Syllabus & Exam Stream Classes

Children enrolled in this class still attend only one class per week initially, with those that are considered ready being invited to sit an assessment when exam time comes around (this is not compulsory).  The assessment for Pre-primary Ballet is an introduction to exams (no marks) and students who wish to participate will receive further info when exam nominations are due.   NB: Students must be a minimum of 5 yrs old as at 1^st Jan to be eligible for an exam

This is the first formal ‘ballet’ level, and is recommended once children have started school.  Prep students who have already been learning dancing for a year or more are sometimes ready for this class (older ½ of prep); otherwise new dancers from Grade 1 at school are encouraged.  Ballet is considered the foundation of all other dance styles and it is highly recommended that students take a ballet class even if focused on other styles (Beginners Tap & Jazz is also available from this age).

These are formal classical ballet training levels using the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus.  RAD is an internationally recognised syllabus and examination board that is continually updating and revising its work to keep up to date with the ever changing demands of the dance industry.  These Grades are progressive, with technical ability building on the skills acquired in previous levels.  Students have the opportunity to sit an examination for each Grade when ready, and classes include traditional classical technique and Character work.

It is recommended that all ballet students attend two classes a week from Primary Ballet.  This is necessary to cover all aspects of the classical technique, and mandatory for any child wishing to be considered for an exam. It is also beneficial from Grade 3 ballet onwards to attend a conditioning/extension class to further boost their technique.

NB: If not interested in attending 2 classes a week or sitting an exam there are ‘Recreational’ ballet classes also available. 

Continuing from the technical base established in the RAD grades, these vocational levels continue to progress the classical technique after completion of Grade 5 Ballet.  Pointe work is also introduced and developed at these levels.  This pathway is for students looking towards a professional, or semi-professional dance career, or those who wish to be quite dedicated to their classical ballet training.  Attendance at 2 classes a week, in addition to a conditioning class is compulsory for students wishing to sit a vocational ballet exam.

NB: The higher Grades (Gr. 6-8) are an alternative to the Vocational path (no pointe work) for those not looking at the Vocational levels but still wanting to progress ballet technique and sit exams. They are also a great addition for those wanting additional training to complement their vocational levels.

This is a graded syllabus by TAPATAK Oz. Children can sit examinations yearly once the required technical level of skill is achieved. It builds a strong tap technique, with students learning to understand rhythms, musical interpretation and performance skills progressively with each level building on the technique established in the preceding level.

Jazz: These are progressively graded classes using the International Dance Technique syllabus. Students have the opportunity to sit examinations at the end of each grade if desired (and teacher considers student capable). This syllabus focuses on strengthening the ‘technical’ elements used for competition work (kicks, leaps & turns) while also working on their ability to pick up varied combination work. This syllabus builds versatile, strong dancers and they have lots of fun in the process!

Contemporary: With a strong foundation in ballet, contemporary builds a strong expressive, lyrical and dynamic dancer. There is lots of work on fluid movements, floorwork, and contractions as well as intricate combinations and big movement passages. A difficult, but very visually pleasing genre of dance that features heavily in popular dance culture.

With an ever increasing demand from the dance industry for athletic, highly flexible, strong dancers with acrobatic skills it is essential that we train our students with correct technique to execute these skills SAFELY from an early age. Instructors have undergone rigorous training and monitoring in a number of acrobatic/conditioning syllabus (Acrobatic Arts, Acrobatique, Progressing Ballet Technique) to deliver highly effective skills, with the focus on strength and form before flexibility and ‘tricks’. As we are not a ‘gym’ we only offer these classes to our ‘exam stream’ students as an adjunct to their training, utilising their technique developed in other classes as a base to expand from for the ‘acro’ specific moves.

To be able to sing is a ‘dancer’s’ greatest asset! Utilising a dance background to incorporate movements & action with song students will receive vocal training in a group setting. Singing & breathing techniques will be developed, assisting students to be confident vocally, adding an additional skill to their repertoire while fitting everything conveniently into their dance schedule!!