Course Description

Students 18 and up encouraged to enroll.

Hip Hop/Street Dance introduces students to an exciting range of styles known collectively as Street Dance. The course includes, but is not limited to, breaking, social dances, popping, locking, and house ranging from the 1970s to the present within African diaspora communities. Along with gaining an understanding of the emergence and evolution of various styles–their cultural identities, innovators and pioneers–students will learn vocabulary, foundational performance skills, anatomy and behavior characteristics.

Students will be expected to be open and available to trying new ways of moving their bodies, and to approach the work without inhibition. They are encouraged to ask questions for clarification of cultural context as well as dance technique. While some of the movements may be challenging at first, nothing should feel forced or cause pain, and students are encouraged to communicate how the practice is impacting their bodies.

To succeed in this class a student needs to be excited by Street Dance and ready for a challenge. They do not need to be a dancer or have a dance background. While the class is suitable for beginners, it is also for people who have studied other forms of dance, such as ballet and modern, and want to expand their ability and awareness. Ideally, by the end of this 6-week course, students will have developed a level of knowledge and physical comfort with the various styles to continue their exploration of Street Dance with focus and confidence.

Learner Outcomes

• During this course of study students will:     
  • develop a strong skill-and-technique based foundation by learning the basics of various forms of Street Dance
  • explore and practice their unique personal potential in the forms
  • establish an understanding of Street Dance in social and cultural context
  • gain a deeper understanding of Street Dance as an art form and wellness tool