Dance
Move with passion and purpose.
Loving to dance, regardless of how much you do it or whether or not dance lies in your future, is what makes you a dancer.
Kat McLaughlin, choreographer
From classical ballet to hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, choreography, and more, the Dance program at SD is creative and collaborative, providing students with technical training that is appropriate to their age and development. Dancers of all levels explore, grow, and perform all year long at many all-school events, culminating in the annual Spring Dance Concert.
Upper School Dance
The San Domenico Upper School Dance Program offers a comprehensive training program in modern dance, ballet, pointe, hip-hop, and choreography, taught by professional teachers and choreographers. The four-year program provides opportunities to explore dance from first steps through the college level, with classes offered five days a week for the serious dance student.
The Upper School Dance Program focuses primarily on technical training, performance, and choreography. Students are provided with a foundation in technique through which they learn to express their own ideas and stories through choreography and performance.
In addition to technical training, higher level students can expect to:
- Investigate the roots of different dance forms by learning about the key figures and eras of dance history;
- Create and perform their own dances, while learning about the elements of lighting, costume design, projection, and soundscaping;
- Learn the fundamentals of teaching dance and leading rehearsals, with opportunities to teach students in the Lower School and lead classes for their peers.
Students also receive opportunities to take master classes with teachers in a variety of dance forms, including flamenco, Bollywood, hip-hop, and West African, as well as take field trips to see professional dance concerts.
The San Domenico Dance Ensemble
Dance Ensemble is the premiere performance dance group on campus. Dance Ensemble meets after school, and membership is by audition only. Members have the opportunity to choreograph their own pieces as well as perform in faculty choreography. Dance Ensemble performs at special school events, as well as at the annual Spring Dance Concert, in the styles of modern dance, jazz, and ballet.
Upper School Dance Concert
The annual Upper School Dance Concert showcases the work of each of the Upper School dance classes, the Dance Ensemble, and special guests. Each year, the concert centers around a guiding theme, challenging choreographers and dancers to take risks, think outside the box, and expand creatively in all directions. The concert features choreography by faculty and students, in styles ranging from contemporary to jazz, ballet to hip hop. The concert also includes live music, video projects, and collaborations with Upper School art students.
Middle School Dance
Dance is available throughout Middle School, with students learning basic dance skills in ballet, ballroom, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, musical theater, and more. Classes offer students the chance to develop their own choreography, study with professional teachers, and perform at the end of every semester.
Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade Dance
Students are introduced to dance technique, choreography, and performance. Students learn the fundamentals of jazz, contemporary, and ballet, while rehearsing for a final performance at the end of the semester. Students are also introduced to the fundamentals of creating original choreography.
Junior Dance Ensemble
The Middle School Junior Dance Ensemble is open to dedicated intermediate and advanced students interested in accelerated opportunities for choreography and performance. Students must have at least three years of serious dance experience, and membership is by audition only.
Eighth Grade Ballroom
In this co-ed dance workshop, eighth grade students learn partner dance forms, such as swing and salsa. Students perform a demonstration of dance steps and etiquette at the end of the semester.
Lower School Dance
Students in our Lower School explore rhythm, musicality, terminology, and improvisation, as well as cultural dances related to the subject material studied in their classrooms. Students participate in movement games, learn and practice choreography, and experiment with creating their own dances.
