Summary:
Completely revised for the new specifications for GCSE Dance, this is the ultimate companion for the GCSE course, written by the expert in the field.

Section 1 (Performance skills) concentrates on five styles of dance: Ballet, Contemporary, Street, Barata Natyam, and Capoeira, and includes exercises to improve dancing skills, as well as phrases of movements to learn. This section aims to help students fulfil the requirements of the specification to present two new practical assessments for internal moderation: a solo dance and a duo or group piece.

Section 2 (Choreographic skills) will support students as they work towards making a solo or group dance that they choreograph, and as they learn to create motifs and structure dances as a choreographer. Photographs of dancers included in this section will inspire students as they approach the process of creating motifs.

Section 3 (Appreciation skills) introduces students to specific dance terms and vocabulary, so that they can identify, describe, explain, discuss and analyse what they have seen in a visual recording (or live performance) two Set Works. Also included in this section are photographs of scenes from professional dance works which provide a useful visual resource to support the learning of the analysis skills required by the students.

Section 4 (Resources) will help students broaden their knowledge and interest in dance with information about performances, agencies and dance companies that run workshops and provide additional resource materials, as well as lists of dance books, music and DVDs.

A glossary is included at the end of the book as knowledge and understanding of specialist dance words are required by the specification. The textbook can be used alongside the AQA GCSE Dance Student Workbooks.

• Increase and deepen students' knowledge and understanding of the skills required in dance
• Test their ability to identify, describe, explain and communicate knowledge and understanding clearly and precisely.
• Help to develop their ability to analyse and comment upon their own work as a dancer and choreographer, and on professional works studied for the written exam.
• Completely revised for the new AQA GCSE Dance specification
• New Set Works for the new specification

Table of Contents:
Introduction
How to get the most out of your course
Section 1 Performance
Good studio practice
Techniques and performing skills
The technical and expressive nature of dance
Section 2 Choreography
Tools needed for choreography
Choosing and using accompaniment
Creating and using dance motifs and phrases
Recording your choreographic progress
Section 3 Appreciation
Looking at professional dance works
Studying two set works
Preparing for the final assessments
Section 4 Resources
Dance agencies
Theatres where you can see dance
National dance organisations
Dance companies
Music composed for dance
Dance videos and DVDs
Further reading
Glossary
Index of dance companies, dance works and choreographers

About the Author(s):
Pam Howard MBE is a highly experienced dance teacher, who has taught
for over thirty years to students and teachers. She has worked in
partnership with various dance companies and is currently an A-level
examiner. She was awarded an MBE in 2002 for services to dance and
education.