RAD Ballet

At Harbour Dance Studios we use the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Syllabus. Our ballet teachers are certified with the RAD.

The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) was founded in 1920 to set standards for dance teaching in the UK, today they have a presence in 79 countries, with 36 offices and approximately 14,000 members worldwide. There are more than 1,000 students in the teacher training programmes and more than a quarter of a million students are being examined in the RAD syllabi.

Congratulations our Advanced Foundation and Advanced 2 Exam Students who took their exams in February 2023.

 

Next Exam session is Thursday May 4th, 2023.  Watch for specific details to come out soon.

Graded Syllabus

The Graded syllabus includes Pre-Primary in Dance, Primary in Dance and Grade 1 through 8.  They provide a broad practical dance education and develops technical, musical and performance skills.

The age requirements for all exam entries are as follows:

    • Pre-Primary in Dance – minimum age 5
    • Primary in Dance – minimum age 6
    • Grades 1 through 5 – minimum age 7
    • Grades 6 through 8 – minimum age 11

 Recommended study hours set out by the RAD to obtain the specific level

    • Grade 1 – 50 hours
    • Grade 2 – 50 hours
    • Grade 3 – 70 hours
    • Grade 4 – 80 hours
    • Grade 5 – 100 hours
    • Grade 6 – 110 hours
    • Grade 7 – 110 hours
    • Grade 8 – 140 hours

 All graded exams require the following:

    • Someone in the room to play the CD
    • Mandatory mock exam
    • Potential extra exam classes within the exam groups
    • Proper exam attire

The final costs billed to the parents will include the following:

    • Wages for teachers on mock exam day
    • Wages for teachers on exam day
    • Wages for the person playing the music on both mock exam and exam day
    • Small administration fee for extras such as janitorial services the night prior, office staff for entering exam paperwork
    • Rentals for skirts, socks and scarves
    • Cost of the Exam

 The RAD offers both a Presentation and an Exam of the work. The difference is as follows:

 

Presentations:                                                                          

    1. Teacher is in the room with the students
    2. Only selected exercises shown
    3. Feedback given to the dancer, no marks
    4. Certificate and medal received
    5. Dancer moves onto next level

Exams:

    1. No teacher in the room
    2. All exercises mandatory
    3. Pass or Fail marks given
    4. Certificate and medal received
    5. Dancer moves onto the next level

Exam Attire is dictated by the grade they the students are working on. The studio does however have the option to choose the colour of the bodysuits, chiffon skirts, ribbons on character skirts and silk scarves providing the colour chosen is within the RAD requirements

For graded exams all dancers will need the following:

    • Ballet shoes, split sole or full sole, leather or canvas now allowed
    • Pink ballet tights (a new pair for exam day will be required)
    • Bodysuit colour and style, please reference the studios selected choices on the website for the specific grades.
    • Character skirt and shoes depending on the grade
    • Long Chiffon skirt- depending on the grade

Vocational Graded Examinations

These include Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, AdvancedFoundation, Advanced 1, Advanced 2 and Solo Seal Award.   The aim of the Solo Seal Award is to provide candidates with an opportunity to achieve at a high level and be assessed on variations performed in front of an audience. The Award performance is a true test of a dancer’s abilities.  Vocational exams provide an in-depth study of ballet and prepare students for a career in dance (age 11+).

The age requirements for all exam entries are as follows:

    • Intermediate Foundation – minimum age 11
    • Intermediate – minimum age 12
    • Advanced Foundation – minimum age 13
    • Advanced 1- minimum age 14
    • Advanced 2- minimum age 15
    • Solo Seal Award- minimum age 15

Recommended study hours set out by the RAD to obtain the specific level

    • Intermediate Foundation– 210 hours
    • Intermediate– 240 hours
    • Advanced Foundation– 240 hours
    • Advanced 1– 370 hours
    • Advanced 2– 370 hours

 Exam Pre-requisites:

    • Intermediate Foundation – None
    • Intermediate- None
    • Advanced Foundation – Pass Intermediate Exam
    • Advanced 1 – Pass Intermediate Exam
    • Advanced 2 – Pass Advanced 1 Exam
    • Solo Seal Award – Pass Advanced 2 Exam with Distinction

 All Vocational exams require the following:

    • Pianist, when available
    • Mandatory mock exam
    • Pointe shoes
    • “Soft Pointe” shoes from Intermediate and up
    • Black bodysuits as selected by the studio.

The final costs billed to the parents will include the following:

    • Wages for teachers on mock exam day
    • Wages for teachers on exam day
    • Wages for the pianist playing the music on both mock exam and exam day
    • Small administration fee for extras such as janitorial services the night prior, office staff for entering exam paperwork
    • Cost of the Exam