Dance

Dance is a popular stream in The McDonald College where students study many forms of dance as well as gaining a sense of musical theatre.  In the Dance Stream, students concentrate on developing their skills in a variety of dance forms: Modern, Contemporary, Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, rehearsal process and performance.  Performance groups in dance and musical theatre perform on a regular basis not only in College productions but also for special community functions.

The Dance Department employs over 20 teachers full-time, part-time and casually to teach the many styles offered to students from Preparatory to Year 12.  It aims to develop intelligent, knowledgeable, skilled and artistic performers who are versatile in many dance genres.  The dance students work on technique, look at different dance styles and choreographers such as Bob Fosse and create their own work in class.

Dance may be taken as a 2 Unit subject for the Higher School Certificate.  This study includes performance, composition and dance appreciation that includes history of dance and a study of modern works and companies, dancers and choreographers.  Studying Dance for the Higher School Certificate increases by another 8 hours per week studied in double time, the hours that senior students spend on dance making it the equivalent of a full-time course.

Students in the College may audition for Showgroups called “Dance Dynamix”.  These groups rehearse after school hours and perform at many functions during the year.  Dance Dynamix groups perform at Open Day, Grandparents’ Day as well as Dance Expo, Young Leaders’ Day, Woodstock, Winter Festival, Burwood Festival, Italian Festa, Rosehill School Expo and the McDonalds Performing Arts Challenge - to name a few.

The Dance Stream shares an exchange program with the Knightsbridge Dance School of Scotland situated in Glasgow where two to three students audition and travel to Scotland for three weeks of training and The McDonald College is proud to host three students from Scotland.  These three students join classes and perform for the College at assembly. 

The Dance Stream collaborates with the Music Stream to develop original performance pieces incorporating Music, Dance and the spoken word.  The students  enjoy excursions e.g: Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Dance Company where they see a typical behind-the –scenes, from warm-up class to a little rehearsal, and then an excerpt from the show.  Afterwards, they enjoy the opportunity of asking questions such as what it is like to be a professional dancer.

Each year, the Dance Stream performs at Parramatta Riverside Theatres.  The students perform with energy, colour, strong technique and enthusiasm.  Each year this performance is invigorating and enjoyable.

Infants

Infants spend 3 hours per week on dance, music and drama

Primary

Primary students do 1 ½ hours per day.  Area of training consist of Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap with a sport option one day per week and a compulsory element of music.
Years 5 and 6 have the option of studying instruments or doing musical theatre.

Secondary

Secondary students (yrs 7-12) spend 2 hours per day and do the full program of dance styles and musical theatre.  Students may elect to take sport on two days per week or Art and Design.

The Dance staff has a strong passion for this art form.  The following quotes are from several of the dance teachers.

“Dance is a delicate balance between perfection and freedom”
“Dance is life at its most glorious moment”
“Dancing is life itself”
“To believe in your own creativity and ability is to DANCE”
“Dance is freedom of expression”
“Dance is sharing a passion”
“Dance is what feels right on the inside and able to be expressed on the outside”

“TO BE ABLE TO DANCE EVERYDAY IS A LUXURY – YOU CAN DO THIS AT THE McDONALD COLLEGE.