BTEC Extended Certificate in Performance (Dance Route)

Year 1

Unit 34: Developing Skills and Techniques for Performance

In this unit, you will develop the appropriate skills and techniques for a dance performance in a small group as well as duets and trios. You will participate in regular workshops, classes and exercises where you will acquire, practise and develop the necessary technical, practical and interpretative performance skills to help you succeed when performing live to an audience. You will work with existing performance works, analysing and interpreting the material in order to understand and apply the relevant skills and techniques appropriate to the style. You will reflect and analyse your progress in this unit, setting targets to improve and develop your skills.

This Unit also gives you the opportunity to research employment opportunities in performing arts. You will research Training opportunities and examine to role and skills of a performer.

Unit 10: Jazz Dance

In this unit, you will develop skills and techniques that will enable you to understand the key technical and stylistic features of jazz dance through participating in technique classes, rehearsals and performance work. By learning and watching different styles of jazz dance, you will develop an understanding of the diversity of this dance form and the practitioners who have influenced the development of the style. You will reflect on your progress as you develop skills and techniques, setting targets and reviewing your progress, which will form part of a reflective journal.

Unit 12: Contemporary Dance Technique

In this unit, you will develop the skills needed to be a contemporary dancer by participating in technique classes, rehearsals and performance. You will gain an understanding of this dance style and the key influences on its development through research and practical application. Throughout your learning and development, you will be taught how to reflect on your progress and practice, which will support your development as a dancer.

YEAR 2

Unit 3: Group Performance Workshop

In this unit, you will learn how to respond to a given stimulus as part of a group, using research, discussion and practical exploration to develop performance material and later present an informal presentation of the work to an invited audience. As a member of a team, you will contribute to the creative development and rehearsal process, shaping and refining the work and applying performance and teamwork skills. You will share responsibility for creative decisions regarding the nature and direction of the intended performance, and your individual contribution will reflect your own skills through the group’s interests and ideas. The workshop performance will be an opportunity to try out the work before an audience to invite discussion and evaluation of its potential. You will reflect on the development process, considering the success and potential of the work for further development, as well as evaluating your own contribution to the process and the performance. To complete the assessment tasks within this unit, you will need to draw on your learning from across your programme.

Unit 11: Street Dance

In this unit, you will develop the skills and techniques that will enable you to understand the key technical and stylistic features of street dance through participating in technique classes, rehearsals and performance work. By learning and watching different street dance techniques, you will develop an understanding of the diversity of this dance form and the practitioners who have influenced the development of the style. You will reflect on your progress as you develop skills and techniques, setting targets and reviewing your progress.

Students who gain the BTEC qualification Level 3 can go on to study Dance or performance related subjects at university or progress to HE. Auditioning for dance schools is also a popular option for students to explore performing or choreography work as a career.

Students are fully supported with career choices whilst at Aquinas through trips to dance career conventions, career days as well as interaction with professional dance artists and companies throughout the year who provide career advice and talks.

Students will have the opportunity to work with professional dance artists in a workshop context creating performance work. Students will also be required to attend theatre visits to see a wide range of dance work. There is also plenty of performing opportunities such as an annual showcase evening and Stockport Showcase of Dance held at The Plaza in Stockport.

This course includes an optional trip to London. For more information about this trip please see the Trips and Travel page

Performing Arts BTEC Qualifications (Pearson)