Dance of the Little Swans
Introduction for Students:
This dance is from the ballet performance Swan Lake and was choreographed in 1895 by Lev Ivanov. In this dance, four dancers link arms and move together like a group of baby swans. Today we are going to explore how the dancers use the elements of dance within this piece to communicate a story.
Prompt Questions:
Before viewing:
Based on the name and information I have provided, are there any elements of dance you expect to see?
Do you expect the dance to be slow or fast?
After viewing:
What emotion do you feel when watching this dance?
Do you think you would still feel the same if there was different music? If so why/why not?
What message do you think the choreographer was trying to convey?
What elements of dance do you think the choreographer has combined to communicate this?
Reference: medici.tv. (2016, March 18). Swan Lake, Tchaikovsky – Dance of the Little Swans [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd2nTXsivHs
‘Moth’ by the Bangarra Dance Theatre
Introduction for Students:
Today we are going to explore how dance can express transformations and connection to country. This contemporary dance was created by the Bangarra Dance Theatre, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance company, in 2003. It is inspired by the Life Cycle of a moth, after it has undergone molting.
Prompt Questions:
Before Viewing:
What do you know about the moth and its life cycle?
Are there any movements you would expect to see?
Do you think that the movements will be flowy or abrupt?
After viewing?
Which of the movements in the dance made them look like moths?
Do their movements change at all from the start to the end of the dance? If so, what do you think this represents?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dances often express relationships between people, ancestors, and Country. How does Moth reflect these connections?
Reference: bangarradance theatre. (2013, August 27). MOTH Bangarra Dance Theatre Education Resource [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvkUBfIq50I
My Journey Through EDCU20042 