Dances Suitable for NCEA Study

Suggestions from teachers via Dancenet

Compiled by Patrice O’Brien

Title / Level / Comment about dance and Resources Available for teaching. / Where to Get DVD
Abhisheka RNZB / 3 / Great collaboration between RNZB and John Psathas composer. An education resource for Abhisheka is available on the RNZB website. It includes excerpts of the dance in rehearsal and performance, and interviews with the choreographer and the
dancers. / On Between Two Worlds, an Educational DVD produced by Promethian Editions Ltd, for Educational use only. It is available in most Music Departments. You can also find it on You Tube.
Mauri by Stephen Bradshaw / 1-3 / Teacher notes lesson ideas can be found on TKI.
/ One of three dances on 'Contemporary Dance Aotearoa' published by MoE. Contact Learning Media.
This Way Up
Catherine Chappel / 1-2 / Teacher notes lesson ideas can be found on TKI.

Also some material on Arts Online Teacher Resource Exchange <
A student booklet on Arts Online / One of three dances on 'Contemporary Dance Aotearoa' published by MoE. Contact Learning Media.
Queen Camel by Anne Dewey / 1-3 / Teacher notes lesson ideas can be found on TKI.
/ One of three dances on 'Contemporary Dance Aotearoa' published by MoE. Contact Learning Media.
Poor Boy
by Mark Baldwin / 2-3 / Features the RNZB to music from Split Enz. / On Ihi FreNZy a video and booklet that was sent to schools by MoE. Copies available from Learning Media.
Outside the Square / 1 / A dance choreographed by Deidre Tarrant for Footnote. / On Dancemakers a DVD sent to schools by MoE. Copies available from Learning Media.
Still Life at the Penguin Café by David Bintley / 1-2 / I use the Zebra for level 1, the use of fur in the fashion industry etc and for level 2 I use the ram section. Really good as the whole piece is about the destruction of animals due to mankind etc. Numerous websites give useful information e.g.
/ DVD is available from Amazon.
Ghost Dances by Christopher Bruce / 3 / I have had excellences for my results, this piece is fantastic. We only use the start. The use of silence, sounds, breath and movement is lovely. An example of the material available online:
- / DVD is available from Amazon.
Kura - by Moss Patterson / 1 / The pathways, shapes, and colours found in kowhaiwhai patterns provided the inspiration for this dance. / On Dancemakers a DVD sent to secondary schools by MoE. Copies available from Learning Media.
Gloria - Douglas Wright / 2-3 / Information about this dance and Douglas Wight’s life is available on I Am a Dancer. Preview before showing to students. / Both DVDs are available from Top Shelf Productions
'Poi' by Mary-Jane O'Reilly / 1-3 / Used very successfully at Level 1. 'Poi'(1983 - 16 mins) and the edited film version 'Canopy'(2001 - 6 mins) with background information about the structure of the dance, inspiration for the choreography, lighting and costume design and the specially commissioned score by NZ composer Jack Body.
/ DVD is available from DANZ