The dance program at the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School is designed to prepare dancers for acceptance into collegiate dance programs or to enhance and supplement an intensive pre-professional training program. The dance curriculum emphasizes the importance of strong technical training while preparing students to explore this demanding art form with intelligence, creativity, and an open, exploratory attitude. While working hard to develop physical mastery, dance students are encouraged to use dance to develop and express their own unique artistic voice. Ideally, students entering the ARGS dance program already have a background of consistent, quality dance training and are prepared to develop their artistry and technique to the fullest possible potential. In addition, our program offers non-dance focus students the opportunity to explore dance as an elective art experience.
The ARGS Dance department enjoys an exciting partnership with the Richmond Ballet. Our dance focus majors take classes in the state-of-the-art facilities at the Richmond Ballet’s Canal Street location. They are able to study dance while immersed in the professional atmosphere of the State Ballet of Virginia, part of an international community of professional dance artists.
The performance experience is the heart of dance expression. Dance communicates through the performer-audience connection. Every student taking a course through the dance department performs, attends live performances, and participates in guest master classes. Students in the dance department can also contribute to the annual spring dance performance either onstage or backstage.
Our department is part of a National High School Dance organization which holds annual festivals encouraging the collaborative sharing of creative work and ideas. Students have the opportunity to audition for dance scholarships, take classes from a wide selection of dance and movement artists, and view several dance performances, thus enabling us to be a part of a much broader dance arts community.
Department Achievements:
- Partnership with Richmond Ballet, the State Ballet Company of Virginia
- Member: National Dance Education Organization
- Member: National Honor Society for Dance Arts
- Extensive Guest Artist Program [Teaching, Choreography]
- College Matriculation to Top-ranked Dance Programs
- ARGS Dance Alumni are Working as Professional Dancers
- Participation in Annual Regional/National High School Dance Festivals
- Annual Performance Opportunities
- Annual Participation in the Virginia Dance Festival (Benefit for Children’s Hospital)
- Steadily Increasing Numbers! Growth!
