Why we're developing artistic voice in dance with other art forms at Northbridge

22 February 2019

Yabei Chen (2 posts) PYP, MYP & DP Dance Teacher View Profile

Here at Northbridge International School Cambodia, subjects don’t stand alone. Students find meaning and higher awareness when they learn in an integrated way. Dance and music have been working on an assignment with Grade 9 that is very much rooted in project based learning and linked to some Juilliard core works.

Northbridge International School Cambodia - Dance

The students in the music rotation are creating original percussion pieces that will accompany the original choreography made by the dance rotation students.

It’s the first time the dance students get to experience the performance element of live music while it will be the first time music students get to focus on how choreography effects the structure of their compositions.

Dance students must focus on the elements of choreography and make sure their artistic intentions are fully expressed through the dance.

Beyond learning some skills in their respective disciplines, students are more importantly learning how to communicate effectively, negotiate ideas, problem solve when faced with challenges, and develop original work through process and revision.

In a contemporary world where YouTube videos of music and dance show the popularity and ease of copying someone else’s work, we find the Juilliard ethos of helping our students have an original voice with creativity and outside of the box thinking to fit perfectly with the inquiry based MYP curriculum.

By giving our students the opportunity to be composers and choreographers, we are showing them that it matters to be original and creative in this world.

Collaboration between all the art forms will be seen in the upcoming Northbridge Dance Concert: ALPHA on Thursday 28 March at 4:30pm and Friday 29 March at 6:00pm.

The inaugural artistic dance concert will be held in the Dance Studio on the top floor of the Primary building.

In the dance concert, DP Music student Surim Shim will be playing live piano to accompany Natasia Escubil’s contemporary ballet solo.

The Grade 10 dance students will be dancing with elements of live painting in their self choreographed piece. Other groups that will be performing will be the Northbridge Dance Company and the Northbridge Bboys.

We hope you will support the dance program by joining us for the show. Please look for further information about the exciting event in March.