Contemporary Dance Assesment

Our year 11 contemporary dance assessment for semester 1 consisted of dance exercises taught by Rachel. Due to a dance injury I sustained 14 weeks ago I was unable to participate in the assessment but, instead was asked to asses my peers and write corrections and strengths they demonstrated throughout the class.

In this class I really feel, as a group, they lacked an effective dance vocabulary. In answer to the question ‘What do you feel you need to work on in this exercise?’ there was only really the basic terminology used, basic things said that did not show a very thorough grasp on dance language. I feel that the use and understanding of communication in verbal modes was poor and at a low standard. For this age they should be able to effectively converse appropriate dance vocabulary. Although that said, this conclusion is targeted at the group as a whole; there were certain individuals who came up with some valuable answers.

In this task I feel that the demonstration of appropriate dance technique to the contemporary genre was at a satisfactory standard. The correct contemporary technique was evident in a number of students, while others, I feel require more effort. The group, in general lacked physical competencies. Strength and flexibility was not a strong highlight, although they did demonstrate good coordination skills. The drop swings exercise proved to be their strongest asset. The Grande Battement exercise required work, turn out and alignment seemed to be, overall the thing that most people had difficulties in mastering. The identification and application of correct posture and alignment was evident, more often than not throughout the class. In general I feel that my peers have improved over the weeks but still demands a lot more work in order to strengthen their technique.

Presenting dance sequences, I feel was a positive feature in the contemporary assessment to some extent. My fellow peers, generally had a thorough grasp on all exercises demonstrated. They understood and carried out dance combinations with great awareness to what they were doing. This said I feel that although my peers know and can demonstrate the exercises, they have no real approach or presentation to their work. Style has a great impact on dance. The way a dancer approaches an exercise or dance piece can change one’s technique, body stance and physical ability. Julie and Stephanie showed a great display of this in all exercises, but particularly the jump exercise.