Once you are Intermediate 1 and 2 certified and feel you have a good working knowledge of the required technique, choreographies, and catalogs, you are ready to make the push towards Performance 1. The process involves the following steps.  Students wishing to test must contact the School to discuss course enrollment and preparation.

Pre-Course Preparation.  For the Salimpour Performance 1:  Technique Testing and Choreography Presentation Preparation course, students must prepare in advance for the following:

• Performance 1 Testing Technique Drills.  Throughout the Performance 1 course (Testing Preparation and Choreography Presentation Preparation) students will be prompted to submit subgroups of the testing drills for evaluation.  A version of the testing drills is listed on the exams page, and students should develop these drills in advance before taking the course.
• Performance Certification Choreography.  Students should prepare the Performance 1 choreography in advance of the workshop and be prepared to submit video of their performances for evaluation one week prior to the start date of the course.
• The videos must be filmed in a space with lighting bright enough for clear video evaluation of technique (and finger cymbal patterns, R and L dominant, if applicable).  For choreography, note that separate video may be requested of finger cymbal pattern playing without dancing the choreography.
• Performance Catalog.  Students should prepare to submit a Performance Catalog Highlight Set to be submitted for evaluation one week prior to the start date of the course.  See Performance Catalog for content detail. Your performance catalog should represent your best solo improvisation work and show that you are already consistently working at a Performance 1 (S4) level.
• Prepare and photograph yourself in three options each for costume, hairstyle, and makeup to be submitted during the course for approval to be used in dress rehearsals toward the end of the course and for the final performance exam presentation.

Following successful completion of the Performance 1: Technique Testing and Choreography Presentation Preparation course, students will receive approval to produce and present their Choreography Presentation Performance (Gauntlet) within four months. Students will produce their own Choreography Presentation performance (book performance venue, advertise) with School approval and following School guidelines.  For evaluation, the student will submit video of the actual Choreography Presentation performance with an evaluation fee.  Once a student has successfully completed the Choreography Presentation Performance exam, the next step is developing a senior recital.

Pre-Course Preparation.  For the Salimpour Performance 1:  Senior Recital Preparation course, students must prepare in advance for the following:

• Submit video of each section of the recital for evaluation one week prior to the start of the course.
• Submit mapping and gridwork (stage and audience) for each section of the recital for evaluation one week prior to the start of the course.
• Submit a story arc and audience cast for each piece (as demonstrated and taught as part of Course S401e).
• Submit new video of Performance Catalog Highlight Set with documentation, one week prior to the start of the course. One Highlight Set video is due before each Performance 1 and 2 course.
• The videos must be filmed in a space with lighting bright enough for clear video evaluation of technique (and finger cymbal patterns, R and L dominant, if applicable).  For choreography, note that separate video may be requested of finger cymbal pattern playing without dancing the choreography.
• Prepare and photograph yourself in three options each for costume, hairstyle, and makeup to be submitted during the course for approval to be used in dress rehearsals toward the end of the course and for the final performance exam presentation.

Following successful completion of the Performance 1: Recital Preparation course, students will receive approval to produce and present their Personal Recital Performance within four months. Students will produce their own recital (book performance venue, advertise) with School approval and following School guidelines.  For evaluation, the student will submit video of the actual senior recital performance with an evaluation fee.  Once a student has successfully completed the Personal Recital Performance exam, the student is eligible for Salimpour Performance 1 certification.

Note:  The 12 week courses are designed for students to submit their work for evaluation, assuming the student has already done a significant amount of preparation on their own.  In some cases, students may require additional effort to prepare for the performance exams.  Students may need to schedule private lessons with Suhaila for further development or retake certain courses.  For performance catalogs, students may be required to continue work on their performance catalogs under the guidance of the Certification Coordinator or assigned Teaching Certified (L5) licensed instructors.  Additional review and evaluation will require additional fees.

Once you are Performance 1 and Intermediate 2 certified and feel you have a good working knowledge of the required technique, choreographies, and catalogs, you are ready to make the push towards Performance 2. The process involves the same steps as Performance 1, but with attendance at the Performance 2 courses (Choreography Presentation Preparation and Senior Recital Preparation).  Students wishing to test must contact the School to discuss course enrollment and preparation.