Advanced Dance / Alliance is the top-level dance team at Temecula Valley High School for students who have a minimum of 5 years of dance experience; however, many of the dancers at this level have been dancing their entire lives. As part of the co-curricular Dance program, students are expected to participate in both class and team activities.
As a yearlong, advanced level course, Advanced Dance / Alliance is for students with accomplished dance training and experience. Students at this level have experience in multiple dance expressions and genres. In this course, students will continue to broaden their technical abilities and understanding of a variety of dance styles and refine their knowledge of the elements of choreography and performance, culminating in dance production and performances for live audiences (required). Dancers are expected to challenge themselves, dancing with enthusiasm, energy, and attention to detail at all times.
In class and after school practice, movement and instruction are given rapidly by instructors/choreographers and fellow dance team members. Choreography is expected to be learned and performed without hesitation, regardless of style. Dancers must show their ability to dance and perform with force, commitment, integrity, energy, and emotion at all times and in all styles. At this level, students will often create/learn multiple pieces in a given week and must be able to perform on the spot and remember the choreography for later performances, even if those pieces are not rehearsed on a regular basis. All dancers on the team must have the ability to learn a large body of choreography and be able to perform it with accuracy within the same week or even on the same day.
Alliance members must be committed to their team and their rigorous performance schedule, which includes performances at all home football games, basketball games, pep rallies, the winter and spring dance concerts, in addition to various off-campus events. Due to their multiple performances, Alliance has regularly scheduled weekly practices after school as well as additional rehearsals dependent upon their performance schedule. Dancers on this team must be on top of both their team and personal schedules to make sure that they can clear conflicts as they arise. It is crucial for students who commit to being a part of this prominent group on campus to make this team a priority in their lives, as this team can sometimes require dancers to attend multiple performances and practices within the same week. Students who cannot commit to this schedule but who still want to participate in the Dance Program should consider auditioning for a different team or enrolling in Beginning Dance.
Want to be part of the team?
Here are some of the technical skills expected of Alliance dancers:
All of the skills / characteristics required of Vitality and Ignite dancers
Exceptional performance quality/showmanship/energy in all styles of dance when performing and when learning
Correct triple+ pirouettes with proper placement, whether parallel or turned out
A variety of leaps and jumps, including backwards leaps, switch leaps, flying squirrel, etc.
Ability to easily transition any given leap/jump/skill smoothly to the floor
Multiple (5+) second/fouette turns in various turn combinations
Hip hop tricks, such as a kip up and headspring
Ability to transition into multiple styles of dance including hip hop, jazz, contemporary, modern, musical theater, improvisation/freestyle, etc., with confidence and without hesitation, utilizing correct form and execution for each style
Ability to learn choreography quickly and correctly and to keep up with the fast pace of the team
Knowledge of performance elements / qualities of movement and energy
Ability to choreograph a full piece, including transitions, formations, lighting, and more
Confidence and organization to clearly and quickly teach choreography to other dancers on the team
Any other tricks and skills are a plus, but they do not replace the list above.
You may make the team even if you do not have all the technical skills listed above. However, in that case, you will be put on probation until you master those skills.