815 North Broadway
Saratoga Springs,
New York, 12866
SKIDMORE PHONE
518-580-5000
Dance
Chair of the Department of Dance: Mary DiSanto-Rose
Associate Professors: Mary DiSanto-Rose, Debra Fernandez, Denise Warner Limoli
Lecturers: *Julie Gedalecia, Mary Harney, Kevin Magee, *Adriana Markovska, *Debra Pigliavento, *Meghan Schaefer
Dance Musicians: Carl Landa, Patricia Hadfield, *Oleg Moston
Dance Theater Technical Director: Lori Dawson
The mission of the Dance Program is to link critical thinking,
analysis, craft, history, and creativity with the distinct movement
skills derived from studio practice and stage performance. Students
are required to work toward proficiency in the particular movement
language of Western and/or Eastern dance forms: classical ballet,
modern-contemporary dance, jazz dance, and Bharata Naytam (temple
dance of India). Students learn to recognize and distinguish
the many diverse sources of dance, such as culture (both ancient
and pop), mythology, society, and nature. Students select a
specific area of study within the major: general dance, performance/choreography,
or dance history/criticism. The major leads to a bachelor of
science degree.
In studying dance technique, choreography, production, history,
biography, and criticism, students develop a deeper understanding
of the relationship of body, mind, and spirit in the multicultural
world of dance. Students acquire the critical skills necessary
to make informed judgments about dance as an art form. The dance
major prepares students for further study or careers in the
fields of performance, choreography, dance education, dance
history/criticism, and arts administration.
Dance students are encouraged to investigate related areas of study,
which might include art history, Asian studies, exercise science,
Honors Forum, music theory and performance, and theater.
THE MAJOR IN DANCE
General Dance:
Eighteen credit hours of technique.
Sixteen credit hours of theory to include
DA227,
228 and
230;
375 and
376 recommended (required for Honors).
Performance/Choreography:
Sixteen credit hours of technique.
Twelve credit hours of theory to include
DA227,
228, and
230;
375 and
376
recommended (required for Honors).
Six credit hours of workshop/production.
Dance History/Criticism:
Eighteen credit hours of technique.
Sixteen credit hours of theory to include
DA230 and
335;
375 and
376
recommended (required for Honors).
INTERDEPARTMENTAL MAJOR: In conjunction with the Theater Department,
the Department of Dance offers a major in dance-theater. See
Interdepartmental Majors.
THE MINOR IN DANCE:
Required course:
DA230
and seventeen additional credit hours of technique, theory, or
workshop/production course (totaling twenty credit hours).
Two of the required courses in dance must be at the 300 level.
Students should declare their minors by fall semester of the junior year.
Student may enroll in
375 and
376
by permission only.
HONORS: Departmental honors are based on a quality point average of
3.5 in all major courses, satisfactory completion of
DA375 and
376,
and high-quality work on other department projects.
GUEST ARTISTS: Each year outstanding artists are brought to the campus to teach, lecture, conduct
workshops, and set dance pieces with dance students.
DANCE TECHNIQUE COURSES—Dance Faculty
Breadth requirements:
DA210–212 (except 210E and 212F),
DB111,
DB211,
DM111,
DM211
may be taken to fulfill the arts requirement.
DA227,
228, or
230
may be taken to fulfill the humanities requirement.
DA 210. WESTERN
DANCE FORMS I† 1
Studies of various Western dance forms and techniques. The following
courses are offered periodically depending on faculty availability: A. Pointe I B. Character I C. Jazz I D. Modern Special I/II E. Ballet Special I/IINon-arts breadth. F. Pre-Classical Dance Forms H. Spanish Dance I. Tap
Pointe class may only be taken along with a Ballet II, III, or IV technique class. Non-liberal arts.
DA 212. NON-WESTERN DANCE FORMS I† 1,1
Studies of various non-Western dance forms and techniques. The
following courses are offered periodically depending on faculty
availability and may include: A. Bharata Natyam I (South India Classical Dance) B. Kathak (North India Classical Dance) C. Hawaiian Dance D. African Dance I E. T'ai Chi F. YogaNon-liberal arts; non-arts breadth.
DA 301. WESTERN DANCE FORMS II† 1,1
The following courses are offered periodically depending on faculty availability: A. Pointe II B. Character II C. Jazz II D. Modern Special III/IV E. Ballet Special III/IV H. Tap II
Pointe class may only be taken
along with a Ballet II, III, or IV technique class. Non-liberal arts.
DA 303. NON-WESTERN DANCE FORMS II† 1,1
The following courses are offered periodically depending on
faculty availability and may include: A. Bharata Natyam II (South India Classical Dance) D. African Dance IINon-liberal arts.
BALLET TECHNIQUE COURSES—Ballet Faculty
DB 111. BALLET I: BEGINNER† 2 or 3
Expanded study in basic vocabulary and technique of ballet. Non-liberal arts.
DB 211. BALLET II: LOW INTERMEDIATE† 2 or 3
Students at this level should have complete knowledge of the
basic ballet terminology and technique with the ability to properly
execute barre, adagio, pirouettes, small and large allegro.
Non-liberal arts.
DB 311. BALLET III: HIGH INTERMEDIATE† 2 or 3
Students must have acquired full command of the ballet vocabulary
and technique with the capability to sustain increasingly difficult
work. The class may include pointe work at the discretion of
the instructor. Non-liberal arts.
DB 351. BALLET IV: ADVANCED-POINTE† 2 or 3
This class is designed to develop artistic awareness of students
who have already reached a high degree of technical proficiency.
A portion of the class will be on pointe. By permission.
Non-liberal arts.
MODERN DANCE TECHNIQUE COURSES—Modern Dance Faculty
DM 111. MODERN I: BEGINNER† 2 or 3
Study of technique stressing unique quality of modern dance, beginning level. Non-liberal arts.
DM 211. MODERN II: LOW INTERMEDIATE† 2 or 3
Theory and style continuation of technical study, low intermediate and intermediate level. Non-liberal arts.
DM 311. MODERN III: HIGH INTERMEDIATE† 2 or 3
Continued theory and style, high intermediate technical study. Non-liberal arts.
DM 351. MODERN IV: ADVANCED† 2 or 3
Advanced theory and style, technical study. By permission. Non-liberal arts.
Note: Placement in the appropriate level dance class is at the discretion of the dance faculty.
WORKSHOP/PRODUCTION
DB 393, 394. BALLET WORKSHOP† 2, 2
Students apply their technique to rehearsal and performance
of choreographic material created by faculty members and qualified
students, with an emphasis on learning basic production elements.
By permission and/or audition. Non-liberal arts. D. Fernandez, D. Limoli
DM 393, 394. MODERN DANCE WORKSHOP† 2, 2
Style, repertory, production, advanced choreography. The emphasis
of the workshop may vary according to the style and experience of the teacher. Extra rehearsals
to be arranged as needed. By permission and/or audition. Non-liberal
arts. M. DiSanto-Rose, M. Harney
DANCE THEORY
DA 227. IMPROVISATION I 2
Experiences in the spontaneous use of
movement in structures derived from movement concepts, imagery, props,
and media sources. Designed to help students discover and develop
their own movement potential and apply it in dance performance.
Non-liberal arts. (Fulfills humanities requirement.) M. DiSanto-Rose
DA 228. CHOREOGRAPHY I 3
Deals with solo and group choreographic techniques and related
musical and production resources. Prerequisite:DA227 or permission of instructor.
Non-liberal arts. (Fulfills humanities requirement.) M. DiSanto-Rose, M. Harney
DA 230. INTRODUCTION
TO DANCE HISTORY, LITERATURE, AND REPERTORY 3
Introduction to dance history of the Eastern and Western traditions.
Using film, slides, videos, demonstrations, and discussion,
the course introduces students to the literature and repertory
of the great classical and modern dance forms. (Fulfills humanities
requirement.) M. DiSanto-Rose
DA 274. SPECIAL
STUDIES IN DANCE THEORY AND APPRECIATION 2 or 3
Studies in dance theory and appreciation designed
to broaden student awareness and understanding of dance and
its related disciplines. By permission of instructor. Dance Faculty
DA 275. BALLET THEORY AND PEDAGOGY 2
An introduction to the art and tradition of teaching classical ballet.
The course is open to experienced ballet dancers. Students learn the
theory of ballet technique including the systematic breakdown of barre
(bar) and center work, categories of movement, and musical
accompaniment. Prerequisites:DB311or
DB351. D. Limoli
DA 276. DANCE PRODUCTION 2
Provides students a basic foundation in dance production. Emphasizing
collaborations that occurs among choreographers and designers,
technicians, and publicity people, the course introduces students to the
art of lighting design and the use of light as a medium for expression.
Students learn various technical aspects of design for dance including
sound, stage management, house management, box office, and publicity. L. Dawson
DA 277. PERFORMANCE ELEMENTS 2
Designed for dance and theater students, the course provides training
for stage performance. Based on the practice of Yoga, the art and
discipline of breathing (inhalation and exhalation) joined to physical
postures deepens the ability of a dance or theater student to
concentrate and control performance. The course develops strength,
balance, and flexibility. Through repetition in the flow and sequence of
each class, students acquire an understanding of the role of practice.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. D. Fernandez
DA 278. DANCE FOR THE CHILD 3
Introduction to dance as a medium of learning and creative expression
for children. The course is open to students interested in working with
children, including those with special needs. Students examine the
historical background of dance education, curricular developments
influencing dance, and the use of movement, music, poetry, and art to
enhance creative expression. Dance experience is not required.
Recommended for Education majors. M. DiSanto-Rose
DA 279. MUSIC FOR DANCERS/CHOREOGRAPHERS 2
Introduces students to ways of understanding and utilizing music and
sound as part of the process of making a dance. Students learn
fundamental musical concepts (rhythm, phrasing, accents, time
signatures, and dynamics) and their applied use by dancers, musician,
and composers. Students explore the musical styles and artists of many
cultures and how these musical styles and artists vary in their
respective approaches to making music and sound, and by extension,
dance. Students develop abilities to communicate musical problems and
ideas clearly and knowledgably to dancers, choreographers, musicians, or
composers. Prerequisite:DA227. C. Landa
DA 327. IMPROVISATION II 2
Advanced study in the spontaneous use of movement in structures
derived from movement concepts, imagery, props, and media sources.
Designed to help students further discover and develop their
own movement potential and apply it in dance performance. Prerequisite:DA227
or permission of instructor. Non-liberal arts. M. DiSanto-Rose
DA 328. CHOREOGRAPHY II 3
Advanced study of the solo and group choreographic techniques
and related musical and production resources. Prerequisite:DA228
or permission of instructor. Non-liberal arts. D. Fernandez
DA 335. MAJOR PERIODS IN DANCE HISTORY 3
The study of major periods in dance history with particular
emphasis on the societies out of which the dance developed. M. DiSanto-Rose
DA 371, 372. INDEPENDENT STUDY 3, 3
Advanced research or technical
study under the guidance of a faculty member. A student may
or may not receive liberal arts credit at the discretion of
both the chair of the Dance Department and the registrar (and,
in exceptional instances, the Curriculum Committee of the
College). The Department
DA 375. PREPARATION FOR DANCE CAPSTONE 1
Required for students who intend to choreograph/reconstruct a major
choreographic work. The students will study at least one masterwork in
ballet and one in modern/contemporary dance. Students will write a major
paper identifying historical, biographical, and choreographic elements (give
critical analysis of content, form, thematic structure, staging, style, and
relation to musical accompaniment) that distinguish these works as
extraordinary examples of dance as a performing art. Examining these works
before the creative process is underway allows students to prepare more
successfully for their choreographic/reconstructed work, which will then be
completed the following semester. Prerequisite:DA328
or permission of the Department. Must be taken S/U. The Department
DA 376. DANCE CAPSTONE 4
A senior experience recommended for all majors but only required for those
seeking honors. The course combines dance theory and practice. The students
will have studied at least one masterwork in ballet and one in
modern/contemporary dance the previous semester in DA375. The students will
choreograph and produce a major choreographic work, either an original work
based on a model (masterwork) or a reconstruction of a masterwork not bound
by copyright. The students' final work must clearly reflect its source
(content, form, thematic structure, staging, style and/or relation to
musical accompaniment) in one of the masterworks studied. Students will
write a major paper, which will: identify how the elements of the masterwork
shaped their work; reflect on their creative process; and give critical
analysis of their work and its success in communicating their artistic
vision. Prerequisites:DA375 and senior status as a dance major or
dance-theater major; dance minors may participate with permission of
department. Must be taken S/U. The Department
DA 399. PROFESSIONAL
INTERNSHIP IN DANCE 3, 6, or 9
Professional experience at an advanced level for juniors and
seniors with substantial academic and cocurricular experience
in the major field. With faculty sponsorship and department
approval, students may extend their educational experience
into such areas as dance, performance, technique,
choreography, writing, and production. Prerequisite: students
must have completed all intermediate level dance courses
appropriate to the area of the internship and be recommended
by an instructor in the chosen area of study. May count as
liberal arts or non-liberal arts.
