From the desk of the Artistic Director

Dear Parents, Students and Friends of Southern Ballet,

A warm welcome to 2012 to you all. I trust you have had a great holiday and are well rested and ready to face another exciting year with the many challengers that await you. As you will no doubt be aware the new time table is available for all to view on our web site, or by post if you wish. To accommodate students in 3 or 4 genres is a mammoth task and I can promise you we have given great thought to this ever growing problem. Please contact Marion in the office if you have a glaring clash, I cannot promise that we can change the times but we will certainly discuss your particular situation should it arise.

Auditions for Ballet and Jazz Companies & Hip Hop Performance Groups

Junior, Intermediate and Senior Ballet Companies

Audition Date:                 Saturday 4th February 2012.
Junior                                (4.15pm – 5.45pm)
Intermediate                      (9.00am-10.00am)
Senior                               (10.15am- 11.30am)

Intermediate and Senior Jazz Companies

Audition Date:                  Saturday 4th February 2012.

Intermediate                      (3.00pm – 4.30pm)
Senior                               (4.30pm – 6.00pm)

Auditions for Hip Hop Performance Groups

 Audition Date                   Thursday 9th February 2012 at the 74 Hawdon Street Studio

Boys                                      (5.00pm – 6.00pm)
Girls                                       (6.00pm – 7.00pm)

We welcome all eligible students to audition and encourage you to join. Current company students must re-audition.
No Company classes during the first week until after auditions.
To attend any audition, you must complete an application form available from the office.

Junior Ballet Company

Eligibility: Grade 3, 4, 5 Ballet.
(Students in Grade 2 ballet showing exceptional talent may also audition).

Intermediate Ballet Company

Eligibility: Intermediate Foundation and Intermediate Ballet

Senior Ballet Company

Eligibility: Advanced One and Two Ballet, or as ability requires.

Jazz Companies
Eligibility: From Grade 5 and above
(Students in Grade 4 Jazz showing exceptional talent may also audition).

Hip Hop Performance Groups
Eligibility: All Grades

All students should wear their uniform as appropriate for the audition. Students auditioning for the Senior Ballet Company should also bring their pointe shoes.
NOTE: Companies will be created based on ability. We reserve the right to offer and continue membership based on ability, attitude, dedication and attendance.

Joining one of the companies brings the opportunity to discover and learn in dance beyond the technical class. It has been a stepping-stone for many professional dancers, and it is a very exciting and dynamic time with stage experience that is unique in New Zealand. Becoming a company member brings obligations and commitments as well – with a very high standard of attendance, dress and hair. A lack of uniform discipline at class and rehearsals does not go unnoticed. Company dancers are expected to uphold Southern Ballet’s past record. All rehearsals are compulsory, and as productions are often during the school holidays company members need to be sure they are available at this time.

Company fees are kept extraordinarily low, considering the number of hours and level of tuition given. However, this is only possible through the on-going dedication of the tutors and parent assistance – with everyone taking their turn.
Volunteer work includes:
Wardrobe, backstage, kiosk and organization – and is normally lots of fun!
Your results will be emailed to you following the auditions. If you are successful, a letter of commitment will be given to each student and their families to complete to ensure everyone understands these obligations.

Full Time Course
For dancers wanting to further their career
Full time students are expected to do the open Jazz class on Tuesdays and a Contemporary class, as well as all of the morning program classes at no extra charge. You have the opportunity to experience your professional tutors at a professional level. A wonderful experience if you wish to do school by correspondence and dance most of the day.

The BBO has introduced a new syllabus this year for trained dancers:
 ‘Classical Ballet in Theatre’
This is an examination syllabus and includes a written essay on the History of Ballet you will be working on. This year it is the ‘Nutcracker’ all the music for the examination from the barre through to the variations is to the Nutcracker music score. This is a delightful syllabus and will be tutored by Miss Sharon who is fully qualified to tutor to Solo Seal level, (this is the highest examination you can take in any organization).
There is a separate exam syllabus for senior boys, it is very challenging and you would enjoy the work.

Pilates Would anyone (families and friends) be interested in a Pilates class in the morning from 9 – 10am. If interested please contact the office. The exercise is wonderful and a coffee afterwards in our café with friends sounds great!

Hip Hop
Becky McMillan will be taking over all Hip Hop Grade classes from Miss Ceara. Becky is a past student of Miss Hayley’s and has achieved the highest award of Solo Diploma in Hip Hop. She is a charming lady. I am sure you will really enjoy her classes. Miss Ceara and Miss Becky have been working over the holidays to make sure the transition is a smooth one.

Miss Ceara is going to come in regularly to keep an eye on her students and she will take the Hip Hop Performance Groups.

Sean James
We welcome Sean as a tutor to the full time students’ course. He will be working one morning a week. Sean (like Glen) is a past student of Southern Ballet and a great tutor; he brings many attributes to the arts. Sean has international experience in dance and teaching and you will enjoy his classes immensely.

RAD
We are introducing the Royal Academy Syllabus, commencing with new work which is being introduced to NZ this year for Intermediate Foundation and Intermediate. This work is a little contemporary in its construction and is simply delightful; it will definitely enhance your ballet. Already the classes are filling up and we only want to take a limited number. Let Marion know at the office if you would like to take these classes. There will be no extra charge if you are doing the B.B.O. classes. Miss Hayley will be your tutor.

Grade 1 Jazz
We are introducing Grade 1 Jazz classes this year, see the time table. Please let Marion know at the office if you are interested.

Enjoy your first term back, and remember always give of your very best.

 

Lorraine Peters, QSM
Artistic Director

 

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Southern Ballet Information

School Terms
Southern Ballet’s school terms are set around the four terms for the academic school year.

Full Time Professional Training and Theatre Performance Course
A full time course for pre-professional students and those wanting a career in ballet is available daily from 9am. These dancers will be performing regularly in our own Theatre and are taught by fully trained registered professionals.

Examinations
B.B.O (British Ballet Organization) exams are held in October each year at Grade and Major level. R.A.D (Royal Academy of Dance) major work can be provided for students completing their examinations on request.
N.Z.A.M.D (New Zealand Association of Modern Dance) exams are held in August for Jazz and Hip Hop.

Performances
Southern Ballet is a unique facility having its own Theatre on the premises where performances are held regularly throughout the year, these include; Students from the Junior and Senior Ballet and Jazz Companies, usually performing during the school holidays and a special Beginners performance, which is held during September. The British Ballet Organization allows who enter for examinations to participate in their Dance Awards Demonstration events, which are held in the Southern Ballet Theatre. The Isaac Theatre Royal hosts our end of year production involving all students from the school.

Holiday Grade and Major Schools
Holiday School is essential for the preparation of all examination students and is held in the school holidays prior to the exam dates - these run for one week with daily classes. The jazz school runs in the July school holidays and the ballet junior/ major school runs in the September/October holidays.

Competitions/Dance Awards
Competition and dance award work is available; parents should contact the office for further information. Early notification is recommended due to high tutor demand.

Private Lessons
Private lessons, which enhance a student’s ability for examination and competitions, may be arranged through the office. Payment must be pre-paid in advance of the lesson at which time you will receive a private lesson voucher to hand to the tutor during the lesson time.
Please refer to the fees structure for prices.

Intermediate and Senior Ballet Companies
We offer a training and performance programme for dedicated students. Dancers are accepted for the Junior Ballet Company from Grade 4 level and above and the Senior Ballet Company dancers are auditioned from Advanced 1A level. These auditions are held annually. For students new to the school, applications will be taken on a case by-case basis during the year, see the Artistic Director or your tutor for consideration. Grade 3 students of outstanding ability may also apply, but must be at least 9 years of age.

Intermediate and Senior Jazz Companies
New in 2005, we introduced a training and performance program for Jazz students. Auditons are held annually and applications for entry during the year can be addressed to Hayley Watts.

Parental Viewing
Parents of Junior School students may watch the first class of each month. Parents waiting for their children to finish a class may use the Theatre Foyer on the ground floor when available. We request that parents do not talk to the tutors in between classes.
No food or drink is to be consumed in the Theatre during class time. Please keep your Theatre tidy and clean at all times.

Pianists
Most classes have the benefit of live music from our experienced team of three professionals.

Timetables
These are placed on the notice-boards around the school and are regularly updated. Please feel free to ask at the office for a copy.

Email Address
Our email address is: Southernballet@xtra.co.nz

School Fees
Fees are payable each term, irrespective of a child’s attendance at class. For pupils who leave through the Term, the fees are non-refundable. Accounts are mailed at the beginning of each term and are payable within 14 days, or a 10% penalty will be added. Please note that if no payments have been met within the required time of 14 days, Southern Ballet reserves the right to cease classes for your child until payments have been made.
For families we offer a 10% discount for the second child and those thereafter.

• Examination, grade school or private lesson fees are additional to term fees and will be charged separately. Discussion in regards to any matters pertaining to fees must be directed to the Artistic Director. No other member of staff has authority in regards to changing fees, and to avoid any possible embarrassment, we request you do not ask them for discounts, etc.n