Teachers of distinct and various styles offer master classes. Students experience live accompaniment for classes and numerous opportunities to see live and dynamic professional performances. Students also perform in front of live audiences on many occasions. Graduates of the Dance program move on to colleges, universities or conservatories where they can major in dance. Students may also enter a certificate program with a major dance company or obtain an apprenticeship. Dance professions include: arts administrator, certified body therapist, choreographer, dance critic, dance historian, dance notator, dance therapist, movement analyst, performer, production technician, teacher/professor. You decide; the possibilities are endless!

The courses described below are typical arts offerings. Not every course is offered every year, and course descriptions may change.

Seniors discuss what it means to major in dance at the same time they are choreographing audition pieces for college-level programs. They develop their dance composition skills, participate in mock auditions and build skills in dance criticism.

 

Ballet vocabulary and technique provide a foundation for understanding the principles of all other dance training. This class reflects standard classical format—that is barre work, center floor and movement across the floor. It calls for a high level of discipline, as students work toward developing both technique and the qualitative and expressive aspects of movement.

The evolution of dance is traced from its earliest origins. Historical events, cultural forces, developments in other arts and current perspectives are interrelated during classroom discussions. Students are required to prepare thoroughly researched presentations on a dancer, choreographer or dance company, and they may earn college credit through Adelphi University.

 

Students learn how the various styles of jazz and tap have influenced American musical theatre dance, and they learn about the dancers and choreographers of American dance in film and theatre. The class format includes lectures, readings and projects as well as movement. Master classes in tap, jazz and hip-hop enrich young dancers’ understanding of past and present.

Students examine the skeletal and muscular systems, joints and joint action, injury prevention and proper use of breath—all needed to give students the best opportunity to become effective and efficient movers. Kinesthetic principles will be applied so the students can make mind/body connections.

Jazz Dance is a unique American art form that grew out of various rich and diverse cultures. Today this form of dance can be seen on television, Broadway and the concert stage. At LIHSA, the study of jazz dance is designed to complement ballet and modern dance classes, developing well-rounded performers.

Modern Dance is a living, growing and ever-changing art form, which continues to evolve and reflect the times in which we live. Connections to modern dance history will be made as students learn fundamental movement principles. The styles of modern dance taught at LIHSA reflect the instructors’ varied experiences.

Underclassmen from dance, theatre and music combine the techniques they have learned and apply them in creation of a collaborative piece. They explore improvisation and stage combat, perform songs and original choreography from the musical theatre repertoire, perform mock auditions and stage original productions.

 

Digital Music Production Track (for music, musical theatre and dance majors):

From the scientific foundations of sound and digital recording to the new digital creative genres, this course begins the study of technological skills required of professional musicians in today’s digital age. It includes an overview of music and multimedia production techniques as well as covering the foundations of composition.

 

The intermediate course extends topics students explored in the introductory class, with an emphasis on student projects and marketing.

Advanced Music Production students have the opportunity to explore film scoring, orchestration and instrumentation.