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| Just a Reminder that the most important articles are on the first page... make sure you hit Next 5 at the bottom of the page!
Here is an addition explaining the World Dance Courses. They are
numbered in the 70's of each level. Aka, 170, 273, 378... just
look for the 7 in the middle, and it's a folk class.
Dance 170, 270, 370
The world dance technique courses are three courses, 170, 270, 370.
They each teach a lot of different dances from many countries, and get
increasingly difficult. They cover general styling techniques as well.
If you have a lot of dance experience, I would suggest skipping 170
altogether. You can pick up those dances at Rec.Nights. 370 gets very
intense, including such forms as Capoeira.
Dance 171, 271, 371
These are the clogging courses. You have to have a nice range of
clogging before you should consider skipping 171. The courses
include making your own choreographies, which is very fun. Just a
warning, though, the 371R course is very hard to get an A in.
Dance 172
Ah, yes, the dreaded Square Dance class... yes, it's required for the
minor. So quit whining. You may actually have fun!
Believe it or not, the ratio of the class is usually 5 Folk minors to
20 students who actually took square dancing for FUN! You can do
a lot to help out the instructor and make a good name for yourself on
teams.
Dance 173, 273, 373
The Ethnic Technique courses are specialized courses in specific world
dance forms. Currently BYU always offers 3 levels of Irish, and 3
levels of Polynesian. Then they rotate the following styles:
Ukranian, Hungarian, Chinese, and Spanish by semester. So when you are
registering, there will be a note on the page telling you which
sections of 173 are which styles.
Dance 376
This is the World Dance teaching methods class. It's required for
the Folk Minor, but hey, no harm letting the teachers know how
dedicated you are to Folk dancing, right? (Also required if you'd like
to teach a world dance class... they often have students teaching a
170, and that is way fun!)
Dance 378
Yes, this is the one you're concerned about, and heck, what this
website is concerned about. This is your Team class. The
sections include 9&10 WSC, 9&10RB, and 2RB.
Dance 477
Dance- A reflection of Culture- This is required for the Folk minor,
and while yes, being a huge amount of work, is also a really
fascinating class.
Dance 478
Ah yes, the mecca, the ultimate goal, PAC.
Dance 500:
Titled Workshop in Dance, this is a rare, amazing class that is only
offered once in a blue moon (or when Gary Larsen is around) They
called it the Step Class. You had to have at least up to third
level in tap, clogging, and Irish, and at least up to the second level
or equivalent in the others to take this class. They did the most
amazing dances in all styles, as well as Gary's Fab hybrid stuff.
Too bad he's in Idaho now... *snif*
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| WORKSHOP STUDY GROUPS
Please use the "add comments" below to post times when you will be around BYU and Practicing any dance form for Workshop. I'll transfer them up here if I can, but make sure you check back to read them all! | | |
| Notes from the PAC Workshop meeting. April 15th, 2004.
Workshop for 2004 will be held August 23rd-28th.
Monday, August 23rd will be a meeting (a Folk FHE, if you will) at Brother Austin's House (email me for the address) I don't have the time, so if anyone could email me (BYUfolkdancers@yahoo.com) with that, that would be great.
Workshop begins on Tuesday at Noon in 270&278 of the Richards Building. It usually starts at Noon for each day following.
Matthew 5:16 (the reason BYU supports the arts and folkdance teams:)
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Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
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Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. |
PAC Dance Class Requirements*
190,290- Ballet
(171),271,371- Clogging
(173),273,373- Ethnic Technique (IRISH, Hungarian, Ukranian, Spanish...)
(170),270,370- World Dance Technique
*- Ed discussed the fact that while these will all give you the preparation you need for the higher teams, some people have gotten on without taking all of them. He doesn't recommend auditing them. All will help you with your goal.
PAC University Requirements
- Standards (honor code compliance)
- >2.5 GPA
- Bishop's Recommendation (only if selected for PAC)
PAC Financial Requirements
Be aware you will need to pay for:
Club dues, costume fee, practice clothes (see below), warm-ups, travel bag
Men- Character shoes, clog shoes, grey biker shorts, Various accessories.
Women- Braid, curly wig, character shoes, clog shoes, white leotard, makeup and more varied accessories.
Tour (to the Southern States for 2005):Tour Payments around $450, Tour Clothes $250,
Q&A Session
What will we be learning in this year's workshop?
- Dance styles mentioned included Irish, Clogging, French-Canadian, Hungarian, Ukranian, Indian.
What do the directors look for in a dancer?
-Spirit! They want to see someone who works well with the directors and their teammates, who is positive and willing to help. Beyond that, they are looking for technique in different styles, versatility, endurance, and attitude. Ed did say that he is watching you the whole week, not just during the "audition" dancing on Thursday night.
What about Politics?
Brother Austin was emphatic that they do not already have the team picked before they even walk through the RB doors in August, or even before they hand out invitations to Workshop. He did admit that physical attributes will make a difference when planning a team. These include: Height (if there are more short guys that make the team, they will need to have enough short girls to pair them with), and Weight (if a dancer will not fit the costumes the team wears, some of which are rare and cannot be duplicated, they physically can't be on the team). Being married does have some complications, but does not wholly exclude you from making the team.
How many spots do you have open on the team?
While in the past, PAC has been a 15 couple team, this year, for better ease of instruction and travel, the Director has decided to cut the team down to 13 couples. He will be looking to fill 5 Men's spots, and 3-4 women's spots. There will also be fewer Tech crew spots and 1 less band member.
Do you have first and second cuts,etc.?
No. The audition does not have cuts. Plan on being there the entire week, and the final team placement will be announced Friday morning. PAC will be announced in a meeting, and the rest of the team placement will be posted on a list outside the folk office.
Info not covered during the meeting
Workshop Attire (which also becomes official PAC practice Uniform):
Women: Black tights or leggings, Black Leotard, Black Folk Skirt and Black shirt (plain black, no logos or graphics). Hair must be pulled back in a bun or a braid EVERY DAY. Hint: Ed likes his team ladies to look presentable all the time, so some makeup will never hurt
Men: Black Workout pants (no stripes or logos), and plain black T-shirt. Bring extra t-shirts if you sweat a lot, and life will be pleasanter in partner-work. Shaven, trimmed according to BYU standards.
All: Bring Clogging shoes, Irish shoes, Character shoes if you have them.
Other Workshop Packing items:
Rolling pin for sore quads and calves
Water Bottle and power snacks
Packed Dinner or money for Dinner break
Camera (we love to see workshop pics at the end-of-year slideshow)
Scriptures (in case they'd like you to give a devotional)
Bandaids, Blister block, and Painkillers (if you don't need them, someone else will)
Extra Socks
*I welcome any additions to this list, please email them to me!*
And that was the meeting!
(p.s.- The Video under Currently watching is available at the BYU Music and Dance library... check it out!) | | |
| Most of the Information from Workshop meeting is Posted above, enjoy!
Well, you've just come back from the Big meeting. You got your letter, inviting you to participate in the workshop audition for the Performing Arts Company, and consequently, the rest of the upper teams for the year. You're excited, of course... I mean, they think you're a contenda'! You're so ready! But will you be in four months?
Tips for Preparing over the summer:
Physically- DO SOMETHING! Too many of us get home, and have no class, and a job where we sit around all day, and it's so easy to justify it... we earned the break, no? So much work over the school year, we can take it easy. With that attitude, you'll be out of shape in two weeks, mark my words.
Here are some possible activities: Get a jogging buddy, play lots of basketball or soccer, join a swing club that practices more than once a week, Take lessons in Clogging, Irish, even social dance!
Oh, and make sure that you've worn your dance shoes often during the summer, unless you like getting blisters and reforming your callouses all over again in three days!
Mentally- While this is more physical than mental, here's my tip:
Take private lessons in dance, especially clogging and Irish. The difference is you have the teacher and their personalized feedback and help, all to yourself! They can give you special routines or exercises specially tailored to strengthen your weaknesses.
When you have the opportunity, take an expert, or at least someone more advanced than you in any form of dance, and ask their opinions. Listen to this~
PAC dancer testimonial "I was at a dance camp, and they happened to have a ballet instructor who was from Russia, and was formerly part of the Folkloric ballet, that does a lot of Folk-type dancing on a high level. I showed her some of my Ukranian turns, and asked for her help. She, first of all, was very impressed to see someone learning her dance form, and flattered that she was asked for her opinion. She shared tips with me about 'shooting energy' from my fingertips and keeping my shoulders down. My turns, which had struggled before, became much easier."
Academically- Have you cleared a few spots in your schedule for every eventuality as far as changing when you find out what team you're on? I ran into a problem because I had a class I HAD to take for the major, but it was the same time as the team I thought I would make. Luckily, I made a different team, but had I made the team I had projected, it would have been disastrous. Putting adjustable classes (G.E.s, Religion, fun stuff) at the 9,10, and 2 o'clock spots will make changing your schedule last minute not as stressfull.
Make sure you're ready for a new semester. If you make back-up (9-RB), you'll have some extracurricular performances that you'll have to make, and the higher up you get, the more responsibilites on council and class rep stuff you'll have. Think about Christmas Around the World week last year, and judge how many heavy classes you reall need to take.
Remember: GPA for SPAC and PAC is 2.5!
Spiritually- PAC workshop is like an alternate universe. You're not in school, not working, not doing anything but cramming dances into your skull, rolling-pinning your legs because they're always sore, and hanging out and renewing friendships with fellow folkies. It's great fun, but there's always that table at the front, those people who are watching you, looking at everything you do as an indication of where you'll be valuable in the program. There's sometimes an almost ballroom-like sense of competitiveness and jealousy, and everyone is looking at other people, thinking "oh, I stink compared to them, I'll never make it." or "she's good, but I'm better than her in [insert dance here], but she'll make it anyways because Ed likes her." But on the other hand, there's a great chance to help other people through it with you. People help each other with routines, give and recieve feedback, and constantly soothe other's nervousness and insecurities.
To become one of the people who go through workshop uplifting others, and to have a good experience, take a break and ponder these points:
1. What is God's purpose in having you at BYU?
2. Why does the team you're on need to dictate your happiness?
3. How would you like to be treated by others, and will you do the same?
4. What are your spiritual rolling pins and power-bars? (what soothes your pain and makes you ready to stand again?)
5. What are some spiritual habits you'll need to develop or retain in order to come out of Workshop content and ready for the school year? (programs of scripture study, temple attendance, and daily prayer)
Financially- Yup, financially. Being on PAC and even SPAC are often expensive ventures. Between Tour fees, costume fees, tour clothes, and accessories, you will really need to plan out your money. For example, Tour this year was $1,000, $750 for the tour and $250 for the clothes. Add on the many often unplanned expenses (such as hair for the girls, cowboy boots for the guys, random costume and makeup bits, clog shoes and character shoes) and you have a lot of random expenses. So work hard, get a job, be ready to be dirt poor!
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Quick Definition guide:
PAC- (pronounced "pack") Performing Arts Company. This is the BYU folk dance flagship, the touring team. They practice from 2-5 Monday, Wednesday and Friday (and sometimes more) in the Richards building, Wear all-black to rehearsal (required), and perform about half of the dances at Christmas Around the World. This team does a states mid-semester tour each winter semester, and a summer tour, alternating years between the States and the rest of the world. They are taught by Ed Austin and Delynne Peay.
9RB- This is the back up team to PAC, the training grounds for both PAC and SPAC (see below) This is a Fall semester team, that practices from 9-10am in the Richards BuildingMWF . They often have performances outside of school, and sometimes get additional dances in Christmas Around the world. Taught by Delynne Peay.
10RB- the Secondary back-up team, next in succession. They meet from 10-11am in the Richards Building MWF, and are taught by Delynne Peay. Generally one dance for Christmas Around the World.
2RB- Mid-level team that meets from 2-3 in the Richards Building. Teacher not solidified, was Tara Eyre, but is now Delynne Peay.
9WSC- or "9 Wilk"- Lower level team that meets from 9-10 MWF in the Wilkinson Center Ballroom9-10am. Most new auditioners make this team or 10WSC, and have a grand old time. Taught by Jeanette Geslison
10WSC- or "10 Wilk" Lower level team on the same par as 9WSC. Meets in the Wilkinson Center Ballroom from 10-11am MWF. Taught by Gary Larsen or Katie Allred.
8RB- New team as of 2004, and meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-9:30am in the Richards Building during Winter Semester. Generally considered a runoff for extra people being replaced from the SPAC tryout. Roughly on par with the WSC teams.
SPAC- (pronounced- spack) Spring Performing Arts Company. Auditioned at the end of October/beginning of November, this is a back-up, or "training team" for PAC during winter semester. They are divided into a 9-couple team and a 6-couple team, which each meet at 9 and 10 am respectively at the RB Mondays and Wednesdays. Fridays the teams meet together for large ensemble numbers, such as their Hopak. They put together a children's program, and during the month of June tour about 60 elementary schools in the state of Utah. Taught by DeLynne Peay.
Rec Night- Selected Wednesday nights, 7-9, in the RB. As soon as you start taking any team or world dance class, you'll hear the magical words "rec night". Short for Recreational Folk Dance night, this is essentially a lab night for all team and most world dance classes, but is really a hang out and dance night with the club. Attending this for the first time can be overwhelming, but taking World dance 170 or 270 will teach you most of the dances we do. But don't be afraid to stand behind lines and imitate till you learn the dances. (be careful joining in fast-moving connected dances until you know the sequence... car wreck!!!) Favorites include Bhangra, Doudlebska Polka, Salty Dog Rag, Graovsko Oro, and more! Refreshments included!
Christmas Around the World- The biggest event for folkdancers during the year. Usually the first or second weekend of December at the Marriott Center. It is the folkdance team concert. If you are on any team you will be performing. All teams need to help out with selling tickets (camp-out party to buy ordered tickets), setup, strike, rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and the children's concert Friday morning. Then the Shows are Friday, Saturday afternoon and Saturday Evening. Awesome bonding experience with team and club members!
Basic Class Numbers
170- Beginning World Dance, 270- Intermediate World Dance, 370- Advanced World Dance.
171, 271,371- Clogging Classes
173,273,373- Ethnic Technique Classes- Some are stationary, like Irish and Polynesian, but most rotate, like Ukranian, Hungarian, Spanish, Chinese...
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