Middle School Dance
Jazz Dance
These images are from the Annual Spring Dance Concert at Poly Prep Country Day School, which involves over 150 middle school students ranging in age from 9-14 years (grades 5-8), mixed gender and mixed abilities. The younger students are required to take dance so they are exposed to the art form, and the older students elect to continue to study the discipline in more depth. Dance is a part of their daily curriculum, and the Spring Dance Concert is the culmination of their work throughout the year in dance.
Forget You
Jazz dance performed by Poly Prep Country Day School Middle School seventh grade dance elective.
Ballet
Through Lincoln Center, I am trained to teach the New York City Ballet Workout Program, which combines the grace and technique of ballet with the strength and conditioning of fitness, making ballet more accessible to a wider range of students. My students study the classical repertoire of the New York City Ballet, and re-imagine the pieces while maintaining the integrity of the original choreography.
I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You
Musical theater tango dance performed by Poly Prep Country Day School Middle School eighth grade dance elective. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Modern and Contemporary
Through the use of improvisation and the study of choreographic devices, students become storytellers through dance. The free-flowing movement inspired by different prompts, allows students to explore their individual movement style, eventually leading them to create new and innovative movement.
Persephone and Demeter
Graham based modern dance performed by Poly Prep Country Day School Middle School sixth grade dance class, inspired by the Greek myth of Persephone and Demeter. Music by Danny Elfman.
World Dances
In addition to teaching my students about dance for the sake of performance, I believe it is important for them to understand dance as an anthropological component, and how dance fits into society and its history. It is important for them to learn the vernacular of different traditional global and social dances, from African Dance to the Virginia Reel.
Jai Ho
Traditional Indian Bhangara and Bollywood dance performed by Poly Prep Country Day School Middle School sixth grade dance classes.
Musical Theater
Dance for musical theater gives students the opportunity to emote through their bodies and convey character through gesture and movement. Theater dance incorporates technical elements from different genres of dance, so students can pull from many styles for inspiration. I aim to maintain the integrity of the original compositions in my choreography.
We Go Together
Description missing.
Hip-Hop
Hip-Hop is one of the most relevant and engaging dance forms for teens because it allows them to connect to current music, dance and cultural trends.
It's Tricky
Hip-hop dance performed by Poly Prep Country Day School Middle School seventh grade dance elective. Music by RunDMC.