Page 4 - DANCE Guide 2022

2022 SyllabuS Guide
WEBSITE:
www.acrobaticarts.com
FOUNDER/DIRECTOR
Mandy Yip
HISTORY
Acrobatic Arts was founded in Canada in 2012 and has grown into an internationally recognised syllabus. The program is based on safe and effective progressions with proven results in five categories of AcroDance: Flexibility, Strength, Balancing, Limbering and Tumbling. The comprehensive, technique focused syllabus was developed alongside professionals and experts throughout the industry.
Acrobatic Arts can be found in over 6000 studios in 41 countries worldwide. An estimated 350,000 dancers participate in Acrobatic Arts classes every week!
STYLES/GENRE
AcroDance, Aerial Hoop
GRADING/MARKING SYSTEM
Primary, Levels 1-8 and Pre-Professional Levels 1-3. These exams are graded on a numerical scale. Marking grades include Pass, Commended, Highly Commended, Excellent and Distinction. All dancers receive a certificate of achievement and dancers who achieve a standard of Distinction receive an Acrobatic Arts medal.
Along side the Primary through Level 7 exam levels, Acrobatic Arts offers Bronze, Silver and Gold Pin exams for optional additional development. These exams are marked on a Pass/Retry scale. All dancers who are successful receive a certificate of achievement and a pin in the corresponding colour the exam. There is also an option for teachers to enter the Primary through Level 6 pin exams through one of our Partnering Associations.
We have recently launched our Aerial Arts exam syllabus in hoop. This syllabus follows the marking system of our levelled exams.
TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS
Assistant Teacher Certification, Pre-School Certification and Modules 1-3 Certification.
COMPETITIONS/AWARDS
Acrobatic Arts partners with Synergy Dance to offer dancers around the world the opportunity to compete in a virtual AcroDance competition called Dynasty AcroDance Competition. info@ dynastyacrodance.com
Sandra Elliott
Principal/Admin
Acrobatic Arts principal@AcrobaticArts.com
Have examinations/assessments changed over the years and what is different now?
Our mission at Acrobatic Arts is to be at the forefront of the AcroDance industry in safety, progressional development, teacher support and inclusion. One feature of our exams is that students can expect a class setting with the examiner directing the class. They give dancers helpful tips and encouragement throughout the exam in addition to evaluating them.
We revise our syllabus periodically to provide the most current and highest standard of excellence. In the Pre- Professional levels, we added a performance piece that allows dancers to showcase their talent in a choreographed routine of their choice. Pre-Professional 3 includes an interview portion, giving dancers this experience as they transition into the professional industry.
The recent addition of our Pin Program (see side column) allows dancers to spend more time mastering progressions in a fun new way. The aim of this program is to help dancers combine their acrobatic skills with dance and transitions, as well as to teach musicality, rhythm, timing and performance skills. These short pieces of choreography are pre-set and are created in such a way to allow teachers to easily train multiple pins levels at once in their classrooms.
Dancers always leave the exam with smiles having had a positive experience.
What is the purpose of exams/ assessments and why do you think they are beneficial?
I have always found that my students achieve more when participating in exams. There is a concrete goal, clear expectations for proficiency and a set timeline. This makes a difference in their focus and effort in class and gives them motivation to work outside of class. What I love about our exams is not only do dancers perform specific skills like
walkovers but there are also flexibility and strength requirements they must perform. This is unlike exams in other genres. I find dancers love to work on the ‘tricks’ but they don’t love working on strength and flexibility, especially if it is a challenge for them. When taking our exams, it makes them accountable to develop in all areas and in turn this makes them better dancers. Exams also make me more accountable as their teacher to ensure I cover all the necessary skills and details that my students need to be successful.
Acrobatic Arts exams allow everyone to know where dancers stand on the global market. They can be confident that the result they receive in Australia is the same as a similar dancer in any of our divisions.
Do you have a memory of doing exams/ syllabus event you would like to share? I have had the honour to examine a dancer from Canada who has a prosthetic lower arm. She is such an inspiring dancer who has worked hard to overcome adversity. I get goose bumps each time I see her perform! Entering Adaptive Exams allows her to reach her full potential when being graded. I encourage everyone to watch our documentary on her on our YouTube channel, titled “Sheriauna”.
54 | JANUARY / FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 | WWW.DANCEAUSTRALIA.COM.AU
ACROBATIC ARTS