CLASSICAL BALLET
We follow the Royal Academy of Ballet (RAD) syllabus from Primary Grade all the way through to their highest Advanced vocational grade. This is the classical style of ballet performed by the Royal Ballet Company as well as most other UK companies. It is based on formalised movements and positions of the arms, feet, and body designed to enable the dancer to move with the greatest possible agility, control, speed, lightness, and grace.
The technique is based on the turned out position of the legs which increases the range of movement through added mobility of the hip joint which imparts a pleasing line to the extended leg.
We are an Approved Examination Centre (AEC) which means the RAD Examiners attend our studios for the exams so pupils do not have to travel to the RAD headquarters.
Recommended Study hours (Advised by the RAD)
Primary- Grade 3 70
Grade 4-5 95
Grade 6-8 130
Inter Foundation/Intermediate 270
Please note for Grades Primary to Grade 3 this equates to 2 school years if doing one hour per week and nearly 3 school years for Grade 4-5. This is why we always stress the importance of doing 2 classes each week as your child then has the opportunity to be entered for an exam each year.
It has also been evidenced that doing 2 graded classes a week and a ballet technique class will result in a higher grade result for your child.
We have classes for boys and girls from aged 4 years all the way up to 16-18 years at which stage we have had many pupils accepted into vocational dance schools these being Elmhurst Ballet School, Urdang Academy, Tring Academy, Ballet Theatre UK, Laine Theatre Arts, Arts Educational, and Central School of Ballet.
For those wishing to work towards vocational schools please see the attachment below of the classes that would enable them to reach the standard.
Please note
that the RAD Grades shown on the diagram are guides as it is ability dependant.
Progressive Ballet Technique is an innovative body conditioning and strengthening programme that is designed to further enhance all of our dance classes especially our RAD Graded Ballet in conjunction with our current Ballet Technique classes. It is a unique training system using ballet technique specific exercise to train skill acquisition in a graded progressive manner from junior through to advanced levels. It focuses on core strength, weight placement, and alignment of the body with a gradual approach of carefully designed exercises and repetitions that trigger their muscle memory and is a valuable asset to our current Ballet Technique classes. The programme is designed with safe dance methodology to promote a long healthy career and is now being incorporated in training by all forms of dancers, athletes and even footballers.
LAMDA CLASSES FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
(LONDON ACADEMY OF MUSIC AND DRAMA)
The LAMDA organisation is one of the UK's oldest and most respected drama awarding organisations.
These classes are designed to:
· Improve confidence in speaking, projecting voice with audibility and clarity
· Read easily, fluently and with good understanding
· Expand vocabulary to improve powers of self expression and performance
· Memorise and recall information
We provide two types of exam: the Communication exam and the Performance exam.
Both exams are designed to develop a clear speaking voice, and an ability to project their voice, as well as to improve memorisation as they have to know their monologue without referring to it.
As they progress through the levels they will learn to interact with the monologue they've learnt by using body language and expression to engage an audience and also to learn techniques of breathing and voice.
Communication exam:
The introductory exam for young pupils involves learning the words of a fun poem or something they like such as a toy, place, or book while developing the ability to express themselves clearly and improving their memorisation and recall. Higher exams include learning two verses from memory and answering questions related to the performance. At even higher grades they will learn and perform one piece of verse and one piece of prose and eventually this will also include reading a previously unseen text.
Performance exam:
The performance exam involves acting whereby children delve into characterisation as well as developing their vocal, physical, and interpretive skills.
At entry level pupils will perform a monologue from memory and answer questions relating to their performance. Higher grades involve performing one set scene and one own choice scene from memory and answering questions related to their performance. Pupils will learn to develop their voice, demonstrate and understanding of their character and perform movement and facial expression appropriate to the character.
STREETDANCE
Street dance is a dance style that evolved outside of dance studios in any available open space, such as streets, dance parties, block parties, parks, school yards, raves, and nightclubs. It is often improvisational and social in nature, encouraging interaction and contact with spectators and other dancers. Some examples of street dance include breakdancing, house, and hiphop dances.
These are based on the technique of quickly contracting and relaxing muscles to cause a jerk in the dancers body referred to as a pop or hit. House also emphasises fast and complex foot orientated steps combined with fluid movements in the torso as well as floor work often known as breaking.
MODERN JAZZ
Modern Jazz incorporates African-Caribbean dance with ballet.
It combines ballet technique incorporating pirouettes, elaborate footwork, large leaps, and rapid turns, with elements of modern and contemporary dance
COMMERCIAL JAZZ
Commercial Jazz is known to be a highly choreographed dance form. It features a mixture of sharp and fluid movements, popping and locking as well as animated expression similar to dances seen on commercial video clips.
This stylised combination of street funk, hip hop, and pop is similar to styles seen in music videos for Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, and Janet Jackson.
ACRO AND STRETCHAcro and Stretch is a floor based acrobatic art.
In this class pupils will gain strength and flexibility in order to perform acrobatic moves such as splits, walk-overs, backward rolls, balances, lifts, flips, spot partners, and much more both in pairs and groups.