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Dance
The Sayles School of Fine Arts is one of the few schools
statewide to offer dance. Students study jazz, tap,
ballet, and Afro-Brazilian dance. Dance Connection is
the school’s performance troupe.
Courses taught during the
school day include – Introduction to Dance; Ballet;
Jazz Dance; Hip Hop;
Tap; Afro-Brazilian Dance and Dance Connection.
We have been told that we are the only school in the
State to have developed our dance curriculum and
received approval to award Dance credit that supports
the New York State Standards for the Arts. Students can
earn their physical education requirement through dance
in grades 11 and 12.
The dance program welcomes students of all abilities,
students with limited dance experience as well as those
that have studied dance privately. The dance staff
differentiates instruction to challenge the abilities of
all students. Advanced students take their knowledge to
developing choreography and demonstrating and assisting
other students. Dance Connection is the only course
requiring audition. This advanced class expands
students’ performance ability and repertoire as well as
develops their technical skills. All students do perform
as part of each course requirement. Extensive dance
residencies and opportunities to see professional
dancers have expanded students’ knowledge of this art
form. The dance program often collaborates and
integrates with other areas. Everything from teaching
students the Charleston during a study of the
Great Gatsby to a
cultural exploration recently in a performance and
residency by the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company “Branches
of Words,” a cross cultural show featuring music, dance,
and poetry of the Middle East. |
