NCEA Level 3 Dance
Course Description
Head of Faculty - Kaihautuu: Mrs V. Moore-Allen.
LEVEL 3 DANCE
Dance provides excellent opportunities for success for students of all abilities. Dance is suitable for male and female students of all backgrounds and prior experience, and is a University Entrance approved subject.
In this course, you will explore a range of dance genres, exploring movement and ideas you are personally interested in. Students will be required to collaborate, create, communicate and interpret dance in various ways, turning ideas into visual experiences. You are encouraged to draw on your own culture, skills and prior dance experience. In this class, we create a safe space where we are supportive of our peers and receive support in return. Experience as a dancer is NOT required, however you must be actively willing to participate in all learning activities, to extend yourself, and try new things.
Ākonga will draw on present and past experience, and explore concepts linked to current society as they create, perform and respond to dance, working as individuals and in groups.
As part of this course, you may have the opportunity to be involved in out-of-school events. These can include attending performances, participating in workshops with industry professionals or tertiary providers. You will also be encouraged to take on leadership roles within the subject with the support of your teacher.
Watch this short video of a dance class in action!
NCEA Level 3 Dance is largely about a consolidation and presentation of your skills and creativity. You will need to be self-managed, forward-thinking and open to feedback and professional conversations about your work.
Some highlights from Level 3 Dance students include:
"Having a class that I am genuinely passionate about and makes me happy to be expressive and creative."
"Dance makes me feel comfortable and makes me feel happy"
Images: L3 Dance students rehearsing and performing assessment dances 2022 and 2023
Course Overview
Term 1
Begins with a large focus on whakawhanaungatanga - building relationships and forming a safe, creative space.
AS91589 (4cr): Students plan and choreograph a dance that develops and resolves ideas. This can be a solo, duet or a group dance, and can be assessed collaboratively. This will be assessed at the end of this term.
Term 2
AS91592 (6cr): Students learn and perform 3 dances from a variety of different genres. Genres studied will depend of general class experience, but may include Cultural dance, Hip-Hop (and various sub-genres), Musical Theatre, Tap, Salsa, Contemporary etc.
Term 3
AS91594 (4cr, Literacy): Preparation for written external exam. Students will view and analyse a dance performance, the exam is answered in the form of an essay.
AS91591 (4cr): Students will learn and perform a group dance.
Dance Showcase - students will rehearse and perform all assessment dances in this showcase.
Term 4
Term 4 is dedicated to revisiting material and techniques for the external exams.
Recommended Prior Learning
Dance is suitable for male and female students of all backgrounds and prior experience. Experience as a dancer is NOT required, however you must be actively willing to participate in all learning activities, to extend yourself, and try new things.
It is recommended that you have experienced NCEA Dance at Level 1 or 2 for this course. If you haven't and you would like to take this course, please see Mrs Moore-Allen or Miss Brink to discuss your path into Level 3 Dance.
Pathway
Ideal for students considering any career in which creativity, content creation, originality and collaboration are valued. This course not only provides many transferrable skills, but also aligns closely with many tertiary pathways that are specifically dance-related. This course will be beneficial for any student considering dance or dance education at tertiary level. There are several institutions in Auckland and in New Zealand that offer Diplomas, Certificates or Degrees specifically in Dance.
Possible career options could include:
Professional dancer (your chosen genre); Professional choreographer; Artistic director; Dance teacher; Community dance; Dance photography/journalism; Physical therapy; Dance fitness instructor; Academic research
Assessment Information
Assessments are largely practical, falling under either Dance Performance (performing a dance you have learned), or Dance Choreography (creating your own dance). The external is a written exam.Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
This course is eligible for subject endorsement.
This course is approved for University Entrance.
External
NZQA Info
Dance 3.1 - Produce a dance to realise a concept
NZQA Info
Dance 3.4 - Perform a group dance
NZQA Info
Dance 3.5 - Perform a repertoire of contrasting dances
NZQA Info
Dance 3.7 - Analyse a dance performance
Approved subject for University Entrance
Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 22
Only students engaged in learning and achievement derived from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa are eligible to be awarded these subjects as part of the requirement for 14 credits in each of three subjects.
Pathway Tags
Actor, Art Director (Film, Television or Stage), Artistic Director, Film and Video Editor, Dancer, Entertainer, Film/Television Camera Operator, Director (Film, Television, Radio or Stage), Media Producer, Production Assistant (Film, Television, Radio or Stage), Primary School Teacher, Model, Private Teacher/Tutor, Secondary School Teacher, Television Presenter, Choreographer, Producer,