or an interest in martial arts or gymnastics are all very useful. Where dance has been taken at GCSE a grade B is required.
- • Wide variety of teaching and learning styles
- • Additional individual tuition in lunchtime "surgeries" - especially for choreography
- • Excellent extra-curricular programme including many trips and visits, workshops and guest teachers.
Awarding body:
AQA
AS Level Units
Unit 1: Understanding dance (written paper 1hr 30) 40%.
Unit 2: Choreography and performance (practical exam) 60%.
Advanced (A2) Level Units
Unit 3: Appreciation: content and context (written paper 1hr 30) 50%.
Unit 4: Choreography and performance (practical exam) 50%.
| | Year | Qual | A* | A | B | C | D | E | U | A-C | A-E |
| Dance | 08/09 | A | 0 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
100.0%
|
100.0%
|
| Dance | 07/08 | A | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
100.0%
|
100.0%
|
| Dance | 06/07 | A | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
100.0%
|
100.0%
|
| Dance | 05/06 | A | 0 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
90.0%
|
100.0%
|
| Dance | 08/09 | AS | 0 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
100.0%
|
100.0%
|
| Dance | 07/08 | AS | 0 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
100.0%
|
100.0%
|
| Dance | 06/07 | AS | 0 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
92.9%
|
100.0%
|
| Dance | 05/06 | AS | 0 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
100.0%
|
100.0%
|
- • Classes take place in a large, sunny studio with sprung flooring.
- • The fully equipped College theatre, with a specialist dance skin, is also available for performances.
- • The College library has an extensive range of dance books and DVD recordings.
“One of the things that I have really enjoyed about the Dance AS course at Hills Road is the trips to London and into Cambridge, to watch professional performances. These were vital to the course… but still the highlight of lower sixth Dance. Watching a live Ballet for the .rst time was immense and made writing about the piece more vivid than watching the DVD. The format of the lessons was also really fun, especially the warm ups - there is only one subject where you can play 'stuck in the mud' to warm up, and still call it education!”
Emma Hislop