Canyon Crest Academy Envision Dancers have our hearts open, and we will listen, seek to understand, continue to educate, and talk openly about the recent deaths, as well as the countless prior acts of violence and deaths, of Black people. The entire nation is wide awake thanks to phone cameras and social media, and although we have a very long way to go in breaking down systemic racism, we must keep this fire lit. We must demand change within our government and within our fellow humans. And we will continue to take action.
We all must do better. Let’s keep having the difficult talks, let’s continue to seek out knowledge, and let’s do our best to take care of each other. And let's reach beyond our bubbles, let's take risks and cast a wider net. I also have no doubt that these CCA youth will have a lot to say when we are creating new works, and I look forward to watching their powerful minds come to life through movement and dance.
Sending love, light and hope, especially to those deeply hurting during this unprecedented time- Rayna
rayna.milner@sduhsd.net
We all must do better. Let’s keep having the difficult talks, let’s continue to seek out knowledge, and let’s do our best to take care of each other. And let's reach beyond our bubbles, let's take risks and cast a wider net. I also have no doubt that these CCA youth will have a lot to say when we are creating new works, and I look forward to watching their powerful minds come to life through movement and dance.
Sending love, light and hope, especially to those deeply hurting during this unprecedented time- Rayna
rayna.milner@sduhsd.net
Rayna's Back to School Night Video,
talking about the program's philosophy and showcasing some of her favorite photos spanning these past 15 years:
youtu.be/uvBwCAleTXk
A video speaking to the value of our incredible guest artists:
youtu.be/AwqSZDon8Jk
talking about the program's philosophy and showcasing some of her favorite photos spanning these past 15 years:
youtu.be/uvBwCAleTXk
A video speaking to the value of our incredible guest artists:
youtu.be/AwqSZDon8Jk
“Changing Perspectives,” 2020’s virtual dance senior thesis film, can be found by clicking on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIwPI3f3vBI
You can also watch each one of the 7 choreographer's films in this google drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LvHp569b6iof1Uqx3hMygQJTt6MlQxDa?usp=sharing
If you would like to donate to our dance program (all proceeds will go towards the funding of our guest artists for 2020/2021), please copy and paste the following into a new tab:
https://webstores.activenetwork.com/school-software/canyon_crest_academy/index.php?l=product_detail&p=562#.Xs6y8ZNKgb1
CCA’s Envision Dance Program began with the opening of Canyon Crest in August of 2004. The dance program prides itself on continuing to evolve each year with new knowledge, new dancers, and new goals. Our dance program is recognized for its strength in modern dance, with a foundation rooted in technique and a desire to create young artists with open hearts and open minds. We hope to instill an appreciation for this athletic artform within each of our students, and within CCA’s community as a whole. Conservatory members will graduate with the tools and the confidence to succeed in college auditions, as well as dance and perform alongside other professional dancers. With the help of our amazing Foundation as well as fundraising efforts and show productions, we continue to bring in a wide array of talented professional dancers/teachers/choreographers to train CCA Dancers.
Dance Courses offered at CCA:
Introduction to Dance, Level 1:
This course is designed for all dance levels, and especially helpful for beginners, those who have not danced for a while, or those who need to brush up on basic to intermediate skills. Students gain an overview of the world of dance which includes the fundamentals and terminology of ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop as well as a solid foundation of understanding in body alignment, placement and articulation. The importance of maintaining good health and physical well being as it pertains to the art of dance will be discussed. Students will view and critique taped performances from each genre to better delineate the characteristics of each. Focus of movement is on quality and accuracy of movement, rather than difficulty or speed.
**This is the only course where students can obtain their health credit.
**All dancers, no matter what level, are REQUIRED to take Introduction to Dance I.
Introduction to Dance, Level II:
Introduction to Dance II is designed for dancers who will benefit from a second semester of the basics of technique before progressing onto our Intermediate Dance Level. Students continue their exploration of the world of dance, including the fundamentals of ballet, jazz, modern, and some hip hop. Dancers also continue to develop knowledge and skills about body alignment and injury prevention.
Intermediate Dance, Level III:
This course is designed for dancers who have mastered the basic technical aspects of dance, Students continue their
exploration of dance techniques including ballet, jazz,modern, and hip hop, and are also challenged on the elements of
body alignment, placement and articulation. The discussions of maintaining good
health and physical well being as it pertains to the art of dance are continued.
Dancers in Intermediate explore movement quality and accuracy.
The element of sequencing becomes more important with the ultimate goal of preparing students for a more advanced dance course.
**A placement audition or instructor approval is required for enrollment in Intermediate Dance**
Advanced Dance, Level IV:
This course is designed to continue an in depth, intensive study of ballet, modern and jazz dance.
Dancers at this level have a solid understanding of the three dance genres, both cognitively and
physically. The focus at this level is on execution at a high level of accuracy and further exploration
of choreography, movement invention, and continued artistic integrity. Mastery of performance and
technical elements is expected. Dancers continue to explore the history of dance as well as current trends.
**A placement audition or instructor approval is required for enrollment in Advanced Dance**
Dance Lab/Choreography:
Through this course, students explore, create, evaluate, and criticize dance as an art
form. In historical and cultural contexts, students develop skills that include kinesthetic
awareness, theories of choreography, dance technique, and multisensory integration. Using the
dance elements of time, space, and energy, they create and communicate meaning through
dance improvisation, composition, and performance. Students analyze, compare and contrast
their work, evaluate their work, and critique their development as an artist.
**This course is audition only, with auditions happening in May** Dancers do NOT need to be a member of Conservatory to place into this class. If a dancer is hoping to be selected for Dance Lab, he or she should put it on their course selection sheet, with Intermediate Dance as a 2nd choice for the Spring term.
Dance Conservatory
The Dance Conservatory is an audition-based, after-school extension of the daytime Envision
program, offering smaller class sizes and more individualized instruction for the most advanced
dance students. The Dance Conservatory aims to foster excellence in dance and the development of original
thought and creativity, as well as encourage socially aware artists. Students in the Dance Conservatory will create new works that explore issues and common themes. They are encouraged to become thinking dancers.
**Auditions are held in both January and May, and the application can be found under the Conservatory tab above**
Feel free to email Rayna @ rayna.milner@sduhsd.net for more information or if you have specific questions.
Helpful Audition Info:
For dancers taking a placement audition, they simply need to show up.
They will be given center and across the floor technical combinations to determine which class they should enroll in at CCA.
For Conservatory auditions, dancers should come warm and ready to move at 3:15 PM.
Dancers should also prepare a 1 minute solo that reflects who they are as an individual and a dancer;
ideally, they choreograph it themselves.
Music should be on an MP3 device that can be plugged in to an adapter
(Rayna has the "dongle" adapter for Iphone 7's and higher).
For Dance Lab/Senior Thesis auditions, dancers should also be warm and ready to move at 3:15 PM.
This audition will consist of combinations created by the Conservatory dancers who are casting for their theses.
Styles can vary greatly, from modern, to ballet, to hip hop, jazz, etc.
Dancers do not need to have anything prepared for this audition.
For specific show auditions, such as Rayna's annual narrative production,
dancers also just need to show up and be ready to move at 3:15 PM.
If a dancer/choreographer is auditioning a piece for a show,
they need to check in w/Rayna in regards to requirements.
**Also, any dancer auditioning work for a show other than our annual Body Talk show MUST BE enrolled in an All-Envision day class**
For dancers taking a placement audition, they simply need to show up.
They will be given center and across the floor technical combinations to determine which class they should enroll in at CCA.
For Conservatory auditions, dancers should come warm and ready to move at 3:15 PM.
Dancers should also prepare a 1 minute solo that reflects who they are as an individual and a dancer;
ideally, they choreograph it themselves.
Music should be on an MP3 device that can be plugged in to an adapter
(Rayna has the "dongle" adapter for Iphone 7's and higher).
For Dance Lab/Senior Thesis auditions, dancers should also be warm and ready to move at 3:15 PM.
This audition will consist of combinations created by the Conservatory dancers who are casting for their theses.
Styles can vary greatly, from modern, to ballet, to hip hop, jazz, etc.
Dancers do not need to have anything prepared for this audition.
For specific show auditions, such as Rayna's annual narrative production,
dancers also just need to show up and be ready to move at 3:15 PM.
If a dancer/choreographer is auditioning a piece for a show,
they need to check in w/Rayna in regards to requirements.
**Also, any dancer auditioning work for a show other than our annual Body Talk show MUST BE enrolled in an All-Envision day class**
Students, join our dancer page on Facebook!!!!
Search for Canyon Crest Envision Dancers
Search for Canyon Crest Envision Dancers
Thank you to all of our wonderful Foundation members,
and thank you to everyone who has donated to support Envision Dance.
To donate, please click on the following link,
and make sure to specify DANCE when you donate!
http://www.canyoncrestfoundation.org/
and thank you to everyone who has donated to support Envision Dance.
To donate, please click on the following link,
and make sure to specify DANCE when you donate!
http://www.canyoncrestfoundation.org/
