Jazz Ballet Training (Jazzballettnám)
JSB Art School of Dance specialises in jazz ballet. The Jazz ballet courses we offer are popular and diverse and have developed during the 45 years which the school has been in operation. These courses are recreationally centred and suitable for everyone. Each course consists of 2-3 classes a week, 60-75 minutes each. The main emphasis is placed on jazz dance ( street jazz, lyrical jazz, musical jazz, contemporary jazz, etc.), comprehensive workout and dance technique.
We offer groups both for beginners and intermediate students
- 4-5 years old
- 6-7 years old
- 8-9 years old
- 10-12 years old
- 13-15 years old
- and 16+
Our classes take place in Lágmúli 9 and Laugardalshöll.
Course Description
Students, girls as well as boys, are admitted into the school from the age of 6. There are no special admission qualifications for the general course. The courses are modelled on the primary and secondary school levels. The classes take place 2x a week for 60 minutes at a time. The training material is aimed at the age and maturity of the students. Intermediate students are offered additional ballet lessons. In that case they have dance classes 3x a week, jazz ballet for 2×60 minutes and 1×75 minutes of classical ballet. At the end of the school year all the students participate in a grand student exhibition at Borgarleikhusid Theatre.
The Dance Training
The dance training is based on the following factors: * Coordination of body movements * Jazz- and modern dance technique (mixed technique) * Classical ballet * Strenght and flexibility training * Different dance styles such as comercial jazz, lyrical jazz, musical jazz, modern and contemporary jazz * Dance improvisation and theatrical expression * Dance composition * Musical perception and the interpretation of movement to music * Dance projects based on the above mentioned factors * Students’ participation in the JSB Student Theatre
Objectives
In the general courses the emphasis is placed on the joy of dance. The students attend the courses for their enjoyment. The results objectives are individual and aimed at the age and maturity of the student. The criteria are as follows: * The students achieve a feeling for the coordination of body parts in movement * The sudents experience the joy of dance * The students achieve considerable power of physical exertion and posture in respect to technical dance and training exercises * The movement of the students gain sophistication and the ability to make use of dance technique * The students achieve physical strength and flexibility * The students possess the ability of interpretation and using theatrical expression in their dance * The students become trained in coordinating music and movements * The students perceive their environment and space in movement and are able to dance in a group according to a prescribed pattern and form * The students achieve the ability to compose short dance pieces to music, approximately 1 ½ minute long. The dance piece is based on their own ideas and reveals the creativity, interpretation and expression of the students (from 10 years of age) * The students dance on a stage and take an active part in the groundwork for the show.
JSB Artistic Dance Training ( Nám á listdansbraut)
The basic training of the JSB Artistic Dance programme begins with preparatory studies for 7-9 year old students. Classes are designed according to the general dance courses where the preparatory studies are based on classical ballet, jazz and interpretation/games. The students are admitted to the JSB Artistic Dance Training at the age of 10, i.e. according to the Ministry of Culture and Education Main Curriculum, 2. stage.
At the end of the basic training the students are to have achieved the technical skills and artistic proficiency for admission to jazz and contemporary art dance training on a secondary education level. The final objectives are the same as those specified in the main curriculum which is cited for further information.
There are admission qualifications for the artistic dance training and entrance examinations are held in the spring. The students are admitted from the age of 10 and shall have completed the preparatory training for 7-9 year old students at the JSB Art School of Dance or have other comparable background in artistic dance. It should be noted that the JSB Artistic Dance Training focus on jazz and contemporary dance. The students who wish to attend artistic classical dance courses on a secondary education level are advised to choose other lines of training, i.e. artistic dance schools where classical ballet is at the forefront.
Examinations are held two times a year, in the autumn and spring and at the end of term. 80% Worth: Assessed whether the students have gained technical mastery over the training material; assessment of their knowledge, skills, creativity, artistic implementation and understanding, as well as the proficiency of the students with respect to the objectives of the main curriculum. 20% Worth: Students’ attendance comprise 20% of the final grade.
The Examination Committee consists of the headmaster and instructors. At the end of term the instructors submit a grade for each student. The grades are given in whole numbers in the range 1-10. Each grade signifies:
1-3 Failing grade 4 Passing grade without course credit 5-6 Passing grade: 7-8 Passing grade: 9-10 Passing grade:
Modern/Contemporary Dance Course Objectives
The students grasp the key issues and emphases of dance course (according to Curriculum) and are able to transfer that knowledge to their own bodies. The students develop softness, strength, technique, as well as physical and musical awareness. Skills of artistic creativity and expression as well as independent thinking and work methods need to be developed in the students. With the increased knowledge of the students in modern and contemporary dance, the requirements should increase and the understanding of the students should deepen.
Grade Criteria:
Good Grade 5-6
The student dances with concentration and empathy. The student has achieved skills in the key issues of the dance training (according to the Curriculum) and is able to reveal it through movement. The student has developed softness, strength, technique, as well as physical and musical awareness. The student has experimented in artistic creativity and expression as well as in independent thinking and work methods.
Very Good Grade 7-8
The student dances with good concentration and empathy. The student has achieved good skills in the key issues of the dance training (according to the Curriculum) and is able to reveal it through movement. The student has a well developed softness, strength, technique, as well as physical and musical awareness. The student has experimented well in artistic creativity and expression as well as in independent thinking and work methods.
Excellent Grade 9-10
The student dances with very good concentration and empathy. The student has achieved very good skills in the key issues of the dance training (according to the Curriculum) and is able to reveal it through movement. The student has a very well developed softness, strength, technique, as well as physical and musical awareness. The student has experimented very well in artistic creativity and expression as well as in independent thinking and work methods.
School Attendance Rules
Students are encouraged to attend classes punctually. Illness and absence need to be reported. If illnes lasts for two days or more and is certified by a doctor then only half of the absentee points are calculated into the school attendance grade. Doctor’s certificates must be handed in within five days after the illness has ended.
Examples of reasons why leaves are granted:
Appointments with physical therapists Examinations in secondary schools Leaves are not granted for vacations abroad except in special instances
School Attednance Grades are given after consideration has been taken to illness and/or leaves:
Grade 10 = 95-100% School Attendance Grade 9 = 92- 94% School Attendance Grade 8 = 89- 91% School Attendance Grade 7 = 86- 88% School Attendance Grade 6 = 83- 85% School Attendance Grade 5 = 80- 82% School Attendance
Attendance below 80%: The student has failed and is not allowed to take examinations.
Course Failure: The student is considered to have failed a course if he/she: Does not get the passing grade Does not meet the school attendance requirements Quits the course after the time limit has passed Is dismissed from the course or the school
Students who fail are authorised to take the course one more time.
Absence = -1 Late = 0 Leave = -0,25 Illness = 0
NB. Consideration must be made to circumstances each time. A student who has 70% school attendance and has been absent due to illness or leave is encouraged to improve the scool attendance in the following semester. A student can be given permit to take an examination in a course if the instructors see reason to according to circumstances after having interviewed the student.
Annual Dance Competition of JSB Art School of Dance
This event, which is very popular within the school, is a great art workshop where the JSB students try their strength with original compositions.
Three age groups take part in the competition: 10-12 years old, 13-15 years old, and 16+.
The students compete both in groups and as individuals and each age group competes for a perpetual trophy, The Dance Trophy. The students perform original dance compositions and do all the work that is entailed in the dance, such as the concept work around the dance, the composition of the dance, finding the music and designing the costumes.