DANCE DEPARTMENT
OVERVIEW OF THE DANCE PROGRAM
The Westside Dance Program is entering its 11th year, offering students a wide variety of dance styles and techniques. Students in grades 9-12 have the opportunity to study dance as part of their academic program fulfilling fine art, physical education or elective credit. Courses are structured from NDEO and TEA dance curriculum guidelines.
Westside offers 4 levels of dance including Introduction to Dance, Intermediate Dance, Intermediate/Advanced Dance and Advanced Dance. Students are also provided performance opportunities through Inertia Dance Company and The Westside Pride Dance Team. The first three levels are technique-based focusing on various disciplines (including modern dance, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, musical theatre and contemporary), dance history, choreography and performance. Both written and practical assessments are administered throughout the year.
Westside Dance requires an audition process for all upper level dance classes and Inertia Dance Company and Pride Dance Team. Auditions are generally held in March and April for the following school year. Inertia Dance Company and Pride Dance Team are performance-based, and also meet as a class during the school day. Both organizations require after school rehearsals and performances throughout the entire school year. For information on Pride Dance Team, please visit their webpage under Athletics.
SPECIFICS OF THE DANCE PROGRAM
INERTIA Dance Company
The elite performing ensemble representing the Westside Dance Program. This group is nationally recognized with over 30 national titles from competition, performances in New York City, Chicago, New Orleans, Miami, features in People Magazine, Dance Teacher and Southern Living as well as appearances on CBS Early Show, The Tony Danza Show, and all local affiliates. INERTIA have been featured half-time performers for the NBA San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Symphony. Most recently Inertia traveled to Suzhou and Beijing, China as representatives of the United States at the 8th China International Folk Art Festival.
Inertia company members are selected through an audition process. This is a coed group, which requires travel, fund raising activities and extensive after school rehearsals and performances throughout the year.
INERTIA company members are required to maintain passing grades by UIL state standards. Students are required to follow ‘no pass no dance’ rules
Introduction to Dance
For students who have not had previous dance training, or for those who are working at a beginning level of skill and technique. There are no pre-requisites for this class, and can fulfill fine art, physical education or general elective credit. This is a one-year course, and students receive 1 credit for the year. Students in Intro to Dance will focus on learning dance terminology, history and techniques. Appropriate attire is required for all activity days. In addition to technique and performance; students enrolled in Intro to Dance are expected to attend dance and/or theatrical performances each semester. Performances can either be local or within the Houston Arts community.
Intermediate Dance
For students who have had previous dance training and experience. An audition is required for enrollment in this class. The purpose of this class will be to advance students in their dance training; moving up in technical training and performance. Students in Intermediate are required to attend dance and/or theatrical performances each semester.
Intermediate/Advanced Dance
For students who have had at least 3 years of dance training. An audition is required for this class. Students will be required to extend their dance technique and performance abilities through daily work in school and outside studio training.
Advanced Dance
For students with at least 5 years of dance training. This class is considered a pre-professional class for students who have an interest in dance work on the college or professional level. Advanced dance will offer performance opportunities and training in a variety of dance styles as well as methods instruction in composition, choreography, production, dance history, photography and multi media dance experiences.
This class is for juniors and seniors only.
Break Dance (Beginning and Advanced)
This class employs all the elements of street and break dance and includes floor rock, up rock, power elements, popping, locking, house, head spins and freezes. B boys (& the occasional B girl) work daily on combinations and individual skills. This class also provides performance experiences.
Contacts:
Sharon Roberts: Inertia, Advanced levels srobert2@houstonisd.org
Jesse Garcia: Inertia, break dance, hip hop jgarcia31@houstonisd.org
Joel Rivera: Inertia, break dance, hip hop jrivera9@houstonisd.org
Brooke DeMartino: Pride, Beginning levels bdemarti@houstonisd.org
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please check our school calendar for updates
Dance W/ Inertians - see flyer for details
| September 15-23: | Registration period for participants. |
| September 29: |
School holiday: Inertia practice and prep for the event; 11:00 – 2:00 |
| September 30: | Pep Rally, hosted by Inertia Dance Company, during the last 30 minutes of lunchDance W/ Inertian’s Clinic for participants, located in the Lego Gym and Dance Room;
|
| October 1: | Half-Time performance at WHS v Lamar Varsity Football game
|
Dance w/ Inertians is a fund raising event for Inertia’s Competition expenses. Participants range in age for 5-13. The band will not be at this game, as they will be at a competition on that day. We will take their place in the half time space. Our half time show will be 5 minutes, on and off the field. Participants and Inertia dancers will wear matching t-shirts and jeans. Download Application.
Auditions coming soon…stay tuned!!