Dance Program
Edward R. Murrow High School offers a variety of dance courses and dance performance opportunities for students. The dance program is a non screened/non-audition, inclusive and diversified program that is open to all students at various different levels from beginner to advanced with opportunities for our most advanced dancers to student teach dance classes, choreograph for our annual fall and spring dance performances as well as take the New York City Commencement Examination in Dance in their senior year. Upon passing the exam, students will receive a Certificate of Arts Achievement: Concentration in Dance (6 credit track) or a Chancellor's Endorsed Diploma with Advanced Designation in the Arts: Concentration in Dance (10 credit track). The dance program is a recognized Dance Education Laboratory (DEL) Lab School and holds a National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) Secondary Chapter recognized by the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO). The dance program at Edward R. Murrow is under the direction of dance educators Randa Broughton and Christine Catalano.
DANCE COURSES
DANCE SURVEY
Students explore diverse genres of dance combined with exploration of the choreographic process based on application of Laban Movement Analysis (LMA). It is a sampling of dance styles with an emphasis on student collaboration to build choreography and promote personal artistry. This course culminates with performance opportunities in both the fall and spring semesters.
MODERN DANCE
Students will explore the styles and techniques of various modern dance choreographers, (Graham, Humphrey, Horton, Ailey, Cunningham, Dunham) through warm up and combinations. They will be able to recognize the differences in styles and methods of past modern choreographers. Students will also experiment with improvisation, movement exploration, dance making and performance skills.
PHYSICAL MOVEMENT
This one semester course is designed for 11th grade Theater majors deepening their understanding of kinetics in relation to the actor’s tool box. The class explores practical application of Viewpoints and Composition based on the work of Mary Overlie, Anne Bogart, and Tina Landau. The 9 viewpoints consist of Tempo, Duration, Architecture, Spatial Relationship, Repetition, Shape, Kinesthetic Response, Topography, and Gesture. Students will venture through exercises, improvisations, ensemble and small group investigations as a means to probe, question and strengthen performance choices.
THEATER DANCE
This course focuses upon the body as the source of creativity. This course explores various exercises for encouraging appropriate alignment and execution of basic dance steps within a performance context. Theater dance provides ways to explore active imagination through physical action. Students develop and create different characters and narratives through use of Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) as a basic foundation for dance making. This class combines theater jazz dance technique with an emphasis on choreography building through discussion and collaboration. This course culminates with performance opportunities in both the fall and spring semesters.
TAP DANCE
This course provides students with a basic foundation in tap dance with opportunities to expand and refine their tap dance technique. Students are introduced to the basic parts of the shoe and how to utilize a series of different sounds and rhythms through warm up and exercises that target specific skill building as well as strengthen improvisation. Students collaborate in groups to create different variations while following set tempos and learn how to build choreography to create a structured piece. This course culminates with performance opportunities in both the fall and spring semesters.
NEW YORK CITY COMMENCEMENT EXAMINATION IN DANCE REVIEW COURSES
Advanced dance students who are in their senior year and who will accumulate (6) or (10) Dance as Arts coded credits by graduation, may sit for the New York City Commencement Examination in Dance with approval of the Murrow Dance Department. These students are guided through a three part exam that includes:
Section I: Performance on Demand
(Assessing knowledge of Dance Technique & Composition)
Section II: Written Exam
(Assessing knowledge of Dance History/Literacy/Anatomy & Kinesiology/Careers/Community)
Section III: Exit Project
(Assessment of Choreography & Reflection)
Students will be awarded a Certificate of Arts Achievement: Concentration in Dance (for those with 6 credits) or a Chancellor's Endorsed Diploma with Advanced Designation in the Arts: Concentration in Dance (for those with 10 credits) upon passing the dance exam in addition to passing their required Regents exams.
Senior students who have been approved to take the exam are required to take the following courses in addition to the previously listed dance courses offered in order to be adequately prepared for the exam:
DANCE LITERACY
This course takes place for seniors during the fall term and introduces, expands and assesses students’ knowledge of dance history, dance making, dance anatomy/kinesiology, dance careers as well as past and present topics relevant in the dance community. This course covers the material present on the Section II: Written Exam portion of the Dance Commencement Exam administered in January.
DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY
This course takes place for seniors during the spring term and guides and assesses students’ knowledge of dance making and choreography building in a dance form(s) of their choice. Students submit a detailed proposal outlining their visions, inspirations and conceptual ideas for implementing their work. Students direct and collaborate with their dancers to execute a full length dance piece that is scored as part of the Section III: Exit Project portion of the Dance Commencement Exam administered in May. Students also present this work as part of our Dance Ensemble performance in June. This course culminates with a reflective written piece based on students’ experiences regarding the choreographic process and is submitted for scoring as part of the Section III: Exit Project portion of the Dance Commencement Exam.
INDEPENDENT STUDY IN DANCE
This course is an independent study course that takes place outside of registered classes and/or standard school hours from July to August (summer term) September to January (fall term) or from February to June (spring term). Students must apply and have the dance department’s prior approval/signature on the Independent Study Course Form for credit to be earned. Students must satisfy 120 hours of coursework to obtain 1.00 credit or 60 hours of coursework to obtain 0.5 credit. Students must provide documentation of hours via signed letter from the director of the outside program. The following are examples of acceptable work for Independent Study course credit:
Dance Studio:
technique classes/intensives/workshops/teaching/assistant teaching dance classes
Musical Choreographer/Dancer:
Students who choreograph and/or dance for the annual fall and/or spring school musicals or who choreograph and/or dance for SING!
To see all pathway options for dance students to obtain the required Dance as Arts credits to take the exam: click here
DANCE PERFORMANCES
FALL TERM PERFORMANCE: DANCE SHOWCASE
Joseph Papp Theater
Students have the opportunity to choreograph and/or perform in the Joseph Papp Theater at the conclusion of the fall semester as a final culminating project. Students present excerpts of material they have studied in class within a black box theater setting to share with the community and engage in an open dialogue with the audience about their artistic process.
SPRING TERM PERFORMANCE: DANCE ENSEMBLE
Joseph Anzalone Theater
Students have the opportunity to choreograph and/or perform in the Joseph Anzalone Theater at the conclusion of the spring semester as a final culminating project. Students who wish to choreograph must submit detailed proposals outlining their visions, inspirations and conceptual ideas for implementing their work. Once proposals are approved by the Murrow Dance Department, students explore the choreographic process by creating and revising their dance pieces based on collective feedback over the course of the semester.
OTHER DANCE OPPORTUNITIES
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY FOR DANCE ARTS (NHSDA)
Edward R. Murrow High School Secondary Chapter #NY0144
Senior and junior dance students can apply to be inducted into Murrow’s NHSDA Secondary Chapter. Induction into the NHSDA Secondary Program is earned through the accumulation of 30 points awarded for dance activities such as dance classes, rehearsals, performances, research, workshops, or community service activities. Junior and senior students must earn a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for NHSDA induction and are approved for induction by the Murrow Dance Department.
GUEST ARTIST WORKSHOPS & PERFORMANCE FIELD TRIPS
Dance students have the opportunity to participate in master classes, workshops and residencies with various guest artists in a wide diversity of dance forms. Students are invited to attend dance performances at The Joyce Theater, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, New York City Center and other performance venues throughout New York City made possible through partnerships with performing arts education organizations.
AFTER SCHOOL DANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Students are encouraged to participate in various dance clubs after the school day concludes. Clubs are facilitated by students and moderated by staff. Current after school dance clubs include Step Team, Dance Club, Choreography Clinic and K-Pop Dance Club. After school dance clubs are open to all students who would like to experience learning different dance forms from their peers. Students may collaborate with a moderator if they are interested in starting a new dance-focused club. In addition to after school clubs, students may audition to dance and/or choreograph for the annual fall and spring musicals as well as for “SING!” an annual student-run musical production competition.