This unit applies to dancers who are moving towards professional careers in contexts where complex contemporary dance technique and versatility are required for performing as members of a professional dance company as an ensemble or soloist dancer.
At this level, dancers are constantly refining their technique and perfecting their artistry across complex dance sequences and repertoire, including improvisation, solo and group work.
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.
Not applicable.
1. Execute a professional level of artistry and presentation in rehearsals | 1.1. Always perform warm-up and cool-down activities in conjunction with dance activities 1.2. Apply a professional level of concentration, facility and expertise to refine extended contemporary dance technique in each section of class work 1.3. Develop complex performance attributes 1.4. Show strength, precision and complexity in all aspects of footwork 1.5. Exhibit a professional level of physical learning and adaptability 1.6. Refine techniques for working with a partner 1.7. Demonstrate through ongoing technical strength, diversity and refinement, evidence of advanced self-correction and concentrated response to feedback |
2. Perform at a professional level | 2.1. Undertake preparations appropriate to performance contexts 2.2. Ensure that personal presentation is appropriate to performance contexts 2.3. Apply performance psychology techniques to preparations 2.4. Perform repertoire demonstrating an understanding of nuances and characteristics of choreographic styles 2.5. Convey, through dance, the range of human emotions required to execute the dance pieces as intended 2.6. Inject performances with a sense of light and shade in line with choreographic intent 2.7. Follow direction from artistic director or choreographers as required 2.8. Contribute to debriefing sessions to evaluate the quality of performances and to discuss ways of improving individual or ensemble technique |
3. Incorporate allied contemporary dance techniques into professional level performances | 3.1. Demonstrate complex performance attributes 3.2. Sense when partner needs to leave a balance, or needs to be steadied, and be there to offer support in duo and dance tumbling 3.3. Adapt to a range of choreographic moments by engaging with differences and similarities of shape and dynamic quality. 3.4. Apply the flexibility, sense of line and clear positions essential to the form 3.5. Engage with the style and intention of the relevant choreographic form through the application of skills and knowledge of allied contemporary dance techniques |
4. Develop professional practice | 4.1. Develop and refine professional work ethic 4.2. Develop realistic parameters as a basis for extending scope of performance practice 4.3. Identify regimes and artistic strategies that will refine own performance technique |
Required skills
communication skills to:
work collaboratively as part of an ensemble
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
adapt appropriately to cultural differences in dance
dance with artistry and assurance
communicate mood, style and grace through dance
develop increased range and sequencing of individually-unique improvised movements
learning skills to:
develop strong contemporary dance techniques through:
practising complex movements and sequences
a positive attitude to dancing
implement a personal physical conditioning program
extend improvisational responses to a wide range of stimuli for performance and choreographic development
planning and organising skills to plan practice time
self-management skills to:
arrive punctually at classes, rehearsals and performances
dress appropriately
observe dance discipline and follow direction
apply safe dance practices and identify risk factors
demonstrate professional work ethic
show a consistent level of commitment
maintain spatial discretion between self and others when moving
teamwork skills to work collaboratively with others involved in dance classes and performances
technical dance skills to:
execute high level of competency in each section of class work
respond to different time signatures
execute counterbalance, support, manipulation mechanics and medium power lifting
demonstrate facility in grip leverage, thrust and counter-thrust and coordinated timing
perform high level isolation and energy placement techniques
retain and reproduce complex movement sequences
show alignment and extensions in combinations of a high level of difficulty
execute balances, turns and jumps on and off centre in a wide variety of shapes
perform multiple turns in a variety of body shapes
show facility and speed in directional changes
develop a high level of spatial awareness in group movements, including floor patterns and aerial pathways
exhibit a high level and range of coordination of limbs, torso and head
observe and interpret the physical body.
Required knowledge
choreographic and stylistic nuance in relation to contemporary dance
genres, styles and philosophical nature of contemporary dance
influential choreographers in contemporary dance
relationship between acting and contemporary dance
correct contemporary dance terminology
roles or hierarchy in professional situations, such as:
auditions
rehearsals
performances
principles underlying dance movements and techniques, such as:
movement efficiency
relationship with gravity
spatial awareness
successional movement
use of breath
folding
extending
rotating
shifting weight
anatomical and alignment principles, including:
skeletal structure
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
risk factors in dance for the physical body
stage geography and directions
musical rhythms, including:
time signatures
beat
tempo
syncopation.
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 physical and conceptual understanding of the fundamental technical principles in contemporary dance perform contemporary dance sequences before an audience in ways that demonstrate: expressive skills in line with choreographic intent an ability to respond to complex changes in tempo, time signatures and musical phrasing a high level of dance improvisational skills facility and speed in directional changes a high level of spatial awareness in group movements harmony of movement when performing with a partner develop professional practice display a consistent level of commitment to developing performance quality and artistry in the given style. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: fully equipped dance studios live performance opportunities 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 video recordings of performances in which the candidate is dancing 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 extending contemporary dance technique to a professional level direct observation of candidate in 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: CUADAN601A Perform dance repertoire at a professional level CUADAN607A Extend contemporary dance technique to a professional level CUADAN610A Extend allied contemporary dance techniques at a professional level CUADAN611A Perform virtuoso contemporary dance technique CUAIND601A Work professionally in the creative arts industry CUAOHS602A Develop techniques for maintaining resilience in a competitive environment. |
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.
Warm-up and cool-down may include: | stretching joint-mobility exercises flexibility exercises aerobic activities anaerobic exercises coordinated breathing activities floor work. |
Contemporary dance technique may include: | Cunningham Graham release technique upper and lower body poses, phrases and movements correct breathing techniques balanced positions, including: elevation of steps body positions transitions while in motion and while stationary standing work and travel combinations jump work variations in timing and styles of movement expressing a range of emotions through the language of dance centre control spotting employment of strength and agility employing visualisation techniques employing strength and agility demonstrating an awareness of personal and general space when travelling and stationary using arm lines appropriately and extensively multi-turning exercises clean, sharp isocentric and polycentric isolations correct posture and alignment when in motion demonstrating safe dance practices in jumping and faster travelling steps footwork, arm lines and head movements in combination to express rhythm performing complex turns while maintaining good technique moving against gravity with confidence and knowledge. |
Sections of class work include: | warm up floor work centre practice turns travelling sequences sequences with altered spatial organisations, combining all aspects of embodiment and temporal structures jumps cool down. |
Performance attributes may include: | musicality with attention to nuances of interpretation movement dynamics 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 inclusion of repertoire in class work. |
Footwork may include: | precision in completing multiple turns sequences that demonstrate a well-developed capacity to transfer weight in all pathway directions enchaînements with style and confidence. |
Physical learning and adaptability may include: | set exercises or sequences unseen exercises or sequences improvised sequences sequences from a range of contemporary dance styles execution of extended sequences to right and left sides without prompting self-correction. |
Techniques may include: | weight exchanges falls, rolls and balances with or away from partners set sequences improvised weight exchanges timing. |
Preparations may include: | familiarisation with performance environment, including: space location size audience preparation of space to ensure safety of self and others mental preparation immediate physical preparation rehearsal appropriate to audience awareness of time lines leading up to and immediately before performance props costumes or clothing make-up equipment appropriate footwear scores sheet music tapes competitions and auditions: rules judging criteria, including: general appearance costumes technique execution showmanship entertainment value (the ‘x’ factor) level of difficulty originality and creativity choreography synchronisation versatility. |
Performance contexts may include: | professional production solo ensemble corps de ballet audition competition. |
Personal presentation may include: | costumes accessories make-up hair posture way of moving. |
Performance psychology techniques may include: | visualisations affirmations relaxation techniques mental rehearsal maintaining a work-life balance. |
Emotions may include: | love loneliness depression excitement diffidence anger sadness fear aggression joy compassion. |
Performance attributes may 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. |
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. |
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. |
Performing arts - dance
This unit contains employability skills.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.