This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to train in the Italian virtuoso style of ballet that combines French ballet technique with a vigorous athleticism and has particular application to solo performances.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application
This unit applies to dancers moving towards professional careers in contexts where advanced ballet technique is required for performing as members of a dance company as a soloist and in other professional contexts.At this level, dancers are constantly expanding and perfecting their artistry, technique and repertoire across a number of ballet styles and genres. While some 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 during practice sessions, rehearsals and live performances.
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: Excel at a physical conditioning program
Continuously meet physical conditioning requirements of professional dance work
Demonstrate athleticism, stamina, strength, cardiovascular endurance and flexibility
Minimise risk factors that inhibit the achievement of goals and seek professional assistance when required
Always perform warm-up and cool-down activities in conjunction with dance activities
Element: Practise advanced technique
Practise advanced ballet technique across each section of class work
Demonstrate complex performance attributesand quality of movement in sequences of extended difficulty
Show strength, precision and complexity in all aspects of footwork, including pointe work as required
Execute complex variations of ballet repertoire with accuracy
Exhibit a professional level of physical learning and adaptabilityto incorporate unseen combinations
Demonstrate through ongoing technical strength, diversity and refinement, evidence of advanced self-correction and concentrated response to feedback
Demonstrate athleticism, muscularity, strength and stamina in male-specific vocabularyas required
Element: Perform advanced solo variations
Research and analyse a chosen solo from a defined classical or neoclassical ballet repertoire
Execute repertoire with high level technical accuracy, interpreting music and rhythm
Convey a high level of spatial awareness, including floor and aerial pattern
Execute solo work with a professional sense of musical individuality
Perform solo variations with a high level of individual artistry, interpretation, expression and physical control
Element: Develop professional practice
Develop and refine professional work ethic
Develop realistic parameters as a basis for extending scope of performance practice
Identify regimes and artistic strategies that will refine own performance 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 execute:
advanced ballet techniques with precision and artistry
advanced enchaînements with accuracy, speed and clarity at a professional standard
personal presentation and artistry through the refinement of individual artistic qualities and expressive interpretation of ballet sequences
effective solo performances from selected repertoire at a professional level.
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:
observation of practice and performance through full practical demonstration
verbal or written questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit
video recordings of performances or practice sessions
case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussing components of advanced classical ballet technique.
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:
CUADAN603A Extend ballet technique to a professional level
CUADAN604A Extend ballet performance skills to a professional level
CUADAN606A Extend pointe work techniques to a professional level
CUAIND601A Work professionally in the creative arts industry.
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:
work collaboratively as part of an ensemble and with independence as a soloist
respond appropriately to feedback on own skill development and performance
consult with peers and mentors, including interpersonal skills relating to listening, questioning, gaining feedback and giving information
initiative and enterprise skills to:
work creatively with music and dance
dance with artistry and assurance
communicate mood, style and grace through dance
learning skills to:
perfect classical ballet techniques through:
practising complex movements and sequences
a positive attitude to dancing
excel at a personal physical conditioning program
planning and organising skills to:
prepare for performances, auditions and competitions
plan practice time
self-management skills to demonstrate professional work ethic
technical dance skills to:
execute high level of competency in each section of class work, including technical requirements, such as:
transference of weight
placement and coordination of body parts
strength and stability
posture
balance
rotation
employ physical control throughout solo performances
maintain correct posture, weight placement and alignment in fully rotated turn-out position
retain and reproduce complex movement sequences
show alignment and extensions in combinations of a high level of difficulty
reproduce complex movement sequences on both sides of the body
show facility and speed in directional changes
demonstrate a high level of spatial awareness, including floor patterns and aerial pathways
exhibit a high level and range of coordination of limbs, torso and head
exhibit confidence in creating movement sequences
observe and interpret the physical body
show a consistent level of commitment.
Required knowledge
advanced technique as it applies to each section of dance work, including:
stretching
barre
centre practice
adage
pirouettes
allegro
batterie
grand allegro
cool down
principles underlying dance movements and advanced techniques, including:
balance
spatial awareness
successional movement
use of breath
control of movement
muscular strength and flexibility
rotation
transference of weight
anatomical foundations, including:
articulation of the spine
articulation 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
risk factors in ballet for the physical body
ballet terminology
musical rhythms, including:
time signatures
beat
tempo
syncopation
history of ballet
principles of advanced classical 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.
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 may include:
stretching
joint-mobility exercises
flexibility exercises
aerobic activities
anaerobic exercises
coordinated breathing activities
floor work.
Section of class work may include:
stretching
barre:
passé par terre en tournant in demi-plié to the grand poses
battement tendu jeté in all directions with ⅛ and ¼ turns in ½ counts (5 in a series)
double battement fondu in all directions to 45 degrees in 1 count
battement soutenu in all directions to 90 degrees in 1 count
rond de jambe en l’air single in ¼ counts
battement fondu in all directions with ½ turns in 1 count
battement frappé in all directions to pointe tendu and 25 degrees in ¼ counts
battement développé passé in all directions at 90 degrees with a full turn
développé d’ici-delà en dehors and en dedans with a grand rond
grand battement jeté piqué to 90 degrees with a full rond
grandes pirouettes from grand plié
tours passé with a double turn
centre practice:
temps lié en l’air to 90 degrees in the grand poses
temps lié en l’air to 90 degrees proceeded by a single pirouette and with tours in the grand poses
2nd, 3rd and 4th Russian ports de bras executed in the grand poses
grand plié with double grandes pirouettes
rond de jambe en l’air with ⅛ turns rond de jambe en l’air with ¼ turns tours passé with a double turn
grand fouetté relevé en dehors and en dedans
grand rond de jambe on the demi-pointe
grand fouetté effacé en face, en dehors and en dedans
triple pirouettes from 5th position
consecutive grandes pirouettes with plié-relevé with double turns
tours piqué and tours jeté with double turns in a series
fouetté rond de jambe en dehors (up to 32 in series, including double turns)
allegro and batterie:
bournonville brisé
gargouillade
grande sissonne relevée
grand jeté fouetté
six de volé
temps levé saute à la seconde with a full turn en dedans
brisé télémaque
double rond de jambe saute envelope (male students only)
grand fouetté saute with a full turn landing in attitude or arabesque
double grand jeté passé en avant (male students only)
grand jeté en tournant in a series en manège (male students only)
double saute de basque to arabesque (male students only)
cool down.
Performance attributesmay include:
strength, flexibility, coordination and cardiovascular endurance
detailed 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 and structurally changing musical time signatures and phrasing for extended sequences
different expressive qualities applied to movement sequences
extensive and changing expressive qualities applied to movement sequences
assured artistic interpretations of sequences and variations.
Footworkmay include:
sequences executed at the barre and in the centre
multiple turns in adage and travelling configurations
sequences specific to the professional female repertoire
enchaînements that require the full range of movement executed on and off pointe in all directions of the dance.
Repertoire may include:
romantic
classical
modern ballet
original choreography.
Physical learning and adaptability may include:
set exercises or sequences
unseen exercises or sequences
sequences from a range of techniques, such as:
Royal Academy of Dance (RAD)
Cecchetti
Vaganova
French
Balanchine
execution of extended sequences to right and left sides without prompting
self-correction.
Male-specific vocabulary may include:
pirouettes
batterie
grand allegro.
Chosen solo may include:
Sleeping Beauty Act 3
Don Quixote Act 3 (Nureyev)
La Fille Mal Gardée (combination of Act 2 and 3 pas de deux)
Flower Festival of Genzano
Sylvia
Le Corsaire
Flames of Paris
Nutcracker Act 2
Coppelia Act 3 (Van Praagh)
Blue Bird pas de deux: Sleeping Beauty Act 3
Peasant pas de deux: Giselle Act 1
new choreography.
Professional work ethicmay 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.
Extending scope of performance practice may include:
working effectively with tutor or coach
participating in professional development and other learning opportunities
undertaking training courses
practising systemically
participating in relevant groups or associations
experimenting with own performance
communicating with peers
being involved in a range of relevant performance activities
viewing and reviewing relevant performance events and activities.
Regimes and artistic strategies may include:
lectures
seminars
conferences
symposiums
master classes
professional organisations
practical workshops
performance rehearsals
individual training.
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
Continuously meet physical conditioning requirements of professional dance work
Demonstrate athleticism, stamina, strength, cardiovascular endurance and flexibility
Minimise risk factors that inhibit the achievement of goals and seek professional assistance when required
Always perform warm-up and cool-down activities in conjunction with dance activities
Practise advanced ballet technique across each section of class work
Demonstrate complex performance attributesand quality of movement in sequences of extended difficulty
Show strength, precision and complexity in all aspects of footwork, including pointe work as required
Execute complex variations of ballet repertoire with accuracy
Exhibit a professional level of physical learning and adaptabilityto incorporate unseen combinations
Demonstrate through ongoing technical strength, diversity and refinement, evidence of advanced self-correction and concentrated response to feedback
Demonstrate athleticism, muscularity, strength and stamina in male-specific vocabularyas required
Research and analyse a chosen solo from a defined classical or neoclassical ballet repertoire
Execute repertoire with high level technical accuracy, interpreting music and rhythm
Convey a high level of spatial awareness, including floor and aerial pattern
Execute solo work with a professional sense of musical individuality
Perform solo variations with a high level of individual artistry, interpretation, expression and physical control
Develop and refine professional work ethic
Develop realistic parameters as a basis for extending scope of performance practice
Identify regimes and artistic strategies that will refine own performance technique