| CLASSICAL BALLET |
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| Dance has been around for thousands of years, in many different forms. Much of the history of ballet starts in Europe, Italy and France. It then centered around the English Court dancing in the 16th and 17th centuries. But ballet as we know didn't devolop until the 18th and 19th centuries with dancing masters such as Jean-George Noverre, Jean Dauberval, Jules Perrot, Filipo Taglioni and Ballerinas such as Marie Taglioni, Fanny Cerrito, Carlota Grisi, Lucile Grahn and Fanny Elssler in what we call the Romantic era. These days to learn ballet you need to go along to a ballet class. Ballet classes are offered for children aged 3 years and above. For 3 year olds the classes are more movement to music incorporating some basic ballet steps. Once the child reaches 5 years old they progress to a more structured class - within the RAD syllabus this is called Pre Primary. Each year after this the children sit what are called Graded examinations or Presentation classes, whichever is best for the child, to progress to the next level. There are ten levels - Pre Primary, Primary then Grades 1-8. The exams up to Grade 5 are open to both male and female candidates. Grades 6, 7 and 8 Award are currently for female candidates only. Students can also choose to study the Vocational Graded syllabus once they become young teenagers. |
| - Free movement incorporates movements in common with other dance styles such as Natural movement, Contemporary and Greek Dance. - Character is the theatrical presentation of national dance using origional 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 19th century full-length Classical ballets. |
| The Vocational Graded syllabus is designed for both male and female dancers and develops the study of classical ballet with the introduction of pointe work for female candidates. This syllabus has been designed to provide a highly focused and relevant training for students wishing to study seriously with a view to pursuing a performing or teaching career in dance or dance related subjects. There are six levels within the Vocational Graded syllabus - Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1, Advanced 2 and The Solo Seal Award. This latter Award is the pinnacle of the Academy's examination syllabus. |
| The Graded examinations in dance include Classical, Free movement and Character. - Classical is the foundation and the most important part of the syllabus. |