Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

CUADAN408A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Develop expertise in ballet technique

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency CUADAN408A - Develop expertise in ballet technique
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to add range and depth to ballet dance technique. 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.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to those who are consolidating their career in contexts where ballet dancing skills are required. For example, classes and practice sessions are an integral part of a dancer’s daily work life. These could be geared towards specific performances which could be in commercial or competition settings where dancers would usually be performing as members of a corps de ballet, though some solo work could be expected.While supervision and guidance are provided in practice sessions and rehearsals, dancers are expected to display a high level of motivation and sense of responsibility for themselves and others when it comes to applying dance technique in a live performance context.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Maintain a physical conditioning program
  • In consultation with relevant personnel identify a range of techniques to improve stamina, strength and flexibility
  • Set realistic physical conditioning goals aimed at improving own dance technique
  • 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
  • Ensure that clothing and footwear are appropriate for undertaking exercise regime and practising dance technique
       
Element: Use practice sessions to increase level of expertise in ballet technique
  • Practise a range of techniques to increase levels of strength, flexibility, coordination and cardiovascular endurance
  • Use barre work to develop equal strength and flexibility on both sides of the body
  • Ensure that flow and interaction with other dancers in group work are smooth and well-timed
  • Increase level of expertise in pointe work as required
       
Element: Maintain expertise
  • Continuously practise and refine combinations of complex movements and exercises
  • Maintain and update knowledge of ballet terminology
  • Use feedback from teachers and mentors to identify and develop ways to improve own ballet technique
  • Regularly view performances by industry practitioners as a way of sourcing new ideas and trends, maintaining motivation, and improving own technique
       


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:

demonstrate physical and conceptual understanding of the fundamental technical principles in classical ballet

execute complex technical classical ballet steps and techniques

respond appropriately to constructive feedback on own technique.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to appropriate dance performance areas or spaces.

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

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 developing ballet technique

direct observation of candidate in classes and rehearsals.

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:

CUADAN303A Develop dance partnering techniques

CUADAN407A Develop expertise in dance performance skills

CUADAN411A Develop expertise in cultural dance technique.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, 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 dance and physical conditioning issues with relevant personnel

respond appropriately to feedback on own skill development

learning skills to:

develop strong ballet techniques through:

practising complex movements and exercises

a positive attitude to dancing

develop and implement a personal physical conditioning program

develop a movement memory

planning and organising skills to plan practice time

self-management skills to:

arrive punctually at classes and rehearsals

observe dance discipline and follow direction

apply safe dance practices

teamwork skills to work collaboratively with others involved in dance classes.

Required knowledge

well-developed knowledge of:

technical principles underlying classical ballet, including:

symmetry

flexibility

stability

coordination

angles and lines of the body and form

gracefulness

extension

balance

musicality

principles underlying dance movements and techniques in general, 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

importance of healthy food choices in relation to wellbeing and injury prevention, including five food groups and recommended daily amounts

ballet terminology

stage geography and directions

musical rhythms, including:

time signatures

beat

tempo

syncopation

overview knowledge of:

main periods in the history of ballet

ways of notating ballet.

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.

Relevant personnel may include:

teachers

mentors

coaches

medical practitioners

nutrition experts

colleagues

family members

performers

representatives of dance societies.

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.

Techniquesmust relate to:

barre

centre

adage

pirouettes

petite batterie

allegro.

Techniquesmay relate to:

using arm lines appropriately and extensively

demonstrating an awareness of personal and general space when travelling and stationary

lifting

balance

turns

travelling sequences

temps lié

adage

pirouettes en dehors

pirouettes en dedans

pirouettes en diagonale

petit allegro

allegro enchaînement

batterie enchaînement

grand allegro

grands jetés en avant

grands jetés en tournant

energy placement, including:

moving energy from the centre of the body to the outer extremities

shifting weight

executing leaps

landing from jumps

sequences from a range of techniques, such as:

Royal Academy of Dance (RAD)

Cecchetti

Vaganova

French

Balanchine.

Barre workmay relate to:

pliés

battements tendus and tendus jetés

rond de jambe par terre

battement frappé

battement fondu en l’air

petits battements

grand battements

rond de jambe en l’air

fouettés rond de jambe en tournant

rotation and extension of the legs

footwork and placement.

Expertise in pointe workmay relate to:

exercises to develop strength and precision, such as:

échappés relevés

posés

relevés to one foot

temps lié

pointe enchaînement

posés en diagonale

grand allegro

practising control in rising from and returning to the floor

executing enchaînements with correct posture, weight placement, alignment and aplomb

developing strength and control in pull up and turnout

practising balanced use of arms when dancing on pointe.

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
In consultation with relevant personnel identify a range of techniques to improve stamina, strength and flexibility 
Set realistic physical conditioning goals aimed at improving own dance technique 
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 
Ensure that clothing and footwear are appropriate for undertaking exercise regime and practising dance technique 
Practise a range of techniques to increase levels of strength, flexibility, coordination and cardiovascular endurance 
Use barre work to develop equal strength and flexibility on both sides of the body 
Ensure that flow and interaction with other dancers in group work are smooth and well-timed 
Increase level of expertise in pointe work as required 
Continuously practise and refine combinations of complex movements and exercises 
Maintain and update knowledge of ballet terminology 
Use feedback from teachers and mentors to identify and develop ways to improve own ballet technique 
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

CUADAN408A - Develop expertise in ballet 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

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

CUADAN408A - Develop expertise in ballet 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

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: