Hip Hop, Jazz and Tap dance are set to reach new heights as the Australian Teachers of Dancing have released
three new or revised syllabi. Australian Teachers of
Dancing (ATOD) are raising the barre, with the release of
an examinable Hip Hop syllabus. They have updated their
Tap and Jazz syllabi and recently rolled out a nationally recognized teacher training course. ATOD prides itself on continual innovation, regularly updating their work to keep
in touch with the development of dance styles in Australia and abroad.
Hip Hop
Hip Hop may be an ever evolving dance form, but there are many technical aspects that should be taught to students from a young age. With this in mind, ATOD has developed an innovative Hip Hop syllabus with 12 levels. There is a focus on correct technique, including body placement and alignment, together with the need for individuality and personal style in the execution of the work.
Many studios wish to include Hip Hop classes, but are unsure how to do so and how to develop student skills
from year to year. The ATOD Hip Hop syllabus enables studio owners to grow their business and introduce the popular genre into class schedules. The levels from 1 to 12 are structured to introduce students from six or seven years of age to Hip Hop with a thematic approach in the first two levels. Each level incorporates comprehensive warm-ups, stretches and isolations and encourages individuality, style and improvisation throughout, allowing teachers and students the freedom for personal interpretation of the movements.
Well aware that Hip Hop changes regularly, ATOD aims to continually develop the work with regular updates to keep abreast of the changing culture that is Hip Hop dance. ATOD even provides preparatory levels of street dance to help children to develop the street style when young, so they can be versatile dancers as they grow.
Shane Clarke of ATOD teaches students Hip Hop at Dance Expo
Tap Dog Paul Davis teaches students at Expo
Tap
ATOD has announced the release of their much anticipated updated Tap syllabus. Developed by two original Tap Dogs, Paul Davis and Shane Preston, the ATOD Tap Syllabus is fresh and engaging. Tap Syllabi in the past have had considerable emphasis on traditional tapping technique and combinations. While this is essential for a student’s dance education, it is equally important that Tap is changed, updated and improved with the times and the ATOD syllabus is just that, a technically based yet modern tap syllabus. There is a focus on development and continuity throughout the levels and the use of head, arms, corner and travelling steps provide a strong foundation for performance work in various tempos and styles. There are fifteen levels which include both barre and centre work, progressing systematically to build strength, energy and fluidity of movements.
Street Beat – the first of its kind - a Street Tap syllabus is also coming soon! A relaxed style and approach from start to finish with the use of props, sound effects, cross rhythms and group work. ATOD will release the first two levels in January 2009 with more to follow.
Jazz Moves
Recently ATOD has also released Jazz Moves, an innovative system of training encompassing the many styles of jazz from foundation jazz to the very latest moves. Jazz Moves is a complete jazz syllabus incorporating not only warm-up, stretches, floor work, corner work, kicks and jumps, but also historical steps and up to the minute moves. Jazz Moves is designed to develop well rounded dancers who are familiar with current popular moves and famous steps of the past. This will prepare them to dance in a musical theatre or historical dance piece in the future. Historical work includes the use of canes, chairs, cabaret work and even chorus shoes, helping to create versatile dancers.
All Jazz levels provide combinations, progressions and dances, systematically building strength, energy and attack. Focused on helping students to develop their own creativity and choreographic skills, Jazz Moves includes student choreography and improvisation in major levels. The syllabus is designed for teachers to encompass open work in the teaching of the syllabus.
Jazz Moves is currently being taught across the country, with a Jazz Performance Award to be launched in 2009.
ATOD have recently been approved as a Registered Training Organization (RTO). This dance teacher training course is a Certificate III in Community Recreation specializing in Dance. This nationally recognized course equips potential teachers with a strong foundation of vital skills for their future careers, and includes subjects such as anatomy and physiology, child psychology, business best practices and current safe dance practices.
Australian Teachers of Dancing Ltd was founded in 1991 and proudly operates as a non-profit organization for the sole purpose of providing an exciting, vibrant, professional and educational environment for dance studios throughout Australia and abroad. ATOD has successfully established various bases internationally and along with the above mentioned genres provide syllabi second to none in Classical Ballet, National Character and Pre-school grades. To find out more about Australian Teachers of Dancing and their new Hip Hop, Tap and Jazz Syllabi, visit www.atod.net.au
