Courses

An overview of dance history with an emphasis on Western dance forms, American concert dance, and understanding dance practice and performance as a lineage. Focus is centered on the cultural origins and aesthetics of ballet, modern dance, jazz, tap, some social dance forms, and the emergence and influences of contemporary forms.

Focus on conditioning techniques that relate to the dance idiom. Emphasis on basic Pilates principals that build abdominal and back strength. Exercises include body alignment, flexibility techniques, floor barre, weight training and stability exercises.

Focus on multi-zone targeting conditioning techniques that relate to the dance idiom. Emphasis on beyond the basics of Pilates principles that build abdominal and back strength. Exercises include various approaches that combine body alignment, core strength, flexibility techniques, floor barre, weight training and stability exercises.

Focus on multi-zone targeting conditioning techniques that relate to the dance idiom. Emphasis goes beyond the basics of Pilates principles that build abdominal and back strength. Exercises include various approaches that combine body alignment, core strength, flexibility techniques, floor barre, weight training and stability exercises.

Instruction and practice in the Feldenkrais Method to address physical habits, movement adaptability, and specific performance skills for dance and related movement-based performance styles. Processes which enhance human expression through refinement of motor learning will be explored. CCSF GE Area G2 and CSU GE Area E2.

Exploration of compositional movement techniques. Improvisation and choreographic structures are presented for student study. The course culminates with a studio demonstration or theatre performance.

This is a self-directed, cumulative course for the Dance Major - Performance Art. The student will choreograph and produce an original dance piece for public performance. This interdisciplinary, integrated project may enhance employability and augment artistic entrepreneurship.

This course introduces the skills required to transition from in-class dance technique to stage performance of repertory. Dance choreography will be learned for audience presentation in a theatrical or classroom environment.

Designed as an introduction to CCSF ambassadorial dance company touring. Students will learn dance works from faculty and guest choreographers. Touring venues include CCSF campuses and San Francisco Bay Area colleges.

This course is designed to expand the skills of the student dancer preparing for a career as part of a touring dance company. Students will learn multiple dance works from faculty and guest choreographers. Touring venues include CCSF, San Francisco high schools and local colleges, public theaters, and other public dance events.

Various salsa styles and techniques leading to group or solo performances will be learned. Styles and formations, including rueda, will be examined through demonstration and practice. Emphasis will be on the effective presentation of patterns. Satisfies CCSF Area G2 and CSU E2.

Collaborative creation, development and rehearsal of an Argentine Tango-based dance piece for public performance.

Theory and practice of the principles of beginning ballet technique that include alignment, placement, turnout, positions of the feet, carriage of the arms, and basic ballet vocabulary. Focus is on the application of these principles to barre exercises and center practice.

Advanced Beginning Ballet is a continuation of beginning ballet technique with an emphasis on building vocabulary and integrating connecting and traveling steps into combinations.

Intermediate ballet is a continuation of the theory and practice of classical ballet and builds upon skills learned in advanced beginning ballet. Intermediate ballet vocabulary and technique at the barre and in center practice are introduced including positions of the body, balances, and pirouettes (turns on one leg).

Advanced Intermediate ballet is a continuation of the theory and practice of classical ballet and builds upon skills learned in intermediate ballet. Advanced intermediate ballet vocabulary and technique are introduced that include multiple turns, jumps with beats, turns in the air, and longer and more difficult combinations that emphasize style and technical accuracy .

Intensive Ballet offers further practice and refinement of technique and vocabulary learned in Intermediate Ballet with an emphasis on analysis of anatomical function, movement qualities related to musicality, and longer center combinations integrating direction changes.

Theory and practice of basic pointe technique that include pre-pointe exercises, elementary pointe vocabulary, selection and fit of pointe shoes, and guidelines necessary to develop correct placement, muscular strength, and safe habits.

A fusion of different beginning contemporary dance techniques and genres embracing a variety of movement skills, dance vocabulary, and current trends in dance.

A fusion of different advanced beginning contemporary dance techniques and genres embracing a variety of movement skills, dance vocabulary, and current trends in dance.

Beginning modern dance with emphasis on basic terminology, correct dance alignment, dance routines and basic concepts of modernism. Examples of the techniques explored: Graham, Cunningham, Limon, Horton, and Dunham.

Advanced beginning modern dance builds upon skills learned in beginning modern dance technique with emphasis on refining technique, increasing vocabulary, movement through levels and space, and combinations.

Intermediate modern dance builds upon skills learned in advanced beginning modern dance technique with emphasis on increased technique, increased movement vocabulary appropriate to intermediate training, dynamic movement qualities related to musicality, and an in-depth continuation of modern dance history.

Advanced modern dance builds upon skills learned in intermediate modern dance technique with emphasis on increased technique, increased movement vocabulary appropriate to advanced training, and more complex element phrase work integrating dynamics and musicality. A continuation of modern dance history will be presented.

Intensive modern dance builds upon the modern technique and vocabulary learned in Intermediate Modern Dance with emphasis on analysis of anatomical function, dynamic movement qualities related to musicality, ensemble performance and technique, and an in depth continuation of modern dance history.

Dance Improvisation: Group is a non-traditional approach to dance. Emphasis will be placed on improvisational movement techniques that stimulate ideas for moving spontaneously. The students will collaborate on group projects for performance at some unconventional sites on campus.

Dance Improvisation: Solo, Duet, and Contact Technique is a course that emphasises improvisational movement techniques that integrate drama, comedy, music, vocal art forms, and various choreographic techniques. Students will practice their performance of improvisation through individual projects and collaborations.

Beginning jazz dance with emphasis on basic technique, terminology, dance combinations and basic rhythms of jazz dance.

Advanced beginning jazz dance builds upon skills learned in beginning jazz dance technique with emphasis on refining technique, increasing vocabulary, movement through space, and combinations.

Intermediate Jazz builds upon skills learned in Advanced Beginning Jazz Dance with emphasis on refining technique, musicality, increasing vocabulary and movement through space and combinations.

Advanced Jazz Dance builds upon skills learned in Intermediate Jazz Dance technique with emphasis on refining technique, rhythmic structure, increasing vocabulary, movement through space, improvisation, and combination.

Introduction to Dance Theater introduces the technical and choreographic style of dance performed in Musical Theater productions. This course is designed to adapt dance to various styles of musical theater accompaniment and explore how dance can non-verbally support the story-telling of plays and musicals.

Beginning African-Haitian dance will be examined through technical demonstration and practice. Emphasis will be placed on traditional movements, isolations, movement progressions, dance patterns, and musicality. Dance pioneers and their contribution to African-Haitian dance will be discussed.

Advanced beginning African Haitian Dance is a continuation of beginning African Haitian with an emphasis on building vocabulary on traditional movements and integrating isolations and movement progressions in connection to dance patterns and correct musicality.

Intermediate African Haitian dance builds on advanced beginning level skills. Through demonstration, practice, correction, and review, emphasis is placed on expansion into more intricate traditional movements, Dunham technique, dance patterns, styles, and musicality. Historical and cultural elements will be explored through lectures, films, research, and discussions. Creative expression will be encouraged through group choreographic activities and individual projects.

Advanced African Haitian Dance is a continuation of intermediate African Haitian with an emphasis on building vocabulary on traditional movements and integrating isolations and movement progressions in connection to dance patterns and correct musicality.

Beginning Tap Dance briefly reviews the history of tap and lays the foundation for acquisition of tap dance skills. Emphasis will be on demonstration and practice of fundamental tap technique and vocabulary in rhythmic drills and dance phrases.

Advanced Beginning Tap Dance further examines the history of tap and builds upon skills learned in beginning tap with emphasis on refining technique, increasing vocabulary, precise footwork and rhythmic accuracy in more complex combinations.

Intermediate Tap Dance reviews the historical relationship of tap dance to jazz music and builds upon skills learned in advanced beginning tap with emphasis on more refined musicality and acquisition of intermediate level tap vocabulary and technique.

Advanced Intermediate Tap Dance refines intermediate tap dance skills and explores improvisation and choreography through demonstration and practice. Focus is on tap history and its relationship to jazz music which provide guidelines for tap improvisation and choreography.

Beginning Hip Hop dance with emphasis on technique, vocabulary, dance combinations and basic rhythms of hip hop dance.

Beginning Hip Hop dance with emphasis on technique, vocabulary, dance combinations and basic rhythms of hip hop dance.

Intermediate Hip Hop dance builds upon skills learned in Advance Beginning Hip Hop with emphasis on increasing vocabulary, styles, and length of dance combinations with more complex rhythms. Using hip hop dance as a vehicle, students will be able to explore their own movement expression and choreography.

Advanced Hip Hop dance builds upon skills learned in Intermediate Hip Hop with emphasis on increasing vocabulary, styles, and length of dance combinations with more complex rhythms. Using hip hop dance as a vehicle, students will be able to explore their own movement expression and choreography in both group and solo settings.

International Folk Dance provides a foundation for the study of dance. Folk dance offers experience in varied rhythms, formations, dance structures and movement vocabularies. Partner and non-partner dances from various countries and cultures are included.

Intermediate International Folk Dance emphasizes partner and non-partner dances from various countries, selected to offer experience in more challenging rhythms, formations, dance structures and movement vocabularies. Beginning level repertory is practiced and maintained. Students learn to demonstrate, lead and teach International Folk dances.

An introduction to basic ballroom dance forms with an emphasis on step patterns and dance positions. Ballroom dances explored include forms such as Tango, Waltz, Swing, Cha-cha, Salsa, Rumba, and Foxtrot.

Ballroom dance with emphasis on intermediate level step patterns and dance positions for a complete range of dances such as Tango, Waltz, Swing, Cha-cha, Salsa, Rumba, and Foxtrot.

Introduction to beginning waltz steps. Students will learn both beginning slow waltz and Viennese waltz.

Develop intermediate skills in waltz and Viennese waltz. Students will build on techniques learned in beginning waltz.

Beginning international Latin dance with emphasis on step patterns from the bronze level international Latin syllabus. The class will include a selection from Cha Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble, Samba and Jive.

Intermediate Latin dance with emphasis on step patterns from the bronze and silver level International Latin syllabus. The class will include a selection from rumba, cha cha, samba, jive and paso doble.

Explorations of various Latin-American dance forms with an emphasis on Salsa partner dance. Students will learn to execute beginning dance steps in Salsa and other Latin dance forms. The course is focused on social dance.

Explorations of various Latin-American dance forms with emphasis on Salsa. Students will learn to execute intermediate dance steps in Salsa and other Latin dance forms. Emphasis will be on social dances.

Explorations of various Latin-American dance forms with emphasis on Salsa. Students will learn to execute advanced dance steps in Salsa and other Latin dance forms. Emphasis will be on social dances.

Introductory movement foundation in the social, improvisational form of Argentine Tango grounded in an exploration of its culture and history. The course teaches students to converse in the lead-follow language of this richly layered partner dance.

Intermediate Argentine Tango builds upon the social, improvisational skills learned in beginning with an emphasis on partnering in a closer embrace, incorporating rhythmic variations, and leading and following turns. The class examines the evolution of tango as a dancing image, a living art.

Advanced Argentine Tango builds upon skills learned in intermediate with an emphasis on developing a deeper understanding of tango concepts, movement, partnering skills, technique and musicality. The course grows students' dance fluency in the lead-follow language of tango.

Refinement of placement, styling, adornments, lead/follow and musicality in Argentine Tango through exercises done at the barre and on the center with and without partners. Focus on the role of the follower in the tango. Course highlights the contribution of women in the construction of tango culture past and present. Open to students of all genders.

A beginning dance aerobic fitness class based upon Latin American dance steps and music.

A dance aerobic fitness class using Latin American and Hip Hop dance steps and music. It builds upon the skills learned in Zumba: Latin Style Dance Forms with an emphasis on increased technique, coordination, and increased movement vocabulary related to rhythm and musicality.

Yoga movement is a dynamic form of yoga that integrates elements of dance while increasing strength and flexibility. Fundamental yoga postures will be sequenced into combinations that include music, spatial design, energy qualities, and allow for individual creativity and expression.