3 YEAR PROFESSIONAL DANCE DIPLOMA COURSE FOR STUDENTS OVER 16 YEARS


The three year full-time dance programme is designed for the
serious dancer aged 16+ who is passionate about all forms of
dance and as an individual has the talent and potential to make
dance their profession.

In order to produce highly skilled, creative and intellectual dance
artists, the course aims to provide students with a diverse yet
comprehensive education and training programme. This will
stimulate imagination and provide the necessary technical,
creative and performance experiences in order to develop a range
of cognitive, perceptual, and motor skills necessary for young
dance artists to enter, enjoy and improve the professional dance
sector of today. This is achieved through a rigorous curriculum,
predominately focused on studio-based practice and creative
exploration, underpinned by key elements of contextual study.

The training programme provides a strong core in a wide range of
subjects, supplemented by supporting subjects that enable
students to pursue their own interests. Workshops and master
classes provided throughout the programme offer students the
opportunity of working with a wide variety of professionals who
specialise in particular areas of dance. Performance occasions such as in-house productions and annual performances consolidate all that has been learnt in the classroom giving students the confidence and experience to perform in front of an audience.

The delivery of the technique classes, across all years are structured to provide a balance of consistency and diversity. In the first and second year students work in depthly towards particular technical approaches. The breadth of teaching encountered over the course ensures that graduates are versatile with the ability to apply their technical skills to new and varied challenges. The range of techniques experienced is guided by the particular expertise and teaching philosophies of the dance faculty and how these relate to the needs of the particular group and the individual. This approach ensures that students receive relevant and current training. In the third year technical training is linked directly to the performance options chosen.

THE FIRST YEAR
Will introduce students to a wide variety of subjects and will predominately focus on re-evaluating and retraining existing technique to ensure that any pre-existing technical faults have been addressed. Understanding and awareness of safe practice, dancer's life' nutrition and injury prevention will be fundamental to any technical development. In addition to the core dance subjects such as ballet, contemporary, jazz and tap, students will follow acting and singing modules.

By the end of the first year students are expected:

•To have made technical progress relevant to their starting point
•To have a clear understanding of human anatomy and physiology in the context of professional dance training and safer practice
•To have a good knowledge of dance history
•To have a good knowledge of dance composition
•To have the capacity to reflect and plan for their ongoing progress
•To have completed and passed all contextual requirements

THE SECOND YEAR
Will place stronger emphasis on the core techniques with emphasis on developing the individual dancer's artistic and performance qualities. In consultation with the various Heads of Department, students will have the option to select more specific core subjects in preparation for third year options. Students who may be looking towards the musical theatre option will be guided toward additional singing and acting subjects.

By the end of the second year students are expected:

•To have adapted to complex movement, demonstrating technique and performance skills
•To have made sense of individual corrections and directives to inform ongoing progress
•To have the confidence to improvise and create
•To have applied anatomic and health principles for prevention of and care of common injury
•To have objectively critiqued and referenced contextual material
•To have evaluated and planned for their ongoing progress
•To have completed and passed all contextual requirements

Students take Contextual studies throughout the Course to provide them with a theoretical understanding which underpins their practical work. It also provides opportunity for career progression in later life. Students will be expected to develop a portfolio of work accumulated throughout the course. Progress is monitored throughout each year.

THE THIRD YEAR
prepares students for their intended profession and therefore developing employment skills are essential. Students have the option to streamline their training to suit individual needs and may specialise either in contemporary dance and/or theatre dance. Students who have shown potential in singing and acting may choose to follow the musical theatre option providing their option has been agreed by the Head of Acting and Head of Singing.

Students' training culminates with enrolment to the made2move dance company. The company provides students with the opportunity to experience life in a dance company, consequently exposing them to company class and the rehearsal process which ultimately leads to performances.

By the end of the third year students are expected:

•To have achieved technical and artistic development to a professional level
•To have quickly responded to complex instructions and reproduce work with the intended directives
•To have audition experience and an awareness of the professional industry
•To have researched, referenced, critically appraised and reflected all contextual work
•To have completed and passed all contextual requirements
•To have established the necessary skills to withstand the pressures of professional life, adapt to change, and be self aware of the need for continuing professional development