Physical skills
- Posture, alignment, balance, coordination, control, flexibility, mobility, strength, stamina, extension and isolation.
- Example: extension (lengthening through the limbs) makes lines clear; isolation moves one body part on its own.
Technical skills
- Accurate action, dynamic, spatial, relationship, timing and rhythmic content: performing the choreography exactly as it was set.
- Moving in a stylistically accurate way, such as sharp, grounded movements in a hip hop piece.
Expressive skills
- Projection (energy that reaches the audience), focus (where the eyes look), spatial awareness, facial expression and phrasing.
- Musicality (responding to the music), sensitivity to other dancers, and communicating the choreographic intention.
Mental skills
- During performance: movement memory, commitment, concentration and confidence.
- When improving: systematic repetition, mental rehearsal, rehearsal discipline, planning rehearsals, responding to feedback and the capacity to improve.
Key terms
- Alignment
- Correct placement of body parts in relation to each other.
- Extension
- Lengthening through the limbs to make clear lines.
- Isolation
- Moving one body part on its own.
- Projection
- Energy that makes the dance reach the audience.
- Focus
- Where the dancer's eyes and attention are directed.
- Musicality
- Responding sensitively to the music.
- Phrasing
- How energy is distributed through a dance phrase.