Examinations

Ontario School of Ballet and Related Arts offers students an opportunity to participate in dance examinations in Ballet, Jazz and Tap. Every year those students who show in their classroom work that they are ready to achieve this goal are invited to attend special coaching classes and take examinations.

Exams are offered at various levels and give the student an opportunity to strive to achieve excellence by focusing on the elements of the level. The goal of preparing for an exam encourages the student to practice and attain a proficiency in their technique that just taking class can not equal. In the process of taking exams, the student learns more than just dance, they learn how to study and apply themselves to a specific goal. They learn how to memorize and retain substantial amounts of material and how to perform under pressure. All of these are important life skills to develop. The results offer the student another tool to monitor their progress in their dance training. Some exams offer marks, others comments and marks. All of this feedback is beneficial to the student and helps them to stay focused on constantly striving to improve their own best performance.

Students who are technically ready to do well in an exam are invited. Those who still require further cleaning of their technique should not be discouraged as it is better to wait an extra year and do really well. We strive to only invite those students who will have a positive outcome so the exam is an encouraging experience. Rushing a child to do an exam before they are ready does the child a disservice. Please trust your child's teacher to know when the time is right to do an exam. We strongly encourage you to allow your child to take advantage of this fabulous learning opportunity.

Ballet Examinations are offered in the world-renowned method "The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD)." This prestigious association reaches 250,000 students in approximately 40 countries throughout the world, examining in 15 levels of ballet. Founded in 1920, this worldwide organization aims to develop and promote the knowledge, understanding and practice of dance internationally. Ontario School of Ballet believes this method provides our students with finest training possible, while encouraging each child to develop physically and emotionally.

"RAD exams offer young dancers the opportunity to gain recognized qualifications that will serve them well in a career in dance as well as being of value later in life when considering further career development."

– Matz Skoog, Former Artistic Director, English National Ballet

Jazz/Tap Examinations are offered in "ADAPT" (Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers). The nationally recognized ADAPT Syllabus was formed in 1979 by Brian Foley with the intent of providing Canadian students with strong technical training combined with artistic expression. The ADAPT Syllabus System is taught by over 150 Canadian Dance Studios from coast to coast. It encourages each and every student to work harder, in order to develop their own, best personal potential and to help them to maintain that potential throughout their dance training years. The syllabus instills self-confidence and determination in the dancer, while maintaining an enjoyable learning atmosphere.

Ontario School of Ballet faculty believes examinations are one of their best teaching tools. Look for ADAPT invitations in October and Royal Academy of Dance exam invitations in December.