Intermediate Dance / Ignite is the entry-level dance team at Temecula Valley High School. As part of the co-curricular Dance program, students are expected to participate in both class and team activities. Ignite is open to all grade levels, however, students must audition to be placed on the team and enrolled in Intermediate Dance.
A yearlong, proficient level course, Intermediate Dance / Ignite is ideal for students with a minimum of one year of formal dance training (either at TVHS or dance studio). However, many students on the team have multiple years of dance experience. As part of the co-curricular Dance program, Ignite students are expected to participate in both class and team activities.
In class, students refine their understanding of the principles of dance, apply these principles to a variety of dance genres, and expand their ability to discuss, analyze, and critique dance using dance vocabulary. Students develop their choreography and performance skills, culminating in dance production and performances for live audiences (required). As both a VAPA and PE accredited course, students will receive either Fine Arts or PE credit, depending on their grade level and transcript needs.
As part of the team, students participate in weekly after school practices, the fall and spring dance concerts, the end-of-year pep rally, and some additional performance opportunities that come up throughout the year. Ignite's performance schedule requires much less of a time commitment outside of regularly scheduled classes and practices than the other two teams, because this team is more focused on building a strong technical foundation needed for performances. Therefore, if you are involved in another sport or activity on campus and want to get involved in Dance, Ignite is a great starting point for you! The team's schedule makes it easy for students to balance Dance with other commitments.
Want to be part of the team?
Here are some of the personal characteristics and technical skills you should have before auditioning for Ignite:
An eagerness to learn, to work hard, and to be dedicated to the team
Showmanship and personality, energy, and strength while performing
Ability to learn choreography in a variety of styles and keep a beat
Good sense of musicality
Always performing to their fullest potential while staying with the music
Strength in a specific dance style and/or strong stage presence
Open-minded and eager to learn new styles
Correct single or double (preferred) pirouette
Correct chaine turns and pique turns on both right and left sides
Correct grande jetes, second leaps, and chaine jetes
High front and side battements, with pointed feet, on both right and left sides
Attention to body placement and details
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. If you do not feel you meet the above requirements, then you should enroll in Beginning Dance and plan on joining Ignite the following year.