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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Extend skills in improvisation
   • Respond to a variety of teaching methods and approaches to developing improvisation skills
   • Practise performing improvisation tasks of increasing complexity and diversity
   • Demonstrate an expanded movement vocabulary in response to various stimuli
   • Integrate ways of responding to stimuli on the move and in the moment
   • Incorporate understanding of the range of options available to begin improvising through watching, initiating and responding
   • Embody energy concepts in improvisation tasks
2. Develop skills in mat work
   • Perform exercises specifically designed to build strength for tumbling and increasing technical skills
   • Apply knowledge of anatomy and alignment to extend control in inverted weight-bearing positions
   • Perform rolls from static start and from jumps
   • Perform a wide range of acrobatic skills in relation to allied contemporary dance technique attributes
   • Apply physical skills and adaptability in a range of diverse settings
3. Extend skills in duo
   • Extend expertise in safe rolling, falling and lifting techniques
   • Practise falling safely individually and in partnership situations
   • Cooperate with and develop rapport with partner during rehearsals
   • Practise timing and weight centring with partner
   • Extend ways in which improvisation can be used to extend choreographic possibilities at a basic level
   • Show strength, precision and increasing agility in all aspects of footwork
4. Maintain expertise in contemporary dance techniques
   • Apply professional work ethic and basic performance psychology techniques to practice and performance activities
   • Incorporate injury-prevention techniques into dance and movement activities
   • Use feedback from others to identify and develop ways to improve own contemporary dance technique and group work
   • Regularly view performances by industry practitioners as a way of sourcing new ideas, identifying trends, maintaining motivation, and improving own technique

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

develop improvised sequences of movement with an awareness of their relationship to the development of original choreography

demonstrate developing performance quality in improvised solos and scored group work

apply basic performance psychology techniques

execute a range of tumbling skills and basic aerial skills

work effectively with a partner and others collaboratively and with confidence

demonstrate a professional work ethic.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided for each of the above points at least once.

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Knowledge Evidence

To complete the unit requirements the individual must:

explain how the following principles relate to physical movements and allied contemporary dance techniques:

extending

folding

relationship with gravity

rotating

sequential movement

shifting weight

spatial awareness

use of breath

demonstrate physical and conceptual understanding of the fundamental technical principles in contemporary dance as they relate to duo work

explain how the following apply in the context of safe dance practice and injury prevention:

anatomical principles

alignment and 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

healthy nutrition and diet

explain how improvisation contributes to contemporary dance repertoire

explain how to counteract risk factors associated with mat work and duo techniques

explain key aspects of the following performance psychology techniques as they relate to dancers:

affirmations

maintaining a work-life balance

mental rehearsal

relaxation techniques

visualisations.

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