Dance Commons^™

So You Think You Can Teach Dance?: Evaluating Effective Indicators And Assessments For Teaching Ballroom Dance In A High School Setting, Alyssa Arnold

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the most effective learning indicators of ballroom dancing for high school dance educators in Utah’s DSD so that a later date, updated rubrics and assessments could be created and presented as artifacts to DSD’s Fine Arts Supervisor for future teachers. The researcher sought to answer the following questions:

Q1 How are teachers currently assessing students’ ballroom dancing?

Q2 What are the most important learning indicators to teachers?

Q3 Are the learning indicators in alignment with the required standards?

This research took place over two sessions held during students’ regularly held ballroom dance …

Dancing With Logic: The Impact Of Integrating Dance In Teaching Introductory Computer Science Concepts On Student Understanding And Engagement, April Monk

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of dance-integrated pedagogical methods in enhancing the learning experiences of students in an introductory computer science course. In particular, the research aimed to measure the impact of creative movement on student comprehension, engagement, and perceptions of computer science. To guide this investigation, the study explored three research questions: Does integrating dance into lessons impact students’ comprehension of fundamental computer science concepts? How does dance integration affect student perceptions of both dance and computer science? And what elements of dance contribute to differences in comprehension between dance-integrated and traditional lessons? A …

Exploring The Impact Of Using Mirrors Versus Not Using Mirrors In An Intermediate High School Dance Class, Melanie Monnich

Master's Theses

The purpose of the study was to understand the use of mirrors vs. not using mirrors in the high school classroom. This thesis also expanded on research done in the last twenty years regarding students' relationship to the mirror and how educators could better use or not use the mirror in the classroom. The researcher asked five essential questions that guided this thesis:

Q1 How does using mirrors vs. not using mirrors affect a student's body image in a high school dance class?

Q2 Is it necessary to always use mirrors in the classroom as a learning tool for students? …

Fostering Creative Bravery: Exploring Innovation Among Future Female Pioneers In Dance Through Historical Composition Studies, Marlo Daron Harris

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate if learning from the innovative methods of past female choreographers could enhance the creative abilities of today’s young high school female dancers and dance-makers. This thesis aimed to teach young dancers about past dance pioneers and build confidence in young women when creating dances. Women have paved the way for dance choreography and innovative techniques throughout dance history. However, today’s generation of young choreographers rely on imitating movements they witness at dance competitions and on social media such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok instead of becoming originators.

This thesis aimed to answer …

Building Foundations For Success: A Study On Aligning Expectations And Realities In College Dance Programs, Ashley Walker Anderson

Master's Theses

The purpose of this research study was to take the information gathered from surveys and interviews with the participants and analyze the impact of the gaps between their expectations and realities, and the gap between the overall effectiveness and success of college dance programs in preparing students for their post-graduation goals. The goal of the researcher was to answer the following questions.

Q1 What factors determine where dancers attend college?

Q2 Are high schoolers making their college wish list based on prestige, faculty, performance opportunities, tuition cost, course requirements, career goals, or perhaps a combination of multiple factors?

Q3 Are …

Crafting Affective Engagement: The Impact Of Choreography And Design Choices On Audience's Emotional Experience In Dance Performances, Amy Morton

Master's Theses

This thesis explored how the engagement level of dance spectators influenced the lasting impressions they retain from a performance and whether these impressions can expand and sustain audience interest in dance. The purpose of the study was to identify the most engaging elements of an aerial dance concert. The study emphasized the significance of creating choreography that evokes emotional responses to advocate for dance education, community engagement, and the preservation of the art form. By examining a site-specific aerial dance concert, this research identified the elements that captivated audiences, particularly the contrast between aerial and ground-based performances.

The research addressed …

Social Justice In Dance: The Exploration Of Dance As A Tool For Promoting, Recognizing And Influencing Change, Michelle O'Konis Linnehan

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to prove that dance could be used as a platform for representation and to foster change within the community and beyond. This purpose aligned with the goal, which was to measure the impact of a structured choreographic curriculum on student engagement with social justice topics. The goal of this study was to answer the following research questions:

Q1 Can dance be a tool in promoting social justice?

Q2 How will students in the classroom respond to an integrated social justice theme through dance and production components?

Q3 How will these topics be interpreted to …

Exploring The Therapeutic Benefits Of Dance In The Academic Schedule: The Effects On Stress Among High School Students, Amanda Polanowski

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the minds of dance students about the stress they experienced as a result of their academic schedules and extracurriculars. The following research questions informed this study:

Q1 Does incorporating dance into the academic schedule lower stress in high school students?

Q2 In what mental state are students before and after taking dance class?

Q3 Does dance provide mental health benefits for high school students?

Student stress was evaluated before the study using a questionnaire as well as before and after each dance class through surveys. Eighteen students participated in a …

Exploring Audience Perceptions Of Elementary School Dance Curriculum: Utilizing Informance To Investigate Beliefs Regarding The Presentation Of Student Learning In Dance, Michaela Summers

Master's Theses

The goal of this thesis was to gain insight into the perceptions and expectations of audiences in relation to elementary school dance education curriculum and its representation through showcases or displays, particularly within the context of viewing an informance. The researcher developed three research questions to guide the study:

Q1 What are audience perceptions of elementary school dance education pedagogy and curriculum?

Q2 What methods do audiences expect to be implemented in an elementary school dance performance?

Q3 Can utilizing informances affect audience perceptions of elementary school dance education, thus changing their expectations for dance performance methods?

Thirty-eight audience members …

Psychological Impacts Of Competitive Dance: Understanding Mental Health And Team Dynamics Among Young Dancers, Gloria E. Brunner

Master's Theses

The purpose of the research was to investigate deeply into the psychological aspects of competitive dance and its influence on the mental well-being of young dancers. Competitive dance has grown significantly in popularity, fueled by reality television shows and social media platforms, creating a high-pressure environment for participants. This research investigated the unique stressors faced by young dancers including performance anxiety, body image concerns, and burnout, while also identifying coping strategies and the positive personal development fostered through dance.

To uncover more information about the positive and negative effects of competition dance, the researcher focused the study on the following …

Exploring The Impact Of Dance Arts Integration On General Education Teaching Practices: Insights Into Classroom Environment, Planning, Instruction, And Assessment, Sara Kessler-Kennon

Master's Theses

The purpose of this research study was to explore the impact of dance arts integration facilitation on teaching practices by emphasizing classroom environment, planning, instruction, and assessment. The researcher created the following four essential questions to guide the study:

Q1 How does incorporating movement-based arts integration alter classroom environment, student behavior, student engagement, and inclusivity of students with various abilities and diverse backgrounds?

Q2 How does incorporating movement-based arts integration impact the general educators' planning time, process, style, and understanding? Does the general educator feel as though they can effectively incorporate movement-based arts integration without collaborating with a dance educator? …

Analyzing The Influence Of Faculty Diversity On Dance Education In Texas High Schools: A Case Study Of Representation In Dance Programs, Aransas Lazo

Master's Theses

The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between cultural diversity among high school dance instructors and its subsequent impact on students' experiences in high school dance education. The researcher used two types of instrumentation to collect the data: semi-structured interview questions and an online survey. The semi-structured interview questions were researcher-developed and open-ended, allowing the eight participants to provide detailed responses regarding their experiences as a dance instructor, cultural diversity, Texas Education Association (TEA) standards, and the requirements for their dance program. The survey questions asked Yes/No/Unsure questions that involved such questions related to faculty diversity, cultural …

Body Positivity Via Costuming Performances In Grades Nine Through Twelve Dance, Kacey Valentine O'Keeffe

Master's Theses

This thesis explored the impact of body image and self-esteem on high school dancers and the pivotal role of dance educators in fostering a positive environment during concert preparations. The purpose of this research study was to determine if there was a correlation between promotion of health and wellness from dance educators and body positivity among high school dancers. The following research questions were addressed in this study:

Q1 What positively contributes to a dancers’ self-esteem and body image?

Q2 What is an effective solution for costume fitting methods to be used by dance educators while keeping their dancers’ safety …

Confidence In The Classroom: A Guide For Teaching Dance To Exceptional Learners, Brianna Janae Denmark

Master's Theses

This study focuses on highlighting the need for proper training for dance educators faced with teaching classes that include students with exceptional needs. Few dance classes will openly welcome or properly accommodate exceptional learners, which means that these learners are presented with minimal opportunities to participate in this extracurricular activity that promotes self-expression and socialization with their peers. Wanting to create more opportunities for exceptional learners to participate in dance, the researcher sought to find a solution that could be applied to multiple programs or organizations. The researcher realized that teaching exceptional learners can be viewed as daunting or uncomfortable …

The Jewish Dancing Body: Body Image In Jewish Folk Dance, Alexa Berkowitz

Master's Theses

Throughout my life as a dancer, I often wondered if body image issues were purely found in Western concert dance (such as ballet and modern dance) and if folk dance instilled a sense of ownership over one’s body. It was apparent to me that being asked to stare at yourself in the mirror for hours on end in a ballet class, or any other dance style, forced you to see every tiny defect in your body. For me personally, this caused a lot of body dysmorphia and body image issues that I carry to this day. While some folk dance …

Music In The Lives Of Two Children With Autism : A Case Study, Elizabeth Ron Fang

Master's Theses

This thesis is a qualitative case study about two children with autism spectrum disorder and the role of music in their lives. It explores how music serves as a non-threatening medium for learning and developing skills necessary to function successfully in life. The stories of the children and their parents are shared through their personal account and the author's observations. The literature in the field reveals that a structured/functional use of music helps communication, social interaction, appropriate behavior, motor skills, and academics in children with autism. Each child is able to actively participate in music-making within varied and appropriate settings …