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A program for high school students who are dedicated to the study of dance. As dancers progress through the program, they will be guided to develop concentrated skill in either classical or contemporary concentrations.
Dance students participate in ICON’s interdisciplinary approach to arts education. They work collaboratively with theatre, design & production, visual art, and music students on a variety of student-led creative projects and productions. This collaborative approach is designed to expand each student’s approach to dance and prepare them for the ever-changing, always collaborative world of professional dance.
Dancers deepen their study of ballet and modern dance in advanced technique and variations classes while building experience in dance composition. Carefully designed elective offerings in the areas of contemporary dance provide a wide education that prepares students to postgraduate success. Students can be both pre-pointe or en pointe.
Dancers explore advanced technique in contemporary dance, supported by a solid foundation of classical technique classes. Students study dance composition and can select electives from jazz, tap, and musical theatre dance that enhance their skills for professional success.
0.5 Credit | 1 Year
Students learn the foundations of body positions, port de bras, strength and flexibility required to begin scaffolding the steps, skill and concepts of Classical Ballet. There is a strong emphasis on building proper body alignment and movement patterns.
0.5 Credit | 1 Year
Classical ballet classes engage students in the studies of barre, port de bras, adage, pirouettes, and allegro. Through these studies, students further develop their technical skills in tandem with a growing understanding of the mind-body connection. Taken together, students develop the whole self as an instrument for artistry and artistic expression.
0.5 Credit | 1 Year
Ballet III advances technical consistency, skill, artistry and strength. Barre and center work increase in complexity, incorporating sustained adagio, multiple pirouette preparations, and more dynamic allegro combinations. Students strengthen precision, speed, and coordination while refining transitions and performance presence. Emphasis is placed on technical endurance, musical nuance, and the integration of artistry with disciplined execution.
0.5 Credit | 1 Year
Ballet IV is an advanced-level course that is intended for dancers who have a strong understanding of Ballet technique. With a strong focus on more advanced barre and center combinations, we work to refine technique and develop further artistry. Throughout this course, we increase complexity and intensity in combinations/skills such as adagio, pirouettes, allegro, and more.
0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
In this course, students develop foundational jazz dance technique with a focus on Broadway and musical theatre styles. Students build skills in alignment, coordination, flexibility, strength, and rhythm through warm-ups, progressions, and choreographed combinations from classical and contemporary musicals. Emphasis is placed on jazz vocabulary, musicality, expression, and stage presence. Students learn, rehearse, and perform ensemble choreography while developing confidence, discipline, and collaboration. The course prepares students for continued study in jazz and musical theatre dance.
0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
Contemporary Jazz II expands technical vocabulary and increases complexity in across-the-floor progressions and center combinations. Students refine pirouettes, jetes, directional changes, and dynamic contrast while strengthening control, precision, and stylistic clarity. Greater emphasis is placed on performance presence, phrasing, and adaptability across varied jazz styles. Longer combinations challenge stamina, memory, and expressive intent.
0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
Contemporary Jazz III advances technical strength, speed, and articulation while integrating more intricate pirouettes, jetes, floor transitions, and rhythmic variation. Students deepen their understanding of stylistic nuance and musical interpretation, developing confidence in both choreography and guided improvisation. Emphasis is placed on technical endurance, expressive maturity, and the ability to execute complex combinations with clarity and performance readiness.
0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
In Contemporary/Jazz Dance IV, students learn/refine technique in both contemporary and jazz dance. We work on advanced technical and artistry driven across the floor combinations, longer combinations in the center, as well as improvisation techniques to grow an understanding of improv.
0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
This course is designed as an entry level course to the discipline of dance. Students learn a series of dance terminology in ballet and jazz technique while also focusing on body awareness. Course is aimed towards an overall appreciation of dance as an artform centered around rhythmic expression, dance research, and body exploration.
0.5 Credit | 1 Year
Modern I introduces foundational principles of modern dance techniques, emphasizing alignment, breath, weight shift, and grounded movement. Students explore floor work, simple phrase material, and basic spatial awareness while developing strength, coordination, and musical patterns. Through guided improvisation and structured combinations, dancers begin to understand contemporary movement language and build confidence in expressive performance. Students will be introduced to Horton and Cunningham techniques.
0.5 Credit | 1 Year
Modern II builds technical consistency and expands movement vocabulary through increased complexity in phrase work, floor transitions, and dynamic contrast. Students refine control, stamina, and clarity of intention while exploring musicality and spatial design. Improvisation and compositional tasks support growing individuality, encouraging dancers to connect technical precision with expressive depth. Students will continue to work with Horton and Cunningham techniques while being introduced to Limon Technique.
0.5 Credit | 1 Year
Modern III advances physicality, articulation, and interpretive nuance. Students engage in sustained phrase work, more intricate floor patterns, introductory partnering concepts, and layered spatial exploration. Emphasis is placed on dynamic range, risk-taking, and developing a distinctive artistic presence. Dancers strengthen their ability to execute challenging material with control while deepening their understanding of contemporary movement language. Horton, Cunningham, Limon and Graham Techniques will be practiced.
0.5 Credit | 1 Year
Modern IV is an advanced-level course designed for students with a strong technical foundation and a deep commitment to their artistic growth. The class emphasizes dynamic movement, musicality, and precision while challenging dancers to cultivate their individuality and interpretive skills. Through complex phrase work, floor work, partnering and spatial exploration, students refine their physicality and deepen their understanding of contemporary movement language. The course also encourages risk-taking, nuanced expression, and a professional approach to performance and rehearsal.
0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
Dance Composition I introduces students to the foundational tools of choreography. Through structured improvisation and guided exercises, students explore spatial awareness, timing, dynamics, patterning, motif development, and relationship to music and theme. Utilizing their prior dance technique, students learn to generate, manipulate, and organize movement into short compositional studies. Emphasis is placed on clarity of intention, risk-taking, and developing an understanding of how choreographic choices shape audience experience.
0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
Dance Composition II deepens choreographic practice through expanded formal structures, thematic development, and refined compositional decision-making. Students investigate advanced tools such as variation, contrast, accumulation, patterns, abstraction, and interdisciplinary integration. Emphasis is placed on crafting cohesive works that communicate a clear artistic voice and intentional audience impact. Through critique, revision, and performance, students refine their ability to analyze, articulate, and strengthen choreographic choices.
0.5 Credit | 1 Year
In this course, students explore the foundations of dance through history, kinesiology, movement analysis, and the professional field. Students examine major developments in dance history, study basic anatomical principles for safe and effective movement, and analyze movement using Laban concepts.
0.5 Credit | 1 Year
The course emphasizes professional preparation, including developing a polished resume and CV, creating a professional reel and online presence, and refining headshots and personal branding. Through seminar discussion and project-based work, students synthesize their learning to prepare for college, conservatory, or professional pathways in dance.
0.25 Credit | 1 Semester
Students engage in solo, duet, trio, or small group work with the aim of working on specific performance goals of individual dancer. Support for auditions, competitions, or larger works is provided, as well as continued work on technical skill and strength-building.
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