Dance Camp

5 Star Dance Camp – Proposed curriculum

This summer program was created to provide an introduction to a variety of dance genres in an environment that will nurture the developing dancer in a safe and progressive way. My approach is to coach students in discovering for themselves how their bodies relate to various dance techniques, and to help them grow by "feeling the dance" from within. Students will further develop their technique through increased complexity in class combinations, musical phrasing and choreography. Group discussions will center on dance vocabulary and dance history.

Classes will allow plenty of time for imagination and exploration, even as the children are mastering the basic concepts. Students are taught to understand the various dance techniques so that safe work habits, personal responsibility, and concentration become second nature. The outcome of this approach is that students acquire the tools of mind and body that will help to foster self-esteem, self-discipline, and fitness that provide a powerful edge in any future endeavour. Students will develop their performance quality by presenting a short dance variation that they had learned during camp.

My teaching philosophy: 

1)     Treat all children equal.
2)     Teach art... which is an expression of emotion. People remember what they feel.
3)     Educate children about their bodies.... know how the machine works. Anatomy, anatomy, anatomy.
4)     Teach musicality... even if people claim it cannot be taught.
5)     I like my students to be intelligent dancers. Learn to compare differences instead of being “winning” orientated. Be the best you can be and learn from other people’s strengths and weaknesses.|
6)     I always like to tell stories.... Analogies and imagery stimulates the imagination and creativity in children.
7)     I teach self-respect and self-discipline. I explain I cannot force them to do anything.... it has to be self motivated work ethic.
8)     Discipline is very important in dance. In every 8 counts you have to think about Posture, Feet, Turnout, the beat of the music, performing, the dynamics of the movement and music, interpretation and the telling of and emotion or a story.
9)     I encourage ALL of my students to set goals for themselves. This creates goal-orientated children with a good work ethic and an emphasis on detail and precision and the completion of and task.
10) I don’t know what passion it exactly but I think it is when everything you love comes together with a lot of energy and soul and spirit.

Lyrical Dance is a dance style that combines the elements of ballet, modern and jazz techniques. It is commonly set to popular music and the lyrics are used to inspire the choreography. This style is graceful and fluid without the strict technical demands of ballet.

Modern Jazz evolved from traditional Caribbean dances into the new, smooth style that is taught today. The performance style of jazz dance was popularized to a large extent by Broadway shows and continues to be an essential element of musical theatre.

Street Jazz Street jazz dance combines jazz and hip-hop. This style can be seen in some of the latest teen musicals and music videos.

National Dance is traditional European Folk dancing. Folk dancing develops a sense of community and awareness of others. Some familiar dances are the Maypole and Tarantella. Dancers have the opportunity to study traditional dances, costumes and music and customs.

Dancer’s Warm Up Dancers and athletes take great care of their bodies and understand that a warm-up done properly will guard against injury to their muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments. Prior to dancing, exercises will be performed in order to warm up and stretch muscles. Care is taken to ensure that everyone executing the exercises properly and that each dancer is stretching within their ability.

 Attire:

• White t-shirt – preferably form fitting
• Light weight running shoes with flexible sole
• Students may bring jazz or ballet shoes if they already have them

 The Dance Program

Monday

9:30 - 9:45 - Warm up
9:45 - 10:30 - Lyrical - foundations and combinations
10:30 - 10:45 - Snack
10:45 - 11:45 - Modern Jazz - foundations and combinations 

Tuesday

9:30 - 9:45 - Warm up
9:45 - 10:30 - Street Jazz - foundations and combinations
10:30 - 10:45 - Snack
10:45 - 11:45 - Modern Jazz - foundations and combinations

Wednesday

9:30 - 9:45 - Warm up
9:45 - 10:30 - National - discuss country and learn short dance
10:30 - 10:45 - Snack
10:45 - 11:45 - Modern Jazz - combinations and start dance 

Thursday

9:30 - 9:45 - Warm up
9:45 - 10:30 - Lyrical- foundations and combinations
10:30 - 10:45 - Snack
10:45 - 11:45 - Modern Jazz - foundations and combinations 

Friday

9:30 - 9:45 - Warm up
9:45 - 10:30 - Street Jazz - rehearsal
10:30 - 10:45 - Snack
10:45 - 11:45 - Presentation  

Typical Day For a 9-10 Year Old ( Dance Camp Only)

7:30-9:00        Pre-Camp Activities

9:00-9:30        Attendance at flagpole, morning greeting, announcements, games/jokes/group 
                       initatives to start off the day

9:30-10:30      Dance Program

9:30-10:30      Dance Program

10:30-10:45    Snack

10:45-11:45    Dance Program

11:45-12:30    Lunch

12:30-1:30      Arts & Crafts

1:30-2:30        Archery

2:30-3:30        Low Ropes

3:30-3:45        Snack

3:45-4:30        Group Game

4:30-5:30        Post-Camp Activities 

The "Survival Game" 

A real camp favourite! Campers get to learn what it is like to survive as a carnivore, herbivore, or omnivore, by searching for food and water and avoiding predators as they hunt through the forest.  This game develops children's appreciation for nature and wildlife, through fun and exciting wilderness adventure.  Without question your children will talk about this game as one of the highlights of the week.

July 2010 Dance Camp

Age Group	Week One July 5-9	Week Two July 12-16	Week Three July 19-23	Week Four July 26-30
9-10	max 16 campers	max 16 campers	max 16 campers	max 16 campers

Please Note: Our Dance Camp is only offered during our first Four weeks of our summer camp program. 
(Weeks 1, 2, 3 & 4 only). A maximum of 15 campers per week. 

                   
After May 1st 2010 the cost for our Dance Camp is $275.00 plus tax, which includes lunch program and two fruit snacks and a full afternnoon of activities! 
 

What to Bring:

waterproof sunscreen water bottle hat swimsuit, towel and flip-flops/sandals running shoes bug spray (with deet) lock backpack