Top Exam Results for Dance Academy Students
Avondale College's Dance Academy students have passed their first external contemporary dance examination in superb style with all girls earning passes of 80% or higher, and Kayla Brall's distinction pass putting her in the 95-100% achievement range.
The seven Academy students bring with them a variety of dance experience outside of school. While some have been learning ballet or jazz since they were little, for three of the girls, this was their first ever dance exam. And for all of them, contemporary dance has been a new experience. “I found it difficult to begin with,” says Zoe Purdon, “but it has become easier as we've gone along.”
Dance Teacher Hana Tipa, herself a former dancer with the Royal New Zealand ballet, has been impressed with the girls' commitment. “They've been really receptive to something new. Contemporary dance has a whole new movement vocabulary, it has been a lot to take on and they've done really well.”
Says 14 year old Tessa Belshaw, “ The exam was a real highlight – everything we've done in the Academy was put to use.”
The girls worked very hard before the exam, scheduling extra rehearsals, and dancing at the college's Open Evening. It is a commitment that is especially remarkable when you consider that their Academy classes, which run five mornings over a fortnight, begin at 7.45am – a time when many teenagers are snoozing the alarm clock.
Doing so well in the exam hasn't been the only highlight for these girls this year, though. Ask them what else they have enjoyed about being part of the Academy and they are quick to agree: Getting to know each other, establishing new friendships outside of their normal classes has been great. Would they recommend other students audition to be part of the intake next year? It's a unanimous chorus: Definitely.
Contemporary Level 1 New Zealand Association of Modern Dance Examination:
Distinction (95% - 100%)
Kayla Brall
Honours (85%-89%)
Danielle Hewett
Vanessa Hayes
Lucy Dawber
Zoe Purdon
Very Highly Commended (80%-84%)
Katelyn Bishop
Tessa Belshaw
Rotation Schedule 2011
It will really enhance your ability as a performer if you have a greater understanding of other strands and also the technology that enhances any performance. The sessions that rotate around other academy strands are compulsory and we hope that you will enjoy and benefit from them. For Dance and Drama sessions you need to wear your PE kit and for music, your school uniform.
To download the Rotation Schedule for 2011, please click on the related link below.
Related Links >
Performing Arts Academy Rotation Schedule