This course will give you experience with a system that can be used to teach basic elements and principles of choreography and explores how to encourage self-expression through dance making. Many dancers have not formally studied the art of choreography. Perhaps you are experienced in making dances but now want support learning how to teach others. How does the studio teacher, or performing arts center instructor, teach the choreographic process to young performers? How does the education director of a dance company structure dance-making activities within school residencies? How does one teach pre- and in-service teachers, or instructors in community recreational programs, how to teach this process to students with little or no dance experience?  In this course, we will walk through, or model, a process that they can use to teach students how to create their own choreography.  The course text is actually a student textbook, so it will be a small “leap” from course participation to application of this methodology in your teaching practice. Peer discussions, journal reflections and reflective essays will help in this application. 

Book Required: Experiencing Dance: from Student to Dance Artist by Marty Sprague, Helene Scheff, Susan McGreevy-Nichols and Kelly Berick. (3rd Edition). Can be ordered from Human Kinetics. Hardcover or e-book available, both with online materials – be sure to request access to the online materials.