UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

GOAL STATEMENT
SUBMITTED TO ASSISTANT PROFESSOR PATRICIA DOWNEY IN PARTIAL
FULLFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THEA 483: BALLET III AND THEA 385:
MUSICAL THEATRE STYLES
BY
BRIANNA BERNARD
VERMILLION, SOUTH DAKOTA
September 1
st
, 2014
Coming back to school for the spring semester, I knew I was ready to dance. I am
enrolled in Ballet III and Musical Theatre Styles and I cannot wait to take on both classes.
Setting goals and continuing to improve my technique will be even more important this semester
because Ballet is such a technique-heavy course. Ballet is the style I struggle with the most
because it takes such a specific technique that takes years to achieve (and to constantly keep
improving), so right now my goals are going to be focused on continuing to improve that
technique. Contrastingly, Musical Theatre Styles is not a technique class. I am personally
responsible for making sure the choreography we are taught is executed with proper technique.
Entering into an upper-level tap class after taking a year off of tap is something that will require
a lot of attention and rehearsal on my behalf. Again, my goals will be focused on furthering my
technique, but much of that will be outside the classroom this time. After going back and reading
previous minute papers and reflection papers, I have decided the three objectives I would like to
focus on improving this semester are a continued development of efficient use of energy by
using appropriate muscular tension while allowing for a continuous flow of energy throughout
the body, continued development of the ability to link steps and repeat movement patterns
resulting in the performance of dance combinations, and continued development of strength,
flexibility, and endurance.
My first metaobjective I have chosen to focus on this semester is a continued
development of efficient use of energy by using appropriate muscular tension while allowing for
a continuous flow of energy throughout the body. I chose this goal because Ballets flowing, yet
pulled-up/appropriately tense style is something I am still working to understand in my body.
Everything in Ballet is so precise. Even though I have had two semesters of Ballet already,
sometimes I still feel like the movement is very foreign in my body. I struggle with
connectedness and flow. Sometimes it is difficult for me to either complete all the movement in
shorter amounts of time, or if I have more time I end the movement before it should. I am happy
to change this with continuing my study and practice of dance, but obviously, that will take time.
Over this next semester, my goal is to use my energy efficiently and appropriately in both styles
of Ballet and Clogging. In Ballet, this means using every beat of the music, pulling up, holding
the right kind of tension in my core, and extending the energy all the way from the source (i.e.
not extending from the elbow or wrist, but rather from the trapezius and shoulder blades). I also
want to learn how to rely on the barre less and properly pull up and execute barre exercises
without leaning on something too heavily. To make this goal happen, I intend on working on
balancing exercises throughout the semester, as well as increasing the amount of yoga I do daily.
Also, proper use of energy will be incredibly important in my clogging as well, because it is such
an aerobic, high-energy style. I also intend on going to Zumba classes at the Wellness Center this
semester, as the high/constant energy of that exercise is similar to Clogging.
The second metaobjective I have chosen to focus on this semester is continued
development of the ability to link steps and repeat movement patterns resulting in the
performance of dance combinations. This goal might be one of my most difficult because for
some reason, sequencing of Ballet style combinations/warm-ups always evades me. I get very
confused at the barre when the sequences are so repetitive, but with slight differences and
directions thrown in. In my four hours outside of class, I really want to focus on distinguishing
sequence of barre exercises and work on muscle memory of particular patterns. Improving
foundational barre technique will then translate to the center in combinations. This will also
apply to Clogging, in that many of the steps come from the same base (triple step) but can have
multiple add-ons and changes (toe tips, heel digs, etc).
My third metaobjective I have chosen to focus on this semester is a continued
development of strength, flexibility, and endurance. All three of these characteristics continue
to improve in my body every day. I have become much more focused on my personal health and
well being during this past summer. My love for yoga has grown immensely and my strength,
flexibility, and endurance have all improved. My split gets closer and closer every day. I believe
if I continue my stretching exercises that I will definitely achieve it by the end of the year.
However, though my shoulders grew stronger thanks to yoga over the summer, I would really
like to improve the strength in my legs. While flexibility is improving in the thigh/groin area, my
kicks and extensions (either at the barre or in the center for combination) are not very high. To
improve leg strength, I intend on adding squats, heel lifts, and mountain climbers to my daily
exercise routine. Also, as much as I swear I hate to, I really want to start running more regularily.
My goal for this summer is to run three times a week, either outside or inside at the Wellness
Center. Weather will not be an excuse! With these goals in mind, I am sure my strength,
flexibility, and endurance will continue to improve.
With these three goals, I look forward to continuing my dance this semester and well into
the future. It feels incredible when I make discoveries and improvements in class and rehearsal,
and working on these goal statements is the first step to getting there. I very much look forward
to this semester and will continue to grow through focusing on my three goals: a continued
development of efficient use of energy by using appropriate muscular tension while allowing for
a continuous flow of energy throughout the body, continued development of the ability to link
steps and repeat movement patterns resulting in the performance of dance combinations, and
continued development of strength, flexibility, and endurance.