Dance Students’ Performance Technique and Skills
Step 1: Student Learning Outcome
Students adequately demonstrate the technique, performance skills and movement vocabulary required of performing artists.
Step 2: Methods and Measures
Direct Assessment: Students perform at annual Dance Major Assessments and are reviewed by faculty and juries. The freshmen, sophomore and junior dance majors are assessed in their Modern and Ballet technique and performance skills. The Senior Dance Majors who are enrolled in the highest level of Ballet and Modern Technique are assessed separately using the same rubrics.
Students are assessed for progress in application of previously learned skills and concepts to new challenges and problems in studio study, using a rubric designed specifically for each discipline.
Rubric example (ballet):
| Application of technique | Excellent | Adequate/Good | Needs Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical accuracy and use of turnout/parallel: | There is sustained control, fluency and smooth transitions throughout | There is some evidence of control and fluency | There is little or no evidence of control or fluency |
| Centering, balance, alignment and posture | Centering, balance, alignment and posture are sustained throughout | Centering, balance, alignment and posture are mainly sustained | Centering, balance, alignment and posture are not, or barely sustained |
| Stamina, strength and flexibility: | Stamina, strength and flexibility are sustained throughout | Stamina, strength and flexibility are mainly sustained | Weaknesses in stamina, strength & flexibility affecting performance |
| Spatial awareness and precision of movements: | Effective use of personal and general space and precision of movements | Some effective use of space and some precision of movements | Weaknesses in both use of space and precision of movements |
| Turns are strong, controlled, on balance and with a clean controlled ending | Sustained balance and placement throughout the turn and demonstrate a controlled ending | Mainly sustained balance and placement throughout the turn and demonstrate a fairly controlled ending | Barely sustained balance and placement throughout the turn: need improvement |
| In ballet, the allegro work and beats (if applicable) demonstrate | Sustained turnout throughout and excellent execution of the steps | Mainly sustained turnout throughout and good execution of the steps | Barely sustained turnout throughout and satisfactory execution of the steps |
| Timing and musicality | Timing is accurate and musicality enhances performance | Timing is mainly accurate and mostly danced with musicality | Performance is affected by a lack of timing and musicality |
| Quality and dynamics: | Quality of movement and varied dynamics enhance performance | Quality and dynamics contribute to adequate performance | Performance is affected by a lack of quality and varied dynamics |
| Self-expression, sense of performance, concentration and focus: | Self-expression, sense of performance, concentration and focus are clearly evident | There is some evidence of self-expression, sense of performance, concentration and focus | There is a lack of self-expression, sense of performance, concentration and focus |
Step 3: Criteria for Success
Seventy percent (70%) of students will receive an “exceeded” or “met expectations” based on evaluation of the demonstration of technical skills, application of performance concepts and understanding of movement vocabulary.
Step 4: Results
Overall, the BA in Dance program met the 70% meets expectations or higher criteria of success.
For freshman, sophomores and juniors in ballet and modern dance, the application of technique area concerning the assessment of the centering, balance, alignment and posture, both fell below the goal of 70%.
In comparison, 95% of senior level dance majors who were enrolled in the highest level of ballet, met or exceeded expectations, and 100% in modern met or exceeded expectations.
When comparing the assessment results of the four levels of dance majors an improvement was demonstrated in most areas. The overall results indicate that the training given in the program is highly effective in the successful development of dance majors.
Step 5: Improvement Actions
Assessment results encourage dance faculty members to continue their dedication to classical characteristics in dance training content and their “hands-on” approach to mentoring student development.
Improvement actions include:
- Continuing to address this issue in the Ballet and Modern classes
- Conducting a session on dancer efficiency of movement and finding muscular balance with the Physical Therapy unit of the Health Center
- Scheduling a Ballet open studio time to address individual student needs.
- Developing a rotation of the faculty teaching the four levels of Modern Dance
- Utilizing video technology in the classroom to allow the students to self-assess their areas of strength and weakness.
