BA (Hons) Dance

The Dance Techniques 1 module aims to provide students with the opportunity to ascertain core foundation skills in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Commercial and Tap dance styles. This will provide students with a strong understanding of fundamental technique and will underpin their technical practice across all genres at LIPA.

This module begins with a one-to-one physical diagnostic to identify individual postural issues and muscular imbalances that could hinder improvements across technical training. In class, students learn about applied anatomy, physical health, sports psychology, nutrition, conditioning and remedial practices alongside other supportive holistic approaches, in order to prepare students for safe practice and continued success in a physically demanding professional training environment and subsequent career.

The Musical Theatre Skills 1 module teaches the fundamental skills of Acting, Singing and Voice appropriate for Musical Theatre work. This foundation prepares students for the integration of these skills at Level 5 in preparation for a Musical Theatre production at Level 6.

The Rehearsal and Performance Project module aims to introduce students into a professional working environment. Here students will take what they have learned in the Dance Techniques 1, Healthy Dancer 1, and Musical Theatre Skills 1 modules and apply it to rehearsal processes which lead to live and recorded performances. Masterclasses and choreography lessons will prepare the students for contributing to the rehearsal process in a creative manner. Stagecraft sessions will enable the students to work in the theatre safely and professionally.

This module aims to provide an introduction to dance studies and a broad understanding of a range of theoretical approaches in the dance landscape. Students will engage in research, discussion and debate in order to further their understanding of the topic area. Presentation skills will also be developed while learning about the wider professional industry.

The Dance Techniques 2 module aims to provide students with the opportunity to build on postural and fundamental technical knowledge gained at Level 4 and to ascertain a wide range of stylistic skills affiliated with Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Commercial and Tap dance styles. This module encourages the student to present a more consolidated understanding and delivery of multiple stylistic forms to enhance a broader range of performance and technical skills.

This module aims to further develop students knowledge of injury prevention and management to ensure that they are maximising their dance training and increasing career longevity. Sessions will include applied exercise and anatomy and progressive remedial and prescriptive exercises to address the most common dance related injuries. This module has been developed in conjunction with LIPA Dances physiotherapy team in order to fully support and address the demands of professional training and work in the industry.

The Musical Theatre Skills 2 module builds on the fundamentals of Acting, Singing and Voice techniques taught at Level 4. At Level 5 students are taught to integrate these skills in order to accomplish a well-rounded and confident Musical Theatre performance at Level 6.

The Public Performance Project module provides students with a public performance opportunity through a simulated professional process. It promotes the varied methods of creating and devising for live performance through a process of collaboration. Students will make use of their knowledge from the Healthy Dancer 1 and 2 modules to integrate a blend of key body conditioning practices that work to prepare them for the challenges of choreographic exploration and professional performance. Aerial dance training and a broad range of specialist masterclasses enhances students development across the academic year.

This module aims to further develop the skills obtained in Professional Principles. Dance and performance will be discussed in broader terms of a global landscape and students are encouraged to enter into research that transcends dance and into the areas that affect, and are affected by, dance and performance. This module also aims to provide students with additional depth in dance industry specific employment and enterprise skills. This module will consolidate generic and dance specific industry skills through focused application in the context of employment, audition, career and enterprise planning.

The Dance Technique 3 module aims to provide students with the opportunity to ascertain the technical and artistic skills based at a comparative professional level within Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Commercial and Tap dance styles. Pointe work, virtuosity classes and partnering will continue and increase in complexity at this level. These technique classes build upon all stylistic elements mastered at Level 5 and continue to inject current stylistic trends and appropriate practices relevant within each genre in preparation for audition post-graduation.

This module gives students the experience of working as part of a dance company to produce two productions. The first is a Musical Theatre production and the second is a showcase presentation of varied dance work, largely created by professional choreographers. Students dance work on both productions reflects all areas covered on the course, with a commercial industry focus. By working as part of an ensemble alongside creative professionals, the module bridges the gap between being a student and being a professional dance performer. In addition, and to support the range of skills that the industry requires, students will also train in aerial dance techniques and participate in a broad range of masterclasses, to increase versatility and employment options.

This module allows students to investigate a topic area of particular interest to them. It provides a platform to carry out extensive research and the opportunity to develop a critical understanding and research process using analytical tools developed during the previous levels.

Students will develop a specific strategy and career plan based upon their own aspirations. They will experience mock auditions and audition technique with industry professionals and produce their own marketing and promotional material.