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Dance at MacDuffie
The goals of the Dance Department at MacDuffie are to provide the students with a college preparatory dance education. Students study contemporary and ballet technique, choreography, improvisation and dance history. Themes have included Early Modern Dance (Denishawn, Duncan, Fuller), Mid-Century Modern Dance (Graham, Humphrey, Limon, Weidman, Hawkins), Post-Modern Dance (Tharp, Pilobolus, Taylor, Improvisational Performances), Ballet in the 20th Century, and Black Dance (Ailey, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Jones, Tap).
We offer a year long dance course for Upper School Students which meets four days a week. This course not only provides an Art credit for students, but allows them to be exempt from Physical Education.
Students are encouraged to create work for the Winter and Spring Concerts. Auditions are held and mandatory monthly showings allow the students to receive constructive criticism from faculty and peers. At show time, students are responsible for designing lighting plans, costumes, set design and even help put together our program.
Recent opportunities for dance students include:
- A field Trip to UMASS to see The José Limon Company.
- A 5-day trip to Philadelphia to participate in the National High School Dance Festival
- A long weekend in New York City to take modern dance classes, visit the Bodies exhibit, and see a performance.
- Performing opportunities with professional modern dance companies in the Pioneer Valley.
- Annual Winter and Spring Concerts.
- Periodic student performances at morning assembly.
- Guest artists teaching in the genres students are learning about in dance history.
- Clubs such as Dance Ensemble, Tap Club, and LCO open to all students regardless of age.