DANCE
WELCOME TO THE DANCE DEPARTMENT
Welcome to the Dance Department at Duke Ellington School of the Arts. The purpose of the Dance Department School of the Arts is to train selected students in the historical, technical, and artistic elements of classical ballet and modern dance and other related dance courses such as Ethnic Dance, Dance Orientation, Dance History, Dance Improvisation, Dance Composition and Senior Project. Students entering in the ninth grade are required to complete all four years of the dance curriculum courses of study in order to obtain an arts certification upon graduation from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Students entering in the tenth grade are required to complete three years of the dance curriculum courses of study in order to obtain an arts certification upon graduation from The Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Students are given a complete foundation in the traditions of dance through our core curriculum. Through this process, they are being prepared for acceptance into a university, conservatory and/or a professional setting. Some students are accepted directly into professional companies as apprentices and/or full company members.
Dance majors develop their abilities through a progression of courses that include dance orientation, dance history, four levels of a classical ballet (Vaganova technique), four levels of modern dance (Horton technique), composition, improvisation, composition, improvisation, production, ethnic dance, four levels of a Vaganova-based ballet technique and three levels of modern dance. A rigorous professional teaching approach equips dance majors physically and mentally to pursue a dance career. In addition, classes with master teachers focus on areas not emphasized in the curriculum. (The Physical Education requirement is satisfied by select dance courses.) Please refer to the course page for the full list of dance courses.
Upon graduation, dance students are encouraged to continue their training at a higher level. Some begin their performance careers immediately.
CHARLES AUGINS
DANCE DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Emiritas of the arts and lifetime achievement award recipient from Black British Theatre Society
A NOTE FROM THE
DANCE CHAIR
Dear Family & Friends of the Dance Department,
Happy 47th!
As we take the stage for our 47th Annual Spring Dance Concert, we celebrate our rich history here at DESA.
Unless we recognize and rejoice in our past, we cannot and will not move forward into our future with determination, passion, commitment, and creative joy!
Our Dance faculty brings with them a combined total of 175 years of love and teaching experience, so our students are well-prepared for the next part of their artistic journey.
Next year, D.E.S.A. will celebrate our 50th Anniversary! So, we look forward to sharing the Ellington experience with you in the future as we have done in the past.
Thank you for your love and support!
We Love You Madly!
"They are poets of gesture."
- George Balanchine (choreographer) on his dancers; Life, May 1984
MISSION STATEMENT
The purpose of the Dance Department at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts is to train selected students in the historical, technical and artistic elements of modern dance and classical ballet along with other dance techniques and dance related courses such as Ethnic Dance, Dance Orientation, Dance History, Dance Composition and Dance Improvisation.
Students are given a complete foundation in the traditions of dance through our core curriculum. Through this process, they are being prepared for acceptance into a university, conservatory and/or a professional setting. Some students are accepted directly into professional companies as apprentices and/or full company members.
STAY IN THE KNOW
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DANCE FAQS
UPCOMING EVENTS
INFORMATION ON STUDIO ART FEES
Duke Ellington students are required to pay a yearly activity
fee of $200, which directly benefits the arts department in which they are enrolled. This fee should be paid at the time of registration but can be paid in installments. Money orders and checks should be made payable to DESAP (in the memo portion of the check: Dance Department).
These fees help to cover the cost of costumes, guest choreographers, dance publications, teaching aids, music and dance-related videos.