Jefferson High School
5210 N Kerby Ave
Portland
OR
97217
(503) 916-5180
Jefferson Dancers 2023
Course Offerings
African
African Dance 1-2 emphasizes the historical and cultural roots of African dance and explores more advanced levels of technique.
Ballet
This course emphasizes refining and strengthening the fundamentals of classical stance and movement. Body alignment, line, and precise musical execution are introduced to steps, turns, and jumps at an intermediate level.
Dance 1-2
Students build physical and technical skills such as posture, balance, coordination, flexibility, strength, and stamina, and develop mental skills and artistic expression through formal and informal performances. Students are exposed to cultural history and aesthetic sensibilities through a variety of dance forms, including, but not limited to, modern, contemporary, jazz, ballet, hip hop, African, and tap. Each form will incorporate vocabulary development, injury prevention, rhythmic knowledge, and methods in dance composition/critique. Students will participate in physical skill assessments in addition to assessments in performance settings.
Hip Hop
Hip Hop is offered at a variety of levels depending on the overall experience and dance level of Jefferson students. In general, students must have a strong knowledge of the basic Hip Hop steps. Complex rhythms and longer sequences progressively build technique, stamina, and artistry. Prerequisite: None
Modern
Students are introduced to the basic forms of dance and dance vocabulary. The class focuses on modern techniques such as Horton, Cunningham, and Graham. The class is designed to enhance body conditioning, strength, flexibility, self-discipline, control, and the joy of movement. Students are taught to develop their kinesthetic sense of basic alignment and principles of safe and efficient movement. Prerequisite: None
Tap
You will explore the uniquely American dance style that emphasizes the development of rhythm and fine motor skills. Students learn basic tap combinations along with a variety of beginning dances. Prerequisite: None
Jazz
Students are introduced to the basic forms of classical jazz, contemporary, and ballet, as well as contemporary hip‐ hop and funk. Designed to enhance body conditioning, strength, flexibility, self‐discipline, control, and joy of movement. Students are taught to develop their kinesthetic sense of basic alignment and principles of safe and efficient movement. Prerequisite: None
Jefferson Dancers
The Jefferson Dancers is a select group of our school’s most advanced dancers. Intensive work, intended for the career‐oriented dancer, includes continued training and frequent performances in all dance styles. Students work with local, nationally, and internationally recognized choreographers. Students must make a one‐year commitment and meet the district’s extracurricular activities standards. Prerequisite: Audition Only
Jefferson Dancers II
The Jefferson Dancers II is comprised of dancers who are a part of the dance program at Jefferson High School. The company is by audition or invitation only, and the dancers rehearse all year on Tue/Wed/Thurs from 3:30‐5:30 p.m. Outreach opportunities, performance opportunities, and work year-round with different choreographers are part of the process for dancers in the company. Prerequisite: Audition Only
Steve Gonzales
Jefferson Dancers Director/ Dance Teacher
503-916-5180 ext. 83756
Bunky Holden-Williams
Jefferson Dancers II Director/ Dance Teacher
503-916-5180 ext. 83751
Lauren Smith
Dance Teacher
503-916-5180 ext. 83757