We can't wait to welcome you to Andover College in September!
We have created this interactive page to give you a sense of what studying Dance at Andover College is like. Scroll down to have a look through at our current outstanding students in full swing. Then try your hand at the Solo Choreography Challenge, how will you represent yourself and individuality through dance?
We would love to see your ideas and results and any videos you have showing your talent so please send them back to andoverapplicantwelcome@sparsholt.ac.uk with Dance as the subject heading !
Check out the pictures of all the trips and extra-curriculum activities our students get to experience along with all the help and support we can provide through our experienced Careers and Health & Wellbeing teams.
New Activity!
Stimulus Task – Create a dance piece using the stimulus provided, lasting between 30 seconds and 2 minutes.
Your stimulus – ‘A Book’
You should find a book that means something to you – this could be a favourite book as a child, a book you have read recently or one that your favourite film is based off. Pick some key themes from this book. These could include – Love, Control, Loss, Friendship and various others. You can have more than one theme. You will then need to choose a piece of music to choreograph to. This should be something that will relate to the themes you have chosen above.
Your short dance routine should also include the following –
· A turn
· A leap/jump
· Connection with the floor
Think about the story that you are trying to tell.
Good Luck!
Solo Choreography Challenge!
Test your skills and learn a new routine! The challenge - simple! - develop a new dance routine that demonstrates your talent and summarises your individual style. Have a look at the beautiful examples included in the presentation and videos below. You can choose whichever style you prefer the only requirement is for you to have fun and challenge yourself!
Send us your results to andoverapplicantwelcome@sparsholt.ac.uk for a chance to be featured on this page or maybe our social channels!
Student work
At Andover we are proud of our diverse range of styles and professional workshops. The dancers learn and choreograph routines throughout the year for two dance shows, other local events, competitions and also take part in the annual Christmas panto!
Styles explored include:
- Contemporary
- Hip-Hop
- Jazz
- Lyrical
- Commercial
- Indian
- African
Check out some of our students below!
Additional Resources
Interested in learning more about the various topics you will study as a Dance student at Andover College? Take a look at the additional resources below and let us know how you get on!
Video catalogue/recommendations:
- Boy Blue Entertainment: Emancipation of Expressionism at Breakin' Convention 2013 - here.
- Fiction. (extract) BalletBoyz - here.
- Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Revelations - here.
Prefer to read? Take a look at these suggestions:
- Ballet and Modern Dance by Susan Au
- Explore the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre interactive timeline of works here.
- The Intimate Act of Choreography by Lynne Anne Blom and L. Tarin Chaplin (available on google books) here.
Learn this commercial routine from Diversity’s online tutorial here.
For this course you will need good fitness and stamina. Participate in a fitness or dance fitness online class to improve fitness components such as stamina/flexibility and strength. This could be a Joe Wicks workout from his YouTube channel or a dance technique based workout such as a Barre class here.
The Open University has a variety of free online courses available in an array of different subjects. Take a look at the catalogue to choose your course! Here.
You could also investigate the courses offered at the EtonX web page; please note these are paid for programmes that your current school may have access to so please check with them and back here regularly for updates.
Our Courses:
BTEC Level 3 Certificate/Subsidiary Diploma in Dance (1-2 Years)
BTEC Level 3 90 Credit Diploma/Extended Diploma in Dance (1-2 Years) *
*Audition required
Recommended Viewing
Recommended Viewing
Amazon
- Matthew Bourne - swan lake
- Baryshnikov’s Nutcracker
YouTube
- Revelations - Ailey
- SwanLake - Mat Eks
Disney +
- Camp Rock
Netflix
- You got served
- Centre stage
- I dream of Dance
- Burlesque
- Cheer
- Alive and Kicking
The Mayflower Online
The Mayflower Theatre Southampton has a host of activities to support your learning prior to September - here.
Careers Guidance
Our careers guidance aims to expand the horizons of all students enabling you to make informed career decisions in order to progress both during and after college.
Carol is our dedicated Careers Advisor for Andover College!
We also have our Sun Progression Mentor Anna!
Anna works alongside the Southern Universities Network (SUN) to help students recognise the routes of progression available to them, and to continue their journey in education!
We recently launched the new Careers Hub located in the College library so come and say hello to Carol and Anna!
Student wellbeing and support
At Andover College we understand that starting college in these uncertain times can be daunting and we aim to make this process as simple as possible.
We have a dedicated team that provide our students with any additional support they need including;
- Counselling
- Carer support
- Childcare support
- Confidential one-to-one services
We have also recently introduced two new members to the wellbeing team ... Arlo and Romeo the Therapy Dogs!
Arlo and Romeo are part of the continued effort from Andover College to consistently improve on and add to provisions for students. They are based on campus with their owners throughout term.
Research has shown that students are significantly less stressed and anxious, and even have increased happiness and energy, immediately following spending time in a drop-in session with a dog present. What good boys!