JAZZ SYLLABUS
This syllabus is designed as a guideline for teachers wishing to enter candidates for CBAA medals. It consists of suggested exercises and simple dance movements which could be achieved by children attending one lesson a week. It is not meant to be a directory of steps to be taught in each grade. Teachers are encouraged to design their own jazz syllabus based on the style of jazz dance, the children’s ability and the culture within their own dance studio.
“Jazz” covers a wide variety of dance styles. This syllabus gives the teacher a guide to the amount and level of difficulty that is expected at each Star level.
It is essential that the candidates display a developing sense of dance technique as they move up the levels. Presentation and enjoyment of their dancing are important at every level.
PRE-STAR – (For children up to 7 years)
No Barre
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- basic half knee bends
- basic rises in the 1st and 2nd parallel positions
- basic ankle action
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Musicality
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- band and clap
- walk and clap
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Steps
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- jazz runs
- basic ball change
- step to side point in front and clap
- basic enchainment (two steps only)
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Dance
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- 16 bars
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STAR ONE – (For children over 8 years)
No Barre
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- basic half knee bends
- basic rises in the 1st and 2nd forward and back parallel positions
- basic ankle action to the front only
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Musicality
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- band and clap with variations
- walk and clap with variations
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Steps
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- jazz runs with co-ordinated arms
- step ball change
- hip movement
- basic enchainments
- first enchainment – three steps with repeat
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Dance
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- 32 bars
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STAR TWO
Barre
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- full knee bends – 1st and 2nd positions
- rises with variation
- ankle action – side variation
- flat back exercise – basic flat and hump back
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Musicality
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- hip movement and clapping – variation
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Steps
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- jazz runs
- ball change moving
- hip movement variation
- basic enchainment, 1st enchainment, 2nd enchainment
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Dance
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- 32 bars
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STAR THREE
Barre
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- full knee bends – all positions
- rises with variation – all positions
- advanced ankle action – 1st position
- leg swinging exercises
- flat back exercises
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Musicality
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- enchainment of basic movements to include at least 3 variations
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Steps
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- jazz runs
- basic turns
- ball change variation
- basic enchainment, 1st enchainment, 2nd enchainment, 3rd enchainment
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Dance
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- 32 bars
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STARS FOUR, FIVE, SIX AND SEVEN
Candidates continue to show their developing dance technique as the following steps are introduced:
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- leaps – commence with basic leap and lead up to advanced turning leaps
- turns – from basic spot turns, chasse turns, pirouettes, fast spins high kicks
- body movements – from simple isolations, contractions – combinations
- enchainments – from simple combinations build up to more complicated variations that include a variety of tempos
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Dance
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- 32 bars
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MAJOR JAZZ STARS
All work for major grades should be in enchainment form with the degree of technical difficulty increasing with each grade. The inclusion of musical appreciation is encouraged.
The following guidelines are suggestions. Teachers are encouraged to introduce student choreography into the syllabus during these grades. It is ideal that the candidates may prepare the Advanced Syllabus (Gold Level) with their own choreography.
The Major Jazz Stars may include barre work, however, it is not an essential component.
The candidates should display a well developed presentation style as well as strong technical ability. The steps should be in combinations that allow the candidate to display their personality and dance style. Attention should be given to the tempo and choice of music.
PRELIMINARY JAZZ MAJOR– BRONZE STAR
Enchainments should be simple combinations derived from the earlier grade syllabus. Candidates perform together, following each other in travelling steps. Suggested enhancements include:
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- rhythm exercises
- run enchainment
- leap enchainment
- turning steps
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Enchainments should display a change in tempo and (if possible) a change in dance style.
Class Dance – approx. 2 minutes
INTERMEDIATE JAZZ MAJOR– SILVER STAR
Enchainments should be grouped together into different dance styles to demonstrate the candidate’s range of technical ability. The combination should range from controlled body movements to more energetic and “free” body movements.
Enchainments could be organised according to the dance style, for example:
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- lyrical
- contemporary
- chorus line
- funk
- hip hop
- retro
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Choice of music is important and the candidate must be confident in the dance style chosen for the enchainment.
Candidate choreography is encouraged but not essential.
Solo Routine – approx. 2 minutes
ADVANCED JAZZ MAJOR– GOLD STAR
After a warm up combination to demonstrate the candidate’s flexibility, strength and co–ordination, each candidate should then perform:
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- two enchainments that allow them to display their technical ability
- two dance routines that express their personality and dance styles
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The candidate’s own choreography is an essential part of this performance.
Teachers should act as mentors giving the candidate’s guidance and direction with their choice of music, dance steps and suitable choreography.
Candidates my be asked to comment on their choreographic process.