General Info

The Organisation of Examinations
Examination Organisers operate in each State and have the responsibility for the management, organisation and conduct of exams in their State under the direction of the President. Overseas examinations are under the direction of  Asia Pacific Director, Mrs Debbie McRitchie via officially appointed International Organisers in major centres throughout the region.

Contacts
Debbie McRitchie  deanco@upnaway.com.au
We have the following organisers:
Singapore/India - Barbara Hannan bshannan17@gmail.com
West Malaysia - Lovell Chia lovell_chia@hotmail.com
East Malaysia - January Chan  january.dance@gmail.com
Hong Kong - HKDF Virginia Lo  yclo72011@gmail.com
Beijing - Mei Hua/Angelina Nie angelina_niepu@yahoo.com.cn
Thailand - Bangkok Dance Academy/Khun Toi sakuna_bda@hotmail.com
Philippines/Canada Asia Pacific Liaison Officer joannerichards7@bigpond.com
Indonesia - Juliana Tanjo julianatanjo@gmail.com

The Board of Examiners
There are at present fifteen (15) Examiners comprising the Board of Examiners for Classical Ballet, Theatrical, Tap and Jazz Ballet. Ballroom Syllabi are examined by a separate Examination Board. Before being appointed, Examiners must not only hold the appropriate teaching and experience qualifications, but most also complete a rigorous two-year training period then pass an Examiners Examination in front of three Examiners.

The Number of Candidates
The Society examines thousands of candidates in Australia and the Asian region.

CSTD Examination Awards
The Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing (CSTD) Dancesport Examinations, is a prestigious international syllabus covering all grades of exam levels for amateur and professional dancers in:

• Modern (International Standard)
• Latin American
• Australian New Vogue
• English Old Time plus
• Social Dance

Examinations are available at all levels:

• Single Dance
• Bronze
• Bronze Bar
• Silver
• Silver Bar
• Gold
• Gold Bar
• Gold Star
• Supreme Award

Professional Exams are available in all styles:

• Grade B
• Grade A
• Associate Diploma
• Member Diploma
• Fellowship Diploma

Modern Jazz

See the Jazz DVD Preview 1 on YouTube:

See the Jazz DVD Preview 2 on YouTube:

Examination Syllabi

The Modern Jazz Syllabus released in 2004 comprises 10 Grades (includes 2 optional preliminary grades) plus a Teachers' Certificate & Teachers' Diploma. Fourteen levels are now available. The Modern Jazz Syllabus covers:

• Pre Modern Jazz


• Junior Modern Jazz


• Grade 1


• Grade 2


• Grade 3


• Grade 4


• Grade 5


• Dorothy Gladstone Award


• Grade 6


• Grade 7


• Grade 8


• Jazz Shield


• Teachers' Certificate


• Teachers' Diploma

The syllabus caters for children from 4 years up. See price list for CDs, syllabi & DVDs available to members. A brochure is available for further information as well as a promotional DVD.

Jazz Ballet

Examination Syllabi

This Syllabus covers:

• Primary Jazz


• Grade 1


• Grade 2


• Grade 3


• Grade 4


• Grade 5


• The Jazz Award Certificate


• ...and caters for candidates from 9 years upwards

Audio tapes and video tapes for this Syllabus are available to members.

Please note that this syllabus will be phased out by December 31st 2013.

Classical Ballet

Examination Syllabi

The Classical Ballet syllabi comprises the Foundation Grades Syllabus, Progressive Grades Syllabus and the Major Classical Syllabus.

The Foundation Grades Syllabus covers:

• Grade 2


• Grade 3


• Grade 4


• Grade 5


• Grade 6

The Progressive Grades Syllabus covers:

• Pre Ballet


• Primary


• Grade 1


• Grade 2


• Grade 3


• Grade 4


• Grade 5


• Grade 6


• Dorothy Gladstone Award

The Major Syllabus covers:

• Sub Elementary


• Elementary


• Intermediate


• Advanced


• Martin Rubenstein Award


• Premier Danseur


• Teachers' Certificate


• Teachers' Diploma

This Syllabus features 118 pieces of original music especially composed for the Syllabus.

FOUNDATION GRADES 2-6:  These grades have been introduced into the syllabi to help and assist students in building their technique before advancing to the next level.  It is recommended that the Foundation Grade be taken or covered before the actual 'Graded Examination', therefore giving the student a stonger technical foundation in dance.

PROGRESSIVE GRADES:  Pre Ballet (age 5) & Primary (age 6).  These courses are for beginning students of ballet and form an introduction to basic technique and to different rhythms in music, which will later develop into musicality and enjoyment in their dancing. They learn coordination of the various body parts and how to mime, which promotes self-expression and confidence.

PROGRESSIVE GRADES 1-3:  Grade 1 (age 7) Grade 2 (age 8) & Grade 3 (age 9).

Here the teaching of true ballet technique commences, along with increased emphasis on correct posture, placement and line. Flexibility and strength building are also necessary components. A variety of steps are introduced and students learn both the vocabulary and how to join these together in different ways, and importantly to show enjoyment in what they are doing. Elevation, presentation and dance quality are developed throughout.

PROGRESSIVE GRADES 4-6: Grade 4 (age 10), Grade 5 & Grade 6 (age 11).  Movements become increasingly complex and varied and students learn to develop quick responses through the use of unrehearsed work. Turning steps, beaten steps and demi-pointe exercises are practiced and developed, so greater strength and control is required. An increased sense of performance, awareness of space and dynamics and development of choreography are emphasised. National dance is introduced from Grade 5 and the choice of style is flexible. Grade 6 lays the foundation for Major work which follows.

DOROTHY GLADSTONE AWARD: An optional public performance at a transitional level, for candidates who have passed Grade 5 or 6 but not Sub Elementary.

Printed music, audio CDs and DVDs for all syllabi are available to members.

THE MAJOR CLASSICAL SYLLABUS: Caters for candidates from 12 years and onwards.  Sub Elementary, Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced, Martin Rubenstein Award, Premier Danseur, Teachers' Certificate, Teachers' Diploma.

Download the Adage Alignments.pdf

SUB ELEMENTARY: (age 12)  Students need a sound knowledge of vocabulary and an understanding of technique in order to commence Major work. Unset work is increased. Strength, flexibility and stamina are further built up for the demands of Elementary work and beyond. Pointe work is introduced at this stage. The course is completed with a performance-length dance which requires a range of interpretation and expression.

ELEMENTARY: (age 13)  Students by now will have increased awareness of the use of the body in both stationary and travelling movements. Balances are sustained, requiring core stability and technical accuracy. Use of phrasing, dynamics and response to music are key components. The ability to project to an audience should be demonstrated, especially in the performance dance. This examination is the qualifying stage for preparation of the Teachers' Certificate.

INTERMEDIATE: (age14)  This is an important level as it prepares students for advanced performance study or teacher training in specialist institutions, colleges, universities etc and may constitute one of the admission requirements. Technical proficiency, ability to perform complex exercises, confidence and artistry are finely tuned so that students can demonstrate these with ease. Pointe work is more demanding and comprehensive and is required for the Repertoire dance. Unsrehearsed work, vital at this pre-professional stage forms a large component. This examination is the qualifying stage for preparation of the Teachers' Diploma.

ADVANCED: (age15)  This is a stronger level as it prepares students for advanced performance study or teacher training in specialist institutions, colleges, universities etc and may constitute one of the admission requirements. Technical proficiency, ability to perform complex exercises, confidence and artistry are finely tuned so that students can demonstrate these with ease. Pointe work requires extra strength and conrol.  Unrehearsed work, vital at this pre-professional stage forms a large component. This examination is the qualifying stage for preparation of the Teachers' Diploma.

THE MARTIN RUBINSTEIN AWARD: An optional public performance of a high level follows Intermediate.

PREMIER DANSEUR: An elite level of professional dancing.  Candidates now have developed a strong core stability and technical accuracy showing an excellet dance quality and response to music. A great variety of barre, ports de bras, adage, en manege and allegro are studied at this very high level.

Printed music, CDs and DVDs for the syllabus are available to members.

Theatrical Stage Dance

Examination Syllabi

This syllabus will educate and develop a dancer to be an accomplished performer in all genres of dance in Jazz, Classical, Tap and Acrobatics.  Stage examinations are also conducted for further experience in the field of "Theatrics".

This year the society has introduced a Pre Tiny Tots examination for those budding young ones of 3 years.  This exam is aimed at giving them an introduction to procedure as well as excellent encouragement & enjoyment.  The candidates receive instant recognition with the presentation of a medal on completion of their dance from the Examiner.

This Syllabus covers:

• Pre Tiny Tots


• Tiny Tots Test A and B


• Primary


• Grade 5


• Prep 4


• Grade 4


• Grade 3


• Grade 2


• Dorothy Gladstone Theatrical Award


• Pre Advanced


• Advanced


• Theatrical Shield (Public Examination)


• Blue Sash (by invitation)


• Teachers' Certificate


• Full Teachers' Diploma


• ...and caters for candidates from 3 years upwards

CDs, DVDs and theory books for the set work in this Syllabus (including Combinations and Acrobatics) are available to members.

Tap Dance

See the Tap DVD Preview on YouTube:

Examination Syllabi

This Syllabus covers:

• Preliminary To Tap - Levels 1 & 2


• Elementary Bronze, Silver & Gold


• Intermediate Bronze, Silver, Gold & Gold Bar


• Advanced Bronze, Silver, Gold & Gold Bar (these are medal tests)


• Gold Star


• Gold Cross (Public Examination)


• Teacher's Certificate


• Full Teacher's Diploma


• Dorothy Gladstone Tapping Award


• ...and caters for candidates from 4 years upwards

See Pricelist for CDs, syllabi & DVDs available to members. A brochure is available for further information as well as a promotional DVD.

Contemporary

Our society offers exclusively the ‘ Jason Winters Contemporary Technique’, a world-class and comprehensive Contemporary Dance syllabus.  Its technique and structure is designed in the most classical and academic way and infused with choreographic electricity used in today's most commercial settings.  It provides the proper tools to create dancers capable of furthering their education at the University level or working in fields from a major dance company to stage, film or television.  A unique collaboration between our International society and industry expert it provides "Dance for the 21st Century and beyond".

This syllabus consists of seven levels providing a comprehensive collection of training philosophy’s and exercises for contemporary movements. Throughout the levels the foundation is laid for a strong, focused and fluid contemporary dancer with building blocks in Graham, Cunningham, Jazz, Classical, Yoga and Pilates, and Jason Winters own circular sense of movement.

This syllabus truly creates the platform and provides the path for the evolution of Contemporary Dance for the future.

Foundation Level  released October 2012

Level 1 & 2  released May 2011

Ballroom Dance

Examination Syllabi

This Syllabus covers:

• Medal tests and Professional Teacher's Diplomas in all styles

Exam Entry Form (Ballroom)

(PDF, 32k)