Royal Academy Of Dance Ballet Programs
Lower Grades:
Primary
Ages 6 +
Enrolment in Caulfield School of Dance R.A.D. ballet programs is “closed” which means that enrolment is by invitation only. Every R.A.D. ballet program is designed individually for each exam candidate.
To inquire about enrolling in an R.A.D. program with or without the option to perform (see more information on Performing below), please contact us.
The 2020/21 Primary RAD Program consists of:
Primary RAD Syllabus Course
Wednesdays, 5:15 – 6:15 pm
Plus a minimum of one Level A Technique Course:
Level A Ballet Technique
Friday, 6:15 – 7:15 pm
Students in the Primary RAD program can also choose to have Ballet Performing* Course:
Ballet Performance 1
Friday 7:15 – 7:30 pm
* Note: With the uncertainty of group performing due to health concerns, we have the chance in the upcoming months to focus on developing dancers in a way that focuses more than ever before on the advancement of each student’s skill and artistry. This will mean that when the possibilities for performing repertoire in groups are clear, our students will be ready to learn pieces quickly and perform in the best contexts we can provide.
Also highly recommended/required on an individual basis are courses at your child’s age in the following disciplines:
Jazz Technique
Acro Technique
Musical Theatre
Acting
Hip Hop
Please see further information in Program Composition below on training in the above disciplines (yes, even Hip Hop!) as part of complete preparation in classical dance.
The days and times of these courses in the above disciplines are listed the Courses by Age Schedule pages.
By Audition and special permission, students in the Primary RAD program can be selected for a Closed Ballet Performance course, which is in a package of most/ all of the above plus:
Closed Ballet Performance 1
Friday 6:00 – 6:15 pm
Performance Training Company membership is also by audition only.
Limited Private and/ or Semiprivate instruction in Voice, Speech Arts, and any Dance Discipline available.
Program Composition
Every R.A.D. ballet program is designed individually for each exam candidate.
All R.A.D. programs include a syllabus or “Examination” course and at least one ballet technique course. An R.A.D. ballet program will usually also include technique courses in other disciplines.
Ballet Performance courses (as opposed to Basic Ballet courses which include both technique instruction and the preparing a performing piece) are optional, and closed except to those in full R.A.D. ballet programs.
Home practice with parental assistance is obligatory for all R.A.D. program students. Practice music will be provided by digital download for all enrolled students.
More information on courses in other disciplines:
Students at the Primary level who wish to pursue RA.D. examinations, will ideally take a program including 4 or more hours of Ballet/ Modern/ Jazz/ Acrobatics Technique courses per week to develop core strength, flexibility, and jumping and turning skills. Students who take Tap have better musicality and rhythm than students who do not, and those who take Musical Theatre and/or Acting have better confidence/stage presence and expressivity than those who do not. Hip Hop is a necessary part of career preparation in dance, even classical dance.
Please see the Courses by Age Schedule pages for days and times of these courses in other disciplines.
Performance Training Company membership (by audition only) and limited Private and /or Semiprivate instruction in Voice, Speech Arts, and any Dance Discipline available.
Information on the Royal Academy of Dance Program
The Royal Academy of Dance, or R.A.D., is the world’s leading organization for ballet instruction. The syllabi are progressive, expressive, and complete.
Examinations
Primary R.A.D. students do not usually participate in an examination. From Grade I on, examinations are recommended for goal-setting and achievement; the R.A.D. program, when taken level by level without interruption provides a complete education in classical dance. All students in the program must work with dedication to improve. Promotion to Grade I is by instructor assessment.
Success in the later examinations can be used towards B.C. Ministry of Education graduation requirements, and greatly enhances all performing career options. With success in the Intermediate Vocational examination, students have achieved world-recognized proficiency in the art of Classical Ballet.
Character Dance, Free Movement, and Pointe Work
The Primary R.A.D syllabus does not include Character Dance, Free Movement or Pointe Work components. Only Grade I through VIII students learn “Character Dance” which is unauthentic European folk dance, and “Free Movement” which is Modern/ Contemporary based dance, as components of their syllabi. Only the Vocational levels include pointe work.