DANCE

As we close the semester, I look back with pride on the changes and achievements we have made as a team and as individuals.

In Term 1 we introduced Open Weeks, allowing us to welcome families and friends on site to view up to a week of classes. This provided a safer and tapered return to onsite training for individual students where rehearsals did not replace time spent in training or learning.  This also meant we could extend preparation time over a longer period for the study of more complex repertoire pieces. The results have been outstanding.

We introduced our Jazz dance program to the Junior year levels, designed as part of our 6 year program and supporting the philosophies of training which underpin our course. It has been a resounding success. Led by Ross Hannaford and Nicole Melloy, the Broadway and Musical Theatre genres of jazz dance will augment the skills of our already talented students.

Repertoire classes for ballet solos have been introduced. This is now timetabled and allocated to provide equitable access for all students, so they all receive coaching in a class context on a number of solos throughout the year.

Repertoire rehearsals for each year level were provided separately to class times in preparation for our season of Curtain Up. I am very proud of the amount of effort and inspiration those beautiful items provided to our students and staff. It was wonderful to hear how much you enjoyed the show and to catch up with so many of you at the performances. 

We are moving forward into our rehearsals and exciting preparations for Petrushka, our anchor work for our Major Season choreographed by Tim Harbour. In fact all of our staff are involved in the rehearsal and choreographic process this year, overcoming the challenges that COVID, illnesses and events continue to present in rehearsal and training preparations...Bravo! Keep an eye out for our forthcoming publicity and booking information and we look forward to seeing you there.

Policies and Thanks

Our students train for professional careers in theatrical dance entering Ballet Companies, Contemporary Dance Companies and Musical Theatre. These three pillars of performing arts for dancers all require tertiary training after Year 12 and influence our core business and therefore the expectations for students and family participation.

Our Dance policies reflect the values of our course and our school as a whole.

I am grateful to all the parents who have come forth to ask about external activities and to clarify participation in dance opportunities in line with our policies. I encourage families to speak directly with me as many activities are permissible and the conversations are always worth having.

Curtain Up:  26-27 May | VCASS | Studio One