Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v3 - Junior Secondary 2
Dance as a career
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Dance as a career
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Subject: Cultural and Creative Arts
Class: Junior Secondary 2
Term: 1st Term
Week: 9
Theme: Performing Arts & Entertainment
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state the career prospects of studying dance; appreciate dance as a profession.
understanding both locally and internationally.
Nigerian Context: Nigerian cultural dance troupes often travel internationally to represent the nation at festivals and events, showcasing the rich diversity of Nigerian cultures.
Example: A cultural dance troupe from Kano performs Hausa traditional dances at an international festival in Europe, educating global audiences about Nigerian heritage and fostering cultural diplomacy.
7. Dance Studio Owner/Manager: Explanation: Entrepreneurs who establish and manage dance schools or studios, handling business operations, marketing, student enrollment, and curriculum development.
Nigerian Context: Many individuals passionate about dance open their own studios in urban centres, offering various dance classes and creating employment opportunities.
Example: An experienced dancer opens "AfroRhythm Dance Academy" in Abuja, providing professional training in Afrobeat, contemporary, and traditional Nigerian dances, and managing the school's operations.
8. Costume Designer for Dance: Explanation: Specialists who design and create costumes specifically for dance performances, considering movement, aesthetics, and cultural relevance.
Nigerian Context: Essential for traditional dance groups, Nollywood productions, and theatrical performances that require authentic and visually striking attire.
Example: A costume designer works with a choreographer to create vibrant and flexible outfits for a Yoruba cultural dance performance, ensuring they reflect the tradition while allowing for ease of movement.
C. Appreciation of Dance as a Profession: Dance is a vital profession because: Cultural Preservation: It is a powerful tool for preserving and transmitting cultural heritage, stories, and traditions across generations.
Economic Contribution: It creates jobs (dancers, choreographers, teachers, managers, designers) and contributes to the creative industries sector, including tourism and entertainment.
Physical and Mental Well-being: Dance promotes physical fitness, discipline, coordination, and can serve as a therapeutic outlet for emotional expression and stress relief.
Social Cohesion: Dance brings people together, fostering community spirit and understanding, especially through cultural performances and celebrations. * Artistic Expression: It provides a unique medium for artistic expression, allowing individuals to communicate ideas, emotions, and narratives non-verbally.
A. Definition of Dance as a Career: A "career in dance" refers to engaging in dance-related activities as one's primary profession or source of income. It involves acquiring specialized skills, training, and knowledge to work in various capacities within the dance industry. Unlike a hobby, a dance career typically requires formal or informal training, dedication, and often involves performance, choreography, teaching, or administrative roles.
B. Career Prospects of Studying Dance: Studying dance opens doors to a multitude of professions, both on and off stage.
These include:
1. Professional Dancer/Performer: Explanation: Individuals who perform dance routines for an audience. This can be in various settings such as theatre productions, music videos, cultural festivals, contemporary dance companies, corporate events, film (e.g., Nollywood), television shows, cruise ships, or even as backup dancers for musical artists.
Nigerian Context: Many traditional dance troupes (e.g., masquerade dances, talking drum dancers), contemporary dance companies (e.g., Crown Troupe of Africa), and freelance performers in the entertainment industry make a living through performance.
Example: A dancer performs a captivating Efik cultural dance at the Calabar Carnival, earning payment for their skill and contributing to the tourism appeal of the event.
2. Choreographer: Explanation: A person who creates and arranges dance movements and sequences. They design the artistic vision of a dance piece, translating music, story, or emotion into physical expression. Choreographers work with dancers to teach them the routines they have created.
Nigerian Context: Choreographers are highly sought after in Nollywood film productions, music video shoots, religious organisations (for praise and worship teams), fashion shows, and school drama productions.
Example: A choreographer is hired to create a dynamic dance sequence for a popular Afrobeats music video, ensuring the movements perfectly match the song's rhythm and message.
3. Dance Teacher/Instructor: Explanation: Individuals who teach dance techniques, styles, and theory to students of various ages and skill levels. They can work in dance schools, primary/secondary schools, universities, community centres, or offer private lessons.
Nigerian Context: Dance instructors are employed in private schools, cultural centres, fitness gyms (e.g., Zumba instructors), and even run their own dance academies to teach traditional, contemporary, or street dance styles.
Example: A dance teacher at a private school in Lagos teaches students various traditional Nigerian dances, preparing them for cultural day performances and fostering an appreciation for their heritage.
4. Dance Therapist: Explanation: A professional who uses movement and dance to improve the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of individuals. They work with people facing physical challenges, mental health issues, or those seeking emotional expression.
Nigerian Context: While still emerging, dance therapy can be applied in rehabilitation centres, special needs schools, or community health initiatives, using familiar dance forms to aid recovery and expression.
Example: A dance therapist in a community health centre uses rhythmic movements and traditional folk dances to help survivors of trauma express their emotions and reconnect with their bodies.
5. Dance Critic/Journalist: Explanation: Professionals who observe and analyze dance performances, writing reviews, articles, or critiques for newspapers, magazines, websites, or academic journals. They contribute to public understanding and appreciation of dance.
Nigerian Context: With the growth of arts journalism, there's a need for critics to review performances at art festivals, theatre productions, and cultural events.
Example: A dance journalist writes a detailed review of a new contemporary dance piece performed at the National Theatre, providing insights into its choreography and artistic merit for a local newspaper.
6. Cultural Ambassador/Educator: Explanation: Individuals who represent their culture through dance, performing and teaching traditional dances to promote cultural exchange and understanding both locally and internationally.
Nigerian Context: Nigerian cultural dance troupes often travel internationally to represent the nation at festivals and events, showcasing the rich diversity of Nigerian cultures.
Example: A cultural dance troupe from Kano performs Hausa traditional dances at an international festival in Europe, educating global audiences about Nigerian heritage and fostering cultural diplomacy.
7. Dance Studio Owner/Manager: Explanation: Entrepreneurs who establish and manage dance schools or studios, handling business operations, marketing, student enrollment, and curriculum development.
Nigerian Context: Many individuals passionate about dance open their Phase 1: Introduction and Engagement (10 minutes)
Teacher Activity: Begin by asking students to briefly describe what they think a "career" is. Display images or short video clips of various Nigerian dance forms (e.g., traditional festival dances, contemporary performances, a music video with dancers). Ask students to identify what the people in the videos/pictures are doing.
Pose a probing question: "Can someone actually earn a living by dancing?" Introduce the topic: "Dance as a career." Student Activity: Participate in a brief whole-class discussion on "career." Observe the images/videos and identify the activities shown. Share initial thoughts on whether dancing can be a profession.
Phase 2: Exploration of Career Prospects (20 minutes)
Teacher Activity: Divide students into small groups (4-5 students per group). Provide each group with a handout containing a list of potential career areas (e.g., Entertainment, Education, Therapy, Cultural Preservation, Business). Instruct groups to brainstorm specific dance-related jobs that might fall under each area. Facilitate a whole-class feedback session, prompting groups to share their brainstormed ideas. Introduce and elaborate on the various career prospects of studying dance (Professional Dancer, Choreographer, Dance Teacher, Dance Therapist, Critic, Cultural Ambassador, Studio Owner, Costume Designer), providing clear explanations and Nigerian examples for each. Use visual aids like pictures of Nigerian choreographers, dance schools, or cultural festivals. Emphasize that many roles are interconnected (e.g., a dancer might also choreograph).
Student Activity: Work in groups to brainstorm and list dance-related career ideas under provided categories. Present their group's findings to the class. Listen attentively to the teacher's explanations, taking notes, and asking clarifying questions.
Phase 3: Appreciating Dance as a Profession (15 minutes)
Teacher Activity: Initiate a class discussion: "Why is dance important to our society? How does it contribute beyond just entertainment?" Guide students to consider the economic, cultural, health, and social aspects. Explain the key reasons for appreciating dance as a profession (cultural preservation, economic contribution, well-being, social cohesion, artistic expression), reinforcing the points discussed. Connect this to the performance objective of appreciating dance as a profession.
Student Activity: Participate in the class discussion, sharing their opinions on the importance of dance in society. Reflect on how dance contributes to various aspects of life in Nigeria. Summarize in their own words why dance is a valuable profession.
Phase 4: Consolidation and Wrap-up (5 minutes)
Teacher Activity: Review the main career prospects discussed. Ask students to reiterate why dance is a profession worth pursuing and respecting. Summarize the key takeaways, linking back to the learning objectives.
Student Activity: Recap the different dance careers. Articulate their understanding of dance as a profession. The teacher should present these questions verbally or write them on the board and guide students through finding the answers collaboratively or individually, providing immediate feedback.
Question 1: Imagine your friend loves to dance but thinks it's only a hobby. Name three different job roles, other than just performing on stage, that someone with dance skills could do to earn a living in Nigeria.
Solution 1: Dance Teacher/Instructor: They can teach dance in schools, private academies, or offer private lessons.
Choreographer: They can create dance routines for music videos, films (Nollywood), theatre, or cultural events.
Dance Therapist: They can use dance to help people with physical or emotional challenges in rehabilitation centres or special needs schools.
Commentary: This question targets objective 1 (career prospects) and encourages thinking beyond obvious performance roles, focusing on diverse applications relevant to the Nigerian context.
Question 2: How does a professional dancer or choreographer contribute to the Nigerian economy and culture? Give at least two ways.
Solution 2: Economic Contribution: They earn income from performances, choreography gigs, or teaching, which supports their livelihood and contributes to the creative industry's GDP. They also create demand for related services like costume design, event management, and venue hire.
Cultural Contribution: They preserve and promote traditional Nigerian dances, introduce new forms of artistic expression, entertain audiences, and represent Nigerian culture at home and abroad (e.g., at international festivals).
Commentary: This question addresses both career prospects (objective 1) and appreciation of dance as a profession (objective 2), emphasizing its broader societal impact.
Question 3: Why should we appreciate dance as a valuable profession, not just as entertainment? Mention one reason related to health and one related to culture.
Solution 3: Health: Dance is a profession that promotes physical fitness, coordination, and mental well-being. Dance therapists, for example, use dance to help individuals recover from injuries or manage stress, highlighting its health benefits beyond mere recreation.
Culture: As a profession, dance plays a crucial role in preserving and transmitting our rich Nigerian cultural heritage. Professional dancers and choreographers ensure that traditional dances are learned, performed accurately, and passed down to future generations, keeping our cultural identity alive.
Commentary: This question directly targets objective 2 (appreciate dance as a profession) by asking for specific reasons tied to health and culture, which are easily relatable aspects in the Nigerian context.
Cultural Preservation and Tourism: Professional dance acts as a crucial vehicle for preserving Nigeria's diverse cultural heritage. Dance groups specializing in traditional performances (e.g., Yoruba Bata, Igbo Atilogwu, Hausa Dambe) ensure these forms are not lost. They contribute significantly to the tourism sector by performing at festivals (like Calabar Carnival, Argungu Fishing Festival), attracting both local and international visitors, thereby boosting local economies.
Entertainment and Creative Economy: Dance is a cornerstone of Nigeria's booming entertainment industry. Professional dancers and choreographers are integral to Nollywood films, music videos (Afrobeats, gospel), theatre productions, and live events. This creates a vibrant creative economy, generating income for artists, technicians, and supporting industries (e.g., costume makers, event planners), thereby contributing to job creation and national GD
P. Health, Wellness, and Community Development: Beyond entertainment, dance serves practical purposes in health and community building. Dance instructors lead fitness classes (e.g., Zumba, aerobics with African moves), promoting physical activity. Dance therapy, though emerging, can be applied in rehabilitation or mental health support, using movement to heal and express. Community dance workshops can also foster social cohesion, especially among youth, providing positive outlets and teaching discipline.