Bay Area High School Dance

Castilleja School

 

City: Palo Alto

Public or independent? Independent

Names of dance teacher: Georgianna Shea

Courses offered: Dance 7, Dance 8, Choreography, Dance Production Workshop I, Dance Production Workshop II (approved for UC arts credit), Advanced Dance Production Workshop

Do you have a musical? Castilleja offers an annual dance performance called Arts with a Heart. Rehearsals are during lunch, after school and on weekends, and performances are open to all grade levels. Middle School as well as Upper School Musicals also take place throughout the year.

After school options: All musicals and dance performances often hold auditions and rehearsals after school Monday through Friday.

Typical dates of musicals: Arts with a Heart takes place during the 2nd weekend in February. Other Upper School and Middle School musicals take place throughout the year.

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Castilleja Middle School's Dance Program strives to celebrate the diversity of dance styles around the world, and to let students explore the creative and expressive qualities of movement as a tool to communicate ideas and feelings. The 8th grade Choreography class concentrates on dance composition and the creation of original dances. Students take responsibility for all aspects of the choreographic process including selecting a theme, choosing music and dancers, choreographing movement, and determining costumes, sets, props, and lights as a preparation for the Dance Production Workshop (DPW) classes in 10th, 11th and 12th grade. In the first semester of 9th grade students rotate through 5 core arts programs, including a foundational dance program where all forms of dance are covered. In the second semester, students get to choose 2 arts that they would like to further explore. This dance course focuses on storytelling through dance and finding inspiration for dance.

Dance Production Workshop gives 10th, 11th and 12th grade students a hands-on experience and introduces them to the elements of technical theatre specific to dance production. Student producers are directly involved in the process of producing Arts with a Heart, a show using dance and multimedia to raise awareness about important issues facing today's world.

Castilleja’s well-rounded middle school dance curriculum is one very unique aspect of our program. 7th and 8th grade students get to discover numerous dance styles from all around the world and learn about dance composition and choreography. All of the work done in Castilleja’s Middle School Dance programs establishes a strong foundations that students will build on in the Upper School.

Castilleja's annual Arts with a Heart performance is another aspect of the dance program that makes it truly unlike any other. Arts with a Heart is dedicated to raising awareness and funding for a worthy cause by creating an entertaining show utilizing the art form of dance. We aim to foster engagement in both the local and global community, while being inclusive of the entire Castilleja School student body. The DPW class produces and runs the show, promoting collaboration between grades and teaching students important life skills that will apply to their lives inside and outside of the Castilleja community.

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Dance forms explored in the program: Castilleja Dance students learn about numerous forms of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, world dance, hip-hop, contemporary, and modern dance.

Do students get to choreograph? Yes

Student quotes about the program: “DPW has changed my high school experience because it is so different from my other classes - it is very project-based but it is also like a ‘mini-company’ as Ms. Shea calls it… you gain a lot of skills that will prepare you for the real world that you really can’t learn from any other class.

It is really cool to be able to make an impact for a specific cause every year in AwaH. In 2016 we raised awareness about equity in education, in 2017 we worked on improving mental health, and this year we will be focusing on human rights. Often these issues go unnoticed, and it is really great to be able to address them and bring them to light through dance.”

 - Pauline Bromberg ‘18, Advanced DPW student

Do you hire guest artists for master classes or setting choreography? Yes

Recent field trips included: Dance classes often take field trips off campus to find inspiration for upcoming dances and to view live performances.

Would you consider an intern or student teacher? Yes

Website: http://www.castillejadancedepartment.org/

Crystal Springs Uplands School

City: Hillsborough

Public or independent? Independent

Names of dance teachers: Maggie Fongheiser - Upper School; Caitlin Savage - Middle School

Courses offered:

Middle School - Movement, 6th grade dance, 7th grade dance, 8th grade dance, and hip hop dance

Upper School - Dance I, II, III, Dance IV, V and Honors Dance Production

Dance Team - student run club with faculty sponsor

Do you have a musical? Yes, in the spring for Upper School (and Middle School as well)

After school options:

Rehearsals as needed throughout the year. Honors Dance Production has 2-3 hour rehearsals for 2-3 weeks prior to the spring concert.

Typical dates of concerts: Last weekend in April

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The Crystal dance program offers two levels of technique classes (Dance I and II), and four levels of performance groups by audition (Dance III, DIV, DV and Honors Dance Production). The classes are designed for students to learn the broad scope of dance in all of its forms. The highest levels of performance classes are purposely kept small (5-9) in order to give students the opportunity to create deep collaborative relationships.

Seniors take a leadership role in Honors Dance Production. They are required to create a conceptual piece of choreography considering all presentation elements (i.e. projections, props, technology, lighting, music and costuming) to help communicate their ideas and enhance their dance composition. The dance curriculum from sixth grade is designed to prepare dancers step by step for this final project in the senior year.

Every student has the opportunity to choreograph, first through manipulation of taught phrases, then by completing dance study assignments into longer combinations. Maggie directs student choreography, and she adds a bit of her own to create a cohesive, collaborative dance to be performed in the end of the year concert.

Because the dance classes are student centered, the interest of the group often guides the direction of the class in terms of genre or style. Each year, students work with guest teachers and alumni who return to set work on the dancers. As in all dance studios, there is a lot of sweat, laughter, and creative work happening, and deep lasting relationships are created.

Dance forms explored in the program:

Jazz, modern, contemporary, ballet, some world forms, and some hip-hop

The interest of the students is always a consideration in the style of dance we produce.

Do students get to choreograph?

Students choreograph at every level - first as assignments for dance studies and then longer phrases directed by the teacher into a complete dance. In higher level classes, students choreograph complete dances. The Senior Project is explained above.

Student quote about the program:

"Dance has been a defining aspect of my Crystal experience. Under Maggie's instruction, I have transformed from a lanky, awkward, inexperienced dancer who couldn't even do a single pirouette to a dancer and choreographer confident in my abilities and potential. The feeling of seeing my choreography finally come to life on this stage has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Dance challenges me in the best possible way, and inspires me to persevere both mentally and physically. Even more than that, I feel I have become part of not just a program but a family. Dance can be stressful. It has its ups and downs. But at the end of the day, we are a team and we love each other. We take pride in each other's success, not just our own." -CSUS Senior 2015

Do you hire guest artists for master classes or setting choreography? 

Yes, each year we bring in a guest artist to give a master class or to set work on the higher-level classes for our concert.

Past guests include:

• Erica Dankmeyer – Martha Graham Dance Company and Williams College Dance Professor
• Axis Dance Company
• Peruvian Dance Company
• Sandi Scheuber
• NYC/LA Choreographer  JT Hornstein
• Taylor 2 Dance Company

Recent field trips included…

SF Ballet, The Hamlin School, Lines Ballet, and the Vision Series Dance Day

Festivals you have participated in:

Vision Series, Bay Area Dance Festival, and the High School Dance Festival

Would you consider an intern or student teacher?

Yes

Website: csus.org

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Lowell High School

City: San Francisco

Public or independent? Public

Dance teacher: Wendy Jones

Courses offered: Beginning Dance, Intermediate Dance, Advanced Dance, Dance Production (Dance Company)

Do you have a musical?  Our director, Wendy Jones, trained in musical theater as well as modern and ballet. We have one annual musical, which is audition-based. This year we participated in the West Side Story musical, which had live music, singing, and dancing. The West Side Story Dance Ensemble studied the works of Jerome Robbins and incorporated his style to choreograph their own "dream ballet."

After school options: Lowell Dance Company and Musical

Typical dates of concerts: Mid-April, December

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Our program provides a platform for students to choreograph sophisticated work as well as a strong technical foundation. Dancers are allowed to explore their own choreography with simple assignments given to them during class. Inspiration can come from a direction given by Ms. Jones, a Valentine’s Day card, or even a box full of memories. Using compositional skills to manipulate certain movements and examining several methods of choreographing, the dancers find their own unique style of choreographing. Then, they are able to teach the choreography when told to share it with others. This allows the dancers to explore a wide range of styles and technique as well as expressing creativity and emotion through dance.

Dance forms explored in the program: 

Modern, contemporary, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop

Do students get to choreograph? 

Choreography is an explicit focus at all levels, and student choreography is a key input for performance works. In our spring concert, every student in Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Dance has the opportunity to choreograph.

Do you hire guest artists for master classes or setting choreography? 

Leading local artists have much to teach, so yes. We have hired Fog Beast Dance Company to choreograph a piece for us. We have hired guest artists such as Stacey Printz, Kirstin E. Williams, Travis Rowland and Nhan Ho to teach master classes.  

Recent field trips included…… 

The Hamlin School, San Francisco State University, San Francisco Ballet

Festivals you have participated in: 

Vision Series, Dance IS Festival, Bay Area High School Dance Festival, San Francisco Unified School District Arts Festival

Would you consider an intern or student teacher? 

Yes, Wendy Jones has had many students observe her classes and welcomes student teachers. She has been a master teacher, BTSA mentor, and currently teaches the Dance Pedagogy class at San Francisco State University. Furthermore, we always have Lowell Dance Company alumni come back to choreograph and mentor the program’s dance students, which encourages further growth in their teaching and composition skills. We value their ideas, insight, and ability to work well with the dancers.

http://lowelldance.com/

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Saint Ignatius College Preparatory

 

City: San Francisco

Public or independent? Catholic (Jesuit)

Names of dance teachers: Meredith Cecchin Galvin, Ted Curry, Emily Shick

Courses offered: Dance 1A: Ballet, Jazz, And Social Dance; Dance 1B: Modern Dance & Choreography; Dance Workshop. Dance 1A fulfills both Fine Arts & PE Graduation requirement.

Do you have a musical? Yes

After school options: Dance Workshop - also clubs such as Dance & Drill, Hip Hop Club, and Hawaiian Club.

Typical dates of concerts: December & March - Box Office Website

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In Dance IA and IB, students learn the “vocabulary” of dance – positions, terminology for steps, combinations and develop vital elements of dance including balance, posture, gesture, rhythm, space and breath. The class helps the student to discover new ways of moving and to communicate one’s artistic vision through dance. Admitted by audition only, Dance Workshop offers dance as an academic performing art. Students will learn to further build technique and personal expression and to work in a dance ensemble; students gain choreographic experience as an individual by taking risks in creating new styles and ways of moving. Dance Workshop performs in the Fine Arts Assembly and Dance Concert.

What makes your program unique?   

SI’s Dance Program is both fun and challenging and is welcoming to as many students as possible, regardless of experience and technique.  Technique is valued and celebrated, but our focus is on developing a love of dance, expression of self, and applying our school’s mission to our dance practice.

Dance forms explored in the program: Ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, tap, hip hop

Do students get to choreograph? Yes

“This class has been the best surprise for me this year. I'm going to be honest, I really wanted yoga for my PE requirement and was originally sad I got placed in dance instead. But this class has been one of my favorite classes this semester, and I'm going to be sad when it ends. I never in a million years thought I could enjoy dancing, but Ms. Galvin makes dancing fun and enjoyable even if you have no previous experience and aren't that good. Ms. Galvin has gotten me to love dance and dancing and I'm so grateful.”

Do you hire guest artists for master classes or setting choreography?

Yes, in the past we have featured a Dance Intensive program and choreography with Celine Parker-Alwyn.

Festivals you have participated in: Vision Series Dance Festival 2015

Website: http://www.siprep.org/page.cfm?p=5210

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Berkeley High School

City: Berkeley

Public or independent? Public

Names of dance teachers: Linda Carr and Naomi Diouf Washington 

Courses offered: Beginning/Intermediate & Advanced West African Dance; Beginning/Intermediate Modern Dance; Advanced Dance Lab; Dance Production

Do you have a musical? Yes, each spring through the Drama Department

After school options: The musical rehearses after school.

Typical dates of concerts: African Concerts in mid-December and mid-May; Dance Production, first 2 weekends in January & last weekend in May; Advanced Dance Lab in mid-March

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Berkeley High School has a vibrant dance program, offering students the opportunity to study West African Dance and dances of the African Diaspora with Naomi Diouf Washington, as well as Modern Dance technique and choreography with Linda Carr.

What makes your program unique?

Well, first of all, our program is just B I G. With a student body of over 3,000, we have close to 400 dancers each year. Dance is celebrated by the school community; we fill our theaters five times each year with supportive audiences for our shows. We make a point of reaching out to the Berkeley elementary schools, who bring students to our school time performances. Many kids in Berkeley grow up coming to our dance concerts with their families each year.

The diversity of the student body at BHS is reflected in the diversity of student choreography in our shows. At our concerts, you are likely to see dances from Latin America, the Middle East and Nepal alongside Hip Hop, Jazz, Modern, African  and Praise Dance. In an environment that embraces and stimulates creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving, dancers are able to design their own choreography and set and perform their works for peers and community. Many dancers choose to take both African and Modern classes during their time at BHS.

The African Dance program enables young students to learn about West African culture. Just as important, within the dance classes, they are able to create a sense of community often obsolete in their everyday life, to grow personally and socially, attaining a creative outlet for expression, and establishing a lifelong interest in dance and the arts. The outcome is social development. These students go on to perform with Diamano Coura and other professional companies.

The Modern Dance classes are geared towards building technical skill while at the same time building compositional skill. Even in the Beginning Modern classes, dancers will choreograph pieces (with increasing complexity!) throughout the year. Our classes are collaborative, emphasizing creative process, artistic support and exploration.

Dance forms explored in the program:

Modern Dance, Jazz Dance, Release Technique, and Contact Improvisation with Linda Carr; 

African and African Derived Dance, Hip Hop, and Fusion with Naomi Washington

Do students get to choreograph?

YES! Choreography and compositional skill building are integrated into classes from Beginning through Advanced Modern Dance; Advanced African Dance students choreograph some of the pieces in their shows, and students in the Beginning and Intermediate African classes engage in dance composition as part of their final evaluation.

Student quotes about the program:

“I’m so glad that I joined this class because it taught me a lot of good lessons besides dance.”

“Dance Production showed me, early in my dancing life, that creating dance can be done by anyone with the desire to, and that any form of movement with intent and heart behind it is valid and beautiful.” -- Colin Epstein, Dance Production 2004 alumni, currently dancing professionally in SF

“Dance has given me the privilege to release my stress whether it’s personally or academically related.”

“Dance Production was really one of the first places where I got the chance to dance anything that wasn’t ballet, and where, it was simply for the joy of dancing: no penalties, or failing, just a whole lot of fun!”  -- Annie Rigney, Dance Production 2006 alumni, currently dancing professionally in NYC and Israel

“Having Afro-Haitian in the middle of the day everyday has been very beneficial to me, and I have seen the positive impacts on my daily life.”

Do you hire guest artists for master classes or setting choreography? 

Certainly! Bringing the wealth of the Bay Area dance scene into our studios is a huge priority. Most classes have a guest choreographer set a piece on them for one of the concerts each year. Other guest artists come in for master classes.

In recent years we have worked with: 

• Joslynn Mathis (Hip Hop/Modern Fusion)
• Tanya Chianese (Release Technique)
• Bianca Cabrera (Release/Contact Improvisation)
• Madeline Harmon (Yoga)
• Jim Santi Owen (Body Percussion)
• Mahea Uchiyama (Polynesian)
• Ibrahima Diouf (West African)
• Youssouf Koumbassa (Guinean)
• Tanzia Muckett (Haitian)
• Nick Van Eyck (Cuban Salsa)
• Keith Terry and Evie Ladin (Body Percussion)
• Traci Bartlow (Lindy Hop)
• Rashidi Omari (HipHop/Dance Hall)
• Lauren Benjamin (Jazz/Hip Hop)
• Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater -- Master classes in Horton Technique

Recent field trips included:

• Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at Zellerbach
• ODC Dance Downtown at YBCA
• Diamano Coura West African Dance Company’s Collage workshop at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts

Festivals we have participated in:

For several years we have hosted our own BHS Dance Day, featuring master classes with choreographers whose styles reflect the African Diaspora: Cuban Salsa, Lindy Hop, Hip Hop, Jamaican Dancehall, Dunham Technique, etc.

We have also presented work in the Dance IS Festival, The Vision Series, and The Dance Your Way Festival.

Would you consider an intern or student teacher?

Sure!

Email: lindacarr@berkeley.net    naomiwashingtondio@berkeley.net

Phone: (510) 644-6120

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The College Preparatory School

City: Oakland

Public or independent? Independent

Names of dance teachers: Stefani Berger, Director of Dance; Erica Hartono, additional dance faculty member

Courses offered: Three levels of classes with multiple offerings: beginning, intermediate, and advanced, plus an after-school audition-based performing dance group (PDG) for the most advanced dancers. Students perform all year long in every possible venue available: here at College Prep, at other schools, in high school dance festivals, at senior centers, and in theaters throughout the Bay Area. 

Do you have a musical? Yes, every other year. Our musicals are unique as they are directed collaboratively by the Performing Arts Directors, but the musical is danced, performed, sung, played (instrumental works), acted, and built by students.

Afterschool options: Performing Dance Group is a company that comes out of the advanced dance class. It rehearses an additional 7 hours a week afterschool and performs throughout the Bay Area. The dance program also offers after school master classes for any interested student with professional dancers (Naomi Kakuk from "Chicago," Spencer Jones from "Wicked") and performing opportunities (Japanese, Hip Hop, Lindy, Vintage Jazz) open to dancers from all levels.

Typical dates of concerts: Annually in late April

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A few sentences describing the program:

Anyone who wants to learn how to dance can find an opportunity to do so with the Dance Program at College Prep. Whether you are new to dance, or are a dancer with exceptional training, we have the level and performance opportunity to challenge and stimulate you to grow as a dance-artist. We work on a very professional level in class, all the while creating a deep and meaningful dance community. Did I mention FUN? Oh and that we have guys who dance at all levels in the program? We laugh and sweat and work together in a supportive environment based on mutual trust and cooperation. One quarter of our student body is involved in the dance program and continues to dance all four years of their high school experience. As a Modern Dance based program, students take dance as part of their academic day and receive both Arts and PE credit.

What makes your program unique?

I believe that engaging in dance is a deeply humanizing experience. The Dance Program is a highly disciplined and professional program, and is also fun, immensely challenging, and will push you to discover who you really are. Through dance we connect and come home to our true self!

Dance forms explored in the program:

The focus of the dance program is 20th century modern dance with an emphasis on African American choreographers. The techniques that Stefani Berger teaches are those of Lester Horton, José Limón, Martha Graham, Katherine Dunham, and Alvin Ailey. Her personal goal is to incorporate diversity in dance style, technique, culture, and music, and to work collaboratively with students and teachers alike. Erica Hartono has a strong foundation in ballet and is a certified ABT National Teaching Curriculum teacher and affiliate. Her teaching is grounded in the rich technique and discipline of ballet, while maintaining the spirited fun that reflects her musical theatre experience. Sharing her joy of dance with students is one of the things she is most grateful for.

Do students get to choreograph?

Yes, seniors and qualified juniors may make proposals to create student projects that are showcased in the annual student Performance, separate from the Dance Showcase in the spring. We normally have 6-10 student pieces per year. We have also have had a number of student directed flash mobs.

Student quotes about the program:

"I'm so lucky to have dance teachers at College Prep who I can look up to as professional artists, and as kind and caring human beings. This is all to say nothing of how much fun I have challenging myself in dance class!"

"Dance class is so extremely supportive and caring. It is a place where I can begin to believe in myself, even when I didn't before."

"The thought of dance class motivates me when I don't want to get up in the morning. (Really it does.) Dance is my favorite class and is one of the highlights of my day. Dance class is amazing!"

Do you hire guest artists for master classes or setting choreography? 

Absolutely, this is the heart of the program. I believe that young dancers need to be stretched in many ways. Every year dancers get to work with multiple choreographers representing the very best of the Bay Area and beyond. Recent choreographers include Andrew Ward and Melecio Estrella of Fog Beast, Abigail Hosein of Ahdanco, Charles Slender of Fact/SF, Spencer Jones of the Broadway Musical "Wicked,"  Kimberley Valmore of COterie Dance, and Jane Xavier Barnes.

Recent field trips included……

Performances at senior centers, an LA dance immersion at The Edge Performing Arts Center, participation with the school's Music Tours to perform in middle schools in the Central Valley.

Festivals you have participated in:

• College Prep High School Dance Festival 2010, 2011, 2012
• Marin Academy HS Dance Festival
• The Hamlin School High School Dance Festival in San Francisco
• Dimensions Dance Festival in Oakland

Would you consider an intern or student teacher? 

Yes. Within our program we have students who act as AT’s in the program. I have also mentored student teachers and choreographers affiliated with MFA programs in the Bay Area.

Website: The College Preparatory School

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Branson School

City: Ross

Public or independent? Independent

Names of dance teacher: Georgia Ortega, Director of Dance

Courses offered: Dance I, II, III, IV, Dance Performance Ensemble, Athletic

Dance for Men I, II

Do you have a musical? Yes, one per year. Auditions and rehearsals are after

school and open to all grade levels.

After school options: The musical is extra-curricular. The Dance Performance

Ensemble has occasional rehearsals after school.

Typical dates of concerts: Last weekend in January and last weekend in April

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The Branson dance program is designed to give the beginning through advanced level student the opportunity to explore the physical, emotional, creative, and technical aspects of dance and develop self-confidence, self-discipline, cultural awareness, artistic integrity, technical skills, and personal uniqueness.

What makes your program unique?

Student choreography is highly valued and encouraged. Students may be recognized for artistic and academic achievement through the Branson chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts, and they have the opportunity to submit their choreography for a national merit and leadership award through the National Dance Education Organization. A new course is Athletic Dance for Men level I and II. The Dance Performance Ensemble gives students a new “pre-professional” dance experience each year. Students may double in the arts and there are opportunities to collaborate with other artists. Our spring 2015 dance concert features all live music performed by Branson students and faculty.

Dance forms explored in the program:

Studio based learning includes Bill Evans/Laban modern dance technique, ballet, jazz, hip hop, ethnic dance, improvisation, composition, anatomy and yoga for dancers, and exposure to a variety of modern dance techniques through the study of dance history.

Do students get to choreograph?

Yes – All students participate in creating work with the guidance of the teacher. The top two levels are required to choreograph outside of their scheduled class period.

Do you hire guest artists for master classes or setting choreography?  

Most recent guest artists include: John Beasant, Ben Stewart, Tanya Bello, Vera Schwegler, Milissa Payne, Andrea Sakellariou, Joe Gray, Jacquie Leigh, Mahealani Uchiyama, and Portsha Jefferson.

Recent field trips included:

Students are required to see two professional concerts per year and write dance reviews. They are arranged as field trips within class levels.

Festivals you have participated in:

Vision Series, Dance IS Festival, College of Marin, Bread and Roses, Hamlin School Dance Festival, Bay Area High School Dance Festival

Would you consider an intern or student teacher?

Our Leap program for ages 7 to 10 years is student led and meets after school once a week in collaboration with Marin Performing Stars.

Website:  www.branson.org

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Marin Academy

City:  San Rafael

Public or independent?  Independent

Names of dance teachers:  Randee Paufve, Nicole Klaymoon, Galen Rogers

Courses offered: 

--Marin Academy Dance Company (two levels, I/II and III/IV)

--Hip Hop

--Taiko

Do you have a musical?  The performing arts department at MA includes frequent collaborations between theater, dance and music departments – the theater and dance productions almost always feature live, original music.

After school options:  Student rehearsals take place during lunches, breaks and after school.  Tech and dress rehearsals take place after school during the week prior to the December and May performances.  

Typical dates of concerts:  December and May

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The Marin Academy dance program offers courses in modern dance, taiko and hip hop.  The Marin Academy Dance Company offers two levels of training, intermediate and advanced, with auditions held each spring. 

What makes your program unique?

--The Marin Academy Dance Company emphasizes student choreography.  The Spring Dance Concert is driven by students and student works.  

--Beginning level dance classes are hip hop and taiko, which prepare students for the rigors of the Marin Academy Dance Company.  

--The Bay Area High School Dance Festival (BAHSDF), founded by Randee Paufve, director of the Marin Academy Dance Program, takes place on the MA campus each spring.  The BAHSDF is an annual day of master classes, showings, networking and discussions for area high school students. 

Dance forms explored in the program:

Modern dance, hip hop and taiko, and other forms depending on guest artists and the backgrounds of students.  In recent years, the MA dance concert has featured student works using ballet, Bharata Natyam, tap, jazz, tumbling, release techniques, and partnering work. 

Do students get to choreograph?

Yes, student choreography is a strong emphasis in our program.

We encourage students to bring their previous training to their choreographic work, weaving former dance experience and various styles with their current dance studies at MA. 

Do you hire guest artists for master classes or setting choreography?

Yes, we offer several master classes per year, and hire guest choreographers to set work on students during spring semester. 

Recent guest artists include:

--Sabela Grimes

--Axis Dance Company

--John Beasant

Recent field trips included……

Trips to San Francisco and Berkeley to view both professional level dance concerts by local and global choreographers and companies.

Festivals you have participated in:

--Dance IS Festival

--The Bay Area High School Dance Festival

--The Hamlin School Fall Bay Area HS Dance Showcase

Would you consider an intern or student teacher?

Yes – in fact an MA senior this semester is a TA.

http://www.marinacademy.org/

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El Cerrito High School

City: El Cerrito 

Public or independent? Public

Names of dance teacher: Jessy Kronenberg

Courses offered: Jazz Dance 1, Jazz Dance 2, Dance Production

Do you have a musical? Not yet

After school options: Conservatory Ensemble, Gaucho Dance Company

Typical dates of concerts: Mid-December and Mid-May

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ECHS is a standard public high school in the East Bay—not a performing arts school.  However, this high school has a history of strong, rich performing arts programs.  The Dance Program has been around for over 40 years, and in that time has produced dancers who have gone onto university dance programs and professional careers in dance, as well as many who have maintained a life-long love of dance.  The program strives to utilize the natural connections between creative movement and analytical thinking, community building, and problem-solving.

Dance forms explored in the program:

Jazz, Contemporary, Modern, Swing, Salsa, Hip Hop, and dances from the African Diaspora

Do students get to choreograph?

All students choreograph their own work.  Advanced students prepare work for the stage regularly.

Do you hire guest artists for master classes or setting choreography? 

Yes! Past artists have include: Rodson de Jesus—Afro- Brazilian; Naby Bangoura—West African; Seth Martinez – Break Dancing; Sarah Bush—Urban Contemporary; Amber Martinez—Musical Theater

Recent field trips included...

Mills College, SF Ballet, Laney College, and Zellerbach for Ailey performances

Festivals you have participated in:

We will host our first Festival “Dance Your Way Festival” on April 25, 2015 for Bay Area high school dancers.

Would you consider an intern or student teacher?

Yes.

Website:

http://elcerritogauchos.net/dance/

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The On/Line Teen Dance Film Festival

This 30 minute film festival was created by The Hamlin School in San Francisco. The mini film festival highlights the work of middle school dancers at Hamlin as well as selected films from other middle schools and high schools around the globe. Six other schools are represented, including: 

• International School of Bangkok
• Idaho Arts Charter School (Nampa, Idaho) 
• The Public Academy for the Performing Arts (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 
• Sandy Spring Friends School  
• La Reina High School  (Thousand Oaks, California) 
• Carolina Friends School (Durham, North Carolina) 

We hope that you can share these films with your middle school and high school students. Applications for the 2nd Annual On/Line Teen Dance Film Festival will be available in September 2015.

For more information, contact dance teacher Jill Randall at randall@hamlin.org.

 https://vimeo.com/117853332

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A New Website is Created

Bay Area High School Dance is a new website to serve as an online hub of information on the numerous and vibrant high school dance programs in the San Francisco Bay Area. This website is ideal for prospective students, parents, high school counselors, and teaching artists. 

Each program will have its own page on the website. You can also access the Excel spreadsheet with all schools listed and their key contact information.

Bay Area High School Dance:

• Streamlines information
• Provides parents, students, and high school counselors with comprehensive information
• Maintains a mailing list
• Shares information on festivals and summer programs
• Informs dance teaching artists new to the area about Bay Area schools
• Builds connections and community

To submit information, please complete the attached form and return it to website director Jill Randall at randalldanceprojects@gmail.com.

Download Highschooldanceform

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