Level: Intermediate

Credits: TBD

Format: Studio-based technique and choreography training

Recommended for: Dancers who have completed Jazz I or possess equivalent training, seeking to refine advanced jazz technique and expand stylistic versatility

Course Description: Jazz II is an intensive course designed to deepen technical mastery, sharpen stylistic precision, and expand the expressive range of the dancer. Building upon the foundational principles established in Jazz I, this class introduces advanced movement vocabulary, intricate rhythmic structures, and heightened performance dynamics. Students will explore complex combinations that challenge coordination, stamina, and adaptability, integrating elements from contemporary, street, and theatrical jazz to cultivate a multi-dimensional skill set.

Throughout the course, dancers will engage in advanced isolations, layered turns, expansive leaps, and highly dynamic traveling sequences. Emphasis will be placed on contrast—moving seamlessly between sharp, percussive accents and fluid, sustained phrasing. Students will also work on sophisticated spatial patterns, level changes, and syncopated footwork that demand both technical precision and interpretive awareness. Improvisational work will push beyond basic response to music, encouraging dancers to manipulate time, space, and energy in inventive ways that reveal personal voice and artistry.

Beyond movement execution, Jazz II fosters a deeper understanding of jazz as a performance form—examining stylistic lineage, cross-genre influences, and the cultural context of jazz dance. Dancers will be challenged to deliver movement with intentionality, narrative clarity, and professional-level stage presence.

Course Expectations:

• Execute complex choreography with speed, accuracy, and full-bodied expression

• Apply advanced musicality, including polyrhythms and syncopation variations

• Demonstrate stamina, spatial precision, and interpretive range

• Engage fully in improvisational tasks that demand creativity and risk-taking

Assessment Methods: Performance evaluations, in-class technical assessments, and a culminating choreography project.

Attendance Requirement: Mandatory due to cumulative choreography building and the collaborative nature of ensemble work.

Course Attire: (Ballet level) leotard, black leggings/shorts, and black jazz shoes

Notes:Prepares students for professional performance settings, collegiate-level jazz programs, and advanced choreography work.