Dance
Examination Board: Pearson Edexcel
Exact Course Title: BTEC Level1/2 Tech Award in Performing Arts (Dance)
Why should I choose to study dance?
Dance allows students of all abilities to be supported and challenged in developing their technical, choreographic and appreciation skills. Dance is a fun and enjoyable course that relates to the performing arts industry in giving you a taster of the roles and responsibilities of a dancer. This course is ideal for dedicated students who like a challenge and those who enjoy learning in a practical way. It is great for building confidence and communication skills.
What will I learn?
There are 3 components – Exploring the Performing Arts; Developing Skills and Techniques in the Performing Arts; and Performing to a Brief. During the course you will study a variety of dance techniques and learn about performance skills and qualities. You will develop your own personal management skills such as motivation, but you will also learn how to work as a team. From a subject specific point of view you will focus on use of dynamics and movement, choreographic techniques and strategies, the rehearsal and performance process. You will be able to work as a solo performer as well as a member of an ensemble and you will understand how a performance is created from the initial ideas to the final curtain.
What will be expected of me?
You must follow and abide by clear rules, routines and expectations. Your attendance must be outstanding as it is very hard to catch up work if you are absent. You will be expected to adhere to the high code of conduct established in the Performing Arts department. You need to be self-motivated and willing to accept and act on constructive criticism. You should be able to take direction, but also generate ideas of your own and be an independent thinker.
What skills will I develop?
The aim of the course is to make Dance understandable and accessible to all students and for you to understand the skills needed to be a dancer. You will develop skills in technique, choreography and appreciation.
How will I be assessed?
Controlled Assessment – 70% (Components 1 and 2) and External Assessment – 30% (Component 3).
Component 1 – Exploring the Performing Arts:
Examination of practitioners’ work and the processes used to create performance
A – Examine professional practitioners’ performance work
A1 – Professional practitioners’ performance material, influences, creative outcomes and purpose
A2 – Practitioners’ roles, responsibilities and skills
B – Explore interrelationships between constituent features of existing performance material
B1 – Processes used in performance
B2 – Techniques and approaches used in performance
Tasks and Evidence
A - Watch live and/or recorded performances
- Analyse performances in three different performance styles
- Explore roles and responsibilities, creative intention, key influences and purpose
- Make comparisons between stylistic qualities, using examples as evidence
- Explore how practitioners contribute to the performance process and how their roles and responsibilities differ depending on performance, style and outcome
Extended writing (essay), blog or PowerPoint presentation
B – Participate in practical workshops:
- The processes, techniques and approaches used by practitioners
- The interrelationships between constituent features within the performance work
Teacher observations, recordings of workshops and extended writing (essay), blog or PowerPoint presentation
Component 2 – Developing Skills and Techniques in the Performing Arts:
Develop performing arts skills and techniques through the reproduction of acting
A – Develop skills and techniques for performance
A1 – Development of physical, vocal and interpretative skills
A2 – Develop skills and techniques during the rehearsal process
B – Apply skills and techniques in rehearsal and performance
B1 – Application of skills and techniques during rehearsal
B2 – Application of skills and techniques in performance
C – Review own development and performance
C1 – Review own development of skills and techniques for performance
C2 – Review own application of skills and techniques in performance
Tasks and Evidence
A – Workshops and Classes
- Select a performance genre and associated style
- Discuss technical and interpretative skills required. Focus on specific skills and techniques needed
- Develop technical and interpretative skills and techniques through workshops and classes
- Apply rehearsal skills during workshops and classes, refine work and demonstrate teamwork skills
Teacher observations, recordings of workshops and classes, self and peer observations
B – Apply skills and techniques by reproducing a performance extract:
- Learn and memorise a performance
- Apply technical, stylistic and interpretative skills in performance
Teacher observations, recordings of rehearsals and performances
C – Review own progress
Use recordings and diary entries to review progress – explore strengths and areas for improvement in terms of skills and techniques
Logbook including: video evidence; rehearsal, development and performance notes (diary entries); strengths and areas for improvement; and target setting
Component 3 – Performing to a Brief:
Create and present a performance in response to the exam brief
A – Developing ideas in response to a brief
A1 – Understand how to respond to a brief through discussion and practical exploration
B – Selecting and developing skills and techniques for performance
B1 – Demonstrate how to select and develop performance skills and techniques needed to realise the creative ideas in response to the brief
C – Participate in a performance
C1 – Performance skills and techniques
C2 – Work effectively with others
C3 – Communicating ideas through performance
D – Evaluating the development process and performance outcome
D1 – Reflect on the process
D2 – Reflect on the outcome
Where will this qualification lead me?
A number of our students go on to study BTEC Level 3 courses at college and sixth form, this can then lead to study at degree level in a performing arts subject.
