Exam Info – Pt Chevalier

Classes

Examinations are an optional event which take place once a year in term 3. We offer examinations in ballet, jazz and tap. If you/your child would like to participate in examinations they need to attend classes from the beginning of the year (some exceptions may be made, contact [email protected] for further information). Exams can take place on any day at any time, Monday to Sunday 9am – 5pm. Often the students will have to come out of school to attend. If your school has an issue with this then we can write them a letter explaining what is happening.
The cost of exams ranges from $50 – $400 depending on the level. Fees are sent out and due in term 2.

The holiday seminar is held in the July school holidays (West first week, South second week) and is compulsory for all students aged 7 and up that are participating in the exams. If you are unable to attend the holiday seminar then you will not be able to participate in the exams. Classes are held every day.
The cost of the seminar ranges from $60 – $100 for the week.

Ballet

Presentation Award – Pre-Primary & Primary Ballet

The presentation award is an opportunity for students to perform what they have been learning in class for an examiner. As we believe they are too young to sit exams by themselves just yet, this is an introduction.

What happens: They go into the studio with the others in their class and their teacher and perform the exercises and dances they have learnt. There is no pass or fail at this level; instead, they receive a progress report; what they are doing well and what they need to improve on, a certificate and a badge. It is a lovely way end to the first two terms of learning for the year. Exams/ Presentation Awards happen early term 3. They can happen any time of day, Monday to Sunday 9am – 5pm.

These are optional, as are all our events, but we highly encourage them as the dancers have such a fun time!

If you would like to opt out then they will not be held back from their peers but they won’t receive the same accreditation. The $80 pays for the event on the day and the other costs involved in participating.

Grades 1-8

Vocational

Jazz

Throughout term 1 and 2 students are gradually taught everything they need to know to sit the examination. We learn exercises and a dance in class that they as a group then perform for an examiner. For the jazz syllabus that we do here at GSDA this examiner is someone from New Zealand who has extensive experience and knowledge of dance. On the day students come 1 hour before their exam is due to start so that they have time to have their hair done and warm up. The exam is usually quite succinct as they only dance each exercise once. Times go from about 30 minutes at an Intro 1 level to 1 hour at an Elementary level.
We do not have control over what day or times the exams are but they are generally during school hours and we request that they are week 3 of Term 3. They are held at our studios for south students, and at the same hall that the holiday seminar is at for our west students, so are in an environment that the students are used to. The exams are a great way for students to have a sense of achievement and accomplishment and it gives them something to strive for.

Hip-Hop

We are not currently offering Exams for Hip Hop students.