Wanganui Ballet & Dance Academy Classes

Wanganui Ballet & Dance Academy offers classes in the following grades:

Pre-School (ages 2 1/2 - 5)                      Pre-Primary & Primary    

Modern Theatre grades (ISTD)               Grades 1 - 6 (ISTD)                   

Pre-Pointe & Pointe                                   Vocational (ISTD & RAD)

Contemporary Open                                  NZAMD Contemporary    

Pilates/Stretch                                            Adult Ballet

Open Modern Theatre

 
 
Pre-School
Dance for Fun     Pixies                 Level 1           age 2½  – 4
                           Snowflakes          Level 2           age 4 – 5
 
Educational, exciting and imaginative pre-school classes designed to assist your child’s motor and cognitive development in a supportive fun-filled environment. Acting, musical and dance experience that all pre-schoolers will love to do!
 
Uniform: Optional, but pink leotard and pink poplin skirt for girls recommended, pink ankle socks and pink leather ballet shoes. As an alternative, shorts and tee shirt or leggings and/or track pants in winter are acceptable. Socks preferred.
 
All uniform requirements are available through the Wanganui Ballet & Dance Academy.
 
ISTD Grades
Exams are offered from Pre-Primary level to Vocational.
 
Pre-Primary & Primary
Students will attend one lesson per week, and will be working towards an exam held in August/September each year.
 
Grade 1
Students will attend one lesson per week. Students moving into Grade 2 after their September exam will be expected to attend two lessons per week.
 
Grade 2 – 6
Students will attend two lessons per week. Those students in Grade 4 and Grade 5 who wish to enter vocational exams are expected to attend one pre-pointe strengthening class*.
 
Pre-Pointe
Strengthening exercise only - no pointe work required.
 
Pointe
One 1/2 hour lesson per week for Intermediate Foundation, one 45 minute lesson per week for Intermediate and Advanced Foundation students, and one 1-hour lesson per week for Advanced 1 & 2 students.
 
* Pointe work will be offered to students at the discretion of the Director of the Wanganui Ballet & Dance Academy.
 
Modern Theatre
Primary Modern
Students will attend one lesson per week, and will be working towards an exam in August/September each year.
 
Grade 1 - 6
Students will attend one lesson per week, and will be working towards an exam in August/September each year.
 
Intermediate
Students will attend one x 75 minute class per week, building up to two 75 minute classes per week in exam term.
 
Open (non-exam work)
Including Jazz, Contemporary and Funk - an exciting general class for all older students aged 12+.
 
Vocational(ISTD and RAD syllabi)
 
Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1 & 2, Pointe Class 
 
Students intending to sit vocational exams are expected to attend at least three lessons per week, being two syllabus classes and one pointe class. Open classes are also offered as an additional class at this level.
 
RAD vocational exams are held between July and September, depending upon which centre is used for examinations. ISTD vocational exams are in held in August/September.
 
Vocational students preparing for September exams are recommended to attend additional classes offered by the Wanganui Ballet & Dance Academy during the July school holidays. It is recommended that vocational students consider attending the NZ School of Dance Winter Seminar held each year during the July school holidays. The WBDA will endeavour to ensure additional school holiday classes do not clash with this seminar!
 
Pre-examination classes
There will be optional extra exam classes 4-6 weeks before exams. These will be held on Saturdays and Sundays. It is strongly recommended that all exam entrants attend these classes.
 
NZAMD Contemporary
One lesson per week, building up to two per week in exam term. Exams are held between August and October,
 
Contemporary Open (only available if there are sufficient enrolments)
Based on Martha Graham technique; this is open to all levels of experience but recommended to be at least 12 years of age.
 
Private Lessons
Private lessons are offered for examination preparation. Please contact the Director of the WBDA for further information.
 
Pilates
This is recommended as an addition to syllabus classes. Body conditioning includes pilates but does not consist of an entire pilates class. Some strengthening equipment may be used.
NB. This is only offered if the minimum number of students required are enrolled.
 
Open Classical (only available if there are sufficient enrolments)
Open class is offered to vocational students and is based on the vocabulary found in the ISTD and RAD syllabi. It is recommended that vocational students wishing to sit exams attend one open class weekly.
 
Adult Ballet
Currently we offer two classes per week. Classes may incorporate pilates strengthening and flexibility exercises as a warm up and cool down. All adult classes are non-syllabus and structured to accommodate beginner and more experienced adult dancers.
 
Adult Pilates
Pilates classes are offered on Tuesday and Thursday morning. These classes are Level 1 & 2 mat pilates and include some basic ballet strengthening work.
 
Production
A production will be held at the end of Term 4. This is usually held in the Wanganui Collegiate School Prince Edward Auditorium, and consists of two performances. A small fee to cover costume costs will be charged per pupil.
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