Dance Academy aims to challenge and extend dancers in Years 7 – 12 by training and competing in a range of genres. Students who are selected into the program become part of a master troupe which is organized into smaller troupes based on individual student strengths.
Although the overarching goal is to compete at various professional competitions and eisteddfods, the benefits of Dance Academy membership encompass a much greater scope. As each troupe is genre-specific, students learn new techniques and reinforce existing skills under the watchful eye of their peer mentors and teachers. Senior students are invited to choreograph in collaboration with the teachers, providing valuable knowledge and experience.
Dance Academy Classes
- Years 7 and 8 – students have Dance classes year-long (instead of the single semester of general Creative Arts) and do not have HPE classes like other students.
- Years 9 and semester one Year 10 – students must select Dance as one of their elective subjects
- Years 11 and 12 – student can choose Dance (General) as a senior subject, but this is not a requirement for continued involvement in the Dance Academy Troupes
Dance Academy Troupes
Dance Academy Troupes are grouped as Junior (7-9) and Senior (10-12), however junior students can also be selected to dance as part of a senior troupe.
Rehearsals occur weekly on scheduled days before, during and after school (or on weekends as required). These rehearsals provide dedicated instruction that boosts confidence, reinforces discipline and focus, and builds teamwork within a highly supportive and creative environment.
Entry Requirements
Students applying for a Dance Academy placement must demonstrate dance ability or potential and must satisfy high standards in behaviour, attendance and academic participation. Interested students must submit the program application form. If shortlisted, students will be invited to attend an audition session.
It is possible to join STEM Academy along with Dance Academy, but students cannot also be part of Sporting Academy due to conflicting times for lessons and training.
Program Fee & Competition Costs
Competitions and performances happen in the Redlands, South Brisbane and the Gold Coast and can fall on school days, weekends or holidays. Dance Academy students also participate in a range of non-competitive events throughout the year as well as enrichment programs such as dance intensives and working with guest choreographers. Support is provided from studios including Lucid Moves, The Hood Dance Academy, The House of Sole, Theatre and Dance, Phluxus2 Dance Collective and Dance Masala.
- Dance Academy has an annual program fee to pay for: specialist training clinics and choreographer fees.
- Students must purchase a Dance Academy uniform which is required for required for training and events.
- In addition to the annual program fee, there are extra costs for participation in each competition (bus travel, competition registration fees, costume purchases).
