For the past four years, Swansea School of Dance has offered students in ballet levels Primary and higher the opportunity to participate in the Royal Academy of Dance examinations and presentations. The examinations and presentations provide the dancers with a positive environment in which to perform and receive feedback regarding their technical development. They offer the students a challenge to show their understanding of the work they have been learning in class.
What is the difference between an examination and a presentation?
In the examination, the dancer goes into the studio with 3 other dancers and performs her prepared work without a teacher. The dancers are adjudicated by an RAD certified examiner following a formal grading scheme. In the presentation, the dancer goes into the studio with up to 7 other dancers and a teacher. The dancers perform for an RAD certified examiner but are not adjudicated.
In the first term, each student will be assessed by her ballet teacher to determine whether she should be encouraged to pursue the examination or presentation. The final decision will be made following a discussion with the student to determine her interest and what is an achievable goal for her this year. There is no pressure to pursue either the exam or the presentation – it is an optional, personal decision for each student.
What do students have to do to prepare for the examinations and presentations?
In order to ensure that the examination or presentation goal is achieved, the student must commit to attending supplementary one hour classes. At these classes, the students will rehearse with a pianist who will also accompany them in the actual exams and presentations. The mock exam and mock presentation aim to mimic the actual exam and presentation in order to prepare the dancers as fully as possible for the experience.
For a schedule of the rehearsal schedule, please click on the following link.
SSOD RAD Exam and Presentation Rehearsal Schedule 2009-10
The mock exams will take place at the studio on Saturday March 6, 2010 for presentation students and Sunday March 7, 2010 for examination students – times to be announced. All exams and presentations are scheduled for Thursday March 11 and Friday March 12, 2010 and will take place at Swansea School of Dance. The students will receive their examination results and certificates in June.
Where can I find out more about the RAD examinations and presentations?
Please refer to the website for the Royal Academy of Dance at www.radcanada.org for more information regarding the examinations and presentations.
