Academy of Dance (Malvern East)
The Academy of Dance provides dance training in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, contemporary and musical theatre to all ages - from ages 3 and up.
Academy of Dance is one of Melbourne's largest premier dance schools, providing children with exceptional dance and performing arts technique in an inspiring and nurturing environment.
Offering over 120 classes a week, all styles and abilities are catered for. Students are trained by some of Australia's most recognised performers in a world-class facility with four studios, onsite physio and black box theatre.
Programs
Pre-school Programs
There are two class types that make up our Preschool Dance Program - Dance Stars and Acro Dance. We run 30 classes a week for different age groups, which means there will always be options for you based on your availability and your child's interest.
Both Dance Stars and Acro Dance appeal to boys and girls, fostering their love of dance and nurturing their creativity. Each class provides a strong balance of structured learning and imaginative exploration. Set exercises and routines develop coordination, listening skills, and dance vocabulary. Students also use musical instruments, props and improvisation to spark their creativity.
Classes also provide an exciting mix of group, partner and individual dance within the lessons which is great for social development. Students learn to share, take turns and work together as a group.
Dance Stars - Through imaginative activities, fun exercises, and dance routines, children explore and are introduced to a broad range of dance styles such as ballet, jazz, tap, hiphop, lyrical/contemporary and singing. The program is designed to pique the curiosity and imagination of budding young dancers, and to lay the foundations in dance technique.
Acro Dance - This exciting and highly active class introduces physical literacy, coordination, creative movement and basic acrobatic skills to children. Throughout these fun classes, children develop gross motor skills, movement creativity, fitness, and body awareness which helps to build their self-confidence and allows their physical development to accelerate.
Foundation
Foundation is our unique bridging program between our Pre-school Dance program and our school-aged programs (Years 1-12).
Classes are available in all our styles, including ballet, jazz, tap, hiphop, contemporary, acrobatics and music theatre.
As this program is designed solely for our Prep students, it's targeted for children who are finding their way in a new environment and a new school.
While some primary schools encourage parents to remove their children from extra-curricular activities in Term 1 of Prep, we work closely with our neighbouring schools to provide some consistency through their dance classes as they transition into primary school.
For many of them, it is a new and exciting experience to be in a more structured learning environment and we support the children as they adjust and develop.
For those who completed our Pre-school Dance program, they would have been exposed to a variety of dance styles and techniques throughout each term. Foundation is an exciting step for these students as they can now pick which type or types of dance most spark their interest and support their learning style.
For students who are new to dance, it is a supportive environment and we teach our students to make new children feel welcome and supported as they take their first dance steps with the rest of the group.
Development Program
The Development Program has been created for those who are approaching dance from a recreational perspective, or are new to dance.
Development classes are available in ballet, jazz, tap, hiphop, contemporary, music theatre and acrobatics. Students in year 1-3 train with the syllabus program as we have found at this young age the ability levels are quite similar.
The program has a 'no pressure' approach to cater for those who love to dance, but may not have a lot of time in their schedule to devote to multiple dance classes in the week, or for the larger performance schedule of our other programs.
Development program also provides an exciting opportunity for children who are new to dance (or new to a particular style of dance). This enables them to develop their skills at a pace suited to their experience and interest, without feeling behind or overwhelmed with the program.
Teachers within the Foundation Program are able to provide a lot of support to help the students gain confidence quickly and achieve a great foundation to the style they are training in.
As students grow in their ability and confidence within the style they are learning, they may wish to take a more structured and challenging approach to their dance training. In this case we would recommend them moving into our syllabus program - we will support the students to do this and will liaise with parents to provide a plan.
Syllabus Training
We provide a high level of dance technique training in a world-class facility that inspires the students to work hard and encourage each other. The core of this training is through our syllabus program which is devoted to those students who are wanting to train at a higher level.
Training is provided through a variety of trusted syllabi we have carefully selected - each style of dance has its own syllabus. All of the Academy of Dance teachers are qualified in the syllabus they teach and regularly attend updated syllabus training.
Syllabus training is the strongest and most reliable way to provide dance education. It is a great way to get results in a structured environment that provides plenty of challenges for the students as well as noticeable development from year to year. It also provides best practice training methods, age-appropriate progressions, and promotes safe dance practice.
Assessments are part of the syllabus program, but they are not mandatory - however we do strongly recommend it. The assessors are all warm and encouraging and it is a great way for students to get detailed and objective feedback of their training, which gives them a sense of achievement and encouragement for the next level of study.
Syllabus also intersects with our Elite Performing Arts and Elite Ballet programs, so there is a lot of great inspiration and encouragement to work hard and raise the standard across the board.
Elite Ballet
Elite Ballet is a comprehensive part-time, after school training program designed for dedicated and talented dancers wishing to gain a strong base of ballet training along with other complimentary styles to create a well-rounded and holistic dancer.
Opportunities throughout the program are provided for the students to undertake practical application of this training through performance work, auditions, competitions and workshops.
Students enjoy the benefit of working in a focussed environment where specialised teachers emphasise correct technique, placement, dynamics, quality of movement and presentation.
Students attend core classes in ballet, strength and conditioning, character, pointe, repertoire and acrobatics. Training is conducted over 2 nights during the week as well as Saturday afternoons, which allows for rest days in between to allow the body to repair itself to minimise injury and avoid burnout.
Students also take at least one elective in another dance style to complement their training. Students in Years 10-12 also have the option of adding VCE VET Dance to have their elite training count toward their ATAR score and Certificate II in Dance.
Throughout the program, students also learn dance theory including anatomy, nutrition, injury prevention, mechanics of movement, history, stagecraft and music theory.
Elite Ballet students are selected by an annual audition, although students may apply at other times subject to availability of a position in the program.
Elite Performing Arts
The Elite Performing Arts program is part-time after school training designed to develop young, dedicated and talented dancers to a pre-professional level through specialised and methodical training.
Opportunities throughout the program are provided for the students to undertake practical application of this training
through performance work, auditions, competitions and external workshops.
Students enjoy the benefit of working in a focussed environment where specialised teachers guide and assist them in a holistic and dedicated manner. The program emphasizes correct technique, placement, dynamics and performance quality.
The students attend core classes in Jazz, Ballet, strength and conditioning, acrobatics and performance preparation. Training is conducted over two nights during the week as well as Saturday afternoons, which allows for rest days in between to allow the body to repair itself to minimise injury and avoid burnout.
Students are also required to take at
least one elective in another dance style to complement their training.
Students in Years 10-12 also have the option of adding VCE VET Dance to their program to have their elite training count toward their ATAR score and Certificate II in Dance.
Throughout the program, students also cover dance theory including anatomy, nutrition, injury prevention, mechanics of movement, history, stagecraft and music theory.
Elite Performing Arts students are selected by an annual audition, although students may apply at other times subject to availability of a position in the program.
Music Theatre
The program helps students who want to obtain very strong skills in theatrical dance, singing and acting. It also provides social and personal development in leadership, public speaking, confidence and teamwork.
Throughout the year we provide a solid mix of technique training and the opportunity to use that training up on stage.
The program is age-appropriate in terms of content and ability, with stage performance pieces and theatrical shows being an exciting challenge for the students to undertake.
In class, the students work in a mix of solo, small group and large group throughout the year as they train in their core theatrical skills. They also learn stagecraft which provides insight and experience in pulling a show together from planning through to rehearsing and performing.
Students at all levels are provided these performance opportunities and as they develop through the program, the opportunities become more frequent and of a higher production level.
We also have our own theatre in the adjacent building so students are able to easily take their training from the dance studio and rehearse within the theatre.
This is particularly important for confidence in the space they will perform in, as well as providing a unique and exciting opportunity for those students who have an interest in studying stagecraft.
Certificate II in Dance CUA20113 VCE VET Dance
VCE VET Dance is a pre-vocational course, and will prepare you to audition for further (tertiary) training as dancer, dance teacher or choreographer. The course will give you a taste of what the industry is like so you can work out if you want to pursue dance as a career. If you successfully complete this course you will receive a Certificate II in Dance CUA20113. VET Dance is available as a VCE subject OR as part of a VCAL program.
Location
80 Waverley Road, Malvern East 3145 Map
✆ (03) 9569 3009
Email Enquiry
Web Links
→ www.academyofdance.com.au
→ Academy of Dance on Facebook
