Dance

Overview

Creating dance opens up new connections within ourselves, with others, and with entire communities. At St. Olaf we lace together a dance experience which emphasizes the American modern dance tradition in its technical training while encouraging study and performance of styles and dances from world cultures. Performance opportunities range from mainstage productions to off campus events, from chapel services to informal showings.

In combining studio and theory work, the Dance major prepares students for a variety of career possibilities. Recent graduates have performed with professional companies in the Twin Cities and also with companies or free-lancing, on either coast. Others have pursued post-graduate study in dance therapy or the somatic disciplines. The emerging field of dance medicine will beckon many in the future, as will careers in arts/dance administration or teaching in public schools, private studios, or community service agencies. Dance in the church, either as a part of formal worship or through social-recreational events for youth, also provides a compelling career option for a number of St. Olaf graduates. St. Olaf is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance.

Prerequisites

General Education Credit

Distribution Credit

All dance technique courses may be counted toward the physical education graduation requirement. All technique and theory courses count toward the Area B requirement. Dance technique courses may not be counted toward both requirements.

Requirements for the Majors

Requirements for a Graduation Major

In addition, majors are required to participate in one of the dance companies. The intensity and length of participation will vary with the individual student and will relate to his/her Specialty. Dance company participation must be planned in consultation with the dance faculty.

Requirements for a Teaching Major

Special Programs

Courses

101 The Body Movable (0.50)

An introduction to experiential anatomy, this study of the body uses movement to explore structural and functional relationships within. Emphasis is on body balancing, effortless action, and physical expression applied to daily moving as well as to more specialized performance activities, e.g. dancing, acting, singing, exercising, etc. This class counts for only .25 PA or PE credit.

106 Ballroom I (0.25)

Ballroom classes are taught from a social/aesthetic perspective. In this course students learn fundamental steps, rhythms, and styling in foxtrot, slow waltz, Viennese waltz, east coast swing, and cha cha or samba.

108 American Dance: Native and Immigrant Traditions (0.25)

International dance classes emphasize dance in its varied cultural contexts. This survey presents dances deriving from immigrant and native traditions and includes clogging, contras, cajun, hula, and vintage dance forms, among others. Offered 1996-97 and every second year thereafter.

109 International Dance I: World Dance Traditions (0.25)

This course surveys dance from around the world with emphasis on European and Near Eastern forms.

111 Modern Dance I (0.25)

Modern dance classes approach movement with imagination, experience, and technical training. The classes explore the structural and functional relationships within the body from which we create dance patterns and develop expressive movement and body awareness. This course introduces students to body awareness and modern dance vocabulary and technique.

121 Ballet I (0.25)

Ballet classes are taught from a modern dance perspective. This course provides students with an introduction to ballet vocabulary, technique, and body awareness.

206 Ballroom II (0.25)

This course provides instruction in basic steps, rhythms and styling for tango and west coast swing. Students learn advanced patterns in slow waltz and cha cha. Emphasis is on styling and quality of movement. Normally, attendance will be required at one special event such as a field trip to a ballroom. An appropriate fee will be charged for such special events. Prerequisite: Dance 251, Dance 106, or permission of instructor.

209 International Dance II: Selected Dance Cultures (0.25)

Students focus intensively on the dance forms and styles of selected cultures. Offered 1995-96 and every second or third year thereafter. Prerequisite: Dance 109, 124, or permission of instructor.

210 (0.50) First time, 211 (0.25) Subsequent registration
Modern Dance II

Students expand their understanding of modern dance by building on the components of Level I, adding attention to movement qualities, elements of space, dance vocabulary and technique with an emphasis on phrasing and sequences. Prerequisite: Dance 111 or permission of instructor. This course can be repeated with instructors permission.

220 (0.50) First time, 221 (0.25) Subsequent registration

Ballet II

This course offers an expansion of ballet vocabulary and technique with an emphasis on phrasing. Outside work includes reading, writing and concert attendance. This class counts for only .25 PA or PE credit. Prerequisite: DN 103 or permission of instructor.

310 (0.50) First time, 311 (0.25) Subsequent

registration
Modern III

Formerly called Dance Company Class, this modern section is open to Company members and general students by audition or instructor's permission. This course can be repeated with instructors permission.

320 (0.50) First time, 321 (0.25) Subsequent registration
Ballet III

Formerly called Dance Company Class, this ballet section is open to Company members and general students by audition or instructor's permission. This course can be repeated with instructors permission.

Theory Courses

120 Creative Dance for Children

Exploration of dance as a means for improving communication, body/kinetic awareness, creative expression and perceptual-motor development for children. Course will include lectures, dance technique and improvisation, and laboratory/teaching experience. Offered alternate years and occasionally during the Interim.

123 Movement As Metaphor

The realm of movement is fundamental in our journey through life. it gives shape to our body and expression to our feelings and thoughts. It is central in creating our self-image and nuturing self-understanding. Movement is life and health and well-being.

124 World Dance Traditions

An introduction to world dance traditions, this course covers the study of dance forms, functions, contexts, styles and differing aesthetics found in selected cultures of Africa, Asia, Europe, the Near and Middle East, the South Pacific and Latin America. The course will include lectures, discussion and video viewing in addition to studio experiences where students learn dances and movements from the cultures studied. Field trips to dance events and concerts will be required when appropriate.

231 Fundamentals of Choreography and Improvisation

A basic course in principles and methods for creating dances, this course focuses on the elements of dance composition and improvisation, the relationship of form and content, and the relationship of the dancer and the dance. It is appropriate for students interested in any or all forms of dance, and for those interested in other forms of composition (music, visual art, etc.).

232 Movement Analysis

This introduction to Rudolf Laban's sytem of movement analysis provides a framework for observing, describing, and analyzing human movement patterns and understanding non-verbal behavior and communication. This course is appropriate for all students for whom movement observation is important to their career objectives, e.g. dancers, therapists, counselors, anthropologists, journalists, nurses and actors.

245 The Rise of Ballet

We look at the European ballet tradition as it emerges out of medieval and Renaissance court dance and culture, spreads throughout Europe and Russia, and continues into the world-wide touring of the early 20th century. In particular, we will emphasize cultural context; principal dance masters, choreographers and dancers; selected dances and ballets. This course features videos to illustrate dances, dancers and ballets and to supplement reading, writing, and discussion. Attendance at appropriate concerts is required.

246 Dance in America

We trace and integrate the African-American and Euro-American dance traditions of the 19th and 20th centuries, paying attention to their similarities and differences. We also attend to the economic, religious and social forces which have affected the development of dance in America. This course features extensive video examples to supplement reading, writing, and discussion. Attendance at appropriate concerts is required.

260 Exploring My Articulate Body

This course investigates the field of somatics from a first-person, experiential perspective and explores a variety of somatic disciplines (Body-Mind Centering, Feldenkrais, Trager, Alexander, Yoga, Tai Chi, Ideokinesis, Katsugan Undo) experientially and theoretically, for their insights into understanding the whole person as mover, expresser, creator. Valuable for dancers, actors, athletes, musicians, singers, and nurses. Prerequisite: Dance 101 or permission of instructor.

264 Movement and Dance as Cultural Expression

Students embark on an exploration of pedestrian, religious ritual movement and concert dance - and their significance in understanding Middle Eastern, Far Eastern and American cultures. The emphasis is on discovering how movement and dance express and communicate cultural values as well as the development of movement vocabulary and analytic skills. Studio, classroom and field experiences. Offered in 1995-96 as part of the Term in the Middle East.

373 Dance Aesthetics and Criticism

We attempt to understand the nature of dance as a basis for analyzing selected problems in aesthetics and criticism. We pay special attention to the complex issues of entertainment, communication, expression and meaning. This course features small group discussion and analysis, as well as selected writing assignments. Attendance at appropriate concerts is required. Taught 1995-96 and every second or third year thereafter.

374 Advanced Choreography

In this advanced analysis of principles and methods for creating dances, students will survey current trends in dance performance as well as choreograph new works.. Prerequisite: Dance 231 or permission of instructor.

Other

294

Internship

298

Independent Study

394

Internship

398

Independent Research

Interim

Dance 123

Movement as Metaphor

Dance 251

Dancing in the Big Band Era 1925-45

Faculty

Janice Roberts (Chair)
Assistant Professor of Dance, 1994-
B.F.A. Arizona State; M.F.A., University of Utah
Modern dance, ballet, choreography, dance companies

Sheryl Saterstrom
Assistant Professor of Dance, 1987-
B.A., St. Olaf; M.A., Arizona State
Modern dance, somatics, dance companies

Anthony Roberts
Instructor in Dance, 1995-
B.F.A., Utah
Ballet, modern chance, choreography, dance companies

Anne von Bibra
Assistant Professor of Dance, 1987-
B.A., Louisiana State; M.A., UCLA
International dance, ballroom, dance companies

Ann Wagner
Professor of Dance, 1961-
B.A., Augustana (Rock Island); M.A., Iowa State; Ph.D., Minnesota
Dance history and ballroom dance