DANCE ACADEMY

The Dance Academy is an extra-curricular opportunity for dance students to further extend their knowledge, technique, and skill-base through participating in weekly sessions. It is encouraged that Dance Academy students continue training outside of school during Years 9, 10, and 11 in order to maximise their capabilities.


Each year, Dance Academy students learn a variety of dances that can include Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Jazz, Commerical and Hip Hop. These are entered into the annual Dance New Zealand Made Interschool competition. These dances can be used to help senior students gain extra NCEA Credits where possible. Other performance opportunities include end-of-term Dance Showcases, School Assemblies, Roadshows, Showquest, Open Evenings, and end-of-year Prize Giving ceremonies.


We also offer opportunities for Dance Academy students to participate in Masterclasses given by dance professionals from companies such as the Royal New Zealand Ballet, New Zealand School Of Dance, Atamira Dance Company, Ballet Collective Aotearoa, and Footnote New Zealand Dance as well as attending performances at a discounted cost.


Please Note: Dance Academy auditions are held at the end of the previous year.

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Students that are interested in being a part of our 2023 Dance Academy are asked to email hancyl@freyberg.ac.nz 

AUDITION CRITERIA

All students who wish to audition for Dance Academy are to meet the following criteria and provide appropriate evidence:

1. Perform two 1-2 minute dance of any chosen genre. Choreographed by the student or a studio/school teacher. 

2. Music should be on a USB or your own device.

3. Everyone will learn a short audition dance from one of our Academy Leaders. 

4. Hardcopy Dance CV (see template below)

BOOK AN AUDITION SLOT

Email: hancyl@freyberg.ac.nz

You will received a time and date as confirmation. 

ENTRANCE CRITERIA FOR DANCE ACADEMY​​​​​​​

Students who are accepted into the Dance Academy are required to meet standards in the following areas:

  • Students must take Dance as a subject throughout Years 9 - 13.
  • Students must be willing to attend rehearsals before school 8.00 am - 9.00 am. These times and dates are dependent on the team required. We do our best to avoid clashes with studio lessons and other dance commitments. 
  • Students must perform in Showcases, Dance NZ Made, Open Evening, and Assemblies.
  • Students are required to participate in Masterclasses and Workshops offered by visiting professional dance educators.
  • Students must show responsibility towards and respect for all aspects of the Performing Arts facilities.
  • Students are expected to keep up with their academic studies in all subject areas - completing all work to the best of their ability and meeting deadlines.

Members of the Dance Academy qualify for three standards awarded throughout their time at school. These being:

Bronze - Years 9 and 10

Silver - Years 11 and 12

Gold - Year 13

(See below for further information)

LEVEL: BRONZE

The course of Study: Take Dance as a subject

Selection Criteria

  • Participation in a two-part audition process.
  • Positive work ethic and self-motivation.
  • Passion for dance.

Participation

  • Participation in all required rehearsals and dance activities (such as weekly academy sessions to improve fitness, skills, technique, and knowledge) with a minimum of 80% attendance.
  • Participation in Masterclasses / Workshops.

Performance

  • Performance in the Interschool Dance NZ Made competition.
  • Performance in Dance Showcases as required (last Monday's of Term).
  • Performance in Open Night as required.
  • Performance at the end-of-year Prize Giving as required.


LEVEL: SILVER (Years 11 and 12)

The course of Study: Take Dance as a subject (Year 11 only)

Selection Criteria

  • Satisfactory completion of BRONZE level OR participation in the BRONZE audition process.

Participation

  • Participation in all required rehearsals and dance activities (such as weekly academy sessions to improve fitness and skills, technique, and knowledge) with a minimum of 80% attendance.
  • Participation in Masterclasses / Workshops.
  • (Year 12 only)
  • Demonstrate leadership skills through having partial responsibilities during some rehearsal sessions throughout the year (assisting choreographers, running an academy session).

Performance

  • Performance in the Interschool Dance NZ Made competition.
  • Performance in Dance Showcases as required (last Monday's of Term).
  • Performance in Open Night as required.
  • Performance at the end-of-year Prize Giving as required.


LEVEL: GOLD (Year 13)

The course of Study: Take Dance as a subject.

Selection Criteria

Satisfactory completion of BRONZE level OR participation in the BRONZE audition process.

Participation

  • Participation in all required rehearsals and dance activities (such as weekly academy sessions to improve fitness and skills, technique, and knowledge) with a minimum of 80% attendance.
  • Participation in Masterclasses/Workshops
  • Demonstrate leadership roles through having choreographic responsibilities for dance sequences for public performances during the year (Dance Showcases, Dance NZ Made, other community events, and school production).
  • Demonstrate leadership roles through running academy sessions.
  • Liaise with HOD Dance/Dance Academy Director in regards to decisions and use of production technologies for performances (costumes, music choices, editing, choreographic ideas, lighting, props).
  • Have strong time-management skills (organising rehearsal schedules and creating choreography in preparation for each rehearsal).

Performance

  • Performance in the Interschool Dance NZ Made competition.
  • Performance in Dance Showcases as required (last Monday's of Term).
  • Performance in Open Night as required.
  • Performance at the end of year Prize Giving as required.