Welcome & Information Pack

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Welcome I would like to personally welcome you to our ‘family’ at the Renmark Dance Academy. I feel privileged and honoured to be able to teach your child the beautiful art of ballet and dance. I am fortunate to have lived a lifetime in the arena of this art form which is a legacy, it has its own momentum and the tradition continues to be passed on from generation to generation. It is extremely exciting to be able to conduct classes on the stage of the Chaffey Theatre. What an amazing opportunity for our dancers to not only gain new skills in dance but also to develop artistry from the very beginning. Stage craft married with technique. Sometimes referred to as ‘’the smell of the greasepaint’’. I feel it is important to recognise that many former students of the then named ‘Riverland Dance Academy’, went on to enjoy professional careers themselves. I am aiming high for your children and will nurture their development through to professional status. I also encourage the understanding, knowledge and enjoyment of those who will consider their dancing to be complimentary to whatever their career choices may be. This in itself creates knowledgeable, discerning balletomanes who will be the audiences of the future. The benefits are numerous:         

correct deportment co-ordination balance and control of their bodies in motion rhythm and musicality understanding the history of dance respecting the traditional backgrounds being active and gaining physical strength through structured exercise following instructions and gaining a sense of discipline through learning new positions and steps becoming confident & comfortable performing before groups

With slow and careful development all this and more will become memories which will endure in their hearts forever. Yours in Dancing,

Jacqui http://renmarkdanceacademy.weebly.com/

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Director & Principal: Jacqueline Yelland ~ Expertise 

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Royal Academy of Dancing (RAD) trained former full-time graduate and Junior School ballet teacher at Scully Borovansky Frances School of Ballet, Sydney, under the direction of Dame Kathleen Danetree and Miss Nellie Potts, Senior RAD Examiner Studied Contemporary dance privately with Jennifer Barry at Australian Dance Theatre and with Jacqui Carroll of Sydney Dancers Company Trained under Lucette Aldous, former Prima Ballerina of the Australian Ballet Mentored and trained by Bryan Ashbridge, (Royal Ballet Company and Assistant Artistic Director of the Australian Ballet) Professional dancer with the Australian Opera Ballet (multiple productions) Modern dancer on The Ray Walsh Show – later becoming the Midday show with Ray Martin Television commercials: Cadbury’s Chocolates, Lady Scott Tissues, Arnott’s Biscuits and promotional material for Her Majesty’s Theatre Sydney Choreographer & Ballet Mistress with the Auckland Opera Ballet Eisteddfod Adjudicator New Zealand (Junior & Senior levels) President Northern Dance Association, Auckland Studied the complete Vaganova syllabus under Dingshong Xu (Artistic Director, Beijing Dance Academy) Director, Riverland Dance Academy Dance/Drama coach with the Wakefield Street Players, Adelaide Group member of Ausdance SA. Director, Renmark Dance Academy Cert IV Workplace Training and Assessment

Student Achievements:  

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Six former Riverland students accepted into Centre of Performing Arts (CPA) now known as the Helpmann Academy Professional dancer in Germany at the Pfalzheater Kaiserslautern Opera/Ballet Theatre, then toured China, Youyang province and the Korean Contemporary company, The Phinx, London Contemporary Theatre Three classical dancers accepted into the Australian Ballet School, including one by private audition Choreographers and dance teachers, overseas, interstate and in South Australia Former dance students have also joined the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Auckland Opera Ballet, Victorian College of the Arts and contemporary dance groups interstate

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Our Curriculum Vaganova Method of Classical Ballet The Vaganova is a ballet technique and training system devised by the Russian dancer and pedagogue Agrippina Vaganova (1879-1951). Fusing elements of traditional French technique from the romantic era, with the athleticism and virtuosity of the Italian school, the method is designed to work the body as a whole, with total involvement of the body in every movement, and equal attention paid to the upper body as well as the legs and feet. Vaganova believed that this approach increases consciousness of the body, thus creating a harmony of movement and greater expressive range. The training regime for the Vaganova method is complex and rigorously planned, to produce a clean, virtuoso technique. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaganova_method)

For more information please visit http://vaganovaacademy.com/

Graham Technique of Contemporary Dance The Graham technique, which is now used by dance companies throughout the world, became the first enduring alternative to the idiom of classical ballet. Powerful, dynamic, jagged and filled with tension, this vocabulary combined with Martha Graham's distinctive system of training to set her above other dance innovators. The name "Contemporary Dance" describes a range of techniques and styles used in classes, workshops and dance choreography. Contemporary dance was developed in the early 20th century as a reaction against the rigid techniques of ballet. Pioneers such as Isadora Duncan and Martha Graham searched for ease of movement using the body's natural lines and energy, allowing a greater range and fluidity of movement than conventional dance techniques. Contemporary dance is characterised by its versatility: contemporary can be danced to almost any style of music, or united with other dance forms to create new styles of movement. Contemporary seeks to work with the natural alignment of the body, and is therefore safe and accessible for beginners. At the same time, the ease of movement promoted by contemporary dance technique allows experienced dancers to push new boundaries of body movement. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

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Russian Character Dance It is a specific subdivision of Classical Dance. It is the stylised representation of a traditional folk or national dance, normally from a European country, and uses movements and music which have been adapted for the theatre. Character dance is integral to much of the classical ballet repertoire. A good example of character dance within ballet is the series of national dances which take place at the start of Act III of Swan Lake. The ballet Don Quixote also features many character variations based on flamenco, a traditional Spanish dance. Popular character dance adaptations for ballet also include the national dances of Hungary, Russia, Poland, Italy and Spain: csárdás, mazurka, tarantella, flamenco, etc. Folk traditions have been incorporated into what is known as ballet for centuries but it was not until Aleksandr Shirayev, Assistant to Marius Petipa, that Character Dance became a unique and codified art-form that takes its rightful place as an integral part of Classical Ballet. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

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General Information Dance wear Renmark Dance Academy has an excellent rapport with Adelaide’s leading dancewear boutique, Tutu & Twirl. Their friendly staff will be our sole suppliers for bulk orders organised by our committee.

313 Goodwood Rd King's Park, 5034 Adelaide, SA (08) 8299 9246

All new ballet students may wear a one piece swimming costume, or loose fitting shorts with a singlet type or tightly tucked in T-shirt with bare legs & feet for the first 3 weeks. This will provide you and your child with the opportunity to ascertain if they are definitely ready to continue, without the expense of buying something they may not end up needing. From Week 4, it will be mandatory that Renmark Dance Academy dance-wear is ordered through our bulk order facility. We will eventually have standard junior and senior student dance-wear. I am however committed to assisting parents with the initial expenses and so will be perfectly happy to receive students in whatever leotard style/colour they may already have. These will be quite acceptable until such time that they either grow out of them or they become worn.

Junior grades: Leotard colour and type: to be confirmed Standard flesh pink ballet tights and shows Renmark Dance academy pink hair bow Senior Grades: Leotard colour and type: to be confirmed Standard flesh pink ballet tights and shows Renmark Dance academy navy blue hair bow Male students: White socks Support White T-Shirt Black ballet pumps

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Grooming Grooming is an integral part of the traditional history and discipline of Classical Ballet. It creates a strong sense of self-pride in the student. It is also a necessary and practical requirement for their teacher to correctly observe the posture and structural alignment of the student, known as placement. Please take preparatory time to secure hair in a bun for long hair, covered in a hairnet and in a pinned hairnet for short hair. Fringes are not permitted for Classical Ballet. Water gels and/or firm hair spray with bobby pins will solve the problem for those children already styled with a fringe. Again, this is not just tradition but has a practical purpose. A dancer needs to express the mood of the movement/music with their eyes as they dance. This is a skill in itself and is also part of the tuition provided. If a fringe is covering or flopping around the eyes it is not possible to concentrate on this aspect. Senior students require fast accurate spotting with the eyes to prevent them from becoming dizzy whilst turning. Students who do not have their hair secured firmly will be asked to step aside to have it fixed before they can join in the class again. We will be conducting several demonstrations for parents to observe, showing how the hair may be prepared. Please endeavour to attend these if you are unsure how to best groom your child in this manner.

Parents are welcome – you are your child’s support and my support too Parents are welcome to sit at the side of the stage but must be absolutely quiet during class-time. Siblings are welcome to attend provided they can sit quietly and observe without any distraction during class. You will have the opportunity to watch your student as they progress and develop their skills, as well as the methodology in action. The Chaffey Theatre has also been kind enough to allow parents to wait in the green room of the theatre.

Promptness & Attendance We can all run late sometimes however I strongly urge parents to do whatever they can to avoid this because it distresses the student. It also distracts other students when latecomers arrive and your child is missing valuable tuition time.

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Commencing Age Students need to have completed at least one term of kindergarten/preschool before enrolling with the Renmark Dance Academy.

Duty of care Duty of care demands that children must not wait at the kerbside or outside of the theatre to be collected but must be met by a responsible adult inside the theatre. Children must also not be left unattended, the student is only the responsibility of the Renmark Dance Academy during their allocated lesson time. A responsible adult needs to be present before and after the class.

Confidentiality Confidentiality is very important to the Renmark Dance Academy, if you have any issues regarding your child please to not hesitate to discuss this with your teacher at an appropriate time. However, other children with not be discussed. This also applies to parents contact details that will be kept confidential with the dance instructors.

Food and Drink Food is not to be consumed anywhere inside the theatre. Students are encouraged to bring water bottles to class. Tea and coffee will be available for parents in the green room. Cleanliness and respect of the dressing rooms are imperative to avoid cleaners’ expenses. Sitting in the auditorium is forbidden by theatre management.

Parents Code of Behaviour Renmark Dance Academy believes in equal opportunities and chances for all students. While all parents like to see their child strive for high achievement, we ask that you be mindful of the impact of any pressure or stress put on your child. The Renmark Dance Academy expect all parents to follow the parent code of conduct to ensure that all students at our academy are supported and enjoy their time with us.  

Don’t force your child to dance, make sure that it is what they want to do. If they are interested, encourage and praise them. Encourage your child to watch live performances as often as they can. This may also be through viewing on the television and on the internet.

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(Parents code of behaviour continued)

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Praise your child for their effort, performance and honesty, this will teach them the importance of this and not an emphasis on winning. Discuss the codes in this handbook with them to encourage them to always participate according to the rules Never punish, ridicule or yell at a child not achieving what you thought they would/should. Discussing other people’s children and performances in a derogatory manner will not be tolerated. Students of the Renmark Dance Academy are dancing for their enjoyment, not yours. Applaud all performances equally. Renmark Dance Academy will not tolerate any verbal or physical abuse. Harassment, in the form of bullying or disrespectful interactions to any member of the Academy or Theatre staff will not be tolerated.

Communication To keep up to date with what is happening at the Renmark Dance Academy please refer to our website at http://renmarkdanceacademy.weebly.com.au. We update our website regularly to ensure the latest information is available to you. Of course, I am also happy to talk to you personally. Please feel free to speak to me if you have any questions or concerns. Please also let me know if your contact details have changed at anytime during the year. *On the rare occasion the stage is not available, classes will be conducted in either the Drama Studio or the Uniting Church Hall Renmark. These dates will be provided well in advance at the beginning of each term.

Contact:

Jacqui Yelland

Phone: 85864917 Email: [email protected]

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Timetable and Fees Tuesday Evening 4:00 – 4:45pm Primary - $90 5:00 – 5:45pm Grade 1 - $90 6:00 – 7:00pm Grades 2 & 3 - $100 7:00 – 8:00pm Grades 4 & 5 - $100

Wednesday Evening from 2013: Exam entrants additional classes and/or Private Lesson Bookings by Teacher invitation only ½ hour private lesson $20 or 45 minute private lesson $25

Russian Character Class Contemporary Class 2013 timetable 6:30pm – 8pm Intermediate / Advanced / Adult - $130

Thursday Evening 4:00 – 4:45pm Primary - $90 5:00 – 6:00pm Senior Grade - $100 6:15 – 7:45pm Pre Elementary / Elementary / Intermediate - $130

NB: The timetable will be flexible dependent on the age, standard and numbers of enrolments. Fees are non-refundable for classes missed due to ongoing overheads, except under extenuating circumstances. Students starting part way through a term will be charged pro-rata, or by the lesson until that term is complete (Discounts apply for paying in advance or concession card or for families with more than one child, please speak to Jacqui if this applies to you.) Payments by cash, cheque, or electronic transfer providing name of student in the reference to: BSB 105 050 account number 90147232

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