Commercial Dance - Major #5391 - Certificate of Achievement

This program map only provides one possible pathway for degree and/or certificate obtainment and is for reference only. Please schedule an appointment with a counselor to develop your individualized Student Education Plan.
It is also important to discuss your transfer options with a counselor because each university will require specific courses.

The Fresno City College Commercial Dance Certificate of Achievement Program provides a vast array of opportunities in the field of dance to the community college student.  These include instruction to the vocational student in ballet, jazz, tap, choreography, music editing and setting lights for the stage. Students will be prepared for employment in the professional dance world.

1. Students will be able to demonstrate intermediate to advanced proficiency in various commercial dance techniques and basic dance pedagogy.

3. Students will be able to plan a light plot for a stage, understand how to edit music and craft choreography for stage and film.

2. Students will exhibit professional behavior and work.

Program Map

Term 1

6 units

This map is designed for the Advanced Dance Student and does not include required prerequisites. Please email cristal.tiscareno@fresnocitycollege.edu to complete a prerequisite skills challenge form if you believe you are qualified to skip any of the prerequisites for any course in this program. You may also reach out to your ACL counselor for guidance and a Student Education Plan. 

DANCE 8B
Intermediate Hip Hop Technique
Students will learn Intermediate level techniques and styles of Hip Hop dance, both historical and current, emphasizing musicality, rhythms, and the movement required to develop intermediate Hip Hop skills. (A, CSU, UC)

Course Details:

  1. Prerequisite: DANCE 8A
    2. OR
  2. Prerequisite:
    1. CSU Transfer

      This course can be switched with DANCE 15

      DANCE 80B
      Fall Dance Concert 2
      This course is a beginning level for students who want to experience performing a dance concert on the stage. The students will be utilizing various dance techniques and learning the rehearsal process at a beginning level. Students will hone their skills in memorizing choreography and/or how to clean and prepare the dance for the stage. This will include communication etiquette for the roles of choreographer, performer, designer and technician in relation to the dance theater production. This course includes opportunities for students to learn production activities that support the dance concert. (A, CSU, UC)

      Course Details:

      1. Prerequisite: DANCE 80A
        1. CSU Transfer

          This course is generally only offered in the fall term.

          MUS 8
          Audio Engineering
          This course is an introduction to the art and science of audio engineering. It covers fundamental concepts and techniques, including the use of digital audio workstations, basic acoustics, signal flow, microphone principles and usage, studio equipment, signal processing, recording console functions, and multi-track recording procedures. Designed for students in music, commercial music and electronic media. (A, CSU, UC)

          Term 2

          6 units
          DANCE 18
          Intermediate Tap Dance
          Students will progressively refine their tap dance technique, building upon skills and techniques covered in Dance 16. Students will be presented with more advanced tap steps and styles. (A, CSU, UC)

          Course Details:

          1. Prerequisite: DANCE 16
            2. OR
          2. Prerequisite:
            1. CSU Transfer

              This class is typically only offered in a spring term but can be switched with DANCE 8B or DANCE 15

              DANCE 20C
              Intermediate-Advanced Dance Composition with Film Emphasis
              Students in this class will learn pre-advanced levels of dance movement and choreography for film. Guided group and solo improvisations will be used for the development of unique personal movement that supports a mission statement and/or social justice platform, needed for a professional portfolio and creative outlet. Students will gain cognitive and improvisational skills needed for dance on film. There will be a study of dance composition theories and conceptual approaches using film and understanding the meaning of advocacy in art. Students will create solo and/or group work on a complex and multi-dimensional level that will culminate into a short dance film. They will create a finished portfolio to use for future resumes for higher education and/or professional work. (A, CSU, UC)

              Course Details:

              1. Prerequisite: DANCE 20B
                1. CSU Transfer

                  This class is typically only offered in a spring term

                  DANCE 90B
                  Spring Dance Concert 2
                  This course is an intermediate level for students who want to experience performing a dance concert on a stage. The students will be utilizing various dance techniques and learning the rehearsal process at a beginning/pre-intermediate level. Students will hone their skills in memorizing choreography and/or how to clean and prepare the dance for the stage. The skill of improvisation will be honed as a choreographic skill. This will include communication etiquette for the roles of choreographer, performer, designer and technician in relation to the dance theater production. This course includes opportunities for students to learn production activities that support the dance concert. (A, CSU, UC)

                  Course Details:

                  1. Prerequisite: DANCE 90A
                    1. CSU Transfer

                      Term 3

                      5.5 units
                      DANCE 28B
                      Pre-Advanced Modern Dance Technique
                      Students will develop pre-advanced level modern dance technique. This course will have emphasis on honing previous skills of DANCE 28A, including a variety of locomotor patterns, creativity, and a deeper understanding of modern dance concepts. (A, CSU, UC)

                      Course Details:

                      1. Prerequisite: DANCE 28A
                        1. CSU Transfer

                          This class is typically only offered in a fall term

                          DANCE 7
                          Introduction to Social and Cultural Dance
                          This course is an introduction to basic social and cultural dances: such as swing, waltz, cha cha, tango, line dance, Hmong, Polynesian, African, Indian and Native American. Additional topics may include popular trends and the influence of social media on dance. (A, CSU, UC)

                          Course Details:

                              1. CSU Transfer
                                TA 27
                                Introduction to Lighting Design
                                Designed to acquaint the student with the art and practice of lighting design for the theatre, this course will include lighting equipment and control, script analysis, design methodologies, drafting, cueing, additive and subtractive color theory, lighting for dance, musicals and alternate theatre. Assignments include theoretical and realized lighting designs for theatre or dance productions. (A, CSU, UC)

                                Term 4

                                2.5 units
                                DANCE 13B
                                Pre-Advanced Ballet Technique
                                Students will learn pre-advanced ballet technique. They will use barre exercises, across the floor and center work. The class will include a demonstration of creating and teaching a ballet phrase and a short combination. (A, CSU, UC)

                                Course Details:

                                1. Prerequisite: DANCE 13A
                                  2. OR
                                2. Prerequisite:
                                  1. CSU Transfer

                                    This class is typically only offered in a spring term

                                    DANCE 15
                                    Intermediate Jazz Dance Technique
                                    This class will be a progressive refinement of the jazz dance technique. Students will be building upon the skills and technique covered in Dance 14. A variety of jazz styles will be introduced to the students. (A, CSU, UC)

                                    Course Details:

                                    1. Prerequisite: DANCE 14
                                      2. OR
                                    2. Prerequisite:
                                      1. CSU Transfer

                                        This course can be switched with DANCE 8B or DANCE 18