Hello! I am Stefani Berger, Director of The Dance Department here at College Prep. I'd like to tell you about our program, and want you to know that we have an incredible Dance Department!

Anyone who wants to learn how to dance can find an opportunity to do so. Whether you are new to dance, or are a dancer with exceptional training, we have the level and performance opportunity to challenge and stimulate you to grow as a dance-artist. We work on a very professional level in class all the while creating a deep and meaningful dance community. Did I mention FUN? Oh and that we have guys who dance at all levels in the program? We laugh and sweat and work together in a supportive environment based on mutual trust and cooperation.

We have 3 levels of classes: beginning, intermediate, and advanced, plus an after-school audition-based performing dance group (PDG) for the most advanced dancers. We perform all year long in every possible venue available: here at College Prep, at other schools, in high school dance festivals, at senior centers, and in theaters throughout the Bay Area. The focus of the dance program is 20th century modern dance with an emphasis on African American choreographers. The techniques that I teach are those of Lester Horton, Jose Limon, Martha Graham, Katherine Dunham, and Alvin Ailey. My personal goal is to incorporate diversity in dance style, technique, culture, and music, and to work collaboratively with students and teachers alike. I bring in Guest Choreographers so that dancers have an opportunity to continually stretch themselves as dancers and artists alike.

I believe that engaging in dance is a deeply humanizing experience. It is fun, immensely challenging, and pushes us to discover who we really are. Through dance we connect and come home to our true self!

Why Dance?

I invite you to come participate in our dance program. I look forward to meeting you and answering any questions that you may have. Please email me at: Stefani@college-prep.org or call me at school (510) 420-2358 and I will be sure to get in touch with you.

In Dance,

Stefani Berger

Student Comments 2013:

"The thought of dance class motivates me when I don't want to get up in the morning. (Really it does.) Stefani is such an inspirational teacher and person. She is the best! Dance is my favorite class and is one of the highlights of my day. She makes dance class amazing!"

"The dance room is such a safe haven for the stressed student. Stefani is always looking out for everyone- she checks in with all of us to see how we're doing. I love how she shows so much interest in our lives, and how she demonstrates her passion for dance on the daily."

"Dance class is so extremely supportive and caring. It is a place where I can begin to believe in myself, even when I didn't before."

"Dance class is the reason why we ever care about core/abs. Aside from that, this is the place where we can eat PB&J when we forget lunch, have a place to nap during free periods, have stretch class almost whenever we need, brew hot tea on cold days and have 45 minutes to de-stress everyday."

"The thing I admire about Stefani and dance class is her ability to be authoritative, artistic and encouraging all at the same time. She keeps her dancers stretching, and testing themselves and succeeding and full of joy."

"I'm so lucky to have dance teachers at College Prep who I can look up to as professional artists, and as kind and caring human beings. This is all to say nothing of how much fun I have challenging myself in dance class!"

This course is designed for the student with little or no dance experience. Modern dance, ballet, and jazz techniques are taught with an emphasis on twentieth- century modern dance. Historical and multicultural appreciation of dance is introduced through master classes, videos, and field trips. The focus of the first semester is on technique. In the second semester students work on an in-service multidisciplinary dance project and perform their projects in a spring dance recital. Prerequisites: None. Satisfies the P.E. requirement.

This course is for students who have completed Beginning Dance or for those entering the dance program at an intermediate technical level. The dance techniques of modern, jazz, and ballet are studied, as well as composition and choreography. Guest choreographers and master teachers are brought in to enhance the educational aspects of the program. This class participates in a major performance given during the second semester. Field trips to professional dance concerts in the San Francisco Bay Area may also be included in the course. Prerequisite:  Beginning Dance or equivalent experience. Satisfies the P.E. requirement.

This course is designed for the dance student who is technically proficient in one or more of the dance disciplines: modern, jazz, and/or ballet. All three techniques are studied at the advanced levels with an emphasis on twentieth-century modern dance. Composition, choreography and working with guest choreographers and master teachers are all part of the curriculum. A major performance is given during the second semester. Qualified juniors and seniors design an independent choreography project for this performance. Field trips to professional dance concerts in the San Francisco Bay Area may also be included in the course. Advanced students may also audition for PDG, the after-school performing dance group that tours the Bay Area. Prerequisite: demonstrable technical proficiency. Satisfies the P.E. requirement.

The Performing Dance Group is an audition-based advanced dance company. PDG rehearses weekly all year long after school and performs throughout the Bay Area in schools and theaters. In addition, students perform at a variety of school functions. Students have an opportunity to work with guest choreographers, develop their own choreography, and produce student works.

Dance Show 2013: Luminosity

We are all very excited about our upcoming 2013 dance show 'Luminosity,' on May 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. As dancers and artists, we have been deeply engaged in learning and embracing the many artistic expressions of Modern Dance. Dance encompasses so many different styles and disciplines! We have Lindy, Broadway and Rhythm Tap dance, dances inspired by Bali, Hawaiian Hula, Modern dance influenced by Ballet and Jazz as well as historical and classic works. Students have been dancing all year at College Prep at our Open house, International Day, Multicultural evening, Cabaret Night, and Music Tour which includes both a performance at Disneyland and at a youth prison facility, as well as at senior centers, and public schools. And, as a kick off for this year's dance show fundraiser, students even staged a Valentine's Day Flash mob, as part of the One Billion Rising global event. In so many ways, on so many levels, dancers have been working to showcase their extraordinary talents and enthusiasm for all that is dance. All of this will come together in the 2013 College Prep Dance Showcase Performance, 'Luminosity'. Among the more than 20 featured works in this year's show will be The Rainbow Etude, a project of the dance legacy institute at Brown University based on “Rainbow ‘Round my Shoulder” (1959) by choreographer Donald McKayle, five senior student projects, original works from 6 guest choreographers, an aerial Lindy dance and a stunning finale you just won't believe involving all 70 of our dancers!

We are constantly exploring universal expressions of dance and the idea that the perfection of the dance is in the 'Luminosity' of the body. That dance is not just something we do, but rather is how we manifest our intentions through our bodies. What might be possible when 70 individuals come together dedicated to the purpose of creativity? The dancers in beginning, intermediate and advanced dance classes are exploring just that. With their vibrant spirit and joyous vitality, they have created something unique, dedicated to the singular purpose of dance. This year's dance show, like every past show, will reflect the uniqueness of these amazing dancers. Modern dance in all its complexity is a reflection of all that we are, and the many ways that we experience ourselves and the world around us. It is about being fully alive and wholly human. I truly believe that teenagers are so wonderful and capable of expressing tremendous joy. Join us as we celebrate the beauty of all that is dance, and embrace the phenomenal spirit, of our wondrous College prep students.

This year's dance show fundraiser will be in support of a local organization that is working to end violence against women. Check out the YouTube video of the V-Day Flash Mob that we did here at College Prep:

The new year promises to be a thrilling one in the College Prep Dance Department. 

Look for us at International Day, Multicultural Evening, and the Open Houses to name a few. And to add to all of the exciting things happening in the College Prep dance world, our very own Stan Washburn has been regularly sketching in classes and has kindly offered to hang his dance portraits in the studio! Although not officially a dancer/choreographer, he has unofficially become part of our dance family and we welcome his contributions and celebrations of the life of dance here at school. Enjoy the portraits of this year's dance student artists, as we move through another exciting year here at College Prep.