Ballet 

BALLET SYLLABUS

We follow the Royal Academy of Dance syllabi for our ballet lessons. This syllabus is split between Graded and Vocational Graded Examinations.

 

Pre-School- (Ages 2 -4)

The Pre-School Dance Curriculum develops basic movement skills, musical awareness, expression and creativity. Themed classes incorporating props encourage class participation, focus and confidence that prepare students for entry to the Pre-Primary in Dance syllabus.

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The Graded Syllabus

(Pre-Primary in Dance, Primary in Dance and Grades 1 – 8) provides a broad practical dance education and develops technical, musical and performance skills. The syllabus incorporates ballet, free movement and character.

 

The Vocational Graded Examinations

Pointe Work Classes - (Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1 and Advanced 2) provides an in-depth study of ballet and prepare students for a career in dance. The syllabus develops technique, music and performance skills and introduces pointe work for female candidates.

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There are strict age guidelines set by the Academy to ensure safe dance practice. Candidates must have reached the following minimum age by:

• 1 January (for exam sessions taking place between January and August); or

• 1 September (for exam sessions taking place between September and December), in the year the exam takes place:

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Pre-Primary in Dance - min age 5

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Primary in Dance - min age 6

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Grades 1-5 - min age 7

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Grades 6-8 - min age 11

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Intermediate Foundation - min age 11

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Intermediate - min age 12

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Advanced Foundation - min age 13

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Advanced - min age 14

 

Advanced 2 - min age 15

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Solo Seal Award - min age 15

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The Academy also recommends that candidates study each grade for a minimum of 70 hours before being put forward for an examination.

 

For more information please see the Academy’s website www.rad.org.uk

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SYLLABUS

 

Pre-Primary and Primary

Pre-Primary in Dance and Primary in Dance are the introductory levels of the RAD’s Graded Examination Syllabus.

Pre-Primary in Dance and Primary in Dance develop the students’ physical skills, stamina, creativity, expression, and musicality using a range of sounds and musical styles.This strong foundation prepares students for a successful transition to ballet and other dance genres at higher levels.

These levels are appropriate for students between the ages of five and eight years.

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The Graded Examinations in Dance Syllabus consists of three dance disciplines:

• Ballet - the foundation and the most important part of the syllabus

• Free Movement - it has been influenced by and incorporates movements in common with other dance styles such as Natural Movement, Contemporary and Classical Greek Dance.

• Character - the theatrical presentation of national dance using original ethnic dance and music which has been freely adapted for the theatre. The three styles — Hungarian, Russian and Polish — were selected because of their historic importance in the development of the nineteenth century full-length classical ballets.

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Grade 1-3 (Level 1)

The Grades 1 to 3 syllabi is designed to encourage the development of an appropriate and sound technique. Through studying the syllabi and taking the examination candidates will develop secure technique through

• Core stability

• Weight placement

• Turnout and line

The candidate's awareness of artistry and dynamics is also recognised and rewarded through the examination.

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Grade 4-5 (Level 2)

The Grades 4 to 5 syllabi is designed to hone, improve and develop the skills and technique learnt in the previous grades. There is a higher emphasis on artistry, dynamics and performance for these examinations.

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Grade 6-8 (Level 3)

The Grades 6 to 8 syllabi is designed to demonstrate strong technique, knowledge, musicality, and artistry.

Following on from Grades 4-5, the knowledge and skills gained through successful completion of these qualifications provide a basis for progression to further personal development, lifelong learning and further and higher education opportunities. Grades 6-8 are accepted as benchmarks of achievement by vocational schools, universities and other HE institutions.

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