A Level Dance

To touch, to move, to inspire - this is the true gift of dance.

Exploring the work of some of the foremost names in dance will lead to giving you an understanding of their techniques and how to apply them to your own creative work, developing your confidence as an inspiring choreographer, whilst also developing your skills as a performer.

About the Course

A level Dance is active, physically demanding, intellectually stimulating and, most importantly, huge fun. The course is highly practical: you will develop your technique, expand your movement vocabulary and explore your skills through regular performance.

Through analysis of professional works by the world’s greatest choreographers, you will understand their techniques and apply them to your own creative work, developing the confidence to become an inspired dancer and choreographer. You will also learn to write analytically, succinctly and insightfully about the processes of dance. Trips to live professional performances, workshops from visiting practitioners, and a range of exciting extra-curricular technique classes – alongside additional opportunities such as our in-house dance company all enrich this highly practical and creative course.

Opportunities unique to this course

Strong transferable skills will be nurtured, including teamwork, problem-solving, creative thinking, leadership and meeting deadlines. Going to the theatre, performing and creating your own work are all key parts of the course. Developing a sense of community is important in a supportive and encouraging environment.

Practical

Regular technique classes in contemporary and jazz, choreography sessions, preparation for practical exam and at least two performances a year.

Workshops with visiting practitioners. Additional classes via Options initiative. Going to see live performances.

Theory

British Independent Contemporary Dance Scene, particularly Matthew Bourne, Jasmin Vardimon, Akram Khan and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. Watching works and analysing components, developing essay writing skills, analysis, comparison, and assessing how the genre is developing.

Historical development of Rambert, looking at Robert North, Richard Alston and Christopher Bruce.

Component 1

Performance and Choreography (Practical = 50% of marks)

• Solo performance (linked to a specific practitioner within an area of study).
• Group Performance (in one of a range of styles).
• Group choreography (students choreograph a piece on other dancers).

Component 2

Critical Engagement (Theory = 50% of marks)

• Knowledge, understanding and critical appreciation of a compulsory set work and its location within a corresponding area of study. Written exam.

You need to be qualified by both the relevant Admissions Score AND the predicted GCSE grade for each A level you apply for.

A natural progression would be to study dance, choreography or musical theatre at university or vocational college. Other pathways include creative industries, analytical courses, and those that require teamwork, confidence and listening skills, such as counselling, midwifery, psychology or education.

For more information and to read the FAQs for this subject visit hillsroad.ac.uk/dance