Statement on Equity

The Dance Program at Bard values
the experience of individual body sovereignty
and is committed to providing equal access to students
who are exploring life’s questions through an artistic physical practice.

The Dance Program will contribute to changing the narratives of white supremacy, patriarchy, and racial inequity that have characterized the persistent undercurrent flowing beneath the ground on which we dance in this country.

We will endeavor to be a refuge for any persons who are vulnerable to ideologies defined by racism, homophobia, transphobia, and anti-feminism. We will use the tools of our discipline to challenge the structures that maintain a hierarchy of human value. We will consistently offer a rigorous learning environment that celebrates that people are “equal in all of our apparent differences.” (Ibram X. Kendi)

 

Course:

DAN 227 GG Entrepreneurial Artistry as Activism

Professor:

Amy Miller

CRN:

90310

Schedule:

    Fri   2:00 PM - 4:20 PM Fisher PAC Conference room/Nureyev Studio

Distributional Area:

AA Analysis of Art

Class cap:

14

Credits:

3

In these challenging social and political times, an increasing number of dance and theater artists want to use their artistic work as a tool for activism and to make a social impact. Modeled after Gibney Company's "Moving Toward Justice" Fellowship Program, this course is for students who want to develop their writing in support of their personal passions and entrepreneurial goals. We will aim to incubate new projects that combine the arts and social justice in response to the evolving needs of various communities. This course will provide a framework to support the project planning from start to finish  - including the drafting of all the necessary supporting materials such as mission statements, timelines, budgets, and  business plans. Together we will generate new ideas of what artist-led activism can do. The work includes reading and writing assignments and a culminating project presentation. This course is part of the partnership between the Bard Dance Program and Gibney Company. This course is taught by Founder and CEO Gina Gibney, Gibney Company Director Amy Miller, along with several Gibney staff members.

 

 

Dance Technique Courses:

Intensive technique studies are essential to a serious dance student’s training. Intending and current dance majors must register for two credits of dance technique each semester of their four years at Bard.

 

Introductory Dance Courses:

Classes in different movement genres intended for the beginner; no previous dance experience necessary. Open to all students. New students with previous dance experience should speak with the dance professors before registration.

 

Course:

DAN 103A SB Introduction to Contemporary African Dance

Professor:

Souleymane Badolo  

CRN:

90314

Schedule:

Mon  Wed     8:30 AM - 9:50 AM Fisher Performing Arts Center THORNE STU

Distributional Area:

PA Practicing Arts

Class cap:

14

Credits:

1

Rooted in contemporary African Dance, using Badolo's own movement style, this course explores movement over/under/inside and outside the tradition. The class begins with a warm-up that involves both physical and mental preparation. By listening to internal rhythms of the body and the beat of the music, dancers can discover their own musicality and their own movement language. Students will be exposed to the skills of improvisation starting with simple forms.

 

Course:

DAN 103B TL Beginning Ballet I

Professor:

Tara Lorenzen  

CRN:

90312

Schedule:

Mon  Wed     2:00 PM - 3:20 PM Fisher Performing Arts Center THORNE STU

Distributional Area:

PA Practicing Arts

Class cap:

14

Credits:

1

This beginning level class is designed to develop awareness of movement through basic ballet vocabulary and technique. Class will include fundamental barre exercises, as well as center work. No experience necessary.

 

Course:

DAN 103M GG Beginning Modern Dance I

Professor:

Elisa Clark

CRN:

90313

Schedule:

 Tue  Thurs    3:50 PM - 5:10 PM Fisher Performing Arts Center THORNE STU

Distributional Area:

PA Practicing Arts

Class cap:

14

Credits:

1

This course is designed for students who want to activate contemporary dance as a platform for simultaneously investing in their intellect and intuition. We will delve into the contextual underpinnings of contemporary dance through inquiry and embodied activity. This will include assigned readings, viewing dances on film, writing responses and essays, and participating in group discussions. In the studio, class will begin with self-reflective practices then progress toward highly rigorous, structured movement phrases. Gibney Company values leadership-building along varied entry points and reinforces a framework that embraces virtuosity in many forms. This course will be taught by a teacher curated by Gibney Company leadership as part of the Bard/Gibney partnership. For questions on this course please contact Tara Lorenzen: tlorenzen@bard.edu

 

Course:

DAN 123 YG Improvisation

Professor:

Yebel Gallegos

CRN:

90301

Schedule:

 Tue  Thurs    12:10 PM - 1:30 PM Fisher Performing Arts Center THORNE STU

Distributional Area:

PA Practicing Arts

Class cap:

14

Credits:

1

This course introduces the exploration and study of elements in movement design using the body as an instrument for playful action, bringing the dancer to a deeper understanding of physical presence. Recommended: at least one semester of dance at the 100 level or equivalent dance experience.

 

Intermediate and Advanced Dance Technique:

Intensive technique studies are essential to a serious dance student’s training. Intending and current dance majors must register for two credits of dance technique each semester.   Also open to non-majors with experience, inclination, and permission of the instructor. 

 

Course:

DAN 211A SB Intermediate Contemporary West African Dance

Professor:

Souleymane Badolo  

CRN:

90317

Schedule:

 Tue  Thurs    12:10 PM - 1:30 PM Campus Center MPR

Distributional Area:

PA Practicing Arts

Class cap:

14

Credits:

1

 

Course:

DAN 211B LC Intermediate Ballet

Professor:

Lindsay Clark  

CRN:

90315

Schedule:

 Tue  Thurs    10:20 AM - 11:40 AM Fisher Performing Arts Center THORNE STU

Distributional Area:

PA Practicing Arts

Class cap:

14

Credits:

1

This class is intended for students who have a strong foundation in ballet, seeking to expand their technical knowledge, as well as more seasoned dancers who are interested in refining their craft. We prioritize movement efficiency, supported by the understanding that our bodies have an innate capacity for balance. Learning to not interfere with that natural organization is a large part of the work we do. Barre focuses on weight shifting, kinesthetic awareness, and developing a dynamic relationship with music so that we can easily transition into big, luscious watlzes and momentum-based jumps in the center.

 

Course:

DAN 211M YG Intermediate Modern Dance

Professor:

Yebel Gallegos

CRN:

90316

Schedule:

Mon  Wed     3:50 PM - 5:10 PM Fisher Performing Arts Center THORNE STU

Distributional Area:

PA Practicing Arts

Class cap:

14

Credits:

1

This class aims to provide a safe and challenging environment in which students can work to expand their movement range and technical skills. Students will be guided through improvisational and set exercises to awaken the flow of energy in the body, in stillness and in motion. The warm-up, utilizing floor and standing work, will stimulate stretch, strengthen muscular coordination and investigate personal alignment issues. We will learn progressively more complex and articulate phrases of movement, play with shifts of energy, momentum and direction.

 

Course:

DAN 215B MS Intermediate/Advanced Ballet

Professor:

Maria Simpson  

CRN:

90318

Schedule:

Mon  Wed     10:20 AM - 11:40 AM Fisher Performing Arts Center THORNE STU

Distributional Area:

PA Practicing Arts

Class cap:

14

Credits:

1

This class is designed for students who have mastered the fundamental vocabulary of ballet technique and who are interested in cultivating their potential for movement complexity. Ballet is a tradition handed down over generations of teachers and dancers, subject to change and growth through each individual. As a part of this lineage, the class looks at the practice of ballet as a stylistically neutral system of anatomical, mechanical and physical principles living in musical time. Through the traditional class structure of barre exercises and center floor combinations, the class invites upper-level students into a fascinating study that calls upon mental and physical energies in equal measure. Students are expected to approach their work in the course as fully engaged thinkers with the goal of assuming a practice of on-going self-study.

 

Course:

DAN 215M GG Intermediate/Advanced Modern Dance

Professor:

Elisa Clark

CRN:

90319

Schedule:

 Tue  Thurs    2:00 PM - 3:20 PM Fisher Performing Arts Center THORNE STU

Distributional Area:

PA Practicing Arts

Class cap:

14

Credits:

1

This course is designed for students who want to activate contemporary dance as a platform for simultaneously investing in their intellect and intuition. We will delve into the contextual underpinnings of contemporary dance through inquiry and embodied activity. This will include assigned readings, viewing dances on film, writing responses and essays, and participating in group discussions. In the studio, class will begin with self-reflective practices then progress toward highly rigorous, structured movement phrases. Gibney Company values leadership-building along varied entry points and reinforces a framework that embraces virtuosity in many forms. This course will be taught by two instructors, each for a half semester, curated by Gibney Company leadership as part of the Bard/Gibney partnership. For more information contact Tara Lorenzen: tlorenzen@bard.edu

 

Dance Repertory

3 credits. Dance Repertory is designed to expose students to the real life demands of a professional dancer, class time will be spent in the development and rehearsal of a dance in preparation for a public performance at semester’s end.

 

Course:

DAN 315 YG Dance Repertory

Professor:

Yebel Gallegos

CRN:

90320

Schedule:

 Tue  Thurs    3:50 PM - 5:10 PM Campus Center MPR

Distributional Area:

PA Practicing Arts

Class cap:

10

Credits:

3

This dance repertory course provides an opportunity for students to learn and perform dances that represent diverse approaches to dance-making. The course encourages stylistically accurate renditions of choreography while placing an emphasis on developing technical, collaborative, and performance skills necessary to communicate on a larger scale. There will be a series of virtual visits by guest artists leading students in discussions and workshops surrounding the creative to performance process.

 

Course:

DAN 315 SB Dance Repertory

Professor:

Souleymane Badolo  

CRN:

90321

Schedule:

 Tue  Thurs    10:20 AM - 11:40 AM Campus Center MPR

Distributional Area:

PA Practicing Arts

Class cap:

10

Credits:

3

This dance repertory course provides an opportunity for students to learn and perform dances that represent diverse approaches to dance-making. The course encourages stylistically accurate renditions of choreography while placing an emphasis on developing technical, collaborative, and performance skills necessary to communicate on a larger scale. There will be a series of virtual visits by guest artists leading students in discussions and workshops surrounding the creative to performance process.

 

 

Dance Composition

 

3 credits. Dance Composition aims to introduce principles and theories about choreography in a studio setting. Three levels of Dance Composition are required of all dance majors, and all students enrolled in Dance Composition must attend Dance Workshop but should not register for it.

Dance Composition is open to non-majors with permission of the instructor.

 

Course:

DAN 217 TL Dance Composition II

Professor:

Tara Lorenzen  

CRN:

90311

Schedule:

Mon    Fri   12:10 PM - 1:30 PM Fisher Performing Arts Center THORNE STU

Distributional Area:

PA Practicing Arts

Class cap:

0

Credits:

3

Building on concepts introduced in Dance Composition I, this course is intended to prepare students for performance in the LUMA theater in the Fisher Center. We will look to deepen our creative voice by studying various choreographic ideas inspired by Merce Cunningham, Trisha Brown, Kyle Abraham, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, Eiko and Koma, Jerome Bel, Bebe Miller, and others. This course is required of potential dance majors before moderation; open to students of choreography who are not planning to major in dance (but have seriously studied dance technique here at Bard or elsewhere) and with permission of the instructor. Prerequisite: Dance Composition I.

 

Course:

DAN WKSHP MS Dance Workshop

Professor:

Maria Simpson  

CRN:

90322

Schedule:

 Tue      6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Fisher Performing Arts Center LUMA

Distributional Area:

 

Class cap:

25

Credits:

1

Dance Workshop is a once-weekly evening workshop during which undergraduates are invited to present work in progress for critical feedback from faculty and peers. This is not a movement class taught by a single instructor but a non-hierarchical community gathering at which everyone participates in discussions and constructive conversation about dance and dance-making. All students enrolled in dance composition are required to attend. There may be assigned readings and short writing assignments.

 

 

Cross-listed class

 

Course:

THTR 366  Community-Inclusive Performance

Professor:

Sxip Shirey and Coco Karol

CRN:

90366

Schedule:

    Fri   10:10 AM - 1:10 PM Fisher Performing Arts Center RESNICK

Distributional Area:

PA Practicing Arts

Class cap:

16

Credits:

1

Cross-listed:  Dance