Dance
The Academy’s Dance Department prepares young dancers for a professional career in the performing arts by instilling three important core values: preparation, conduct, and skill.
These values lead to a young pre-professional dancer that embodies not only artistic excellence but also the ability to handle the rigor of the art form on all levels. Instead of competing, our students train and learn through technique classes, rehearsals, performances, and relationship building.
YOUR DANCE TEACHERS
YOUR DANCE CLASSES
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Ballet
Our ballet technique classes are structured not only in the skill building of this classical technique but also focus on the essential fundamentals of preparation and conduct in this art form. Ballet is taken daily here as it provides a base structure for training successful pre-professional dancers.
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Jazz Technique
Jazz Technique involves a combination of African, ballet and modern movement vocabulary. It enables the dancer to perform in any and all disciplines of dance
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Modern (Horton Technique)
Dancers will be immersed in the aesthetics and mechanics of this highly codified technique. Students will learn many of the Fortifications and Preludes to help them flow in and out of the floor, stretch and strengthen various muscle groups, and project their artistry. Upperclassmen will be challenged more by connecting classical Horton Technique with contemporary choreography and concepts.
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Creative Practice/Creative Process
This course fosters creativity through compositional studies, teaching students to express ideas and critically evaluate movement. Students compose both short phrases and longer works, culminating in performances at the Senior Choreographed Dance Concert. Creative Process is for juniors and seniors.
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Pointe
This addition to ballet technique advances dancers training through students using specific shoes and foot and body strengthening to execute movement on pointe.
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Partnering
For level-appropriate students, partnering class teaches skills focused on balance, weight transfer, partnered turns, and lifts executed on pointe and supported by male roles in ballet. Dancers will learn existing and new repertoire in this class.
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Allegro Technique
This class focuses on ballet techniques specific to male roles, including multiple turns, jumping combinations and essential body conditioning necessary for growth and development.
DANCE AUDITIONS
We are thrilled that you are auditioning for The Chicago Academy for the Arts. Please remember: our number one goal is for you to be successful. That means that when you have questions, please ask them!
You can email Dance Chair Randy Duncan and Assistant Dance Chair Patrick Simoniello at any time for more clarification.
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Applicants must create an Online Application to submit their preliminary audition.
1. Student Introduction Video: (30 seconds - 1 minute)
Name, Grade, Current School.
Why are you applying to The Chicago Academy for the Arts?
Brief explanation of previous artistic experience.
2. Contemporary Performance Video: (1 minute)
Expressive piece that combines elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical, and classical ballet.
3. Dance Photos
Applicants will upload photos of themselves in the following positions:Tendu à la seconde par terre en face with arms in second position
A la seconde en l'air en face with arms in second position
First arabesque en l'air décote (facing to the side)
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Applicants who pass their preliminary audition are invited to attend a live audition.
Solo Audition: Prepare a 1 - 2 minute solo routine in ballet, jazz, modern, or a dance form that is representative of your talent. Bring your own music accompaniment on your phone, iPod, or CD. You may also be asked to improvise during your live audition.
Department Interview: Faculty want to get to know you better! Be ready to discuss your past dance experience.
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All dancers must dress in suitable, clean, form-fitting dance attire consisting of:
Black leotard or shirt
Black tights or tights that match individual's skin tone
Ballet slippers that match individual's skin tone or tight color
Dance belts are recommended when appropriate
No cover-ups of any kind are to be worn over dance attire
DANCE VIDEOS
