The latvian academy of culture

THE LATVIAN ACADEMY OF CULTURE

BA Study Programme

SELF-ASSESSMENT

Subprogramme: Choreographer, Dancer and Teacher of Modern Dance

The Authors of the Subprogramme: lecturer O.Žitluhina, lecturer S.Perry (USA), lecturer R.Spalva

I. OBJECTIVES AND TASKS

6. 
   To provide the students with theoretical and practical knowledge, enable them to think independently and creatively and be professional choreographers, teachers and dancers who can perform their tasks in cultural establishments and train new dancers.
   
7. 
   To introduce the students to the ways of expression in classical and modern dance which are rooted in the systems and methodology of the luminaries of the 20^th century: Martha Graham, Jose Limon, Paul Taylor and Merce Cunningham.
   
8. 
   Upon the acquisition of the programme the students receive a Bachelor’s Degree in the speciality of Choreographer, Dancer and Teacher of Modern Dance which gives them the right to continue their MA studies.
   
9. 
   The Study Programme in the speciality of Modern Dance is closely connected with the development of national culture as well as the art of dance in Latvia. It provides a possibility to get acquainted with the world’s experience and learn the latest tendencies in the theory and methodology of dance.
   
10. 
    To develop a new level of the choreography of modern dance that equally suits both the genre and other forms of art, for example, drama.
    

II. Preconditions for the Acquisition of the Course

The student’s suitability for the profession: physical abilities, preliminary training in the art of dance, an ear for music and a sense of rhythm and the ability to work creatively. Knowledge in the history of culture and other forms of art.

III. The contents of the programme and the organisation of studies

The Bachelor’s Study Programme in the speciality of Modern Dance has been worked out and implemented by the Screen and Drama Department of the Latvian Academy of Culture.

The Study Programme has been drafted in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Latvia “On Universities” and decisions of the Senate of the Latvian Academy of Culture.

The Study Programme includes most disciplines related to the given speciality to enable the students to develop methodologically the basic elements of modern dance at the professional level.

The key areas of study: classical dance, modern dance, composition and choreography, the history of dance, improvisation and contact improvisation, anatomy and the theory of music.

The following work shall be performed at the Bachelor’s Examination in the speciality of Choreographer of Modern Dance:

• 
  A stage composition of dance: 20 - 30 min. and the description of the work (a concept, a script);
  
• 
  A solo improvisation: 3 – 5 min.;
  
• 
  Delivery of a class in modern dance (45 min.).
  

The Study Programme envisages the cooperation of the students and teachers with the guest lecturers from various countries to acquire some separate theory and technique or the methodology of dance:

1999

September: Mark Haim (USA), Technique and Improvisation (24 hours).

October: Bettina Holzhausen (Switzerland), Fiona Millward (Great Britain), Rossen Mihailov (Bulgaria), Zoltan Nagy (Hungary) - 96 hours.

November: Benno Voorham (Sweden) - 24 hours.

2000

February: Gill Clark (Great Britain) Release Technique – 24 hours.

Lucia Walker (Great Britain) Contact Improvisation based on Alexander Technique - 24 hours.

Aira Naginavičute - Adomaitene (Lithuania) Improvisation - 24 hours.

2000 / 2001

Janice Redman (Finland) Hose Limon Technique – 24 hours.

Sally Daughty (Great Britain) Contact Improvisation - 24 hours.

Eric Franklin (Switzerland) Body Technique - 24 hours.

Benno Voorham (Sweden) Contact Improvisation – 24 hours.

Miroslawa Kovarova (Slovakia) Martha Graham Technique – 24 hours.

Aira Naginavičute- Adomaitene (Lithuania) - Improvisation - 24 hours.
2001 / 2002

Kotri Soini (Finland) Technique

David Zambrano (Venezuela) - Low-Fly Technique

Improvisation

Alison Green (USA)

Aira Naginavičute - Adomaitene (Lithuania)

IV. THE STRUCTURE OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME
The following subjects have been included in the BA Study Programme in the speciality of Choreographer, Dancer and Teacher of Modern Dance:

13. 
    Group A subjects (80 credit points);
    
14. 
    Group B subjects in accordance with the speciality (100 credit points);
    
15. 
    Group C subjects: optional subjects.
    

In order to acquire the Bachelor’s Degree the students have to accomplish the following:

13. 
    pass examinations and tests in Group A, B and C subjects gaining 180 credit points;
    
14. 
    pass the Bachelor’s Examination in the Theory and History of Culture;
    
15. 
    pass the final examinations in the foreign language, the theory and methodology of classical dance;
    
16. 
    present the Bachelor’s Paper in the composition of modern dance which is the assessment of each student’s individual work.
    

V. PROVISION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PROGRAMME

To implement the Programme two halls have been provided: a hall at No 24 Ludzas Street and a hall at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Latvia in Basteja Boulevard. The small hall of the Daile Theatre is used for separate classes and examinations.

The presence of guest lecturers is financially provided by the Culture Capital Fund and the Soros Foundation and the British Council (as projects).

THE CHOREOGRAPHER, DANCER AND TEACHER OF MODERN DANCE