Dance
15 courses · Napa Valley College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
DANS-128A Salsa and Latin Social Dance I
- Units
- 1-1.5
- Hours
- 36-54 hours activity; 36-54 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
This is a dance class focusing on basic level Salsa and other Latin social partnering dances. Partners will be rotated between fellow students. The origins of each Latin dance style will be studied.
DANS-128B Salsa & Latin Social Dance II
- Units
- 1-1.5
- Hours
- 36-54 hours activity; 36-54 hours total
- Advisory
- Basic Salsa and Latin Dance forms experience.
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
Level II of the Salsa and Latin Dance forms class. Students will advance their basic skills to incorporate dynamic intermediate techniques, more advanced rhythmic ability and add individualized self-expression within the techniques. History of dance forms incorporated.
DANS-128C Salsa & Latin Dance Teaching Assistant
- Units
- 1-1.5
- Hours
- 36-54 hours activity; 36-54 hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU
Course allows the advanced dance student to experience basic social dance pedagogy.
DANS-133 Barre Fitness
- Units
- 1-1.5
- Hours
- 36-54 hours activity; 36-54 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
This is a course combining ballet barre techniques, core strength and stabilization, flexibility and conditioning techniques that help to improve the dance technique for dancers of any dance genre. Floor and barre' exercises are designed to enhance the dancer's agility, technique and overall fitness. Exercises and concepts presented in this course will enhance the performance skills of any student or athlete.
DANS-136 Jazz Dance I
- Units
- 1-1.5
- Hours
- 36-54 hours activity; 36-54 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
Jazz Dance I focuses on entry level techniques, vocabulary, center floor stretches, isolated movements, and combinations with different rhythmic patterns. Origins of Jazz Dance in America discussed.
DANS-136B Jazz Dance II
- Units
- 1-1.5
- Hours
- 36-54 hours activity; 36-54 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
Level II Jazz dance course is for advanced beginner and intermediate level jazz dancers. Class builds on dance level I techniques, center floor stretches, and movement and adds small choreographic assignments and level II floor work. This course explores important historical and contemporary figures in Jazz dance.
DANS-136D Jazz Dance Teaching Assistant
- Units
- 1-1.5
- Hours
- 36-54 hours activity; 36-54 hours total
- Advisory
- Completion of DANS-136B with a minimum grade of B.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Course allows the advanced Jazz dance student to experience basic Jazz dance pedagogy.
DANS-137A Tap Dance 1
- Units
- 1-1.5
- Hours
- 36-54 hours activity; 36-54 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
Learn to execute Tap dance techniques while developing rhythm, timing, and tempo in an upbeat atmosphere. We introduce beginning level form with an emphasis on rhythm and movement combinations. Tap shoes required.
DANS-137B Tap Dance 2
- Units
- 1-1.5
- Hours
- 36-54 hours activity; 36-54 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
Tap dance course focuses on intermediate level technique and terminology. Course will include a stylistic observation of Tap dance legends. Tap shoes required.
DANS-137C Tap Dance Teaching Assistant
- Units
- 1-1.5
- Hours
- 36-54 hours activity; 36-54 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
Course allows the advanced Tap dance student to experience basic Tap dance pedagogy.
DANS-138 Modern Dance Level I
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 54 hours activity; 54 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
Modern Dance is a creative movement class with an emphasis on rhythmic movements, isolated movements, free expression and improvisation. This course will introduce the elemental concepts (space, time, force). Emphasis on alignment, conditioning, elementary and traditional technique.
DANS-138B Modern Dance II
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 54 hours activity; 54 hours total
- Advisory
- Basic level modern dance experience.
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
The level II Modern Dance course builds on the concepts, principles and techniques of the Level I Modern dance course. Students will advance their technical acuity, learn elementary improvisational techniques and begin to craft movement combinations. Students will begin to define the modern dance experience as "dance-as-self expression".
DANS-138D Modern Dance Teaching Assistant
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 54 hours activity; 54 hours total
- Advisory
- Completion of DANS-138B with a minimum grade of B.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Course allows the advanced modern dance student to experience basic modern dance pedagogy.
DANS-160 Dance Appreciation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
This course allows the student to critically analyze and appraise dance as an art form, cultural expression, physical activity, potential profession or academic pursuit (such as Anthropology of Dance). Course will discuss the varying cultural relevance of dance, the role of dance to the individual and its importance in contemporary and historical society.
DANS-170 Dance History
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
The study of human dance from prehistory to present by investigating major cultural, political and economic events and the dance emerging at the time. Course begins with an investigation of dance before documentation (prehistory) progresses into early documentation / evidence of codified dance (Western-European scope), explores the socio-political aspect of dance in early American colonies, dance in the U.S. circa 1800-1900's and expression of dance in our contemporary lives.