Commercial Dance: Jazz Dance Teaching Preparation and Performance Certificate of Achievement

The Certificate of Achievement in Jazz Dance Teacher Preparation and Performance is designed for students seeking professional dance opportunities in the entertainment field and as entry level dance instructors. This comprehensive program blends a well-rounded curriculum to provide the technical application and methodological foundations to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and intercultural competencies related to choreography, production, form and function of vernacular jazz dance, movement theory, historical/ socio-cultural aspects of both digital and live stage performance, with a developed sensitivity towards art as a tool for building social justice awareness.​ ​The certificate allows each student to steer their path towards their interest areas(s) in dance industry studies. Graduates of the Jazz Dance Teacher Preparation and Performance program can move into all facets of the commercial dance industry, dance education careers, and as jazz dance specialists. 

*Students receiving their Associate Degree in Dance are automatically eligible for this certificate.

To earn a certificate of achievement, students must complete each course used to meet each requirement with a “C” grade or higher.

CTE: Students will be prepared with the skillset and knowledge to pursue dance industry careers:

• Performers-cruise ships, amusement parks, dance companies
• Dance studio instructors
• Fitness Instructors
• After school program instructors 
•  Choreographers
• Dance studio managers
• Dance promoters
• Dance critics
• Digital Dance Video Production
• Dance Production-stage managers, house managers
• Rehearsal Directors

*With additional education and training, students may chose to pursue careers in K-post secondary education dance programs, performance and choreography, and other arts related professions.

The addition of this program reflects many changes to the structure of our AA Dance Degree program which will allow us to provide students with high level socio-emotional learning constructs and 21st century intercultural, quality global dance experiences. 

Over the next few years, we will hire new faculty to support the sustainability of our new certificates and modified degrees. Our Dance Program courses have an average 94-100% retention rate according to Peralta Institutional Research enrollment reports and today we have an average of 5 students completing Dance AA degrees annually with a 10-15 annual completer projection for our new program. We have 22 dance majors, each of whom will automatically be eligible to attain this certificate. Unfortunately, several students dropped courses during the the Covid-19 pandemic height between Spring 2020 and Spring 2021, and all programs at the college suffered challenges with enrollment, especially African American students who make up a significant population of enrollees in dance. We are hopeful that our new certificates which will allow students to reach program completion benchmarks sooner than if pursuing the AA Degree will attract even more students to pursue their AA Degrees.

This certification complements skills other students may have such as modern dance, folkloric dance, hip hop dance and production and performance and makes them stronger candidates for employment. 

Program/Student Learning Outcomes: 

Students who complete the Certificate of Achievement in Commercial Dance will the following Program Outcomes:

• GLOBAL COMMUNICATION: Students will be able to analyze, write and speak about historical, theoretical and cultural dimensions of multiple dance genres within a greater global context that reflects diverse, cultural perspectives.

• DANCE MECHANICS: Students will develop anatomical awareness within the realm of personal movement possibilities for efficient and sustainable body maintenance.

• TEACHER PREPARATION: Successful students will examine, synthesize, and evaluate teaching methods of jazz dance through critical dance pedagogy with a focus on arts activism and dance as a tool for social justice.

There is a critical need for movement awareness in all aspects of the performing arts and physical fitness related careers. The Jazz Dance Teaching and Performance Certificate of Achievement recognizes the completion and mastery of vernacular jazz technique as a critical foundation for the commercial dance industry encompassing dance teaching and performance in dance and related performing arts careers. 

The Jazz Dance Teaching Preparation and Performance Certificate of Achievement can be completed in two semesters. Recommended course sequence: 

Semester One 

• Dance 001- History of Dance 
• Dance 8A- Dance Composition and Choreography 
• Dance 65- Jazz III 

8 units 

Semester Two 

• Dance 006- Dance Production 
• Dance 66- Jazz IV 
• Dance 009F- Dance Movement Curriculum Integration 

8 units 

TOTAL 16 UNITS

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
DANCE 001	History of Dance	1.00	Y1, S1
DANCE 006	Dance Production, Rehearsal and Performance	3.00	Y1, S2
DANCE 008A	Dance Composition and Choreography	3.00	Y1, S1
DANCFOLK 009F	Dance Movement Curriculum Integration	3.00	Y1, S2
DANCE 066	Jazz Dance III	2.00	Y1, S2
DANCE 067	Jazz Dance IV	2.00	Y1, S1

n/a

There are no similar programs in the East Bay service area (Alameda, Contra Costa County) which may be impacted. There are some courses in common to most Dance AA Degree programs but no CTA designed to prepare students in the commercial dance industry with a focus on both teaching preparation and performance exist in the service area.