DanceAbility Teacher Certification
Course Outline

 

• Foundation exercises introducing basic concepts of movement
  improvisation to people of all abilities based on things that all
  participants can do

• How to guide people to be aware of their potential for movement
  and for communication

• Movement explorations and games for individuals, partners, and
  small and large groups

• Integration of Contact Improvisation: learning to improvise using
  physical contact

• How groups can create their own performance pieces
   

Participants in the DanceAbility Teacher Certification course will build on
their own experiences to develop appropriate materials for the continued
development of the work in their own communities.

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REGISTER HERE FOR THE 2024 EUGENE, OR CERTIFICATION COURSE!

 

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DanceAbility Teacher Certification Course Curriculum

 

Week 1: Introduction to DanceAbility

Students learn how to identify the physical possibilities and “common denominators” of each new group they work with to ensure that no one is isolated. They learn how to lead the core set of DanceAbility exercises, which can be done no matter how diverse the group. These core exercises introduce participants to basic considerations for communicating, relating, and

shaping dances through improvised movement.

 

Week 2: Integrating Contact Improvisation & Physicality

Physical skills are explored such as rolling, using momentum, providing structures for taking weight, learning how to lean and give weight, counterbalancing, relaxing, and engaging in physical bodywork care. Students continue deepening their understanding of non-isolation and movement communication through structured improvisations and discussion. 

 

Week 3: Class-Planning, Teaching, & ‘Variations on the Theme’

Student-teachers learn how to adapt their lesson plans and teaching styles depending on participants and specific characteristics. They learn exercises appropriate for people with visual impairments (blind, etc.), hearing impairments (deaf, etc.), mental disabilities, and all combinations. Student-teachers learn how to choose appropriate material for different kinds of classes, and what length of workshops is appropriate depending on goals and participants. The general public is invited to two days of open classes, which student-teachers design and team-teach. Course leader Alito Alessi gives feedback on students’ class plans before they teach. Afterward, they receive feedback from their fellow students and Alito. 

 

Week 4: Artistic Collaboration & Integrating the Material

Student-teachers learn how to teach, evaluate and give feedback on choreography and on shaping performance pieces. Student teachers also learn how to empower their students by facilitating small groups to collaboratively create their own performance pieces. DanceAbility for children is taught, and general professional development. A site-specific Street Performance Parade or a Performance-Demonstration is prepared, and shared with the public on the final day of the Course.

DanceAbility Teacher Certification courses have been conducted in the following locations: