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About the school Syllabus
Principal The principal, Michelle Rasdall, is a qualified, registered and insured teacher of The Royal Academy of Dance and the International Dance Teachers Association. She trained and taught for 6 years in London with an RAD examiner, before moving to Cambridge with her husband, and their three children. Having worked on major West End musicals in London, she tries to bring a sense of theatre and performance to all of her teaching and to this end, the school performs a show every 2 years when all pupils, regardless of their ability, may take part. Dance festivals and displays are also entered for those interested in competitions or performing. Classes There are three terms´ of lessons each year, each lasting between 10 and 13 weeks. The last lesson of each term is usually an open day when parents and friends are invited to watch the class and view the progress made throughout the term. Class times can be found from the main Classes page. Pupils wishing to take dance more seriously can be prepared for auditions to summer schools, professional shows or programmes such as The Royal Ballet School Junior Associate Scheme or DanceEast Academy. Fees The first lesson is free as a trial class (except for daytime Melody Bear classes) and new pupils may then pay weekly for a few lessons, but correct money should be brought in a sealed envelope, clearly named, each week. Thereafter, an invoice is issued at the start of each term and full payment is requested by the half-term holiday (no payment is requested in advance!). A £5.00 administration charge is made for each reminder letter issued in relation to late fee payment after half-term. Fees range from £3.25 to £7.00 per class depending on branch attended and class duration. Any pupil is welcome to attend a second lesson in the same subject each week for £2.00, paid on day of attendance. Full prices and timetables can be found from the main Fees page. Bursary A bursary fund is available known as Charlotte's Fund in memory of a former pupil who died in 2008. This can provide financial help for those unable to find full fees or exam entry fees etc. Further details can be found on Charlotte's Page. Grades and Ages Children are accepted from two years of age for Melody Bear Ballet and four years of age for other classes. After Gade 4 some pupils may be encouraged to work for the more senior Major exams if the teacher is happy that satisfactory progress will be made. A rough guide to class age is as follows: Melody Bear Stage One: 2 to 3 yrs with mum joining in Melody Bear Stage Two: 3 to 4 yrs Preparatory Ballet and Tap: 4 to 5 yrs Primary Ballet, Preparatory Modern, Preparatory Theatre Craft: 5 to 7 yrs Grades One and Two: 7 to 10 yrs Grades Three to Eight: 8 -11 yrs + The Samara Scholarship Up to two scholarships are offered each year to promising pupils which enable them to attend as many classes as they can, free of charge for 12 months, in addition to their regular 'paid for' class. Majors Classes Once a pupil has covered the junior grades (up to grade 4) and has acquired a basic understanding of classical technique, they may wish to start the more technical Majors work which includes pointe work for the girls. Most pupils will not have the necessary physical shape to cope with the very demanding Inter Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced 1 and Advanced 2 exams (the Majors), but they can still benefit from the increased vocabulary that the Majors provide. New Pupils You can contact me directly about classes or print and fill out the online application form and return it to me at the first lesson, or by post. |
Classes follow the International Dance Teachers Association (
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