Assessor Resource

CUADAN506A
Refine cultural dance technique

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit applies to those who are consolidating their career in contexts where advanced cultural dancing skills are required, for example performing character dances in ballets. Performances could be in commercial or competition settings and dancers would usually be performing as members of an ensemble, though some solo work could be expected.

The skills in this unit can also be applied in physical disciplines such as martial arts or fencing where movements are closely allied to dance.

At this level, dancers are constantly refining their technique and expression to produce performances that convey the mood and style of music through complex dance movements. While supervision and guidance are provided in practice sessions, dancers are expected to display a high level of motivation and dedication to their profession by undertaking regular self-directed practice.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop a high level of expertise in cultural dance technique or in physical disciplines that employ advanced movement skills.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

perform two complex dance or movement sequences that demonstrate:

confident performance skills

understanding of the discipline’s particular stylistic qualities

muscular strength and flexibility

control of movement

quality and breadth of movement

interpretative and expressive skills

strong and precise technique in the chosen cultural dance style or physical discipline

respond appropriately to constructive feedback on own performance.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

fully equipped dance studios

appropriate music or accompanists.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence

third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance

evaluation of performances during practice sessions (live or recorded)

verbal or written questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit

case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussion of issues and challenges that arise in the context of refining cultural dance techniques

direct observation of candidate executing exercises during classes or practice sessions.

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties, such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

CUADAN507A Refine dance partnering techniques

CUAOHS501A Maintain a high level of fitness for performance.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills to:

discuss physical conditioning and movement technique issues with relevant personnel

respond appropriately to feedback on own skill development

work creatively with individual differences

initiative and enterprise skills to:

work creatively with music and dance movements

communicate the mood or style of dance or movement sequences

observe and interpret physical skills

learning skills to:

develop strong cultural dance or movement techniques through:

practising complex movements and routines

a positive attitude to performing

implement a personal physical conditioning program

develop a movement memory

planning and organising skills to plan practice time

problem-solving skills to make complex judgements to advance own technique

self-management skills to:

maintain a professional work ethic

apply safe performance practices

teamwork skills to work collaboratively with others involved in practice sessions and classes.

Required knowledge

principles underlying dance movements and techniques, including:

relationship with gravity

spatial awareness

successional movement

use of breath

folding

extending

rotating

shifting weight

anatomical foundations, including:

articulation of the spine

engagement of the feet

bases of support, including feet, legs, hands, arms and torso

range of motion of the joints

differentiation of the legs and pelvis

terminology associated with chosen cultural dance style or physical discipline

stage geography and directions

musical rhythms, including:

time signatures

beat

tempo

syncopation

philosophical principles of the relevant dance style or physical discipline

history and cultural context in which the dance style or physical discipline is situated.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Risk factors may relate to:

consistency of a physical fitness regime

own ambition

expectations of others

injury-prevention strategies

gender issues

body image and eating disorders

insufficient hydration

poor nutrition

incorrectly fitting footwear

gender-appropriate performance techniques.

Warm-up and cool-down activities may include:

stretching

joint-mobility exercises

flexibility exercises

aerobic activities

anaerobic exercises

coordinated breathing activities

floor work.

Techniques may include:

control in locomotor steps, such as:

start and stop

varying tempo

leading with the left as well as the right foot

weight transfer:

falling

releasing

balancing

turning movements and steps that include further extension

elevation, including complex steps of low, medium and high elevation

isolation techniques of increasing complexity, such as isolating, controlling and releasing two or more different parts of the body simultaneously

transferring and applying physical information from one area of physical expertise to another

rhythmic footwork

pair and group work.

Cultural dance styles may include:

African

belly dancing

Hungarian

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance

Irish dance

Italian

magical, mystical or spiritual dance

Moldavian

Pacific Islander

Polish

ritual or sacred

Russian

Spanish

Ukrainian.

Physical discipline may include:

martial arts

fencing

yoga

circus arts

Pilates.

Performance attributes may include:

musicality with attention to nuances of interpretation

movement qualities to movement sequences

strong sense of individuality and 'presence' in the execution of sequences

sensibility in sequences of increasing difficulty

alternative musical time signatures and phrasing as the structural basis of the exercises

different expressive qualities applied to movement sequences

reliance on individual interpretation.

Anatomical alignment principles relate to:

articulation of the spine

engagement of the feet

bases of support, including feet, legs, hands, arms and torso

range of motion of the joints

differentiation of the legs and pelvis.

Spatial arrangements relate to:

floor patterns

aerial pathways.

Professional work ethic may refer to:

attentive behaviour in creative practice

awareness of:

substance abuse

addictive behaviours

expectations of others

eating disorders

effective management of personal finances

balanced diet

energy levels and personal limitations

stage and theatre etiquette

developing strategies to:

cope with performance anxiety

maintain motivation

effective personal hygiene habits, such as:

clean and short nails

clean and tied-up hair

clean hands

ongoing dedication to a physical conditioning exercise program

maintaining concentration, focus and physical alertness in all performance activities

maintaining costumes and other apparel

maintaining a work-life balance

punctuality and reliability

working creatively with individual differences.

Injury-prevention techniques may include:

warming up and cooling down before and after class and performance

wearing appropriate clothing and footwear

applying intent and focus while dancing

not overstretching

wearing appropriate bandaging and bracing where appropriate to support body

appropriate diet and rest

using appropriate equipment, such as barre, mirror and sprung floors

attention to teacher.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Set realistic physical conditioning goals aimed at improving own dance technique 
Apply a range of techniques to improve stamina, strength and flexibility 
Identify risk factors that may inhibit the achievement of goals and seek professional advice as required 
Take fatigue, personal limitations and boundaries into account when undertaking physical conditioning program 
Always perform warm-up and cool-down activities in conjunction with dance activities 
In practice sessions apply increasingly difficult techniques relevant to cultural dance style or physical discipline 
Develop increasingly complex performance attributes 
Work on articulating and embodying the philosophical principles of the dance style or discipline 
Refine ways to apply alternative forms of physical coordination in exercises and routines 
Work on achieving strong harmony of movement when practising dance sequences with a partner 
Build strength and stability in technique by applying a knowledge of anatomical alignment principles in exercises and routines 
Work on improving accuracy in spatial arrangements 
Apply professional work ethic to all practice and performance activities 
Incorporate injury-prevention techniques into all dance and movement activities 
Maintain and update knowledge of dance terminology 
Use feedback from teachers and mentors to identify and develop ways to improve own cultural dance performance skills 
Regularly view performances by industry practitioners as a way of sourcing new ideas and trends, maintaining motivation, and improving own technique 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUADAN506A - Refine cultural dance technique
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

CUADAN506A - Refine cultural dance technique

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

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