DANCE-100 - Dance Appreciation - Kelly Alvarez

Introduction

Hello and welcome to Dance Appreciation! My name is Kelly Alvarez, and it brings me much joy to teach this course! I have been a professional dancer, instructor, and choreographer for over 25 years and have earned my B.F.A. in Modern Dance from the University of the Arts and my M.F.A. in Dance from University of California, Irvine. Over the years, I have had the joy of immersing myself in many facets of the dance world, including concert dance, commercial dance, screendance, site-specific work, and much more! Some of my credits include American Ballet Theatre Gillespie School, Michael Jackson's "This Is It" tour (on-set Pilates trainer), USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, Loyola Marymount University, UC Irvine, Glendale College, Diet Coke, The Smashing Pumpkins, EDGE Performing Arts Center, and Balanced Body, just to name a few. I enjoy seeing my students excited about dance, and I encourage thinking "outside of the box." I am looking forward to having you in class!

Course Description

Students with any dance experience are welcome and encouraged! In this course, we will explore a wide range of dance forms including ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, Broadway, and more. We will also look at various performance spaces, such as stage, screen, and site-specific. Students will be encouraged to connect with other classmates in dialogue through various prompts. There will be video viewings, written assignments, readings, and a final project. I encourage critical thinking and open-mindedness! We will discuss critical issues in dance and controversial topics, origins of some dance forms, notable dance figures, how to compose or create a dance, and how technology can play a role in dance. 

What to Expect in this Course

All course materials, information, deliverables, and communication will be through Canvas. Please be sure you have access to the web version and, preferably, the mobile version of Canvas as well. Students can expect weekly assignments such as readings, video viewings, and discussions. We will also have regular written "content bullet point assignments" in which students will take notes on the video and readings assigned in the module. In a final project, students will research a topic of their choosing and give a slide presentation. If registered for an "online" section of DANCE-100, students will complete all work online. If registered for a "hybrid" section, we will have class in-person for some class meetings, during which we will participate in movement activities (see Schedule of Classes for dates and times).

Types of Assessments

Discussions, written assignments, video viewings, readings, final project

Textbook Information

There is no required textbook for my course. All readings will be provided on Canvas.

Other Relevant Course Information

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions! kelly.alvarez@canyons.edu

Additional Resources

Canvas

This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:

• CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
• CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password

Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.

Online Education

Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.

The Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!

Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)

College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.

Online Counseling

The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.

Management of Stress and Mental Health

Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.

Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.

You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.

Veterans Resource Center

The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.

Library

The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!

Last updated: 03/24/2026 Sub#: 2035 Sub ID: 210513