Classes
Ballet
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At Aurora Dance Studio we offer a quality preschool music and movement program as well as Royal Academy of Dance Graded Ballet Syllabus.
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Preschool
For ages 4 and under, preschool ballet is great for enhancing fine-motor skills, balance and spacial awareness. As well as being a great place to meet new friends and use our imagination along the way.
Our tiny dancers class is aimed at ages 3 and under.
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Pre Primary
For ages 5 - 6, Pre-Primary in Dance is a great level designed to make ballet and music fun. Examinations are offered at this level in a Class Award format.
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Primary
For ages 6 - 7, Primary is an extension from Pre-Primary. Adding more complex technical and musical elements. Examinations are offered in a class award format.
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Grade 1 -5
These grades are great for building on basic technique and all work is progressive so great for refining previously learnt skills. Character dance is introduced originating from many different countries and is a fun addition to syllabus work.
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Vocational
Intermediate Foundation - Advanced 2
The vocational examinations are for dancers looking for the next step in their dancing careers. A minimum of 2 classes a week is required for these level exams. Pointe work is introduced.
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Alongside all ballet grades Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) is incorporated.
"Progressing Ballet Technique is an innovative program developed by Marie Walton-Mahon for students to understand the depth of training muscle memory in achieving their personal best in classical ballet."
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Learn more about PBT
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Jazz
We provide quality jazz dance training with the APDA (Asia Pacific Dance Association) syllabi.
The levels are made up of a series of exercises including arm combinations, classical technique, floor work, turns, isolations, leaps, amalgamations and dances.
All work is progressive and designed to develop co-ordination, strength, agility and style.
Amalgamations include jazz, lyrical or contemporary and musical theatre. These styles complement competition/eisteddfod requirements.
Candidates sitting Advanced Jazz Two onwards must have sat and passed the previous grade as a prerequisite (ie. Advanced Jazz One).
Junior levels include :
- Preschool Jazz (4 years)
- Primary 1 and 2 (5 - 6 years)
- Junior 1 - 3 (7 - 9 years)
Intermediate levels include :
- Elementary 1 - 3 (10 - 14 years)
Senior (14 years +) levels include:
- Intermediate 1 - 3
- Advanced 1 and 2
Contemporary
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The levels are made up of a series of exercises including including; plié and spine articulation, port de bras, swings and suspension, rolling progression, travelling progressions, floor sequences, turns, leaps, compositions and dances.
Conditioning work (often including a swiss ball) is included to develop core and upper body strength, increase turn-out and improve strength and control.
Partner work is included throughout all grades to develop physical trust, spatial awareness and dancer connection. This is an important and unique component of contemporary dance.
Improvisation is included to encourage freedom of movement in the junior levels. Student choreography is incorporated at higher levels to develop musical connection and expression.
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Junior levels include :
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- Level 1 and 2 (7/8 years)
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- Level 3 (9 years)
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Intermediate (10 years +) levels include :
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- Level 4
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- Level 5
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- Level 6
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Senior (14 years + ) levels include:
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- Level 7
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- Level 8
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- Level 9
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- Level 10
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Agility Acrobatics​
Learn basic dance acrobatic skills in the APDAs newest syllabi Agility. With foundations in Balance, Limbering, Dance and basic tumbling this is the perfect syllabi for dancers who love to be upside-down! ​
More info to come
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Levels include :
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- Agility Acrobatics Level 1 (7-10 years)
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- Agility Level 2 (11+)
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- Agility Level 3 (by ability level)
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Musical Theatre (Encore)
With Play! Drama Workshops
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Encore Theatre Dance provides each student with solid technical training, performance training, and the platform to create, achieve and grow as a dancer and artist. We provide group singing lessons and basic dance skills alongside character development and performance coaching.
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Encore Theatre Dance provides a broad exploration of core genres within Musical Theatre.
This performance syllabus has been created to:
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build performance confidence
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develop understanding of dramatic role-playing
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teach character immersion (learning to become/play characters with conviction)
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educate students of the history and evolution of musical theatre styles by exposing them to the core classic and contemporary genres within musical theatre
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prepare students who wish to pursue careers in Musical Theatre
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The structure of this syllabus is different to the other genres of the APDA. The syllabus and examinations are predominantly performance based. The focus is on achieving conviction of character and confident role playing through acting and dance. Singing is encouraged but not compulsory. It is encouraged students take another form of dance training alongside the Encore Theatre dance syllabus.
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Levels include :
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- Broadway Baby (5-6 years)
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- Level 1 (7-8 years)
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- Level 2 (9-10 years)
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- Level 3 (10-12 years)
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- Level 4-10 (13+)
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Private Competition coaching and Competition teams
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As our dance studio grows we have added a private coaching and teams option into our schedule. If you dancer is interested in competing solos or in a team environment please email Shannon on shannon@auroradancestudio.co.nz
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If we see potential in your dancer we may approach parents to put them into local competitions. This is 100% optional
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​Comp teams
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We have a few different aged teams that compete over the year. These teams are by audition and may change genre from year to year. If interested please contact Shannon at shannon@auroradancestudio.co.nz
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- Minis (5-9 years)
- Juniors (9-11 years)
- Inters (12-13 years)
- Seniors (14 years +)
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