Page 10 - DANCE Guide 2022

2022 SyllabuS Guide
Mary Easton
Vice-President, Ballet Australasia Ltd; Director, Examiner and Former President BAL/Technical Advisor Tap and Jazz.
WEBSITE:
www.dancebal.com
HISTORY
Ballet Australasia Ltd (BAL) was founded by former members of the British Ballet Organisation (London), which was established in 1936. After British Chairman Edward Kelland-Espinosa retired in the mid 1980s, an independent Australian organisation was formed with the purpose of providing excellent teaching syllabi in all dance styles.
This provision of quality dance syllabi, coupled with accredited teacher training, makes BAL a great choice for dance teachers of all genres.
STYLES/GENRE
Classical Ballet, BAL Tap, Tap’N’Beats, Jazz, Hip Hop and National Character.
GRADING/MARKING SYSTEM
Beginners Assessment, Pre-Primary, Primary, Grades 1 to 5, Junior Solo, Grade 6, Pre-Elementary , Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced and Solo Seal Diploma.
TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS
BAL is a registered training organisation (RTO 40741) offering an accredited Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management, currently CUA40313 to be upgraded in 2022. This can be taken in a chosen genre, and is available to all dance teachers from any dance organisations (meeting BAL criteria). BAL also offers an internal Teaching Certificate III, as a pre-requisite for membership to BAL. Teacher training intakes are offered twice a year.
COMPETITIONS/AWARDS
All exam candidates receive a written report and Certificate of Achievement, with students awarded 97% or higher receiving an Excellence Award. Senior candidates also receive a Senior Achievement medal.
Perpetual trophies are awarded annually to BAL studios with the highest exam Honour Points in all genres.
BAL holds our annual Diamond Star Group Competition, and the biannual Audrey Ward Ballet Scholarship.
What do you enjoy about your job?
I think the most enjoyable part of my job
is being able to share my passion for dance and to see students succeed and grow, whatever their individual ability levels. From a syllabus point of view, it is so exciting and rewarding to see them progress from struggling with new challenges early in the year to the confidence and strength they display at exam time.
What was the procedure to qualify to be an examiner/assessor?
Many years ago, as I ran a large and successful dance studio with a very high standard of student passes, I was invited and trained to become an examiner (already being the holder of formal teaching qualifications). In more recent times trainee examiners not only have to have this high standard of success
as a teacher but must hold Teaching
Certificate IV in Dance Teaching
and Management. Trainees accompany experienced examiners on exam dates and learn hands-on the procedures involved in marking consistently and fairly, as well as the myriad of administrative recording required.
Have examinations/assessments changed over the years?
At BAL other than all syllabi being updated and new genres being added,
the structure and pass marks have remained fairly consistent. Young students are now offered assessments, rather than more formal exams, and a more relaxed examination approach is taken for the newer genres of Hip Hop and Tap’N’Beats. The introduction of teaching certificates as a requirement for teachers has also ensured the maintenance and continual improvement of a high standard of teaching and examination results.
What is the purpose of exams/ assessments and why do you think they are beneficial?
I believe it is very beneficial for students to sit exams as they can gain a real sense of accomplishment and reward for their efforts throughout the year. Their excitement and pride in progressing to the next grade is invaluable to their confidence. Sending students for exams also sends a strong message to parents that the teacher is prepared to have her/his students assessed externally, thus showing professionalism and confidence in their teaching.
What drew you to this syllabus/ organisation?
My mother who was also a teacher, examiner and a past President of BAL gave me my love of dance and always encouraged me in my dancing and then later assisted me to begin my dance studio. As she has given so much to BAL over the years I have always wanted to continue her hard work and achievement by becoming involved in the day to day running of this wonderful syllabus myself. Plus, I really love the syllabi – they are all fun to teach, with great music!
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BALLET AUSTRALASIA LIMITED