Teen Choreo Lab
Learning dance at Luna provides a complete dance education. Teens advance through the levels with permission of instructor. Teens express their ideas in movement using the dance elements space, time, and force/energy with increased specificity and complexity. Dancers gain strength, flexibility, and technical skills in the service of their own artistic vision and to perform the works of their peers with confidence. The choreographic process is further explored in the context of modern dance history, cultural traditions and contemporary trends. Teen dancers develop both choreographic and leadership skills while learning about the larger context of contemporary dance.
Modern Dance Improvisation for Teens (11-15 year olds)
This is the starting place for teens new to choreography or composition-based approach to dance learning. Dancers explore elements of energy, space and time in depth as they learn body mechanics, gain strength and flexibility, and increase range of motion and coordination. Modern Dance skills are developed in the context of serving expressive ideas. Movement invention is stressed as dancers develop phrases, making choices within a score and synthesizing their life experiences into movement. No pre-requisite.
Modern Dance Composition for Teens Levels 1, 2, 3 (12-17 year olds)
Three levels of Modern Dance Composition allow dancers to explore choreography with increasing depth and breadth. Teens learn to consciously manipulate the elements of dance for their compositions, particularly using weight, line, balance and energy actions. Dance technique is learned to provide the skills necessary to execute their dance creations. Students learn to describe and relate their dance experiences to the world using expanded dance vocabulary and terminology.
Modern Dance/Teen Comp Level 1:
Student work emphasizes developing phrases, committing to an idea and teaching works to peers. Curriculum also includes memorizing sequences, developing performing skills and rhythmic development. Pre-requisite: 3 or more semesters of Creative or Modern Dance Improvisation.
Modern Dance/Teen Comp Level 2:
Students make longer dance phrases and learn the difference between various choreographic forms and structures, such as what makes something a duet and not just two people dancing together. They deepen their use of choreographic devices and integrate editing skills. At this level, their own “choreographic voice” is becoming apparent and they learn to situate and perform their work for the audience. Pre-requisite: MD Comp 1 and permission of instructor.
Modern Dance/Teen Comp Level 3:
Students deepen their knowledge of group forms to create full dances. Upon completing two years at Level 3 students will be have the confidence to create a perform solos, duets and small group works and will have begun a portfolio of such work. Dancers will be able to demonstrate full commitment to performance for a variety of audiences with a sophisticated understanding of body mechanics. They will be skilled at directing others and being directed and will be able to articulate their creative process through Q&A audience sessions. Pre-requisite: MD Comp 2 and permission of instructor.
Teen Seminars: Offered as semester length courses or summer workshops Luna offers the following Teen Choreography Workshops based on interest and critical mass:
Teen Choreography Workshop (TCW):
A week long exploration of choreographic principles Luna’s Modern Dance students join with dancers from other studio programs to invent, explore and create studies specific to the life and times of today’s teen within a “summer camp” environment. Pre-requisite: prior dance experience required, does not have to be through Luna.
TCW/Style:
A survey of Modern Dance history, advanced Luna dancers learn to create individual works in the style of famous choreographers or professional companies they have seen. Field trip may be included. Pre-requisite: Modern Composition level 3 and permission of instructor.
TCW/Group Forms & Directing:
Students learn to master the art of direction. How to communicate your dance ideas to others in respectful manners that manifests the original intentions. How to lead improvisations and evoke the creative input of your dancers. How to partner effectively for group work and for performance quality. Pre-requisite: Modern Composition level 3 and permission of instructor.
TCW/Production & Performance:
Students learn the production elements of preparing a dance work for the stage. Using guest instructors, dancers study costuming, lighting, directing and staging. Young choreographers take works they’ve created, edit them, refine them, direct dancers to learn them and make choices about production elements to bring their creations to life for the stage. Pre-requisite: Modern Composition level 3 and permission of instructor.
Teen Leadership:
Through speaking, writing and performing, teen choreographers share their visions of a just and equitable society with peers and community. Students represent dance on youth panels and at conferences. Past internships have included opportunities for teens to shadow and apprentice with local dance companies, shadow/assist teachers in Luna’s school and studio programs, write articles for dance journals and be mentored to investigate the full range of careers in dance.
Teen Teachers-in-Training (NEW in 2011):
Teens learn how to support dance learning in young children through guided mentorship from veteran Luna faculty. Through a competitive application process, teens are selected to assist teaching in Luna’s summer mini-camp, attend professional learning seminars and choreograph with older peers. Applications available March 1, 2011.
