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Regulus
Teaching and Learning
9
‘En Pointe’
Students with a love for ballet have
every reason to keep dancing now that
St Andrew’s has introduced Ballet as a
Year 9 option subject.
Artistic Director of the StAC Ballet Academy,
Dr Carolyn Cairns, says she is "absolutely thrilled"
that a dance pathway is now available for students
who are passionate about ballet. “The programme is
integrated within the school day, and offers a seamless
transition from class to studio. At this level the tuition
focuses on advancement of classical technique,
artistry, musicality, and performance experience.”
Carolyn says a Year 10 programme is being developed
for next year (2016) with plans to establish a Ballet
Company from 2017 for senior level dancers.
Year 9 students who choose the Ballet subject
option attend three classes a week and enjoy a
programme that covers syllabus, open work and
repertoire. Yearly plans include: master classes with
guest ballet tutors; an externally moderated exam;
performance opportunities such as the College
Dance Revue, the Ballet Academy production, and
by invitation to various College events such as the
‘Style at StAC’ evening.
The Ballet Academy continues to grow, with over
100 dancers currently enrolled from Pre-school
to Year 13. Dancers can enter the Year 9 Ballet
course by graduating through the Preparatory
School ballet programme or, if new to St Andrew’s
College, by audition.
Everyone in the Academy is thrilled with the newly
refurbished Dance Studio. “Purpose built with
every consideration given to a professional dance
space, it is
on par
with any elite international
training studio,” says Carolyn. “There is an
enlarged floor space, overlaid professional ballet
flooring, double height barrés to accommodate
all ability levels and ages, substantial mirroring,
quality audio, air conditioning, flat screen TV
(useful for instant video technique analysis), and
Juliette Newman (Year 9)