Classes | Australia | Tamworth City Dance Academy

OUR CLASSES

TCDA has classes available across a wide range of skill, age and styles.

Tamworth City Dance Academy offers classes for kids as young as 18 months in "Mummy and Me", then right through all of our adolescent grades in Classical Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical / Contemporary, Tap, Hip Hop and Musical Theatre. Adults can stay strong, healthy, social and creative with our "Back to the Barre" or "Hot Mummas" classes.

We deliver the Australian Teachers Of Dancing, Aerial Arts and Acrobatic Arts syllabus to support the growing body and build skills and provide qualifications that articulate into courses around the world.

young dancers

CLASSES FOR THE VERY YOUNG TO DEVELOP CORE SKILLS

Mummy and Me

For confident walkers to 5 years with parents or carers participating

Of course welcoming Daddy's and Carers as well as Mummys, our "Mummy and Me" casual dance class is specifically designed to aid in the child's physical development of gross motor skills, provide a social environment for parents, carers, their children and others, aid in emotional development through exposure to music, create bonding experiences and prepare our young dancers confidence and skills for Tinys classes at TCDA once they are three.

Tiny Tumblers

Prep acro classes for confident walkers to 5 years

A perfect introduction to TCDA's popular acro classes, we offer tiny tumblers in both a casual format for ages around 18 months to 5 years and full term enrolled classes with performance opportunities for 3 - 6 year olds. We apply the Acrobatic Arts syllabus to give dancers a solid grounding of core skills to provide the best possible start to further acro studies.

Tinys

For Pre-schoolers aged 3 - 6 years

Combined Jazz and Classical Ballet class

Our Tinys classes are a fun introduction to the basics of Classical Ballet, Jazz and Tap in one class. We apply a specially designed syllabus from the Australian Teachers Of Dancing (ATOD) in which the students use a variety of props and scenarios to develop skills, build technique and imagination. Our Tinys perform each year at the Mid Year Showcase at the Tamworth Town Hall and at our major production at the TRECC in December. Our Tinys do not undertake ATOD examinations.

INFANTS & PRIMARY CLASSES (AGES 5 - 12 YEARS)

INFANTS + PRIMARY

Test One

Ages 5 - 6 years Classical Ballet and Jazz and ages 5 - 7 years in Tap

Following Tinys, students can begin to learn specialised skills by attending dedicated classes in Classical Ballet, Jazz or Tap. Applying the Syllabus from the ATOD, students develop technique both physically and theoretically. This is the first grade that students can elect to undertake ATOD examination. ATOD exams at this level are not graded, but pass / fail only with an emphasis on confidence building and constructive critique.

Test Two

Ages 6 and 7 years with classes available in Classical Ballet, Jazz and Tap

We continue to apply the syllabus from the ATOD which gradually challenges the dancer to develop more complex technique and acquire core skills that are essential to their later grades. As dancers start to become more comfortable with classroom dynamics they often add a second or third class in a different style at this time.

Test Three

Ages 7 and 8 years with classes available in Classical Ballet, Jazz and Tap

In Test Three our syllabus becomes more involved and our classes extend to 45 minutes to give us ample time to cover all of our material. This is the final year of our non-graded exam classes and students start to focus more on perfecting individual aspects of their technique. Test Three Ballet, Jazz and Tap continue to follow the ATOD Syllabus.

Bronze Medal

Ages 8 and 9 years with classes available in Classical Ballet, Jazz and Tap

Students in our ATOD Syllabus Bronze Medal Ballet, Jazz and Tap classes experience graded exams for the first time. Classes are 45 minutes long and start to address the theoretical side of dance with all Ballet and Tap exam students supplementing their face to face classes with work from their theory book.

Bronze Star

Ages 8 to 10 years with classes available in Classical Ballet, Jazz and Tap

Bronze Star is the final year of "Junior" dance at TCDA and the last year in the red headband. This is a grade where technique is consolidated and revised to ensure that core skills are realised and the dancers body is prepared for senior work.

Silver Medal

Ages 10 to 13 years with classes available in Classical Ballet, Jazz and Tap

Silver Medal Ballet is generally conducted over 2 years at TCDA. Age is less important than skills at this stage and we apply grading to ensure that students are instructed at the correct level. As senior ballet work is introduced, students need to be proficient physically, theoretically and technically before moving up another grade. Jazz and Tap are also offered in this grade and provide all technical and physical skills to advance.

Junior Modern / Contemporary and Junior Hip Hop

For ages 5 to 8 years with classes available in Modern / Contemporary and Hip Hip

TCDA Junior Hip Hop is a fun, non exam class with an emphasis on performance and energy. Children are encouraged to bring their own "flavour" to their work in this class. This a great entry level class for those new to dance and is popular with both boys and girls. Our Modern classes teach the dancers to bring an emotional element to their performances.

Bronze Modern / Contemporary and Bronze Hip Hop

For ages 8 to 10 years with classes available in Modern / Contemporary and Hip Hip

Many of our students take these lessons as their "fun" classes as they are presented in a slightly less formal manner to our exam classes. As with Junior Hip Hop, these classes are a great entry point to dance and focus on high energy, performance, emotion / role playing and socialisation.

ATOD Syllabus Musical Theatre

For ages 6 - 12

Combining the elements of singing, acting and dance, Musical Theatre caters to our "triple threats". Following the ATOD syllabus students learn voice training and monologue, singing and musicality along with elements of jazz and tap technique. They also gain skills in stage craft, theatre vernacular and stage management. Students undertaking examination can obtain internationally recognised qualifications.

Junior Acro

Ages 5 - 8 years

Acro classes at TCDA focus on a skills based delivery rather than age and these classes are only available in conjunction with a TCDA Ballet or Jazz class to ensure proper technique is developed in conjunction with syllabus work. Junior Acro focusses on the building blocks of strength, flexibility and coordination that form the core of this discipline. Students are assessed annually by certified Acrobatic Arts teachers.

Junior Aerial - Silks & Lyra

Ages 5 - 8

Aerial classes at TCDA focus on a skills based delivery rather than age and are only available in conjunction with a TCDA ballet or jazz class to ensure proper technique and core strength is developed. Junior Aerial centres on basic climbs and holds as we build strength and become confident with their apparatus as well as heights. TCDA's apparatus is installed and annually inspected by a certified rigger and all safety equipment meets Australian Standards. More information on TCDA's program can be found on our aerial page.

Primary Acro

Ages 8 - 12 (subject to grading)

Acro classes at TCDA focus on a skills based delivery rather than age and these classes are only available in conjunction with a TCDA Ballet or Jazz class to ensure proper technique is developed in conjunction with syllabus work. Primary Acro compounds core skills by building strength, stamina, flexibility and confidence. Fundamentals of performance are added to add stagecraft to their routines. Students are assessed annually by certified Acrobatic Arts teachers.

Primary Aerial - Silks & Lyra

Ages 8 - 12 (subject to grading)

Aerial classes at TCDA focus on a skills based delivery rather than age and are only available in conjunction with a TCDA ballet or jazz class to ensure proper technique and core strength is developed. Primary Aerial builds on core climbs and holds as we develop additional strength and confidence and begin to add artistry to our technique. Additional climbs, holds and poses are learned on both silks and lyra. TCDA's apparatus is installed and annually inspected by a certified rigger and all safety equipment meets Australian Standards. More information on TCDA's program can be found on our aerial page.

TCDA Elite Performance Show Troupes

Mini Troupe 7 - 10 years, Junior Troupe 10 - 12 years

TCDA's highly successful and award winning Show Troupes have built a reputation over the years as hard working and highly skilled professionals that defy their young ages. Our Troupes are wonderful mentors and role models and are highly sought after to perform at events in our region. Entry is subject to an audition process that is held at the beginning of Term 1 each year before a panel to select the TCDA Show Troupes for the year.

Private Lessons

Ages 5 - 12 years

Our enrolled students may choose to undertake private lessons with either ATOD Associate Teachers or with a Junior Teacher. These lessons may be taken to focus on particular skills leading up to exams, to catch up on material missed due to absences or to learn a solo, duo or trio for entry into an Eisteddfod or our own TCDA Mid Year Competition or Championship. Places are limited and availability may change from term to term.

HIGH SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL (AGES 12-18 YEARS)