Dance (DA)

Introduction to dance as a performing art. A combination of movement, lectures, and viewings from multiple traditions expands the student’s knowledge and appreciation of dance as a performing art.

Instruction in the fundamental cross-training techniques essential to a healthy dance career.  Students will learn evidence-based, integrative conditioning methods with an emphasis on mindfulness, placement, and injury prevention.

An experiential introduction to the field of dance science. Students will increase their understanding about the human body, injury prevention, and dance performance. Emphasis will be placed on learning the basic anatomy essential for safe and effective dance practice (structure and function), movement analysis, and conditioning for dancers through lectures, lab sessions/reports, and group discussions.

A collaborative course between the students of Skidmore College and the clients of Saratoga Bridges, a local organization providing services to adults with developmental disabilities. Skidmore students will be matched with a small cohort of individuals from Saratoga Bridges to participate in a biweekly introductory dance class. Skidmore students will dance alongside the members of their group, assisting as needed to meet their individual learning and/or mobility needs and learning from one another in the process.

An introduction to jazz technique and vocabulary. This class will be comprised of warm-ups, isolations, stretching, across-the-floor progressions, and introductory turns and leaps. Further emphasis will be placed on dance combinations designed to put a series of movements to music.

An introduction to tap technique and terminology. Students learn about rhythm, footwork, and coordination as they gain control and build confidence.

An introduction to one of the designated Classical Indian Dance forms, such as Kathak (story-telling dance of Northern India), Bharata Natyam (temple dance of Southern India), or Odissi (temple dance of Eastern India).  Students learn traditional movement, vocabulary, musical accompaniment, and basic historical background. 

An introduction to stylized theatrical folk dance. Students learn representative movements, music, and rhythms from various national dances, such as the Hungarian Czardas, Polish Mazurka, and Italian Tarantella. 

Technical or performance training at the low intermediate level.

Pilates mat work covering the basic, intermediate, and advanced levels. Students focus on the principles of the Pilates method and technical goals of each exercise with an emphasis on working at one’s own pace. The “Magic Circle” and arm weights are often incorporated into the workout. No previous Pilates experience is necessary.

Students will focus on fundamental principles, vocabulary, and practices common to Hip Hop, Urban, and Street Jazz styles of dance. We will look at the history and cultures that these styles originated from while looking at the global expansion of hip hop and how the movement itself has shaped the society we all live in. Beginner/Intermediate levels welcome.

Introduction to the art of dance improvisation. Improvisation teaches students to explore movement for a variety of outcomes without predetermined actions and invites students to discover and develop their own movement potential as they relate and respond to others. Students learn the spontaneous use of movement derived from movement concepts, imagery, props, and media sources.

Beginning choreographers develop a personal movement vocabulary by adopting various investigative methods and applying them to class assignments. Rigorous exercises touch on design, dynamics, rhythm training, phrase development, and other compositional tools. Through solo and group work, the choreographer will develop a sense of craft as it applies to the art of making dances. Final projects will be shown in the Dance Theater at semester's end.

Dance and Society I is a survey course covering various topics in the history of dance from theatrical, social, and cultural perspectives. Focusing on critical analysis of the development and evolution of various traditions, this course explores how cultural, philosophical, and political conditions have shaped the ways in which humans have expressed themselves through movement throughout the ages. This course features a weekly studio lab where students will have an embodied learning experience to promote physical literacy with various cross-cultural dance traditions. DA 230 is a writing intensive course. 

Studies in dance theory and appreciation designed to broaden student awareness and understanding of dance and its related disciplines.

A basic foundation in dance production, emphasizing the collaborative process among choreographers and designers/technicians. The course introduces students to the lighting design process and to the use of light as a medium for expression. Students learn basic lighting technology, sound operation, as well as stage management. Students will design the lighting for one or more dance pieces in the Choreography II class showing.

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.

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.

An enhanced understanding of how music and sound function within the discipline of dance. Students will study the fundamental concepts of music as they relate to technique class, performance, choreography, and composition. They will also explore musical styles and artists from a variety of cultures to enhance and expand their notion of how music communicates to a broad artistic community.

An intermediate level of jazz technique and vocabulary, with emphasis placed on strengthening all aspects of technical skills. Attention will also be paid to performance and presentation of choreographed combinations in various jazz styles.

Intermediate tap technique and terminology. Students learn about complex rhythms in footwork such as various time steps, pull-backs, and wings. Dancers work for speed, clarity, and control. 

The continuing study of one of the designated Classical Indian Dance forms, such as Kathak, Bharata Natyam, or Odissi. Students progress into more complex movements and dances, learning detailed style and rhythmical musicality, while gaining a cultural understanding through dance and music. 

A course in theatrical folk dance emphasizing complex rhythms, patterns, and a variety of musical styles. Students will work with props and learn classical mime and character development through movement.

Technical or performance training at the high intermediate level. 

Advanced Pilates mat work. The class builds upon the foundation of the full advanced sequence. Students work to perfect each exercise. The "Magic Circle" and arm weights will be incorporated into the workout. 

This is an intermediate/advanced studio course in Hip Hop Dance technique and Performance. Students will re-engage with fundamental principles, vocabulary, and practices common to Hip Hop, Urban, Street Jazz styles of dance, and dive into movement composition and performance of these dance styles. We will look at the history and cultures that these styles originated from while looking at the global expansion of hip hop and how the movement itself has shaped the society we all live in. Intermediate/Advanced levels are welcome.

Advanced study in the spontaneous use of movement derived from movement concepts, imagery, props, and media sources. The course develops speed and spontaneity in the creation of original movement and allows dancers to take further artistic risks in discovering their own movement vocabulary.

Further development of the craft as it pertains to group work with increased emphasis on music, costume, and lighting design. Sophisticated inquiry into imagery, intention, and artistry challenges the student to move beyond compositional tools toward the creation of an artistic statement. The class will produce a concert of their work in collaboration with the dance production lighting designers. 

A collaborative, experiential course that examines the embodied experience for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities in the contemporary United States and the inequalities of power and justice they face. Students will partner with community members from Saratoga Bridges, a local organization providing services to people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, to participate in weekly integrative dance classes. Skidmore students will dance alongside members from Saratoga Bridges learning from each other in a supportive, productive, and artistic environment. Students will also participate in weekly readings, discussions, and projects to deepen their knowledge of the issues experienced by people with developmental and intellectual disabilities and develop the skills needed to create a collaborative and safe integrative dance environment.

A survey course covering topics in Western dance history from the twentieth century through the new millennium. This course explores how cultural, philosophical, and political conditions have shaped Western concert dance in the twentieth century and highlights epoch-defining figures, dances, and movements. This course provides a broad overview of twentieth-century dance while simultaneously engaging students in deeper investigations through descriptive analysis work and research. Additionally, this course features a studio lab where students will have an embodied experience with various dance styles and works that have become emblematic of their time to promote physical literacy. DA 335 is a writing intensive course.

A course for experienced ballet dancers who are interested in the art and methodology of teaching classical ballet. Working backward from advanced to beginner levels, students examine technical theory and terminology, appropriate musical accompaniment, and the syllabi of major schools. Course includes both participatory and written assignments. 

A community-based learning course that will investigate and decode the issues surrounding arts education access, funding, and the intersectionality of power, justice, arts, and learning in the contemporary United States. Building on theory learned through readings, class discussion, and guest speakers, students will collaborate with a local elementary school to design a dance education residency throughout the semester. The course will culminate with students putting their plans into action, delivering the residency and sharing the power of art and movement with elementary children in their community.

Advanced research or technical study under the guidance of a faculty member.

Studies in dance theory and appreciation designed to broaden student awareness and understanding of dance and its related disciplines.

Unlike a lecture course, the function of a seminar is to bring small groups together for recurring meetings on varying topics in which all members actively contribute. In addition to identifying research/creative goals in preparation for spring semester Coda Projects, students in Senior Seminar will examine theoretical, philosophical, and practical application of their work in the major and consider possible directions for their future. This course asks seniors from both the Performance/Choreography Track and the Dance Research Track to reflect upon their undergraduate education as well as their personal, professional, and artistic identity as they prepare to enter the next phase of life.

The Coda Experience asks seniors to connect their liberal arts education in dance to the broader world; reflecting on past experiences while simultaneously contemplating how they might contribute to their field in meaningful ways post-graduation. This course provides a framework for seniors to consciously and reflectively integrate their studies into the creation of an original work. This may entail commissioning choreographic work and developing connections within the professional field, engaging in the choreographic/creative process, or designing and executing research and scholarship within the broader world of academic discourse. While all work will culminate in a final performance or symposium presentation, emphasis for the Coda Experience is placed on the creative/research process. Final assessment of the Coda Experience will be Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory to encourage experimentation, risk taking, and the development of new thought.

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.