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Our Gifted and Talented Ballet program is a vocational course that develops skills, techniques, creative abilities and academic achievements to transition students into a wide range of university or tertiary training courses.

Our lower school program from Years 7 to 9 provides students with up to 15 hours of training through an integrated program which is delivered during school curriculum time, after school, and on Saturday mornings.

Our Years 10 to 12 program is designed to provide students with up to 20 hours a week of intensive training required to pursue ballet or dance as a career. Students in Year 11 and 12 can also study ATAR Dance.

Extended ballet program

Students in Years 10, 11 and 12 Ballet are also eligible to apply for the Extended Ballet Program, a modified educational program that offers specialised and individualised coaching with a focus on core academic subjects and ballet classes only. This program is specifically designed to refine the skills and abilities of vocational students who wish to pursue future dance-related opportunities to the highest level.

Project Company

An integral part of the ballet program for Years 9 to 12 students, our performance company is designed to provide students with the opportunity to perform in full length ballets. The company operates on a Saturday and supports the simulated workplace.

 

Whether you are heading for a career in ballet or simply see the value in using dance as a platform for your future, we can help you achieve the best of both worlds:

 

  •         A full academic program
  •         An integrated school timetable
  •         Social/peer interaction
  •         Vocational standard ballet training
  •         Individual and small group tuition
  •         Access to expert staff and industry professionals

 

As a public school we offer a comprehensive and affordable ballet program.

Find out more about our Gifted and Talented programs here.

Apply for the Gifted and Talented Dance Program here.

Professional Artists

All Gifted and Talented Ballet and Contemporary Dance students have the opportunity to work with professional artists, choreographers, teachers and performers. These tutors and guest artists are of the highest calibre, have professional industry experience and are current dance practitioners.

Lower School Program

Years 7, 8 and 9

John Curtin College of the Arts Gifted and Talented Ballet Program is a vocational course that develops the skills, techniques, creative abilities and academic achievements required to transition into university or tertiary training courses.
Our lower school program provides students with up to 15 hours of training through an integrated program, which will be delivered during school curriculum time, after school and Saturday mornings. The program is designed to provide students with the necessary skills to transition into the Upper School Program in Years 10, 11 and 12.
The ballet course is divided into the following areas:

  • Making: Dance skills and techniques, improvisation, choreographic processes, performance presentation and safe dance practices.
  • Responding: Dance terminology, reflective processes, features, forms and genres of dance, and dance in context.

Students will develop their ideas, responses, skills, technique, knowledge, and understanding of dance through practical and theoretical application of ballet, contemporary and other genres.

This is a proposed timetable for 2023 for Year 7, 8 and 9 ballet students (subject to change):

Wednesday15:30-17:00Boys
Friday14:30-15:30Boys Fitness
Friday14:45-16:15Boys and Girls
Saturday
(Terms 1,2,3)
9:00-12:00Boys and Girls
Saturday
(Term 4)
9:00-14:00Boys and Girls

Key areas of study include:

  • Ballet technique
  • Repertoire
  • Pointe studies
  • Performance studies – ballet and contemporary
  • Contemporary technique
  • Dance Composition
  • Theoretical studies
  • Alternative genres
  • Spanish dance (Years 9 and 10)
  • Project Company (Years 9 to 12)
  • Royal Academy of Dance examinations (Years 8, 9, 10 and 11)

Years 10, 11 and 12

The Ballet Program in Years 10, 11 and 12 is designed to provide students with up to 20 hours a week of intensive training as required to pursue dance or ballet as a career. This integrated program is delivered during school curriculum time, at after school workshops and on Saturdays.
Students are required to attend a minimum of 90% attendance for all units of competency, including timetabled classes, afterschool classes, rehearsals and performances.
Students in Year 11 and 12 will also be involved in ATAR Dance, WACE examinations and perform as a member of Project Company.
Students in Years 10, 11 and 12 ballet also have the opportunity to apply for the Extended Ballet Program, a modified educational program that offers specialised and individualised coaching.
This is a proposed timetable for 2023 for Year 10, 11 and 12 ballet students (subject to change):

Monday14:10-16:30Ballet Class/Rehearsal
Tuesday15:30-18:00Certificate III Component
Wednesday15:30-18:00Ballet, Pointe, Pas de Deux,
Solo Preparation
Thursday14:45-18:00Certificate III Component
Saturday9:00-14:00Project Company/
Solo preparation.

To accommodate the after school and Saturday commitments, students will participate in supervised study sessions during school to provide an academic balance.
Entry into tertiary institutions, including the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) Advanced Diploma in Performing Arts (Dance) requires a very high level of classical ballet. The college provides assistance to ensure students are competitive at this level.

Extension & Acceleration

Dance intensive/residency

• Arts residency opportunity to work intensively with artists on creative development.

Project Company (Years 9 to 12)

• Small and selected groupings.
• Specific technical acceleration in ballet and contemporary classes.
• Professional artist mentoring and workshops.
• Vertical and ability groupings (working with students in the years above current year level).
• Additional performance opportunities at school and offsite.
• Project and performance program.
• Performance in professional settings.
• Extended season (multiple performances).
• Performance seasons – large and small ensembles.
• Student choreography performance.

Reflection

• Workbook.
• Ongoing reflective practice and self-evaluation.

Professional artists

• Productions and extra classes coordinated by professional artists.
• Workshops with specialists.

Curriculum

• Compacted curriculum so students are fast tracked through content that has been mastered. Students work on content one year level above a normal curriculum delivery.
• Students explore a range of broader, deeper and more challenging learning tasks that are delivered in a normal educational setting.
• Students work with current industry artists – choreographers, teachers, directors.
• Vertical and ability groupings (working with students in the years above current year level of study).
• Additional performance opportunities at school and offsite.

Performances

Performance is an integral part of the ballet course and forms part of the assessment schedule for each year group. Performances provide students with opportunities to develop as a dancer. These performances are identified at the beginning of the year and a calendar of dates will be provided to each student.
Students may be invited to participate in additional or extra performance opportunities throughout their time at the college. All rehearsals and performance requirements will be provided to the students so they can plan their schedules.

Extended Ballet Program

For students that demonstrate an aptitude we offer a modified educational program that focuses on core academic subjects and ballet classes only.

What the training program involves:

  • Up to three hours per day, five to six days per week, dedicated to training for ballet.
  • Personal fitness and conditioning.
  • Core academic subjects ONLY as part of your timetable.
  • Year 10 – English, Mathematics, Science and HASS, plus Ballet.
  • Year 11 – English, Dance ATAR, plus two other Year 11 subjects.
  • Students go through a selection process to identify their suitability for this extended ballet program.

For further information about the Extended Ballet Program contact the Director of Dance, Diedre Atkinson.

Professional Artists

All Gifted and Talented ballet students have the opportunity to work with professional artists, choreographers, teachers and performers. The course involves inviting mentors and professionals to share their expertise, from pure classical ballet to cutting-edge contemporary dance. The skills obtained from workshops, classes and rehearsals are invaluable and instrumental to the development of our students in the ballet program.

Our tutors and guest artists are of the highest calibre, have professional and industry experience and are current dance practitioners. These tutors are supported by highly expert college dance staff with national and international performance and teaching backgrounds.

Dress Requirements

Ballet students are required to wear the ballet uniform to all ballet classes.

Boys Ballet – Years 7 to 9
  • Navy blue tights
  • White leotards, bonds t-shirt or singlet
  • Black tights (Years 10 to 12)
  • Navy blue shorts (from Uniform Shop)
  • White ballet shoes (canvas split sole)
  • Spanish shoes (Years 9 and 10)
Girls Ballet – Years 7 to 9
  • Navy blue school leotard (Energetiks style AL 11)
  • Pink tights (convertible)
  • Black footless tights (contemporary)
  • Navy blue shorts (from Uniform Shop)
  • Pink ballet shoes (canvas split sole)
  • Demi pointe shoes (Year 8 and 9 RAD)
  • Pointe shoes – after teacher/podiatrist approval
  • Spanish shoes (Years 9 and 10)