Modern Dance Zone

for Modern Movers and Groovers Modern Movers and Groovers Modern dance is a fun way to develop dance with music, rhythm and great moves. At Janis Anderson School of Dancing we have just launched modern dance with the ISTD. What is Modern Dance? - Modern training gives you great poise with a good sense of performance. - The rhythmic content of the work ensures excellent musicality and development of many different music styles. - Your body will strengthen and develop extension to the legs and the joints with stretching and strengthening combined. - Modern is energetic, challenging and fulfilling, giving a sense of fun and well-being to all. Here is some of the basic things you need to know about modern; Clothing - catsuits are to be worn whe taking an exam but jazz pants and Janis Anderson T-shirt are fine in class. Shoes – bare feet for the younger grades and then Jazz shoes are needed as they move up through the grades. Posture – The way you stand in modern is very similar to ballet and tap, standing tall with your weight slightly forward over your toes. Pull in the tummy muscles and tuck under your seat muscles, arms relaxed and chin and eyeline well lifted. Rhythm – every grade has a set rhythm in which you need to know the note values, and the different styles of music to create rythmic and musical dancers. Floor Excercises – these exercises are training us by strengthening and streching the body in a safe way as we are non weight baring on the floor these excercises develop eventually to standing and are a great way of injury prevention. Combination Steps – are a number of steps added together to make a dance sequence which can be danced to any music the teacher or child chooses. Dances – For every exam grade there are two dances to be performed - a set dance and one that is choreographed by your teacher, usually there are two different styles ie. Lyrical and Jazz. Artistry – this is the most important thing for me - the way you perform all your dances and exam work, the way the music makes you feel is a good way - sometimes it makes us smile, other times it sound a bit sad ie Grade Two set dance, so please come to class wanting to perform and enjoy yourselves!!!! Please now click to your grade/level and find out all you need to know for your exams: Primary - Grade 1 - Grade 2 - Grade 3 - Grade 4 - Grade 5 - Grade 6 Primary Modern Rhythm Section A primary is expected to listen to music and respond with instruments. All work is set and is to be performed to a very high standard. Grade One Modern Rhythm Section 1 2 3 4 &5 (miss 6 7 8) Clap 2 times Mark 2 times Dance 4 times All work is set and is to be performed to a very high standard Grade Two Modern Rhythm Section 1&2 3&4 5 6 7 (miss 8) Clap the rhythm with out music Dance 4 times through Introduction of combination steps. All work is set and is to be performed to a very high standard. Grade Three Rhythm Section Unset Rhythm Clap 4 bar phrase twice and mark twice. Here are the note values needed; Whole note holds for 4 whole counts Half note holds for two counts, there are 2 half notes to each bar Quarter note on every beat, 4 quarter notes to each bar Eighth notes these notes can be clapped even &1&2&3&4 etc or with an accent &1&2&3&4 etc. Set Rhythm 1 2 3&4 5 6 7&8 1 2 3&4 5 (miss 6) &7 (miss8) Clap the rhythm with out music Dance 4 times through Combination steps are developed and performed to unset music All other work is set and is to be performed to a very high standard. Grade Four Modern Rhythm Section Unset Rhythm New 12th Notes Counted &a1 &a2 &a3 &a4 etc Missed beats are introduced on any beat of the bar Phrase will be clapped twice and marked twice Set Rhythm 1 (2) 3 4 (5) 6 7 8 (1) 2&3 4&5 6 7 (8) Clap the rhythm with out music Dance 4 times through Combination steps are developed and performed to unset music All other work is set and is to be performed to a very high standard. Grade Five Modern Improvisation A piece of music which is supplied by an examiner is to be improvised to with partner in the exam, it will be played twice through then performed and examined on. Dance movement Vocabulary Drag runs - sideways and forwards Step split run - sideways Step split run - forwards Circular spring - no body line Accented hops - with free arm lines Step and coupe turn - with extended leg The examiner will put these steps and others from previous grades to make an unset amalgamation to her own music in the exam. All other work is set and is to be performed to a very high standard. Grade Six Modern Improvisation A piece of music which is supplied by an examiner is to be improvised to with partner in the exam, it will be played twice through then performed and examined on. Dance movement Vocabulary Step and retire with body line – done in parallel, turned out or on a fondue Tilts Extended spring - with no body line Accented hop – with varying leg lines Accented hops with half a turn - with varying leg lines Forward leap The examiner will put these steps and others from previous grades to make an unset amalgamation to her own music in the exam.