CUADAN408A Develop expertise in ballet technique

Release: 1

CUADAN408A Develop expertise in ballet technique

Modification History

Version	Comments
CUADAN408A	This version first released with CUA11 Live Performance Training Package version 1.0

Unit Descriptor

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to add range and depth to ballet dance technique. At this level, dancers are constantly refining their technique and expression to produce performances that convey the mood and style of music through complex dance movements.

Application of the Unit

This unit applies to those who are consolidating their career in contexts where ballet dancing skills are required. For example, classes and practice sessions are an integral part of a dancer’s daily work life. These could be geared towards specific performances which could be in commercial or competition settings where dancers would usually be performing as members of a corps de ballet, though some solo work could be expected.

While supervision and guidance are provided in practice sessions and rehearsals, dancers are expected to display a high level of motivation and sense of responsibility for themselves and others when it comes to applying dance technique in a live performance context.

Licensing/Regulatory Information

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Pre-Requisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills Information

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content

Element	Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.	Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Maintain a physical conditioning program	1.1. In consultation with relevant personnel identify a range of techniques to improve stamina, strength and flexibility 1.2. Set realistic physical conditioning goals aimed at improving own dance technique 1.3. Identify risk factors that may inhibit the achievement of goals and seek professional advice as required 1.4. Take fatigue, personal limitations and boundaries into account when undertaking physical conditioning program 1.5. Always perform warm-up and cool-down activities in conjunction with dance activities 1.6. Ensure that clothing and footwear are appropriate for undertaking exercise regime and practising dance technique
2. Use practice sessions to increase level of expertise in ballet technique	2.1. Practise a range of techniques to increase levels of strength, flexibility, coordination and cardiovascular endurance 2.2. Use barre work to develop equal strength and flexibility on both sides of the body 2.3. Ensure that flow and interaction with other dancers in group work are smooth and well-timed 2.4. Increase level of expertise in pointe work as required
3. Maintain expertise	3.1. Continuously practise and refine combinations of complex movements and exercises 3.2. Maintain and update knowledge of ballet terminology 3.3. Use feedback from teachers and mentors to identify and develop ways to improve own ballet technique 3.4. Regularly view performances by industry practitioners as a way of sourcing new ideas and trends, maintaining motivation, and improving own technique

Required Skills and Knowledge

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills

communication skills to:

discuss dance and physical conditioning issues with relevant personnel

respond appropriately to feedback on own skill development

learning skills to:

develop strong ballet techniques through:

practising complex movements and exercises

a positive attitude to dancing

develop and implement a personal physical conditioning program

develop a movement memory

planning and organising skills to plan practice time

self-management skills to:

arrive punctually at classes and rehearsals

observe dance discipline and follow direction

apply safe dance practices

teamwork skills to work collaboratively with others involved in dance classes.

Required knowledge

well-developed knowledge of:

technical principles underlying classical ballet, including:

symmetry

flexibility

stability

coordination

angles and lines of the body and form

gracefulness

extension

balance

musicality

principles underlying dance movements and techniques in general, including:

relationship with gravity

spatial awareness

successional movement

use of breath

folding

extending

rotating

shifting weight

anatomical foundations, including:

articulation of the spine

engagement of the feet

bases of support, including feet, legs, hands, arms and torso

range of motion of the joints

differentiation of the legs and pelvis

importance of healthy food choices in relation to wellbeing and injury prevention, including five food groups and recommended daily amounts

ballet terminology

stage geography and directions

musical rhythms, including:

time signatures

beat

tempo

syncopation

overview knowledge of:

main periods in the history of ballet

ways of notating ballet.

Evidence Guide

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit	Evidence of the ability to: demonstrate physical and conceptual understanding of the fundamental technical principles in classical ballet execute complex technical classical ballet steps and techniques respond appropriately to constructive feedback on own technique.
Context of and specific resources for assessment	Assessment must ensure access to appropriate dance performance areas or spaces.
Method of assessment	A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit: direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance verbal or written questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussion of issues and challenges that arise in the context of developing ballet technique direct observation of candidate in classes and rehearsals. Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties, such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).
Guidance information for assessment	Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: CUADAN303A Develop dance partnering techniques CUADAN407A Develop expertise in dance performance skills CUADAN411A Develop expertise in cultural dance technique.

Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Relevant personnel may include:	teachers mentors coaches medical practitioners nutrition experts colleagues family members performers representatives of dance societies.
Risk factors may relate to:	consistency of a physical fitness regime own ambition expectations of others injury-prevention strategies gender issues body image and eating disorders insufficient hydration poor nutrition incorrectly fitting footwear gender-appropriate performance techniques.
Warm-up and cool-down activities may include:	stretching joint-mobility exercises flexibility exercises aerobic activities anaerobic exercises coordinated breathing activities floor work.
Techniques must relate to:	barre centre adage pirouettes petite batterie allegro.
Techniques may relate to:	using arm lines appropriately and extensively demonstrating an awareness of personal and general space when travelling and stationary lifting balance turns travelling sequences temps lié adage pirouettes en dehors pirouettes en dedans pirouettes en diagonale petit allegro allegro enchaînement batterie enchaînement grand allegro grands jetés en avant grands jetés en tournant energy placement, including: moving energy from the centre of the body to the outer extremities shifting weight executing leaps landing from jumps sequences from a range of techniques, such as: Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Cecchetti Vaganova French Balanchine.
Barre work may relate to:	pliés battements tendus and tendus jetés rond de jambe par terre battement frappé battement fondu en l’air petits battements grand battements rond de jambe en l’air fouettés rond de jambe en tournant rotation and extension of the legs footwork and placement.
Expertise in pointe work may relate to:	exercises to develop strength and precision, such as: échappés relevés posés relevés to one foot temps lié pointe enchaînement posés en diagonale grand allegro practising control in rising from and returning to the floor executing enchaînements with correct posture, weight placement, alignment and aplomb developing strength and control in pull up and turnout practising balanced use of arms when dancing on pointe.

Unit Sector(s)

Performing arts - dance

Custom Content Section

Not applicable.