About This Class

Nothing is as impressive as a group executing a perfect turn sequence. But how can you train your group to master fouette's, axles, or box pique's when they can't seem to hit their doubles? Start by learning the basics in this six week course.

Why is proper technique important?
If you or your team can't do a proper single turn, there is NO way the doubles and triples will come. You may be able to fake it, but won't get the precision that wins the medals. Don't lose hope trying to "unteach" bad technique. Use the combinations provided to reinforce the right way to do things.

Class Structure

This course is designed to be completed over a four week period. The course material for one week can usually be read in one night. The exercises can be completed the next night, and the quiz can be left for another night! You can expect to spend 3-4 hours per week studying for this course. The information for all class days will be posted from Week One, so you can take the class as fast as you want. However, you MUST keep up, daily quizzes will not allow you to put off course material for the next week. This course will give you the information needed for future advanced turn classes, as well as choreography classes. This is an example of how you can successfully manage your time to complete this Turns Course. Please remember that you can go through the course material at ANY time of the day (Central Standard Time)!

WEEK ONE	Monday - Read through course material Tuesday - Complete exercises
WEEK TWO	Monday - Complete WEEK ONE quiz Tuesday - Read through course material, visit discussion forum for questions and concerns Wednesday - Complete exercises
WEEK THREE	Monday - Complete WEEK TWO quiz Tuesday -  Read through course material and complete review exercises Wednesday - Review all material for final exam.  Email Marie for any questions.  (You will be able to email Marie at any time during the four weeks.)
WEEK FOUR	Monday - Take Final exam.  (Due to Marie by Wednesday at 6:00pm) Tuesday - Read through course material, visit discussion forum for questions and concerns Wednesday - Complete exercises

Keep these in mind.........

• You can view the course material and "take the class" at any time YOU wish: morning, day, or night.
• I too am familiar with the daily grind that is drill team, so I can be flexible with certain circumstances as they arise. This course is to help you, not stress you out.
• Just remember - its only a four week course, so all the hard work you put into these few weeks will in turn affect what you get out of the course.

I will be available to you after the course has finished for any other questions or concerns that you may have.

About The Instructor

Marie Grace Dimaano has 15 years studio training in ballet, jazz, and lyrical. Marie is currently a guest dancer with the Roustabouts Dance Co. at various venues in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for the summer of 2002. She is currently an indepedent judge and choreographer for dance and drill teams and has choreographed several award winning routines. She is the former Director for the State Ranked Carrollton Christian Academy Drill Team. The Angels of Carrollton Christian Academy placed first and second in all categories entered. They received awards for showmanship, choreography, and the perfect sweepstakes award. The Angels Officers received sweepstakes awards for their performances at camp and competition, as well as the Gussie Nell Davis Award of Excellence. Marie was the Director of Choreography for an original musical comedy based in Austin, TX. She was a member of the 1998 Texas Aggie Dance Team. She was an officer and member of the Newman Smith Troyann Drill Team. Marie has won many awards for solo and group performances at nationwide drill team competitions and nationwide dance conventions.

Prerequisites

None.

Required Materials

• 8 1/2 by 11" spiral-bound notebook with at least 70 pages
• Bob Rizzo's 50 Turns & Jumps ($38.95) - available for order on the SpiritU^® enrollment form
• VCR to view required video

Tuition

$74.95

Course Objectives

• Learn the basics of proper technique for turns (pirouette's, chaine's, pique's)
• Improve the level of turn technique in yourself
• Reinforce technique learned with provided combinations and exercises
• Learn the tools to be able to execute advanced moves (fouette's, axles)
• Learn an easy way to teach beginner dancers correct technique and improve their level of dance.

Testing/Evaluations/Projects

	% of Grade
Weekly Quizzes	50%
Participation in discussion forum	25%
Final Evaluation	25%

Grading

90-100%	=	A
80-89.9%	=	B
70-79.9%	=	C
60-69.9%	=	D
below 60%	=	F

Input From Turns I Students

The lecture notes were great., they challenged me to put in words what we learn by demonstration and example; and evaluate my own skills to be used to demonstrate and teach turns and leaps to students., n/a, the lectures were very clear and concise., 15 years in the skill; need you ask., answered questions when asked, it was a benefit to have such a course to test my skills and knowledge without having to enroll in a college course lasting semesters at a time., the core elements to turns and leaps were presented and the many intricate details that accompany them to learn the technique and tactics required to improve your own skills as well individual's and teams as a whole., I want to be as precise at teaching as you can be at performing and this has built my confidence enough to know that I can do this., as already stated. The video shared the type turns and leaps drill teams are performing or would like to perform. Value of information provided [was] excellent. I would consider taking another SpiritU class...the combination of classes I am taking while may it may have been a lot for someone working; the comprehensive interdendence they have on one another to achieve my goals really excelerated my knowledge and ability to transfer learned knowledge from one class to the next.

Marlene Spott-Hernandez

Course Syllabus

WEEK ONE - Introduction and Proper Technique for all Turns Pirouettes	What is the proper preparation for a pirouette? How can I stick my single pirouettes? What about doubles and triples? How is a ballet pirouette done? What are some combinations for practicing pirouettes? Terminology Why is proper technique important? Why is building strength in your leg muscles important? Why is learning to shift your weight important? What is the proper technique for turns? What is the proper body and arm placement in a turn? How is spotting important? General Tips and Suggestions What is the proper preparation for a pirouette? How can I stick my single pirouettes? What about doubles and triples? How is a ballet pirouette done? What are some combinations for practicing pirouettes?
WEEK TWO - Pique' and Chaine' Turns Fouette's	What is the proper preparation for these turns? What is the proper technique for these turns? Double chaine's? What are some combinations for practicing these turns? What are the two elements of a fouette' turn? What are some exercises to prepare for a fouette' turn? What is the proper preparation for a fouette turn? What is the proper technique for a fouette' turn?
WEEK THREE - Putting it all Together	What are some more advanced combinations for practice? What is the best way to teach a beginner? How can a group synchronize their turns? What do I need to know to be successful in the final evaluation?
WEEK FOUR - Review and Final Evaluation	Practice Evaluation! Final Evaluation! Course & Instructor Evaluation

 

[Class authored by Marie Grace Dimaano and Leslie Goettsch. All SpiritU^® classes are written exclusively for SpiritU^®, and are the sole property of Leslie's Best, Inc.]

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