This unit applies to those who are consolidating their career in contexts where contemporary dance skills are required. They could be developing technique to prepare for performances in commercial or competition settings where they would usually be performing as members of an ensemble, 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.
Not applicable.
1. Maintain a physical conditioning program | 1.1. In consultation with relevant personnel identify a range of techniques to improve stamina, strength and flexibility 1.2. Set realistic physical conditioning goals aimed at improving own dance technique 1.3. Identify risk factors that may inhibit the achievement of goals and seek professional advice as required 1.4. Take fatigue, personal limitations and boundaries into account when undertaking physical conditioning program 1.5. Always perform warm-up and cool-down activities in conjunction with dance activities 1.6. Ensure that clothing and footwear are appropriate for undertaking exercise regime and practising dance technique |
2. Use practice sessions to increase level of expertise in contemporary dance techniques | 2.1. Practise a range of exercises in preparation for contemporary dance performances 2.2. Practise techniques to produce clean, sharp isocentric and polycentric isolations 2.3. Work on conveying a range of human emotions through dance 2.4. Explore techniques to give performances a range of dynamics 2.5. Inject creativity, versatility, individuality and enthusiasm into the performance of exercises and dance routines 2.6. Ensure that flow and interaction with other dancers are smooth and well-timed |
3. Maintain expertise | 3.1. Continuously practise and refine combinations of complex movements and routines 3.2. Maintain and update knowledge of contemporary dance terminology 3.3. Use feedback from teachers and mentors to identify and develop ways to improve own contemporary dance performance skills 3.4. Regularly view performances by industry practitioners as a way of sourcing new ideas and trends, maintaining motivation, and improving own technique |
Required skills
communication skills to:
discuss dance and physical conditioning issues with relevant personnel
respond appropriately to feedback on own skill development
initiative and enterprise skills to:
work creatively with music and dance
dance with style and strong stage presence
communicate the mood or style of dances to audiences
choreograph short contemporary routines
use props confidently and effectively
learning skills to:
develop strong contemporary dance techniques through:
practising complex movements and routines
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
dress appropriately
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:
principles underlying dance movements and techniques, such as:
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
contemporary dance terminology
stage geography and directions
musical rhythms, including:
time signatures
beat
tempo
syncopation
overview knowledge of:
main periods in the history of contemporary dance
ways of notating contemporary dance.
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: consistently execute well-developed contemporary dance technique execute solo and group dance sequences that demonstrate a creative response to music respond appropriately to constructive feedback on own skills development follow safe dance practices. |
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 performing contemporary dance evaluation of live or recorded performances direct observation of candidate in rehearsals and performances. 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: CUADAN402A Improvise an advanced dance sequence CUADAN407A Develop expertise in dance performance skills CUAPRF404A Refine movement skills for performance. |
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. |
Exercises | techniques, such as: Cunningham Graham release using arm lines appropriately and extensively correct posture, weight placement and alignment demonstrating an awareness of personal and general space when travelling and stationary working in a cohesive partnership with a peer, interpreting a dance style changing sides (left to right) changing directions changing facings responding to different time signatures using shape when moving in physically dynamic sequences improvisation floor work centre turns jumps interpreting rhythm to movement lifting techniques isocentric and polycentric isolations energy placement techniques, including: moving energy from the centre of the body to the outer extremities shifting weight moving from a standing position to the floor and vice versa executing leaps landing from jumps strengthening flexibility, including: floor work splits stretches développés and contractions lunges curves arches rotations. |
Emotions | love loneliness depression excitement anger sadness fear aggression joy compassion. |
Performing arts - dance
This unit contains employability skills.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.