PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The County Prep Dance Program is based in Modern Dance with a focus on the creative process.  All students perform several times throughout the year, and junior and senior majors have the opportunity to choreograph their own works for the annual concert.  All students meet daily and study Modern Dance Technique, Ballet and Modern Vocabulary, and Rehearsal and Performance practices, in addition to the following curriculum:

DANCE COURSES

Dance I

Dance Genres, Elements of Movement, Improvisation for Individual Growth & Group Connection, Classroom & Stage Etiquette/Safety, Injury Prevention & Care, Nutrition

Dance II

Anatomy/Kinesiology, Ballet Technique, Improvisation for Body Awareness & Dynamics, Jazz Technique, Make-Up and Costume for Performance

Dance III

Dance Appreciation, Improvisation for Movement Invention, Composition & Choreographic Forms, Musical Forms, Ballet Technique, Partnering, Lighting Design, Jazz Technique

Dance IV

Advanced Technique & Vocabulary, Dance History, Careers in Dance, Theater Production, Pedagogy, Improvisation as Performance

Teacher Biography

Heather Warfel Sandler, Director, graduated cum laude with a BA in Modern Dance from Point Park University, and has continued to study dance/education at the American Dance Festival, VCU, Dance Education Laboratory at 92 St.Y, and studios throughout NYC. Ms.Warfel is also a certified yoga instructor, Adjunct Professor of Dance at NJCU, and a member of Dance NJ and the National Dance Education Organization. She has shown her choreography throughout the NY/NJ area, including the Outlet Dance Project and commissions for InMotion Dance Co.  In her performance career Ms.Warfel has worked professionally as a tap, modern, and West African dancer, and also as an actor and musician. Locally she co-wrote and performed the lead role in Heavy Craft, Soft Landing at ArtHouseProductions, enjoyed many years as a professional clown, and is proud to be an active member of the Jersey City artist community as both performer and visual artist.  She was a founding member of an inter-disciplinary improvisation company, and continues to perform regularly in dance, theater, and music. Because of these varied artistic experiences, Ms.Warfel strongly values creativity, individuality, and open-mindedness as both a dancer and a teacher.  In addition to directing the dance program at County Prep, Ms. Warfel produces all school performances, choreographs the annual musical, and moderates the CP Artist Collective, where she demonstrates the importance of creative play in education and personal development.