ABOUT THE SCHOOL AND THE TEACHER

The Samara Ballet School was established in 1993 to bring dance to rural villages throughout Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. In January 2007 Samara became one of the first dance schools in the country to be awarded Recognised School status from the Council for Dance Education and Training.  It offers a new and fresh approach to the often preconceived, elitist image of ballet, as the school offers classes to EVERYONE, of any age, nationality, ability (or disability!), regardless of their financial means. All are welcome (from 2 years of age) and the emphasis is on FUN.  This unique, community based, school encourages pupils to work to their own level of ability, whether they are looking to train for a professional career in dance or just need 30 minutes exercise to music!

Classes follow the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Syllabus for ballet and the International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA) Syllabus for ballet and tap. Those who wish to participate are entered for either RAD or IDTA exams; group assessment exams are also available for those with special needs or who find a full grades exam too daunting. Exams are not compulsory and pupils will move to new grades as and when they would cope with the next level, on an individual basis.

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. 

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.

Visits are sometimes arranged to local theatres to watch the major visiting ballet companies.

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.

FEES

The first lesson is free as a trial class and new pupils may then pay weekly for up to 6 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 £2.90 to £6.00 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 are included on each Branch page.

BURSARY

A bursary fund has been established by parents of a past pupil at the school, to provide financial help for those unable to find full fees or exam entry fees etc.  Application should be made in writing, in total confidence, if help is required.

GRADES AND AGES

Children are accepted from 2 years of age for Melody Bear Ballet and 4 years of age for for other ballet classes.  Tap may be started from 5 years of age or to coincide with new beginners tap classes as they start up.  After grade 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: 4 to 5 yrs

Primary: 5 to 7 yrs

Grades One and Two:  7 to 10 yrs

Grades Three to Eight: 8 -11 yrs +

THE SAMARA SCHOLARSHIP

Two or three 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. 

MAJOR 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.