Philosophy
The philosophy of the Dance Division at the New World School of the Arts is based on the premise that performance is the key to the total development of the dancer. It is through the process of applying all that one has learned to performing that a dancer matures into an artist and becomes a master of his or her craft. By studying a broad range of techniques including ballet, modern and jazz, our students are equipped to enter a field where the versatile dancer is in the greatest demand.

Curriculum
Students entering our program at the ninth grade level receive a curriculum designed to provide them with a solid technical base while nurturing their creativity and their understanding of dance as an art form in relation to the other arts. Students are required to take classes in ballet, modern and jazz. The schedule also includes classes in body alignment, improvisation, and the humanities. At the tenth grade level the curriculum expands to include classes in specialized forms such as tap and Spanish dance, a class in music for dancers, and a class in composition and improvisation. These classes serve to expand the students’ understanding of the cultural and historical expression of dance, teach the basic principles of choreography, and provide practical knowledge of it’s most closely related art through basic music theory. The eleventh grade curriculum begins to place emphasis on the refinement of skill, performance, musicality and personal expression through the addition of pointe work, repertory classes in ballet and modern dance, and the continuation of music theory. The final year of the high school program is directed toward preparing young dancers for college work and professional training. Classes in dance composition challenge the students creatively while repertory classes emphasize performance skills and provide students with time for individual coaching. In addition to the basic curriculum, the program provides for instruction in Pilates technique, for specific strengthening and conditioning, and a massage and neuromuscular therapist is in residence providing therapy sessions focusing on injury prevention.

The faculty places students at the appropriate technical level at the beginning of the school year. Student progress is monitored in faculty meetings throughout the year and individual conferences with faculty members are scheduled twice each year for all students; these meetings become particularly important during the senior year, as students prepare to make choices about colleges, professional companies, and other career related opportunities.