DANCE ACADEMY

The Dance Academy offers a unique co-curricular experience for dedicated dance students seeking to elevate their knowledge, technique, and skills through weekly sessions. Students are encouraged to pursue additional training outside of school throughout years 9 -13 to develop their full potential.

Throughout the year, Dance Academy students explore a diverse range of styles, some include: Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Jazz, Commercial, and Hip Hop. They showcase their talents in the annual Dance New Zealand Made Interschool competition and earn NCEA credits through live performances at end-of-term dance showcases, Dance NZ Made, Bastille Day, open evenings, and end-of-year prize-giving ceremonies.

The Academy also provides opportunities for students to attend masterclasses led by renowned dance professionals from companies such as the Royal New Zealand Ballet, New Zealand School of Dance, Atamira Dance Company, Ballet Collective Aotearoa, and Footnote New Zealand Dance. Additionally, students can enjoy discounted tickets to live performances.

Please note: Auditions for the Dance Academy are held at the end of the preceding year.

Students interested in joining the 2025 Dance Academy should complete the CV template provided below and email it to hancyl@freyberg.ac.nz to schedule an audition time.


AUDITION CRITERIA

To audition for the Dance Academy, please ensure you meet the following criteria and provide the necessary documentation:

Audition Routine: You will learn and perform excerpts from a variety of genres led by our Academy Leaders.

Dance CV: Submit a hardcopy of your Dance CV on the day of the audition. Please also email a digital copy (refer to the template below).

Performance (Optional): Prepare and perform a 1-2 minute dance piece in a genre of your choice. This could be choreographed by you or a studio/school teacher.

Music (Optional): Bring your music on a personal device that can connect via Bluetooth, AUX, or dongle.


BOOK AN AUDITION SLOT

To schedule your audition, email your CV to: hancyl@freyberg.ac.nz 

You will receive a confirmation with your designated time and date.


ENTRANCE CRITERIA FOR DANCE ACADEMY

To be considered for the Dance Academy, students must:

  • Enrol in Dance as a core subject throughout Years 9-13.
  • Commit to attending rehearsals before school from 7:30 am to 8:30 am. The exact schedule will depend on team requirements, and we try our best to avoid conflicts with studio lessons and other dance commitments.
  • Participate in showcases, Dance NZ Made, Bastille Day, open evenings, and end-of-year prize-giving ceremonies.
  • Engage in masterclasses and workshops run by professional dance educators.
  • Respect all aspects of the Performing Arts facilities.
  • Respect for staff and peers, adhering to school expectations.
  • Maintain high academic standards, complete all assignments to the best of your ability, and meet deadlines across all subject areas.


Members of the Dance Academy qualify for three standards awarded throughout their time at school.

(See below for further information)

LEVEL: BRONZE (Years 9 & 10)

The course of Study: Take Dance as a subject

Selection Criteria

  • Participation in a two-part audition process.
  • Positive work ethic and self-motivation.
  • Passion for dance.

Participation

  • Participation in all required rehearsals and dance activities (such as weekly academy sessions to improve fitness, skills, technique, and knowledge) with a minimum of 80% attendance.
  • Participation in Masterclasses / Workshops.

Performance

  • Performance in the Interschool Dance NZ Made competition.
  • Performance in Dance Showcases as required (last Monday's of Term).
  • Performance in Open Night as required.
  • Performance in the end-of-year Prize Giving as required.


LEVEL: SILVER (Years 11 and 12)

The course of Study: Take Dance as a subject 

Selection Criteria

  • Satisfactory completion of BRONZE level OR participation in the BRONZE audition process.

Participation

  • Participation in all required rehearsals and dance activities (such as weekly academy sessions to improve fitness and skills, technique, and knowledge) with a minimum of 80% attendance.
  • Participation in Masterclasses / Workshops.
  • (Year 12 only)
  • Demonstrate leadership skills through having partial responsibilities during some rehearsal sessions throughout the year (assisting choreographers, running an academy session).

Performance

  • Performance in the Interschool Dance NZ Made competition.
  • Performance in Dance Showcases as required (last Monday's of Term).
  • Performance in Open Night as required.
  • Performance in Bastille Day as required.
  • Performance in the end-of-year Prize Giving as required.


LEVEL: GOLD (Year 13)

The course of Study: Take Dance as a subject.

Selection Criteria

Satisfactory completion of BRONZE level OR participation in the BRONZE audition process.

Participation

  • Participation in all required rehearsals and dance activities (such as weekly academy sessions to improve fitness and skills, technique, and knowledge) with a minimum of 80% attendance.
  • Participation in Masterclasses/Workshops
  • Demonstrate leadership roles through having choreographic responsibilities for dance sequences for public performances during the year (Dance Showcases, Dance NZ Made, other community events, and school production).
  • Demonstrate leadership roles through running academy sessions.
  • Liaise with HOD Dance/Dance Academy Director in regards to decisions and use of production technologies for performances (costumes, music choices, editing, choreographic ideas, lighting, props).
  • Have strong time-management skills (organising rehearsal schedules and creating choreography in preparation for each rehearsal).

Performance

  • Performance in the Interschool Dance NZ Made competition.
  • Performance in Dance Showcases as required (last Monday's of Term).
  • Performance in Open Night as required.
  • Performance in Bastille Day as required.
  • Performance at the end of year Prize Giving as required.