StepUp's Ballet Programme ~ Training Plan For Every Student

03 Aug 2022
All About Dance
StepUp's Ballet Programme ~ Training Plan For Every Student
 
As every parent is dedicated to ensuring the best learning outcome when they send their child for our dance classes, it is therefore important for us as a responsible service provider to share the different learning pathways available when a student enrols into our Ballet programme. 

In this article, besides taking a 'big picture' look at the journey ahead for every Ballet student here, we will also provide an in-depth sharing on the undertaking required and learning outcomes for each of the different options available. Ultimately, depending on the expectations and aspirations of the student and parent, the choices available will appeal in distinct ways to every individual. Therefore, by sharing the possibilities going forward, we will then be able to assist our students and parents in making the best-informed decision in planning their child's Ballet journey ahead. 


As shared in our Ballet Programme flowchart above, for every student enrolled here, there are a total of 3 main learning pathways available: 

1. Dance Performances 

2. Dance Exams 

3. Performing Group 

Let us now take a closer look at each of these 3 options available for our students and parents to take into consideration for their planning ahead. 

1. Dance Performances for every student: 
 
Termly Dance Showcases
 

Dance Recitals


In summary, Dance Performances provides students with: 
 
a. A consistent platform and opportunity for in-house dance studio and theatre performances for an audience. 

b. Provides a training objective during the weekly regular classes for the students to look forward to and work towards. 

c. Builds the student's stage exposure and confidence. 

d. Hones their performance value as staging for their advanced progress into our Performing Group. 

2. Dance Exams for the committed student who seeks validation and progression through the different grades: 
 

At StepUp, our Ballet classes are conducted in accordance to the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Ballet Curriculum, which is established in 1920 in the United Kingdom and counts Queen Elizabeth II as her Royal Patron. With an internationally recognised syllabus that trains students from the age of a pre-schooler to a young adult, the unique proposition of the RAD Ballet Exam is that it assesses every Exam student in the world by the same RAD standards. 

Royal Academy of Dance Ballet Exam


 
In summary, the RAD Ballet Exam provides students with: 

a. An internationally recognised Ballet Certificate with individualised grading and assessment report. 

b. An accurate assessment of the performance of the student by a qualified and experienced overseas RAD Examiner. 

c. Concludes the learning milestone for each Grade, and prepares the students for advancement into the next higher Grade. 

d. Provides a foundation for DSA-SEC submission and a career as a Ballet Instructor. 
 
Direct School Admission (DSA-SEC)
 


In summary, the requirements for DSA-SEC are as follows: 

a. Progressive achievements (Certificates) from the RAD Ballet Exam through the years is required as supporting documents for DSA-SEC submissions at the MOE portal. 

b. A student entering into our DSA-SEC programme when they are in Primary 5 will need a minimum Grade 4 Ballet qualification. 

Ballet Teaching Assistant

To become a Ballet Teaching Assistant, please refer to the requirements below: 

a. A Ballet Teaching Assistant will require a minimum Grade 8 or Intermediate Foundation Ballet qualification. 

b. A Ballet Teaching Assistant needs to be aged 15 and above. 

c. A Ballet Teaching Assistant will be assessed and recommended by their Form Teacher/School Principal, with consideration to their Exam results, conduct in class through the years, passion and interest for Ballet, personality and character traits. 

d. Experience in Dance Competitions is beneficial. 

RAD Registered Ballet Teacher

To become a RAD Registered Ballet Teacher, please refer to the requirements below: 

a. A CBTS candidate will require a minimum Intermediate Ballet qualification. 

b. A CBTS candidate must have at least 2 years of experience as a teaching assistant. 

c. A CBTS candidate must engage a RAD Mentor who will assist him/her through the modules. At StepUp, our founder Mrs Ng is a registered Mentor and has successfully guided 3 of our Teachers who have graduated with their CBTS qualifications. 

d. A CBTS candidate should be ideally attached to a Dance School (usually their alma mater) during their CBTS training as they will be required to conduct a class independently as part of their assessment in front of their RAD Tutor. Thus, this also means that they need to teach actively in order to do well in this assessment which can only be achieved when they are affiliated to a Dance School. 

3. Performing Group for the passionate student who seeks challenges outside their comfort zone and strives to redefine their own dance limits: 


For students who are serious in pursuing the limits of their own dance boundaries, we will recommend them to join our Performing Group which consists of these 2 main programmes: 

1. Dance Technique Class

2. Dance Competition Team

Dance Technique Class


In summary, our Dance Technique Class provides students with: 

a. Open to all students and starts from Level 1 Classes onwards. 

b. Advanced training that complements the RAD Ballet Curriculum and Exam results.

c. Performance opportunities at events. 

d. Prerequisite for selection by our Instructor to join our Competition Team. 
 
Dance Competition Team
 

In summary, our Dance Competition Team requirements are as follows: 

a. Eligible for dancers who achieve Distinctions from the RAD Ballet Exam and shows good performance from the Dance Technique Class.  

b. New dancers will be placed into Group Competition Teams first before further selection as a Soloist. 

c. New dancer's parents will be required to attend the Performing Group meeting and sign the Performing Group Agreement.  

d. Portfolio of dance achievements from Competitions is advantageous for DSA-SEC submission. 

We trust the detailed sharing above will provide a comprehensive study of the different learning pathway that are available for every Ballet student enrolled into our classes, regardless of their ability and interest. As every student and parent has different aspiration and motivation for learning Ballet, the eventual learning track that a student undertakes is a very personal choice unique to their needs. We are therefore confident that our Ballet Programme provides quality training outcomes from a new student who just wants to explore what Ballet is, to a passionate student who strives for excellence at Dance Competitions. 

Thanks for your attention to this article and please feel free to contact us at [email protected] for further assistance. In the meantime, stay safe and keep on dancing! 

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