Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to extend cultural dance skills to a professional level and engage in professional development.
This unit applies to dancers who are moving towards professional careers in contexts where advanced performance skills in cultural dance styles are required. Performances could be in commercial, community or competition settings and dancers would usually be performing as members of an ensemble or in some solo routines.
At this level, they are constantly refining their technique and expression to produce performances that convey the mood and style of music through complex dance sequences.
While some supervision and guidance are provided in practice sessions and rehearsals, dancers are expected to display a high level of motivation and responsibility for themselves and others during live performances.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance Criteria Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Undertake practice sessions to prepare for rehearsals | 1.1 Clarify intent of performance for intended audience 1.2 Discuss aspects of own role with relevant personnel 1.3 In practice sessions, execute exercises and sequences that demonstrate mastery of technique in the required cultural dance style 1.4 Execute exercises and complex dance sequences with high levels of concentration and agility 1.5 Apply critical analysis skills to review own progress towards achieving performance standard in required cultural dance style 1.6 Respond to constructive feedback and advice from relevant personnel |
2. Rehearse cultural dance sequences | 2.1 Communicate in a way that contributes to a constructive rehearsal atmosphere 2.2 Respond promptly to direction 2.3 Practise and rehearse sequences until performance standard is reached 2.4 Refine own performance in group dances and solo sequences as required 2.5 Improve own performance by incorporating relevant advice and feedback 2.6 Engage fully in the artistic process to optimise the overall performance effect |
3. Perform cultural dance sequences | 3.1 Observe safe dance practice by performing warm-up and warm-down activities in conjunction with performance activities 3.2 Apply a range of strategies to overcome performance anxiety 3.3 Adapt performances to the scale and nature of the venue, audience requirements and health and safety considerations 3.4 Maintain concentration and stamina for the duration of performances 3.5 Implement principles and characteristics of various performance techniques to convey choreographic intent 3.6 Respond promptly and creatively to contingencies where required to maintain the integrity of performances |
4. Evaluate cultural dance performances | 4.1 Analyse performances against previous work and creative goals to assess own technical and artistic development 4.2 Identify and observe weaknesses and errors in performances and develop strategies to improve performance 4.3 Analyse and evaluate feedback and develop strategies for possible adjustments to future work |
5. Develop professional practice | 5.1 Refine professional work ethic 5.2 In consultation with teachers and mentors, develop realistic parameters for extending scope of performance practice 5.3 Identify regimes and artistic strategies to refine own performance technique 5.4 Incorporate dance and stage terminology, cultural values and stylistic considerations into discussions, and practice and performance activities |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
rehearse cultural dance sequences to achieve required performance standard
integrate knowledge, technique and creativity in the performance of cultural dance sequences on at least two occasions
seek and use constructive feedback to improve own cultural dance performance skills
use terminology associated with chosen cultural dance style correctly.
Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided for each of the above points at least once.
Evidence of Knowledge
To complete the unit requirements the individual must:
explain how the following principles relate to dance movements and techniques:
extending
folding
relationship with gravity
rotating
shifting weight
spatial awareness
successional movement
use of breath
explain how the following apply in the context of safe dance practice and injury prevention:
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
explain and demonstrate how the musical elements of time signatures, beat, tempo and syncopation apply to chosen dance technique
explain terminology associated with the layout of stages
describe the cultural context of and key periods in the history of chosen dance style
describe health and safety issues associated with live performances.
Assessment Conditions
Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in creative arts industry environments. The assessment environment must include access to:
rehearsal and performance opportunities
venues with appropriate flooring, resources and equipment.
Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational educational and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.
Foundation Skills
This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance.
Skill | Performance Criteria | Description |
Learning | 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.2, 5.3 | Analyses feedback and reflects on performance to identify ways to develop performance Identifies opportunities to extend professional development Gains insight about improving own techniques from viewing the performances of others |
Oral communication | 1.1, 1.2, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2, 2.5, 5.2, 5.4 | Obtains information by listening and questioning Discusses ideas and solutions |
Navigate the world of work | 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 | Follows accepted industry practices in relation to safe dance practices and general work ethic Works independently and collectively within broad parameters, with a strong sense of responsibility for goals, decisions and outcomes Recognises and responds to rehearsal and performance protocols Takes responsibility for own professional development |
Interact with others | 1.1, 1.2, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 3.5, 5.2, 5.4 | Collaborates with other dancers to ensure that partnered and group sequences flow and respond to choreographic intent Communicates the mood or style of dance sequences to audiences |
Get the work done | 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 5.1 | Adopts a methodical, disciplined and positive approach to dance classes and performances Integrates knowledge, technique and creativity in chosen cultural dance styles at an advanced level in both group and solo work Acts in an imaginative, spontaneous and confident way in performances Performs with precision, style and strong stage presence Creates own individual style, attitude and stage presence Responds to problems requiring immediate attention, drawing on past experience to devise solutions |
Sectors
Performing arts – dance