Ballet syllabus launched in London

On 3 January 2014, the Royal Academy of Dance launched it's newly revised Grades 4 and 5 syllabus in London.

CSBS teacher Amanda (pictured right with Kerry Rubie, Chairman of the Board of Trustees) travelled to London to be a part of this exciting event, joining RAD teachers and examiners from across the world. The presentation included an opening address from Luke Rittner (RAD Chief Executive) and guest speaker Kevin O'Hare (Director, The Royal Ballet) followed by an introduction to Grades 4 & 5 by Lynn Wallis (RAD Artistic Director). The audience were then treated to a theatrical presentation of the new grades by young students from Elmhurst.

Jonathan Still (Music Development Manager) spoke to the audience about the process involved in developing the music for the new syllabi including the wide range of music styles and working with both virtuoso performers and the orchestra of the English National Ballet. Click here to learn more about the music for the new work in a short video.

Finally Paula Hunt (Chair of the Panel of Examiners) explained the examination criteria in detail, stressing that there is no rush to sit exams and that you "need to do things slowly to establish the technique." The audience were then treated to watch a coaching session where Lesley Collier (Répétiteur, The Royal Ballet) coached ballerina Yasmine Naghdi in the Bluebird solo. The teachers all then had a chance to meet up and discuss the work together at a drinks reception, sponsored by International Dance Supplies... A great chance for a blether with old friends!

The New Syllabus... Feeling before form

The new RAD Grades 4 & 5 syllabi work to expand candidates’ ballet and Character technique and knowledge, allowing them to further explore movement and expression, building on the foundation of Grades 1 – 3. The syllabi, which have been developed from a learner-centred approach, lets students engage with a rich body of work, culminating in an examination ‘performance’.

Watch the demonstration of one of the 5 classical dances from Grade 4. This dance should be performed with an elegance, calm and serenity. The opening section requires fluidity and good coordination between the arms and legs followed by poise and smoothness in the travelling section.

The syllabi also prepare candidates for further study in dance; students are guided in a logical progression towards the higher levels – the complexity and difficulty steadily increases with the candidates’ abilities. Here is one of the Grade 5 dances, in a more modern ballet style. The theme is that of a brightly coloured beautiful bird. Although confident, magical and proud about her beauty there is a feeling of being a little secretive occasionally. Moments of suspension should be highlighted in contrast to the quick movements. Performance should be natural without exaggeration and musically clear with sensitive response especially in regard to phrasing.

Our teachers will be attending courses in the new syllabus in February and July 2014 and it will be taught in our classes from August 2014. The old Grade 4 and 5 syllabus will only be examined until November 2014.