Royal Academy of Dance

We base our lessons on the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus and so, for those that choose, children can take the Royal Academy of Dance grades. Some ballet schools believe that exams create an unwelcome pressure on children - this is not our view. Our experience is that children enjoy the challenge of exams when set in an enjoyable environment, though this may be helped by the fact that our pupils have always passed!

The Royal Academy of Dance syllabus has been carefully crafted to develop coordination, strength, and grace, all within a formal ballet structure. So what children learn with us is exactly how professional ballerinas start their careers. Moving up through the grades gives children real satisfaction in their achievement, as well as obvious pride in their art.

Pre-School - Dance to Your Own Tune (2.5 to 4.5 year olds)

Movement, Music, and Magic for Children

These are lively but structured dance classes for children that develop physical skills and encourage creativity, expression, and confidence. Through participation in appropriate learning activities, children learn:

• to move with control, coordination and confidence,
• an awareness of their body and how it moves through space,
• a sensitivity to music, and
• expression of emotions through movement.

And, behind all the fun, they’ll actually be prepared for a transition to ballet and other dance genres at higher levels.

Pre-Primary and Primary in Dance (5–6 year olds)

These structured classes develop students’ physical skills, stamina, creativity, expression and musicality using a range of movements and musical styles. The syllabi prepare students for a successful transition to ballet and other dance genres at higher levels.

RAD Graded Ballet (Grades 1–8)

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

• Ballet - the foundation and the most important part of the syllabus.
• Free Movement - influenced by and incorporating 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.

Solo Performance Award (Grades 1–5)

In addition to an Examination at each level, students have the option to work towards Solo Performance Award exams in class. This is an excellent opportunity for students to present three dances to a RAD Examiner where they will be assessed on technique, musicality, performance, and recall. A great benefit of this is that students are able to treat this like a real performance. They also have the option of enhancing their uniform to make simple costumes.

Pointe Class

Suitable for those with at least three years of recent ballet training and over thirteen years old, who have developed a strong technique.

Adult Ballet Classes

This class is the best way to begin a new challenge with like-minded people that will inspire, energise and motivate you! You will learn ballet exercises at the barre and in the centre to improve posture, balance, flexibility strength, stamina, and coordination in a friendly and safe environment. You will discover the sensation of being graceful and elegant, the enjoyment of dancing to a great playlist while getting the benefit of working and toning your whole body.

Silver Swans Ballet Classes for over 55’s

Silver Swans classes have been specifically designed for seniors. If you are looking for a new way to keep fit and active, Silver Swans will put a spring back in your step. Whether you’ve never danced before or want to reboot your ballet skills. Classes focus on improving your mobility, posture, coordination, and energy levels.

Angela will be introducing The Royal Academy of Dance Discovering Repertoire programme to her adult ballet classes and older students. The programme has been created with the aim of preserving the heritage of classical ballet as an art form and keeping the history of the discipline alive. There are three levels and each level consists of a basic class unit, two units comprising a breakdown of simple development exercises, leading to a variation from a well-known classical ballet: these include Coppélia, Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty, Paquita, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. The variations have been adapted for this programme and are similar to those performed on stage. Take a look at this link with an introduction by Darcy Bussell talking about Discovering Repertoire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1QZXHmq4hg

Unite in Dance (Summer and Winter) Workshop for Girls and Boys

We hope to inspire all students about the world of dance, and we tailor our dance workshops especially for those aged 4 to 11 years old. It’s also the perfect time to show boys especially that dance is a fun thing to do, and once they have a positive experience from a young age, we hope they will continue to dance! All the dance styles will improve coordination, balance, and spatial awareness. It is also brilliant for encouraging a healthy lifestyle and the importance of keeping fit from a young age. Professional teachers will be invited to teach a variety of dance genres - Ballet, Ballet Repertoire, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Flamenco, Bollywood, and more. Unite in Dance is a 5-day workshop over the holidays, with a presentation to families and friends at the end of the week. The workshop takes place in our spacious studios at Acton Gardens Community Centre For more information contact Angela