Dance Foundation 3 - 18yrs
About Dance Foundation
Dance Foundation offers programmes which are designed to develop dance students who are seeking a professional dance career, training to enter a university dance degree programme, or simply desiring an enrichment and artistic enhancement of their existing academic training and discipline. Email us now to book a free introductory lesson to as many genres as you would like to try. You may wear anything for your free trail lesson. On joining we will give you a list of uniform requirements for your class.
A note from James Stockade, the Director of Examinations at the RAD.
The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is an awarding organisation recognised in England by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), in Wales by Qualifications Wales, in Northern Ireland by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) and in Scotland by SQA Accreditation, part of the Scottish Qualifications Authority.
The RAD offers examinations in dance for young children starting out in dance classes through to older students aspiring to become professional dancers. On an average year, approximately 250,000 candidates worldwide take our examinations, class awards and solo performance awards, as well as non-assessed demonstration classes.
Achievement in dance contributes to the learner’s all-round development, as it helps to develop competencies such as motor control, health and safety awareness, self-expression, physical fitness and stamina, discipline, mental ability, confidence and self-esteem.
The RAD is recognised by Ofqual, Qualifications Wales and CCEA to operate on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). The RAD’s graded examinations, vocational graded examinations, solo performance awards, and Discovering Repertoire Levels 2-4 are qualifications regulated on the RQF. The RQF includes qualifications of many types and in all fields of study, including GCSEs, A levels, and NVQs, placing dance examinations in a wider context of learning and achievement, and recognising equivalence in levels of knowledge, skills and understanding.
We pride ourselves on creating a family atmosphere where our students form special relationships with their co-students and teachers, creating a lifelong bond.
Dance Foundation teaches RQF approved examinations with two registered Dance Awarding Bodies. It offers the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabi, which has its headquarters in London under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen, offering classical ballet classes at 15 levels. It offers the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) syllabi, offering classes in tap, modern theatre and jazz.
We hold examinations throughout the academic year, with both the RAD and the ISTD programmes. Examinations are essential for students who wish to pursue a career in dance. All accredited dance colleges and universities will ask you to list your examinations taken with a Registered Awarding Body on their application forms.
All the grades are recognised in the Qualifications Credit Framework (QCF). The QCF introduces a standard currency for learner achievement through the award of credit. 1-12 points is recognised as an Award, 13-16 a Certificate and 37+ a Diploma.
All level 3 qualifications (G6, G7, G8, IF, I, AF) are then recognised within the UCAS tariff system, which means that you can use your examination result towards your points tariff when applying to university or a higher education institution in the UK, (all universities do however set their own rules for this tariff system).
The lovely part of the RAD & ISTD system is that it is recognised outside the dance world and the system shows dedication and commitment, no matter what field you may end up going in to.
We perform a bi-annual show, for which all students are invited to take part in. For many, this is their favourite part of their training and having studied examination work, the dance technique of all of the students is outstanding and everyone excels on the stage, performing a very professional show.
We have our own premises in Clacton-on-Sea, with 2 dance studios, a uniform shop, changing rooms, toilets, kitchen and parking. Both dance studios have wall mirrors and fixed barres, and the main studio has a top quality Harlequin sprung floor, specially designed for dancers.
We offer the following genres:
Classical Ballet
is a traditional, formal style of ballet that adheres to classical ballet technique. It is known for its aesthetics and rigorous technique (such as pointe work, turn-out of the legs, and high extensions), its graceful, flowing, and precise movements, and its ethereal qualities. Ballet serves as a backbone for many other styles of dance, as many other dance genres are based on ballet. Ballet uses music and dance to tell stories, transporting an audience to another world.
Progressing Ballet Technique
PBT is a revolutionary program for ballet teachers and students. Helps in training muscle memory to achieve their best in ballet training. Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) is a unique and essential approach to the art form that is ballet.
Free Movement
dance has been influenced by and incorporates movements in common with other dance styles such as Natural
Movement, Contemporary and Classical Greek Dance.
Character Dance
is the theatrical presentation of national dance using original ethnic dance and music which has been freely adapted for the theatre. The three styles — Hungarian, Russian and Polish — were selected by the RAD because of their historic importance in the development of the nineteenth century full-length classical ballets.
Modern Theatre
dance is a rhythmic dance style which originated in America before travelling to the rest of the world. It is often seen on the stages of musical productions and is known for its theatrical qualities. The style uses travelling steps, high kicks, leaps and turns which all need strength and flexibility. This is a highly energetic dance style.
Jazz
is a fun dance style that relies heavily on originality and improvisation. Jazz dancing often uses bold, dramatic body movements, including body isolations and contractions. Due to this it is not suitable for children under 8 years of age. Our students study this is the Modern Enrichment classes.
Tap
dance is a form of dance characterised by using the sound of one's tap shoes hitting the floor as a percussive instrument. As such, it is also commonly considered to be a form of music.
Pilates
is a body conditioning routine that helps to build flexibility, muscle strength, and endurance in the legs, abdominals, arms, hips, and back. It puts emphasis on spinal and pelvic alignment, breathing, and developing a strong core or centre, and improving co-ordination and balance.
Study for examinations provides students with:
- An increasing ability to demonstrate practical knowledge of the required disciplines with the appropriate technique, musicality and performance qualities
- A graduated measure of attainment against specific criteria
- Increased self-confidence through the learning, memorising and performing of prescribed sequences of movement, studies and dances
- Awareness and understanding of working with others
- An appreciation, through practical experience, contrasting dance disciplines and their accompanying music
- Graded examinations are numbered progressively in order of complexity, starting with Pre-Primary-Primary and progressing to Grade 1 upwards. Jazz starts with the Bronze level, progressing to Silver and Gold. Vocational Graded levels start at Intermediate Foundation
Dance Foundation Students have gone on to full-time training at the following prestigious Vocational Schools and Colleges:
- Arts Educational
- Bird College
- Guildhall School of Music & Drama
- Laine Theatre Arts
- London Studio Centre
- Rambert School of Ballet & Contemporary Dance
- Royal Academy of Dance
- Royal Ballet School
- Stella Mann College of Performing Arts
Dance Foundation reserves the right to terminate lessons at any point, should we feel it is in the best interest of Dance Foundation.
For further information on our dance classes, please email us today to discuss with one of our professional dance teachers.
Customer testimonials
For further information on our dance classes, please email us today to discuss with one of our professional dance teachers.
Dance Foundation
Foundation Studios
2-4 Conway Units
Stephenson Road
Clacton-on-Sea
Essex
CO15 4XA
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