Dance Company

Dance Company

Instructor

Jennie Grimes Email: jennie.grimes@ironmail.org Website: jenniegrimes.com & communitynutcracker.com

Course Description

  • Dance is a universal language, an expression and vibrant art with the capacity to unify the physical, mental, social, emotional, aesthetic and spiritual. This is a beginning-advanced level dance course, which builds dance knowledge and skills in technique, improvisation, choreography, artistic impression, performance, history, culture, life skills and connections to other curricular areas.
  • Students will participate daily in activities designed to improve balance, flexibility, strength, endurance, eye-hand-foot coordination and teamwork.

Course Objectives / Learning Outcomes

  • Gain knowledge in dance vocabulary and a physical understanding of dance techniques and styles.
  • There will occasionally be bell work, quizzes, tests, and written assignments.
  • Students are given the opportunity to become members of NHSDA — National High School Dance Association.
  • Students are given the opportunity to perform in various ways:
  1. Perform in the school-wide dance concerts and Community Nutcracker.
  2. Perform at Dance Festivals and Shakespeare Competition.
  3. Perform in the Dance Company Dancing with Words dinner and a show concert, if scheduling permits.
  4. Perform for local elementary schools, if scheduling permits.

Dance Lab Rules

Students are expected to follow all class and school rules and procedures.

  1. Students are to come on time and prepare to participate every day. Use class time productively.
  2. Respect others. Keep your hands, feet, and mouth (language) to yourself.
  3. No food, gum, drinks or electronic devices are allowed in the dance lab. You will be asked to throw food and drinks away if brought to class.
  4. Do not disrupt the learning of others.
  5. Respect the facilities and equipment.

Dance Lab Regulations / Procedures

A. Participation Fee

All dance classes have a participation fee of $15. This fee will help with dance concerts and activities (publicity, costumes, programs, master classes, etc.). The company has additional fees for team warm-ups, camps, competitions, etc.

B. Proper Attire

  1. Hair pulled back out of the face and no jewelry may be worn during class.
  2. Students must dress down each day. Shirts should be CVHS colors — team tanks/t-shirt, black or gray shorts/sweats/leggings. If asked to bring: socks, dance shoes that fit snug and have non-marking soles or team shoes. Dance attire is preferred (leotards and dance company attire).
  3. All attire must adhere to Iron County School District Dress Standards. Please note that clothing should not be cut, torn or tied in any way that would make it non-compliant with the aforementioned standards.

C. Lockers

  1. Only locks issued by CVHS may be used in our locker rooms. These locks will be issued to students at the beginning of the semester.
  2. Locks have been placed on assigned lockers and are not to be removed from that locker. Replacement locks cost $5.
  3. Please do not bring anything of value to the dance lab. Leave valuables in your locked locker. Always lock your locker during class time; time will not be spent investigating stolen items that should have been locked in your locker (cell phones, money, etc.).
  4. The locker room will be locked during class time. Plan ahead and refrain from leaving items you will need for other classes, such as textbooks, in the locker room.
  5. Students will be given enough time to change clothes before and at the conclusion of each class period. Please be mindful of the students and teachers you share the rest of your day with and take the time to change and use deodorant.

D. Safety

This course includes active participation in aerobic activities. Participation in any activity involves some risks. Even walking imposes certain risks. Therefore, when in class please be aware of others in the space and listen to your body. If you are hurting, not feeling well, or have difficulties, please stop what you are doing and let the instructor know. If you have a known condition that will limit your full participation in class please let the instructor know before the first participation day.

E. Attendance

  1. This is a participatory class and attendance is required. Meaning: dressing down and taking part in class activities. Attendance is worth points and will be recorded daily. Choosing to not participate, you are choosing to forfeit your points for the day and cannot make them up.
  2. Make-up opportunities for excused absences are only available during FLEX B3, in the CVHS dance lab. Students may only remediate excused absences within 2 weeks of the absence. If a student is aware of prolonged absences he/she must receive prior approval from the instructor and coordinate a plan to enable him/her to receive credit for the class. Students need to follow the CVHS and ICSD attendance policy.
  3. Leaving class without permission will result in being marked absent.
  4. At the end of each class, all students will have a second roll call or calendar stamped; each stamp is worth points.

F. Grading

Grading is based on Attendance/Dressing down/Participation, Assignments/Projects/Tests, and Dance Concert Final. The following standards will be weighted into the student’s overall grade: Responsibility, Professional Dress, Perform, Respond, Creativity, Collaboration.

  • Students are expected to complete assignments, including minor assignments, on time. Make-up work will not be allowed past hard deadlines (within 2 weeks of absence).
  • Work missed for an excused absence must be made up upon returning to school. If you are absent for any reason, you will be held responsible for materials covered and assignments made in class.
  • School policies will be followed and enforced with regard to tardiness, absences and citizenship grades.
  • Students are expected to behave in an appropriate and courteous manner towards teachers, fellow peers and fellow groups on campus. It is each student’s responsibility to contribute positively to the classroom environment and the learning experience of the entire class.

G. Bathroom Usage

Students will not be permitted to use the restroom during class. Please go during the dressing time at the start or end of class. If there is a situation where the restroom is needed, this will be a case-by-case basis and will need to sign out a hall pass.

H. Projects / Dates / Performances

See the company schedule below for all projects, dates, and performances.

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advanced notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.

Canyon View High School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or qualified disability.

Dance Company Schedule 2025-26

Fall Dates

Fall Competitions / Festivals:

  • Company Nutcracker auditions in class Aug. 15th & Aug. 18th
  • Community Nutcracker Auditions (CVHS Auditorium): Aug. 16 all day
  • Shakespeare competition showing (CVHS Auditorium): Sept. 30th 4-9pm (Dance, Drama, Music)
  • High School Shakespeare Competition (SUU): Oct 3-4 @ SUU all day (Dance, Drama, Music)
  • Homecoming Booth: September 12
  • SHAPE Choreography Festival — SALT Contemporary Dance (SLC): Dec. TBA
  • Talon craft fair Nov. 21-22
  • NHSDA papers/points due in Nov.
  • CVHS Sterling Scholar paper due Oct/Nov

Other Fall Opportunities:

  • Auditions for the Dance Study abroad program in Italy will take place in Oct, TBA (this is a 3-week Summer program)
  • SUU Day of Dance @ SUU TBA

Nutcracker Rehearsals:

Nutcracker after school rehearsals (dance lab, commons & Auditorium Aug. 22-Nov. 24): On Monday, Friday & Saturday. Company could be called for a few night rehearsals when it gets closer to connect with other dances if needed. For more information go to communitynutcracker.com.

Nutcracker Week:

  • Nov. 24: In Auditorium all day — Combined rehearsal to connect show
  • Nutcracker Spacing/Lighting: During classes and/or after school Dec. 1st, 2nd, 4th, or 5th — dancers given time slots
  • Nutcracker Final Combined Rehearsal: Dec. 6
  • Nutcracker Final Dress Rehearsals: Dec. 9th & 10th in Auditorium
  • Community Nutcracker Shows: Dec. 12th & 13th in Auditorium. Evening shows at 7:00pm, 1:00pm matinee on 13th. ($10 Preferred seating, $5 General admission). Two Act 1 matinees for schools on the 11th at 10am & 1pm.
  • Photo Call: TBA

The Community Nutcracker:

The CVHS dance classes will have the opportunity to be involved with the Community Nutcracker as part of their final. All CVHS dance classes will perform in the Nutcracker. Other community members interested in being involved with our production can audition. For more information go to communitynutcracker.com.

Spring Dates

Spring Competitions / Festivals:

  • All State Dance Ensemble Jan. 29-31 @ Taylorsville High School (may leave the night before)
  • Southern Utah Performing Arts Festival: St. George Feb. 27-28 all day
  • UDEO High School Dance Festival: March 13-14
  • Utah Dance Festival: TBA
  • NDEO conference TBA

Other Spring Dates:

  • Dance Company tryouts for 2026-27 team: Jan 26 & 27, 3-8pm in Auditorium/dance lab
  • Dancing With Words Dinner and a Show fundraiser, if scheduling permits TBA
  • NHSDA Merit Scholarships due Jan. 30th, 2026
  • Talon and Cheer reviews: March TBA
  • CVHS dance merit diploma applications due Jan. TBA
  • Spring Concert week April 27-30, 2026
  • Company Awards May 4th

Spring Dance Concert:

  • Spring Dance Concert auditions: Mar. 3rd, during FLEX in Dance lab
  • Spring Dance Concert Spacing/Lighting: During classes, April 20-24 in Auditorium
  • Lighting Rehearsal April 27: All day, dancers given time slots 7am (during class)-6pm
  • Dance Concert Dress Rehearsal: April 28th in Auditorium, 4-8:30pm. Everyone must be at this rehearsal by 4:00pm. The entire run of the concert will start at 5pm. All dancers must stay to the end.
  • Photo Call: TBA, April 29th or 30th at 4:00pm
  • Dance Concert: April 29th & 30th in Auditorium, 5-10pm. Show starts at 7:00pm. ($5 Adults, $3 Students/Children)

Dance Company Awards:

  • Dance Company Awards Night setup: May 1-3, in Dance Lab all day
  • Dance Company Awards Night: May 4th, starts at 7:00pm

Team Parties

Fall:

  • Company Team Birthday Party TBA
  • Team Halloween Party: Saturday, Oct. 25th TBA or in class Oct. 29th
  • Team Friendsgiving in class Nov. 21st
  • “Why Dance” craft or paint party in class TBA
  • Nutcracker Cast party during class week of Dec. 15-19
  • Christmas Company party Dec. 12 (during class) in dance lab
  • Nutcracker Full Cast party Jan. 9, 6pm auditorium

Spring:

  • New Years Team Goal day in class Jan. 7th
  • Team Valentines party in class Feb. 11 — create valentines boxes and do valentines cards
  • Cast party May 11-15 during classes