At the heart of the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts (PGSA) dance department is the concept of movement as an art form. Emphasis is placed on helping the student learn how movement is translated into visual imagery. Technique, movement vocabulary, and creative and critical intellectual processes are the focus of the program.

Students selected to participate in the PGSA dance department are assigned to major in ballet, jazz or modern dance. Each student receives the most intense instruction in their major dance area, but also participates in classes in the other two dance areas. Students also participate in a number of workshops designed to explore the many facets of dance as an art form.

Because of the high level of physical involvement (as much as 5 ½ hours a day), the Governor’s Schools require that students who are accepted to participate in the program obtain physician clearances for enrollment.

Principal Components - Major Dance Classes
Students refine and enhance their dance technique through the theory and practice of dance. Emphasis is on developing a fuller understanding of dance through applications of kinesthetic awareness, proper body alignment and placement, using the muscles correctly, exploring the range of movement flow and presentation. Instructors explain the corrections, concentration and discipline required in dance while students work on expanding and understanding their movement potential and personal style. Attention is paid to the individual student’s future goals and needs.

Ballet
The ballet major follows a combination of the Vagonova and the Royal Academy of Dance syllabi. The class emphasizes proper ballet alignment (bones and muscles), weight placement, turnout, shift of weight, port de bra and performance quality. Students work on pointe at least three times a week. Pilates floor work, the barre and center practice are included in major ballet study.

Jazz
The jazz major is a high intermediate level of contemporary jazz dance study. It is a modern approach to jazz dance and emphasizes an organic root to movement as well as increased physical, spatial and kinetic awareness of the body in stillness and movement. Yoga, the “Luigi Style,” and the Laban and Graham techniques are synthesized for an expanded dance vocabulary. Attention is paid to strengthening the body, improving alignment, using internal body impulses to initiate and sustain movement and to the integration of breath and movement control. A variety of jazz styles are presented and improvisational games and class projects are used to develop creative instincts.

Modern
The modern major is an intermediate-advanced level technique class. It draws on a variety of modern dance techniques to prepare the student for a career in contemporary dance or further studies in a university degree program. Emphasis is on correct alignment and movement efficiency; enhancing muscular strength, flexibility and cardiovascular capacity; developing a kinesthetic awareness of the body; understanding breath control; developing creativity; and using imagery.

Minor Dance Classes
Students participate in intermediate level study of the two dance forms that are not their assigned major. Students receive several classes in each minor area per week.

Additional Classes and Workshops

Core Conditioning
This course is designed to tone, stretch and strengthen the major muscular groups of the torso, arms and legs, introducing the dancers to a systematic program of physical conditioning.

Dance Technology
The Lifeforms software program is introduced as a choreographer’s tool. Students create their own complete dances using computers.

Dance Improvisation
Through structured exercises and free improvisation, students explore their own movement potential and learn to interact with others in an ensemble.

Career/College Counseling
Students become acquainted with dance performance careers, alternatives in dance and higher education programs and dance conservatories.

Voice
Students receive group lessons and individual coaching in the proper use of voice. They learn how to develop an audition piece suitable for a musical theater audition.

Resume Writing
Students learn how to create a resume specific to dance.

Contemporary Partnering
An exploration of non-gender based partnering in contemporary choreography.

New Directions in Contemporary Dance
Classic American modern dance is placed in a historic context then compared/contrasted with the development of European, Canadian (Quebec) and Asian contemporary dance forms, including dance-theater, European ballet and Japanese Butoh.

Dance Composition
Students are introduced to the three basic tools of choreography: space, time and manipulation.

Eurythmics
The class focuses on understanding and moving to a 5-beat meter in a series of physical and vocal exercises.

Leadership
Students learn how to refine ideas into projects to share dance at home.

Personnel

Major Dance Area Instructors
There is a master teacher for each of the three major dance areas.

Accompanists
In addition to pianists, the dance department uses percussionists as accompanists.

ATTRAs
There are three Assistants to Teachers/Resident Assistants (ATTRA), one for each major area of dance, who assist in coaching and also serve as hall counselors in the dorms. These individuals are 4th-year PGSA alumni who are pursuing dance or dance-related education and careers.

Career/College Counselors
Each year, the Governor’s School invites leaders in dance performance, dance education and related careers to the campus to give master classes and share their knowledge and experiences.

Performances
In the 4th week of the program, dancers present a recital of their choreography and of faculty repertory. Additionally, dancers participate in the Friday evening interdepartmental programs that feature student works in progress from all PGSA departments.

Student Conferences
Students meet individually with their major teacher during the second week of the program to discuss their concerns in relationship to dance. Students are encouraged to write in their journals on a regular basis. They meet frequently in small groups with a faculty member to discuss their work. Each student has a final conference with the major dance area instructor to assess their own progress in the program and discuss their career goals and other options. Students may request additional counseling as necessary.