Nevada Union High School Theatrical Dance is a public high school (9th – 12th grade) performing arts program that provides classical as well as contemporary dance training, performance opportunities, composition skills, and cultural as well as historical appreciation of dance as art. Daily classes are provided for all grade levels in beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. Students train in ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, and musical theater. Students also receive conditioning classes in Pilates and yoga. We offer after-school community enrichment classes, free for all NU dance students, that are open to the public as a fundraiser for our program. We have classes for ages 8 to adult. Currently enrolled NU dancers are also eligible to audition for our Varsity Dance Team, which trains year-round and performs at halftime sporting events. All of our instructors are highly qualified to ensure safe training for all skill levels. Students in all levels have opportunities to perform in multiple productions throughout the school year, working with professional guest choreographers from across the country.
Levels
Beginning/All Abilities Dance
Beginning classes are offered for grades 9-12. Any currently enrolled N.U. student may sign up for this class; no previous dance training or experience is required. Students will learn basic skills and develop a strong foundation in classical as well as contemporary dance techniques. Students who want performance experience have the opportunity to participate in after-school rehearsals for our fall and spring dance productions, but performance participation is not required at the beginning level. Our 4th period class is called “Beginning Dance for All Abilities,” an accessible, inclusive course is designed to introduce beginning level dancers of all physical and cognitive abilities to a variety of movement styles. The pacing of instruction supports a large group of students with moderate/severe special needs, who will be partnered with general education students for all class activities. Students will experience a fun, supportive, and uplifting dance workout each day with a focus on connection and collaboration. Performance opportunities will be provided for interested students.
Intermediate
The intermediate class includes training in multiple styles of dance, requiring a higher skill level and quicker pacing than beginning dance. Admittance into intermediate dance is by audition only. Class meets 6th period. Intermediate dancers are required to participate weekly rehearsals after school on Wednesdays from 3:45-5:30 p.m. These rehearsals will prepare for multiple productions throughout the school year: Fall for Dance (November), A Student Choreography Showcase (February), and our Spring Dance Concert (May).
Advanced/Ensemble
Advanced dance meets 7th period and Performance Ensemble meets 8th period to provide dancers with daily technique classes and performance preparation for multiple annual productions. Students must be enrolled in both classes, and there are three mandatory after-school rehearsals per week on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 3:30-5:00 p.m. Some weekend rehearsals will be required for Student Choreography Showcase, and selected weekends will be for out-of-town guest choreographers. Admittance into advanced dance is by audition only. These classes are designed to prepare students for further dance study, training, and performance at the college, university, conservatory, or pre-professional level.
