Dance Program
Oakland Tech's Dance Program is led by Ms. Sonja Travick.
Courses offered
Beginning Dance
This class is designed to introduce students to basic dance terminology, technique, and dance class etiquette. This class presents alignment principles, weight shifts, level changes, and the elements of dance such as space, time, and energy. Students will be exposed to Jazz, Modern, Ballet, West African, and other World dance techniques.
In addition to their introduction to dance terminology through praxis, students will also read about dance, write about dance, and observe both live and filmed dance performances.
Each marking period all students are required to take an outside approved dance class in a variety of dance genres.
Intermediate/Advanced Dance
This class is designed to introduce students to basic dance terminology, technique, and dance class etiquette. This class presents alignment principals, weight shifts, level changes, and the elements of dance such as space, time, and energy. Students will be exposed to: Jazz, Modern, Ballet, West African, and other World dance techniques.
In addition to their introduction to dance terminology through praxis, student will also read about dance, write about dance, and observe both live and videoed dance performances.
Take a Seat!
About Sonja Travick
Ms. Travick transforms lives through performing and teaching dance of the African Diaspora, with an emphasis on dances from Senegal Guinea and Mali. Her dynamic and powerful performances captivate her audiences and challenge their preconceived perceptions of traditional African Dance forms. Her commitment to maintaining the authenticity of traditional African dance forms combined with her high energy and execution, have gained her the respect and support of her colleagues as both a performer and educator. Sonja was born in Pennsylvania where she began dancing at the age of six. She graduated from John Harris / Riverside Arts Magnet School and became the youngest apprentice (140 with the Joseph P. Cooksey Chameleon dance Company.
Sonja continued her studies at Lincoln University, Lincoln University Pa, where she became a member of the University Dance ensemble. She graduated with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Russian language in 1988. In 1992 Sonja relocated to the Bay Area. Under the tutelage of bay area dance masters such as Carolyn Himes, Allasane Kane, Molonga Casquerlourd Jacque Barnes and Alseny Soumah Sonja soared in her mastery of dances of the African diaspora. In 1993 Sonja traveled to Brazil for a month long study of the dances of the Orixas, in 1995 she then traveled to Paris for a month long study of modern techniques fused with dances of Senegal and the Conga and most recently. In 1997 Sonja then traveled to Jamaica to study traditional Caribbean folklore and dance. In 2005, Sonja’s intensive study of West African Dance and culture sent her to Guinea, West Africa for an intensive study with the countries national dance company. Sonja’s goal is to restructure, review, and revive the communities’ connection to traditional African music and dance.