July 31st, 2007 at 10:15 am
Welcome to Dance class!
Please reflect on your “A” grade letter. What will be your criteria for earning your “A” this quarter? List 3 items you would like to focus on and will try to accomplish this semester. Be specific and relate your criteria to your own personal dance/technique goals. Feel free to share your ideas with fellow dancers. 
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“A” grade criteria:
*enthusiastic
*energetic
*ready to work
*involved/paricipating
3 items I would like to focus on are, trying harder each day, coming in with as much energy as I am able to have, also, being my own person, bringing in my energy and personality to the class. The best thing you can do in a dance class is try your hardest because everyone had different levels.
October 10th, 2007 at 4:01 pm“A” grade criteria:
- giving 100% each day
- being observant of movement patterns
- being attentive to Jules
- on time/dressed appropriately
- adding positive energy and influence to class
Three things I would like to focus on this semester are strengthening my core, increasing my flexability and pushing myself to my maximum ability. Although each of us put forth effort in our movement, most of us do not use all of our energy. It is important to give back to your class with participation. Instead of resting during ab routines, I’m going to push myself to get through all of the counts. I’m also going to try to pick up phrases quicker and add my own style and personality to them. It doesn’t matter how good you are at dancing, it matters how hard you try.
“Only you know how hard you’re working.”
October 15th, 2007 at 7:41 pmI think that a person who deserves an A in this class tries hard. They don’t necessarily have to be great at what they are trying, but as long as they ARE trying, then it deserves an A. Also, always coming to class prepared and dressed should be another criteria for an A.
3 things I would like to focus on:
October 15th, 2007 at 9:35 pm-understanding the technique behind different types/styles of dancing
-strengthening my muscles through dancing and working out in class
-learning healthy eating habits (by looking at the bulletin board as much as possible) or at least learning what kinds of food I can order when I’m out to eat
Three goals I have for myself this year is to improve on basic technique, increase my core strength, and be more motivated.
In dance it seems as though we strive so hard to be able to do tricks we sometimes loose sight of whats really important and that is the basics. I want to refocus on those basics to improve myself as a whole.
Similarly, I want to increase my core strength so that I will be able to work on other aspects of my technique and not have to worry about it as much.
And lastly, I want to become more motivated. We all have those days where we totally don’t feel like getting up and dancing and sometimes we don’t. So, I want to be able to push through those feelings and dance full out everyday becuase if you don’t then you’re not benefiting yourself at all.
October 15th, 2007 at 9:59 pmWhen thinking about the criteria one needs to have in order to recieve an A in dance class, a lot comes to mind. Not only does it have to deal with being punctual and prepared for class, but it also includes having the right attitude and focus each day. Dance class, for me, is a simple way to relax and unwind. When entering class, I always try my best to keep positive no matter how difficult the choreography may be for me. Keeping positive energy each day in class is one of my goals.
Along with that, by the end of the semester/year in dance class, I want to learn how to use every inch of my body. I am sure that everyone can move an arm or a leg, but I want to learn how to isolate muscles and control every part of my body while dancing.
My last goal for dance class is that I would like to learn more about the choreographers and types of dance. Of coarse I know of Jazz and Ballet but I would like to truely understand the concepts of each type of dance.
I find it so interesting and wish that at the end of the year I am 200% better at dancing than I am now.
Thanks Jules!
October 16th, 2007 at 4:57 pm“A” criteria:
1. Giving 110% all the time
2. Having a positive attitude in class
3. Having the right clothes for dance (being prepared reflects how much effort you’re putting into the class)
This year I really want to work on my technique. Having a sense of rythmn is a good thing to have, but a person also needs to master the fundamentals of dance in order to become a better dancer. Also, with college auditions coming up in January, I’m really nervous about the dance audition. For prospective musical theatre majors, the audition has three parts: voice, acting, and dance. I’ve been acting/singing for a while, but my dancing is not exactly top-notch (you all LOVE my leaps. i know.). I’m really worried about having to learn a piece of choreography and perform it all within 30 minutes or so. It’s stressful. So I’m going to try to focus on recognizing patterns in the steps we learn, which will hopefully help me when I audition for college.
mwahahaaaa I LOVE DANCE!
anne.yantis.cutler.
October 16th, 2007 at 8:08 pm3 goals for this semester:
October 16th, 2007 at 9:41 pm-to always put forth my best effort
-become faster at memorizing dance phrases
-to build strength and create a strong core
1) Putting forth 100% each day is very important because or else there is no benefit of coming to class. Even if there is a day where I’m not feeling as energetic, I still have to try my best. Even if I can only complete a lower quantity of moves, they should still be of high quality. Chances are that once I just focus on dance, I will become more awake and energetic, feeling better all together.
2) The faster that I can catch on to the dance phrases when we are moving across the floor, the more time I will have to perfect the style and technique of the movement. Once this harder part is done, it is a lot easier because you can just dance.
3) Someone can only be a good dancer if they have a strong core. This is why I want to focus on this particular muscle group. Not only will having a strong core help stabilize my movement, it will also work the abs, which is always good!
The three goals I have for myself for this semester are to gain more flexability, memorize dances better, and my strength in performing my dances.
As I come off of not really dancing at all over the summer and really riding alot I lose my range of momtion. It’s really important to be able to develope passed 90 degrees. So I just need to focus on stretching my legs alot more to keep myself from pulling muscles. After riding all summer I have horrible shin splints; so I also need to be sure that my legs are strong so my splints don’t get worse.
I also really need to become more motivated. I need to do my dances full out when I first learn them so that it is easier for me to remember them from week to week. If I do not remember a step I need to really make sure i know the dance clearly for the next rehersal so that my choreographers do not have to spend any extra time on what we have already learned.
And finally, I need to work on my overall strength. I need to pay more attention to my breathing so I do not become so tired at the end of my dances. Not only do I need to work on my strength to get through the dance but I also need to work on my performance quality. I need to make sure that when I’m dancing I am aware of what my face is doing, so that I do not look bored or confused while I am performing because then no one will want to watch me!
October 16th, 2007 at 11:45 pmGrade “A” criteria:
*pay attention
*work hard
*positive attitude
*get to class on time
Dance is not as easy as it seem.I want to work my flexibility and endurance. I cannot get the dance steps right. It is very confusing. I will try my best to learn get these patterns. Overall, I enjoy everything we do in dance class:)
October 17th, 2007 at 3:03 pm“A” grade criteria:
- Participating
- paying attention to choregraphy
- dressed appropriately
- being kind towards others
- good attendance
this year my main focus is improving my flexability, from running alot i tend to loose alot of my range of motion/ flexability, but also of course id like to keep technique up and cleaning my turns and the basics, can never not improve those. then there is improving the different styles of dance, letting my body move in ways its not use to and not feel akward or funny about it. but those are a few things in general i d like to improve on.
October 21st, 2007 at 4:34 pmthree goals for myself this quarter would have to be…
October 25th, 2007 at 9:16 pm1) being more focused on excercises and being able to contribute to our blues project
2) focusing on improving my flexibility. after not dancing for a while i would like to regain the range of motion and flexibility i once had.
3) working on my stage presence. i always have been good at smiling onstage but i would like to work on it a little bit more for orchesis so i can catch the audiences’ eye.
these are just a few things i would like to improve on.
*Give 110% each day
*Always dressed
*Be Respectful of everyone
Three goals I would like to forcus on would be my flexibility. Improve my stretching exercises and focus on taking the time to stretch appropriately. Meaning, not just rushing through the stretches in order to get working on our pieces. I tend to sprain my ankles alot and but stretching should reduce the risk of spraining one again. My main goal for the year is strengthening my core. I also have a lot of back problems and by strengthing my core it will also go along with strengthening my back and give more natural support.
November 19th, 2007 at 10:46 amThis year my three goals are to:
1. Become more flexible: I would like to be able to enhance my felxibilty in other ways besides the splits. I would like to aim for back, horizontal, and vertical flexibilty. I hope that we do many stretches in dance that will improve the stretch where you touch your toes on the ground, center splits, and arch jumps. I would also like to become more flexible in many different kinds of dance. I sometimes get too comfortable with my jazz style that I would like to be more versatile.
2. Be prepared for class everyday: Everyday I will strive to be on time and in my dance clothes promptly. I will keep a positive attitude in class, and I will not cause a disturbance.
3. Explore choreography: I would like to expand my range of dance movement by exploring various choreographers. I like having the choreography projects because they force me to dance in another person’s shoes. I cannot wait until we start the choreography projects.
I will do my absolute best to be thinking of these goals at all times because dance class will become even more beneficial to me.
Caroline McNulty
November 23rd, 2007 at 2:23 pmMy three main focuses this semester in dance class are going to be:
1. Paying attention to the specifics in choregraphy.
I thik that what makes a good dancer from a great dancer is the ability to pick up EXACT movement. Any dancer is able to pick up the basic steps, but an exceptional dancer is able to pick up specific details in choregraphy.
2. Increasing my choregraphy knowledge.
I would like to be able to choregraph in the future so I would like to spend my time focusing on dancing in ways out of my own element.
3. Force myself to dance differently than normal.
I would like to come out of the typical “ballet”, “jazz” and move more out of my element into something that will make me dance differently than my usual.
I am going to make sure that I keep all of these goals and motives in my mind through out dance class. Thanks so much Julie!
Catie Reimer
November 26th, 2007 at 6:29 pmI have always set my goals high in hopes of achieving them. I always try to focus on what I would need to improve upon and congratulate myself on the positives. This semester I hope to:
1. …gain more knowledge on topics such as: dance terminology- What certain moves are called, etc. I want to be over-prepared and understand the dance language you use when you teach the class. I want to be able to know what to do not just by looking at what your doing and following.
2. …observe more dance performances. Alot of dances we have watched in the past I dont constitute as dance. I see it more as a play or skit. I want to gain knowledge on paticular dances and understand why it is dance. I feel that will help me in the future when we learn dance moves because then there will be no questions about why the move is the way that it is, and what technique it comes from.
3. …working on my flexibility. It’s challenging for me to do certain moves because my body is not as flexible as it use to be. I hope to gain that back and be able to put, full force, into my moves (and not be in terrible pain!). I want my moves to look nice, and feel nice while doing them!
I hope to earn an “A” by persuing these goals. I always come prepared and ready for new and innovating experiences, and I hope I can gain the knowledge im seeking for! YAY for dance
Julie Huck
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:17 pm3 Focal Points for Getting an “A”:
1. Posting on the blogs
-Posting blog responses for dance class is a new concept for me, so I’m going to try my best to remember to keep up with these things…
2. Refining dance technique
-More knowledge never hurts and the better your technique is, the less people laugh at you, so I figure it’s a good goal to have.
3. Getting in shape/becoming even slightly more flexible
January 23rd, 2008 at 10:46 pm-I’ve never really been all that flexible, even if I’ve been dancing for a few years… Haven’t progressed a bit… Anywho, dance is always a great workout for me and at the moment, it’s the only workout for me so I really need to focus on being thorough.