COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
(Please refer to Dance- At- A- Glance 2010–2011 for specific class information.)

Core Curriculum | Technique Classes | Special Interest Classes | Performing Groups & Master Classes

CORE CURRICULUM CLASSES
Locations: Chappaqua & White Plains

The Steffi Nossen program features a uniform and sequential, modern dance based
curriculum designed to develop individual creativity while placing an emphasis on
technique and proper body alignment. Our experienced faculty conveys the joy of dance
along with its inherent discipline, in training professionals and recreational dancers with
equal encouragement and enthusiasm. Live music in classes and performances is a program highlight.

MODERN DANCE I, II, & III:

Our sequential curriculum teaches modern dance
Technique, incorporating the movement theories of the great Modern Dance pioneers such as
Graham, Limon, Horton, Ailey, and Cunningham. This unique and exciting program,
using live music in Modern II & III, is geared toward the appropriate physical and
educational development of the students, ages 3 years to grade 3.

MODERN/JAZZ: This class for 4th and 5th grade students continues to develop modern vocabulary and technique while exploring the stylistic movement and musical rhythms of jazz. A combination of live accompaniment and popular recorded music will be used.

JAZZ: These dynamic and exciting classes for grades 6 and up use recorded music in a variety of styles to enhance the wide range of movement that characterizes jazz dance.

These classes begin in September and culminate in a year-end costumed performance in May. There is a $75 performance fee toward production expenses and costumes.

 

 

TECHNIQUE CLASSES
AT OUR STEFFI NOSSEN CENTRAL STUDIOS
at the Music Conservatory of Westchester, 216 Central Avenue, White Plains

BALLET
Students learn principles of technique, placement and the development of strength through proper alignment and understanding of the ballet vocabulary. Classes progress from barre to center work to longer phrases. Live music accompanies many classes. Placement for all technique classes is at the discretion of the teacher, and will be determined by observation during initial classes.

CLASSICAL STORY BALLET
Students learn movement and vocabulary while dancing to stories and music. Props are integral to the class and special dress up days are exciting class components.

JAZZ
An American dance form that draws strongly upon its African and Latin roots. Styles range from
Concert Jazz to Broadway and Modern Jazz. Working primarily in parallel position, Jazz emphasizes
body line and flexibility while isolating individual body parts; jazz also develops students’ musicality.

MODERN
This class draws upon a variety of modern dance techniques, predominantly O’Donnell and Limon.
While developing core and upper body strength dancers will explore the use of space, musicality, and the joy of movement. Live music accompanies classes.

TAP
An American dance form heavily influenced by African, Irish and Latin folk music and dance. Students will learn all styles of tap, from its folk origins through soft shoe and Broadway styles, to
contemporary tap, which combines it all. Tap is musical, rhythmic and high energy! Students may opt to participate in Tap Ensemble in the Annual Children’s shows May, 2011.

HIP HOP
Hip Hop is a physically challenging, creative dance form with roots in African dance, breakdance and martial arts. In this class students will be exposed to the latest hip hop moves and choreography. Students may opt to participate in Hip Hop Ensemble in the Annual Children’s Shows in May.

 

SPECIAL INTEREST CLASSES
AT OUR STEFFI NOSSEN CENTRAL STUDIOS
at the Music Conservatory of Westchester, 216 Central Avenue, White Plains

PRIVATE INSTRUCTION
Instruction/coaching for individuals and small groups available with professional faculty.
Call for details.

YOGA FOR DANCERS Through classical yoga technique, we will focus on the unique needs and perspective of dancers including alignment, breath, flexibility and focus. Meeting at the end of the dance day, this class will include some restorative practice.

GUEST ARTIST PROGRAM A series of short workshops in different dance and movement forms (including world dance, contemporary, etc.) Details to be announced.

WEEK OF DANCE SERIES Call or revisit our website for more information about this entire week of open-house classes! Every class at Steffi Nossen will have an open door for dancers to try an age and level appropriate class at no charge at All Locations. Fall- September 19-24, 2011 Winter- January 9-14, 2012

MOVING WHEELS & HEELS An integrated dance class for students of all abilities, wheelchair & stand up, to explore the joy of movement. The class combines technique, improvisation and movement to increase strength, range of motion and enhance students’ creativity. Classes will have live musical accompaniment.

 

 

PERFORMING GROUPS AND MASTER CLASSES
AT OUR STEFFI NOSSEN CENTRAL STUDIOS
at the Music Conservatory of Westchester, 216 Central Avenue, White Plains

MASTER CLASS
The Master Class program is the most advanced technical study/choreographic course available within the Steffi Nossen School. The program offers our more serious students the unique opportunity to work and perform with dancers from communities throughout Westchester in an artistic and technical atmosphere. Dancers are introduced to a complete choreographic experience by participating in the creative process of bringing new pieces to life each year. Students enjoy the special opportunity to perform at our annual concerts in March at the Performing Arts Center, Purchase College. They are taught by a professional choreographer/teacher under the direction of our Artistic Director, Caren Valente. Professional costume and lighting designers complete the performance experience. Master Class I and II dancers are required to be enrolled in two additional classes each week from Core Curriculum, Ballet, Jazz or Modern Technique offerings. While Junior Master Class dancers are only required to be enrolled in one additional class from the above offerings, dancers in the fifth grade and older are strongly encouraged to add a second additional class to enhance their technical and artistic abilities. Ballet is highly recommended. Participation in the Master Class program is by teacher recommendation and audition.

HOW DOES A DANCER BECOME A MEMBER OF THE MASTER CLASS PROGRAM?
Master Class dancers are selected from Steffi Nossen School of Dance Core Curriculum and Technique classes in an ongoing review process by the Faculty and the School’s Artistic and School Directors. Dancers 3rd Grade and up are evaluated for talent, technical abilities, performance qualities, commitment, classroom behavior and desire to dance. These dancers are usually identified in January and invited to view the Annual Benefit performance in the Spring as well as a Master Class rehearsal in the studio. We believe that experiencing both the class and the performance gives dancers and their families the tools to evaluate making a more serious commitment to dance and then to decide if they would like to participate in the audition for the Master Classes in the Fall. It is in fact an audition for all parties: the dancers, their families and the School. Some dancers may decide that they are unwilling to devote the necessary extra time to dance. A dancer may also be identified as a candidate after the Children’s Shows or during Summerdance programs and offered the same opportunity to participate in the Fall audition. A dancer who is new to the school may occasionally be selected in the Fall to participate in a later audition but generally we give dancers and their families time to get to know our School and our programs before asking them to take on what is a very large commitment for the entire family. The School Director will be happy to speak to you if you have any questions about this process.

CONCERT GROUP
This modern dance performing option is open to students in grades 7-12 enrolled in at least 2 classes a week (one must be either a Technique or Master Class). This group will perform at the Community and Benefit Concerts held at the Performing Arts Center, SUNY Purchase in March.

JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Open to students, grades 6-12 enrolled in any Steffi Nossen Core Curriculum or Technique class. The group will rehearse March through May and will perform in the Children’s Shows held in May.

BALLET ENSEMBLE
Dancers are required to have had two years of Ballet Technique to participate in rehearsals from march through May and perform in the Annual children’s Shows held in May.

TAP ENSEMBLE and HIP HOP ENSEMBLE
Open to students during regular classes in the second semester. These groups perform in the Annual Children’s Shows in May.

STEFFI NOSSEN DANCE COMPANY
Company members are selected from our most technically advanced and talented dancers in the Master Class program through ongoing review and audition. Each year, two new works are commissioned and created for the Company by professional choreographers. Dancers rehearse extensively with them and perform throughout the metropolitan area over the course of the year, often sharing the stage with professional dancers. They will be featured in the Fall Choreography Showcase, Spring Community and Benefit Concerts and May Children’s Shows, as well as other engagements. Past choreographers and guest teachers have included Norman Walker, Mark Morris, Patrick Corbin and Sidra Bell.