Daphne Learoyd School of Dance Est. 1966 Information Pack 2013 Fun Friends Dance
Table of Contents Principal... 3 Teaching Staff... 4 About RAD (Royal Academy of Dance)... 5 School Classes... 6 Preparing for class... 6 RAD Examinations... 7 Presentations... 7 Examination Costs... 7 Annual Performance... 8 Alumni... 9 Exceptional Talents Three of our past students... 9 Uniform... 10
Dear Dancer and Family, Welcome to the Daphne Learoyd School of Dance. The school s mission: The School s focus is on professional dance education, whether just for fun and exercise or in preparation for a career in dance. We will properly prepare your child, focussing on correct teaching techniques in an encouraging, enthusiastic class atmosphere which is imperative to learning. Dancing provides an opportunity to make lifelong friends and correct tuition, from an early age, in Classical Ballet is considered to be an essential foundation for all dance forms. When ballet is taught correctly, it can only do good. It helps children develop coordination of mind and body. It can improve and correct poor posture and helps to strengthen a child who is physically weak. Learning ballet and taking the RAD Academy examinations is a great confidence builder and promotes self-discipline. It also gives children a sense of movement, rhythm and an appreciation of music. Principal Roslyn Todd (RADRTS) Roslyn commenced her training at the age of 5, completing all RAD examinations to Advanced Level. At 14, Ros commenced teaching alongside her mentor Daphne Turnbull (Learoyd). Roslyn has over 30 years experience in classical ballet teaching. She completed a 4 year Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Degree incorporating Classical Ballet technique and training, A RAD degree emphasises correct and safe teaching practises, child psychology, anatomy and music theory. Roslyn is a fully qualified and Registered Teacher of the RAD.
Teaching Staff Daphne Learoyd (ARAD) Ms Learoyd is a registered teacher and tutor of the RAD, and is a former international examiner and professional dancer. Daphne established the school in 1966 and to this day continues to offer the regions children the best possible teaching in classical ballet sharing her expertise and experience. Estelle O Keeffe Miss Estelle is a former student of the school currently studying a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Dance at Deakin University. Estelle brings over 15 years of dance experience and knowledge, specialising in Jazz and Contemporary styles. Nicola Bolton Miss Nicola is a current vocational student of the school studying the most senior year of classical ballet. Nicola shares her 13 years of dance experience with the junior students of our school in jazz ballet classes.
About RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCE Patron: HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is the largest and most influential dance education and training organisations for classical ballet in the world, operating in 83 countries. The Academy s patron is HM Queen Elizabeth II. RAD Membership supports the advancement of dance and includes professional dancers, students, teachers, benefactors and friends. The Academy develops and encourages its teachers to perfect their teaching skills and pass on this knowledge to their students. There are currently over 1,000 students in full-time or part-time teacher training programmes with the Academy and each year, the examination syllabus is taught to more than a quarter of a million students worldwide. The Academy maintains close links with all those involved in the industry, at every level. From the internationally recognised Faculty of Education degree programmes to those younger students participating in our summer schools. At whatever age or stage, anyone with an appreciation of classical ballet and jazz is able to participate in the work of the Academy. RAD mission: to promote knowledge, understanding and practice of dance internationally The RAD is the world s leading organisation in classical ballet education A global organisation involving approximately 13,000 members across 79 countries Worldwide staff of 172 and 182 examiners 35 RAD offices worldwide 225,000 children take RAD examinations each year 5,898 registered teachers in 36 countries The Regional Advisory Panels in four countries hold over 150 events and activities attracting over 16,000 participants each year Over 1,100 students enrolled on Faculty of Education programmes of study 250 programmes are offered each year for Continuing Professional Development 8 full or part-time, distance learning or taught teacher education programmes available from the Faculty of Education Member of Royal Academy of Dance Worldwide Group Registered in Australia ABN 88 132 361 256
School Classes RAD Ballet (Graded and Vocational) Children learn through the RAD Academy prescribed syllabus through grades. Each year children develop their skills and techniques in carefully devised programs. Initially, young children attend class once a week. As the years progress this increases to at least 2 nights per week. When children reach secondary school age, they enter the senior levels of ballet as Vocational students. The demands of classes and tuition increase accordingly. Jazz and Contemporary Classes At the Daphne Learoyd School of Dance we offer Jazz and Contemporary classes to enhance and broaden our students dance genres, however students who do not undertake classical classes are most welcome to attend jazz and contemporary lessons. Preparing for class Exceptional presentation and self-discipline is an important element of ballet/dance. It is important to arrive to class on time Please ensure you have clothes over your uniform when outside the studio. Children MUST NOT wear their uniform outside the studio without appropriate covering i.e. tracksuit or other form of over-clothes. Ensure your uniform and shoes are always clean. Hair is tidy and in a bunn (or pony tail if permitted) and is off the face Please remove dance shoes before walking outside the studio to keep them clean and in good order. Parents are not permitted in the class room, except on designated observation days, HOWEVER, when students initially attend our school parents are most welcome to observe classes until the children and parents feel comfortable in their new environment. Please wait in the waiting room prior to, and at the conclusion of class. All students of the school must be collected from the meeting room area for safety reasons.
RAD Examinations RAD Examinations are offered through the school every year and whilst students are encouraged to participate, exams are not compulsory. Examinations offer students the opportunity to master a given level of syllabus and be assessed by International RAD examiners. Full details on the examination program including enrolment forms and costs for a given year are circulated at the start of second term. Examinations incorporate a range of elements including: Classical work is the foundation of RAD ballet and is the most important part of the Graded syllabi and incorporates comprehensive barre and floor components. Free movement incorporates movements in common with other dance styles such as natural movement, contemporary based dance and Greed dance and provides children with an opportunity to develop their natural sense of movement. Character dance is the theatrical presentation of national dance using original ethnic dance and music which has been freely adapted for the theatre. There are three styles Hungarian, Russian and Polish and these were selected because of their historic importance in the development of the traditional full length classical ballets. Presentations An alternative to examinations is in the form of a presentation class. Presentations classes provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate their skills to date without the pressure of examinations. On occasions the school uses presentation classes in graded levels that are divided across two years. In these Grade years, Presentation offer as an opportunity to participate at the half-way point and prepare for the coming years exams. A teacher of the school accompanies the presentation candidates into the examination room. Examination Costs Participation in the annual examinations is not included in fees. Examination fees include RAD exam levees, additional exam preparation classes and character skirt hire fees. Exam fees are required on enrolment in the program toward the middle of the year.
Annual Performance Every year the School showcases their talent and learning in an annual performance held in Shepparton or Mooroopna on the second weekend of December. Annual performances help to reward students for their hard work during the year, and add an element of excitement for every child. We know it is a busy time in November and December, however a high quality performance requires commitment and practice of every single performer. In the lead-up to the performance, there is an expectation that all students will commit to attending rehearsals. Costume requirements and costs are kept to a minimum wherever possible as our policy is to focus on the dance quality; costumes and makeup add a final touch but are not our primary concern. At the conclusion of our Performance we have an Afternoon Tea Party for the entire audience, students and staff to celebrate the year s achievements.
Alumni Former students of Daphne Learoyd School of Dance have pursued their careers in dance with the following ballet companies: Australian Ballet West Australian Ballet Other students have gained acceptance into the following fulltime dance schools and tertiary dance institutions: The Australian Ballet School The New Zealand School of Dance The Victorian College of the Arts National Theatre Ballet School Danceworld 301 QUT Brisbane West Australia Academy of Performing Arts Other notable achievements of past and present students include scholarships awards including: Kathleen Gorham Scholarship RAD Grade Award and Vocational Scholarships Exceptional Talents Three of our past students Jake Mangakahia Jake commenced at the Daphne Learoyd School of Dance at the age of six. He excelled throughout his training and was accepted into the Australian ballet school at age 14 being promoted to school captain in Year 12. Recently Jake joined the Australian Ballet and in 2012 was awarded the Telstra Australia Ballet Dancer - People s Choice award. Jake is a very popular member of the company, heavily involved in the companies promotions, recently appearing in a Photo Shoot for Vogue Australia Bridget Ewart Bridget commenced her dance training with Daphne Learoyd School of Dance at the age of four, dancing her way through primary and secondary school. In 2009 Bridget auditioned for three prominent dance schools in Australia; Victorian College of Arts (VCA), West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAPA) and Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Bridget was offered a place at all three institutes before selecting to continue her dance studies at QUT in 2010. Bridget has since taught dance in USA and has appeared in several music film clips. Ashley McLellan Ashley completed her training with Daphne Learoyd School of Dance in 2008, reaching Advanced 2 level at 17 years of age. Ashley successful auditioned to several schools, later selecting to study an Advanced degree in Performing Arts (Classical Ballet) with West Australian Academy Performing Arts (WAPA). On completion of her degree Ashley was offered a position with the West Australian Ballet.
Uniform Pre-Primary Primary Girls Pale Blue short sleeved leotard (Energetiks CL02) Pale Blue Cross Over optional (Energetiks CX01) Pale Blue wrap skirt (Energetiks CS23) Nude socks, or tights in winter (Energetiks CBS05) Pink leather ballet shoes (full sole) Hair: Neatly brushed with ponytail or bunn if long Boys White sleeved leotard (Energetiks CL02M or equivalent) Black shorts (Energetiks CT04M or equivalent) White socks (Energetiks CBS05 or equivalent) Black or white leather ballet shoes (full sole) Grade 1 & Grade 2 Girls Navy Blue short sleeved leotard (Energetiks CL02) Navy Blue Cross Over optional (Energetiks CX01) Nude socks or tights in winter (Energetiks CBS05) Black character shoes (Low heel) Pink leather ballet shoes (full sole) Hair: Neat bun Boys White sleeved leotard (Energetiks SL02M or equivalent) Black shorts (Energetiks CT04M or equivalent) White socks (Energetiks CBS05 or equivalent) Black or white leather ballet shoes (full sole) Grade 3, Grade 4 Girls Burgundy V neck leotard (no sleeves) (Energetiks CL04 or adults size AL04) Burgundy Cross Over optional (Energetiks CX01 or AX01) Pink tights (convertible) Pink leather ballet shoes with ribbons (full sole) Black character shoes (Cuban - Higher Heel) Hair: Neat bun Boys White sleeved leotard (EnergetiksCL02 Boy or adults ML 02) Black shorts (Energetiks CT03T) White socks (Energetiks CBS05) Black or white leather ballet shoes (full sole) Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8 Girls Navy thick strap leotard (no sleeves) (Energetiks AL11) Pink tights (convertible) Pink leather ballet shoes with ribbons (full sole or split sole for Gr 7/8) Black character shoes (Cuban - Higher Heel) Hair: Neat bun Boys White sleeved leotard Black shorts White socks) Black or white ballet shoes (full sole) Vocational Students Girls Leotard of their choice Convertible Tights (must not have holes) Shoes: Clean flats, Pointe shoes & Demi Points (Intermediate and above) Hair: Neat bun Boys White sleeved leotard Black shorts White socks Black or White ballet shoes (Split sole) Jazz, Hip Hop & Contemporary Girls & Boys Black dance pants or shorts Black school tshirt (or leotard if moving between ballet classes) Black leather slip Jazz shoes Hair: Neatly brushed with ponytail or bunn