Unit 3: Jazz Dance 1

Unit code L/616/1836

Unit level 4

Credit value 15

Introduction
Jazz, as a dance genre, has developed greatly over the years and, as such, forms
the basis for many musical theatre dance styles and pop videos as well as providing
a technical base for classes.
There have been many innovators and creators of their own styles during the
development of the genre, and this unit aims to enable students to develop their
ability in the studio as a jazz dancer and broaden their contextual knowledge, which
will, in turn, inform style and performance. An emphasis is placed on the quality of
the work produced, and the ability to self-correct through knowledge and
understanding of jazz technique.
Students will also learn to combine steps, which will result in the ability to pick up
choreographic combinations.
By the end of this unit, students will be able to execute the required vocabulary in
set and unset combinations, incorporating and demonstrating musicality and
artistry. Students will also have a broader knowledge of the development of jazz as
a dance genre.

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 Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit students will be able to:
1. Explore the techniques and vocabulary required for jazz as a dance genre
2. Perform the techniques and vocabulary with musicality and artistry
3. Interpret feedback, as directed in lessons, to enhance technical skills
4. Discuss the development of jazz as a dance genre.

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Essential Content

LO1 Explore the techniques and vocabulary required for jazz as a dance
genre

Techniques and vocabulary:

A safe warm-up and cool down
Accurate placing and alignment
Core strengthening work and flexibility work
Pliés and tendus (footwork)
Jazz ports de bras and adage
Isolations
Contractions
Travelling steps using a low centre of gravity
Turns – minimum requirement – clean single turn to each side
Corner work e.g. kicks, walks, leaps
Choreographic sequences

LO2 Perform the techniques and vocabulary with musicality and artistry

Technique:
Repetition of movement in order to create movement pathways connecting
the brain to the muscles
Interpreting direction and instruction in order to appropriate the correct
movement or sequence
Using visual skills to replicate shapes and movements
Mental practice for success imaging and enhancement of danced skills
Combining all of the above skills to create a technical base

Musicality:
Consideration of the phrasing of all work given, both in choreography and
music
Interpretation of different types of music to enhance performance
Counting rhythm, considering dynamics, off beats and syncopation in order to
bring light and shade to the choreography

Artistry:
Interpretation of performance, either given by the choreographer/teacher or
students own ideas
Exploration and application of appropriate style, either via the request of the
choreographer or personal choice

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 Creating engaging and dynamic energy within performance by approaching
the work with the correct dynamics, phrasing, musicality, technique and
artistic flair

LO3 Interpret feedback, as directed in lessons, to enhance technical skills

Feedback:
Exploration of what feedback is and how to extract information for personal
use from general feedback/correction
Identification of how students process feedback by analysing all feedback
given to see what resonates for you
Application of personal processing of given feedback in order to maximise the
effect on technique

LO4 Discuss the development of jazz as a dance genre

Historical influences:
African-American vernacular dance late 1800s to the mid-1900s
The music of New Orleans in the early 1900s
The Jazz Age
Modern jazz dance of the 1950s
Film and stage musicals, MTV and pop videos

Influencers:
Katherine Dunham
Jack Cole
Lester Horton
Gene Kelly
Bob Fosse
Gus Giordano
Matt Mattox
Jerome Robbins
Michael Kidd
Michael Jackson
Madonna
Luigi
Michael Bennett
Mia Michael

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Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Pass Merit Distinction

LO1 Explore the techniques and vocabulary

required for jazz as a dance genre
P1 Explore relevant M1 Demonstrate all D1 Perform unseen
technique, as required required work with the choreography with
within a class environment class with assurance confidence and embodied
knowledge of the required
P2 Illustrate relevant M2 Perform unseen
technique and vocabulary
vocabulary, as required, choreography with
within a class environment little direction and
practice time
LO2 Perform the techniques and vocabulary with
musicality and artistry
P3 Interpret required M3 Demonstrate a D2 Perform techniques and
content and vocabulary in relationship with the vocabulary with musicality,
performance musically music, which dynamics, and artistry which
and with artistry complements demonstrates secure and
performance, adding consistent technique
P4 Apply the required
dynamics to the throughout
technique to all technical
required rhythm
and choreographic work
M4 Demonstrate
secure technique when
performing all work

LO3 Interpret feedback, as directed in lessons, to

enhance technical skills

P5 Evidence the M5 Demonstrate that D3 Demonstrate all required

application of feedback, as feedback is retained technical skills with evidence
directed after direction of retention of feedback
P6 Demonstrate the M6 Perform all work
application of all required with secure technique
technical skills
LO4 Discuss the development of jazz as a dance
genre
P7 Investigate the M7 Explore the D4 Analyse how your
development of jazz as a development of jazz as research has influenced own
dance genre a dance genre, with development within the
detailed references to genre
P8 Communicate how this
key innovators
has informed own dance
development

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 Recommended Resources

Textbooks
FITZGERALD, F.S. (2010) The Beautiful and Damned: F. Scott Fitzgerald's Jazz Age
Morality Tale. London: Harper Collins.
GIORDANO, G. (1992) Jazz Dance Class: Beginning Thru Advanced. Hightstown
Princeton Book Company.
GUARINO, L. and OLIVER, W. (2015) Jazz Dance: A History of the Roots and
Branches. Gainsville: University Press of Florida.
MILLER, D.L. (2015) Supreme City: How Jazz Age Manhattan Gave Birth to Modern
America. New York: Simon & Schuster.
STEARNS, M. (1994) Jazz Dance: The Story of American Vernacular Dance.
New York: DaCapo Press.
VOGEL, J. (2011) Man in the Music: The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson.
New York: Sterling Publishers.

Links
This unit links to the following related units:
Unit 1: The Performing Arts Industry
Unit 2: Professional Development
Unit 4: Ballet 1
Unit 5: Contemporary Dance 1
Unit 6: Commercial Dance 1
Unit 7: Tap 1
Unit 8: American Tap
Unit 9: Choreography 1
Unit 11: Dance for Camera.

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