We are thrilled to announce an exciting new offering at Sahara Dance: Technique Assessments! In case you missed it, we revamped our curriculum earlier this year to better serve our students, foster creativity, and nurture talent. The new Technique Assessment goes hand in hand with our updated curriculum by giving students the opportunity to evaluate their current mastery of dance fundamentals and technique level.

For those new to the studio, guest passes are good way to help figure out which class(es) are best for you.

If you want a thorough technique evaluation, or feel like your dance is stagnating and want feedback on how you could improve as an artist, the new Technique Assessment provides you with a framework to understand your current technique mastery and receive detailed feedback and technique recommendations from any two teachers of your choice (based on availability). Technique Assessments are a comprehensive way to help you determine which classes to take the following session, including performance groups or companies!

How Does It Work?

Upon registration, dancers will automatically receive an email with a video(s) of the curriculum choreography to perform for the assessment. Dancers may further learn the choreography in classes and/or purchase the curriculum choreography workshop recording (see bottom of page).

Dancers submit their performance videos of the choreography for assessment of technique execution. Dancers may submit their performance video in costume if they would like additional feedback on artistic presentation, although this is not a requirement. Video submissions should be filmed twice, consecutively and without pause, for each choreography. For example, for the Beginner Level, you should submit one video of yourself performing Aziza twice and one video of yourself performing Zeina twice. You’ll then email your videos as unlisted YouTube links to techniqueassessment@saharadance.com.

Once we receive your videos, and depending on what option you selected when signing up, you will receive either one or both of the following evaluations:

Technique Assessment Forms

These are two separate one-page written forms, one by each evaluating teacher summarizing their recommendations for the dancer to most improve their technique and artistry.

Video Evaluations

These are a supplemental option, and include two 10 – 15 minute recorded videos by each teacher. Both teachers expound upon, and demonstrate, how to best improve the key areas they outlined in the dancer’s Technique Assessment Forms, as well as offer additional insights.

Dancers receive personalized video and/or written feedback on their performance of the choreography for their individual dance development by two Sahara Dance teachers of their choice (based on availability, trained in Sahara Dance curriculum).

Evaluations are based on a rolling submission deadline, so you can sign up whenever you feel ready! Upon signing up for a Technique Assessment you will automatically receive access to the curriculum choreography video(s) for practice. You have 30 days to submit your video for evaluation after registration. If you find you need an extension, just let us know.

A Note About the Choreography

Technique Assessments primary objective is to see movement technique and transitions executed in time with music. If necessary, you may have the choreography playing on a screen while you film. The primary purpose is not to assess choreography memorization, though that is also a useful skill to build as you advance levels.

Additionally, curriculum choreography workshop recordings are not required for students to purchase to do a Technique Assessment, it is merely offered as a support for students who want to take advantage. It will be a spoon-fed preparation for students wanting to quickly and easily refresh or get ready for an assessment.

How Do I Sign Up for a Technique Assessment?

To sign up for a Technique Assessment, visit our Workshops page and scroll down to find the appropriate level. You can also find them listed out individually below:

How Does This Differ From My Weekly Classes?

The technique assessment is a kind of comprehensive, personalized feedback that isn’t as easily offered in a group class as there isn’t the structured time or place for teachers to offer detailed feedback. While your teachers are likely offering feedback in class over time, it is not as a comprehensive and individualized. This opportunity is all about you!

How Do I Know Which Technique Assessment to Take?

We highly recommend all dancers, especially Advanced dancers, start with a Beginner Technique Assessment. Advanced students are often more concerned about progressing and may feel plateaued. To most effectively evaluate their technique, it’s best to start at the foundation. Challenges and problems that show up in later years causing plateau are often based in fundamental technique or posture. so looking closely to make sure the foundation techniques are all well executed helps addresses layering and complexity concerns before looking at the higher levels. By offering a rolling deadline for these technique assessments, we hope that students take the opportunity to get personalized feedback whenever best fits their schedule.