Dance encourages students to be creative whilst building their confidence. During their time in the Dance course, students learn genre-based skills, develop and interpret choreography, perform and reflect on their own and others dance works and explore the role dance plays in society. In all the Year levels, students are required to complete both practical and written assessments, with the weighting of written work increasing in the Senior School years.
Students are provided with many opportunities to perform both within and outside the classroom. In previous years, the Senior School students have performed alongside other schools in the annual South of the Swan Dance Festival. In 2012 the Tranby College students put on their own Dance Night at the Koorliny Arts Centre, in which involved students from Years 9-12. Senior School students also attend excursions to the theatre each year, to critique live dance performances as part of their written assessment. All students have the opportunity to perform in the College Musical, which is biannual and there is also a Melbourne Trip for Year 11 and 12 students, which occurs in the off year to the Musical.
Years 7 and 8
In Years 7 and 8, students experience the fundamentals of Dance and Drama through a combined class called Performing Arts, twice a week for a semester. Students develop their understanding of Arts Practices by exploring Drama conventions and Dance choreographic elements. Students explore the outcome of Arts Understandings by responding to their own and others performances and exploring the role Arts can play in society.
Year 9
In Year 9, students learn the principles of Contemporary, Jazz and Tap dance technique through two weekly double lessons for a semester. Students learn correct alignment, safe dance practices and develop their strength and flexibility. Whilst participating in choreographic activities and by responding, reflecting and evaluating their own and others dance works, students explore and learn to identify the Elements of Dance.
Year 10
In Year 10, students participate in three double lessons of Dance each week for the year. Students continue to develop their technical ability in Contemporary, Jazz and Tap in their technique lesson. Students explore safe dance practices and experiential anatomy through studying how the body makes movement and designing warm up exercises. Students start to explore a range of choreographic devices and build on their knowledge of the Elements of Dance. Students research Australian Dance Companies and review performances as part of their written assessments.
Years 11 and 12
In Years 11 and 12, students participate in three double lessons of Dance a week for the year. They can elect to study the Stage 1, 2 or 3 Course, depending on their year level and experience. Students continue to study Jazz technique, however, the focus is on the Contemporary genre. Students both individually and in small groups, choreograph using devices and structures, which explore an array of themes that are portrayed through their movement. Through critically analysing their own and others performances, students explore the elements of dance and design elements, and how they contribute to portraying the intent of a work. Students conduct case studies on a range of companies and influential chorographers and dancers, to understand how they contribute to dance on Australia.
