Graded Examination in Modern Theatre Dance: Grade 2 — Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing Performing Arts Graded Examination Dance & Performing Arts Revision

    This component assesses the candidate's ability to execute simple Modern Theatre Dance sequences with correct posture, alignment, and basic technical eleme

    Topic Synopsis

    This component assesses the candidate's ability to execute simple Modern Theatre Dance sequences with correct posture, alignment, and basic technical elements such as isolations and locomotor movements. It also evaluates rhythmic accuracy, dynamic response to music, and an emerging sense of performance projection. Success at this level lays the groundwork for more complex choreography and expressive work in later grades.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Graded Examination in Modern Theatre Dance: Grade 2

    IMPERIAL SOCIETY OF TEACHERS OF DANCING
    vocational

    This component assesses the candidate's ability to execute simple Modern Theatre Dance sequences with correct posture, alignment, and basic technical elements such as isolations and locomotor movements. It also evaluates rhythmic accuracy, dynamic response to music, and an emerging sense of performance projection. Success at this level lays the groundwork for more complex choreography and expressive work in later grades.

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    Learning Outcomes
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    Assessment Guidance
    5
    Key Skills
    1
    Key Terms
    5
    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    ISTD Level 1 Award in Graded Examination in Dance: Grade 2

    Topic Overview

    The ISTD Level 1 Award in Graded Examination in Dance: Grade 2 is a foundational qualification in the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) Performing Arts Graded Examination system. This grade builds on the skills developed in Grade 1, introducing more complex movement sequences, musicality, and performance quality. It is designed for students aged 7 and above who have completed at least one year of dance training, typically in ballet, tap, or modern theatre dance. The examination assesses technical proficiency, coordination, and the ability to interpret music through dance, preparing students for higher grades and potential vocational training.

    In Grade 2, students are expected to demonstrate a clear understanding of basic dance principles, including posture, alignment, and turnout (in ballet), as well as rhythm and weight transfer (in tap and modern). The syllabus includes set exercises, a short dance routine, and improvisation tasks that encourage creativity. This grade is crucial for building confidence and discipline, as students learn to perform under examination conditions while developing a love for dance. Success at this level indicates readiness for the more demanding technical and artistic requirements of Grade 3 and beyond.

    The ISTD Grade 2 examination is recognised by Ofqual and carries UCAS points (when taken as part of a broader qualification), making it valuable for students considering dance as a career or further study. It also fosters transferable skills such as memory, focus, and teamwork, which benefit academic and personal development. For teachers, this grade provides a structured framework to assess student progress and identify areas for improvement.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Posture and Alignment: Maintaining a straight spine, engaged core, and correct placement of hips and shoulders throughout movements, especially in ballet where turnout must be initiated from the hips, not the knees.
    • →Musicality: Understanding time signatures (e.g., 4/4, 3/4) and being able to move in time with the music, accenting beats and phrasing naturally. In tap, this includes clear, rhythmic footwork that matches the tempo.
    • →Coordination: Combining upper and lower body movements smoothly, such as port de bras (arm movements) with legwork in ballet, or arm swings with tap steps. This also applies to modern dance where isolations are introduced.
    • →Performance Quality: Projecting confidence and expression through facial expressions, eye contact, and energy. Students must convey the mood of the dance, whether playful, dramatic, or lyrical.
    • →Spatial Awareness: Using the performance space effectively, including travelling in straight lines, diagonals, and circles without colliding with others, and maintaining correct spacing in group work.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Be able to perform simple movement sequences showing an awareness of basic techniques in Modern Theatre Dance, Be able to perform simple movement sequences showing an awareness of musicality in Modern Theatre Dance, Be able to show an awareness of performance in Modern Theatre Dance

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Award credit for demonstrating clear use of parallel and turned-out leg positions with correct weight placement.
    • Award credit for executing basic isolations of the head, shoulders, and ribcage with control and clarity.
    • Award credit for showing musicality by accenting the first beat of the bar and responding to tempo changes.
    • Award credit for maintaining eye focus and facial expression that communicates an awareness of performance mood.
    • Award credit for safe and appropriate use of space, including awareness of others during travelling and directional changes.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡During practice, break down sequences into technical elements (e.g., footwork first, then add arms) to ensure clean execution under pressure.
    • 💡Use a mirror to self-check alignment but train to perform towards the front, as examiners expect outward projection.
    • 💡In the exam, if you make a mistake, continue with confidence; assessors value recovery and sustained performance quality.
    • 💡Before the exam, listen to the music tracks multiple times to internalise accents and mood, not just counts.
    • 💡Remember that performance awareness includes a positive energy; take a moment to smile and breathe before each exercise.
    • 💡Tip: Focus on the quality of your pliés and relevés in ballet. Examiners look for controlled, smooth movements with correct weight distribution. Avoid rushing; take the time to fully stretch and articulate each position.
    • 💡Tip: In tap, ensure your sounds are consistent and match the music. Practise with a metronome to improve timing. Also, keep your upper body relaxed and natural—stiff arms or shoulders can detract from your performance.
    • 💡Tip: For modern dance, emphasise the use of breath to initiate movement. This adds fluidity and expression. Also, make clear transitions between levels (high, middle, low) to show dynamic range.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Students often rush through sequences, compromising balance and the completion of each movement's line.
    • Many neglect the use of plié in jumps and landings, leading to heavy or stiff execution.
    • A common mistake is to dance through the movements without dynamic variation, resulting in a monotonous performance.
    • Students frequently lose turn-out or core engagement when concentrating on arm or head actions.
    • Poor musical timing often arises from listening only to the main beat rather than the full musical phrase.
    • Mistake: Thinking turnout comes from the feet or knees. Correction: Turnout must be initiated from the hip joints, with the knees and feet following. Forcing turnout from the feet can cause injury and poor alignment.
    • Mistake: Believing that faster movements are always better in tap. Correction: Clarity and precision of sound are more important than speed. Each step should produce a clean, distinct sound, even at slower tempos.
    • Mistake: Assuming that improvisation means doing anything without structure. Correction: Improvisation in Grade 2 requires responding to the music with basic steps and shapes, showing an understanding of rhythm and dynamics, not random movement.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •ISTD Grade 1 or equivalent foundational dance training, including basic knowledge of positions (e.g., first, second, third in ballet) and simple steps (e.g., walks, runs, jumps).
    • •Understanding of basic musical concepts such as beat, tempo, and rhythm, as well as the ability to count music in 4/4 and 3/4 time.
    • •Physical readiness: basic flexibility, strength, and coordination to perform exercises safely, including the ability to balance on one foot and execute simple turns.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • Be able to perform simple movement sequences showing an awareness of basic techniques in Modern Theatre Dance, Be able to perform simple movement sequences showing an awareness of musicality in Modern Theatre Dance, Be able to show an awareness of performance in Modern Theatre Dance

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