New Zealand School of Dance: Prospectus

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DIPLOMA IN DANCE
PERFORMANCE
The Diploma in Dance Performance
focuses on performance skills,
offering students a range of diverse
experiences both within the School
and externally.
Students must have completed the
Certificate in Dance Performance
before enrolling in the Diploma, one
additional year of study.
Secondments and professional
placements are an important part of
the final year of training, providing the
opportunity for students to work with a
dance company for up to twelve weeks
of term time. Dancers gain industry
knowledge and networks through
these secondments, which often lead
to professional contracts.
Classical students in their third year
may have opportunities to train at
other dance institutions for several
weeks. New Zealand School of Dance
partner schools include Canada’s
Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, The
Australian Ballet School, Canada’s
National Ballet School, The Royal
Ballet School, Houston Ballet
Academy, and San Francisco
Ballet School.
These visiting programmes allow
students to experience different
teaching methodologies, enjoy a fresh
environment and meet important
dance-world contacts.
Students have the opportunity to
perform in the School’s Graduation
Season, and contemporary students
to create their own choreography for
the Choreographic Season. As part of
this season, students collaborate with
lighting designers, costume designers,
production and stage managers from
Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School.
Throughout the third year, all students
maintain their studies in classical
and contemporary technique and
learn a diverse range of repertoire in
readiness for the industry. They also
receive advice on career planning.
Practical and theoretical classes are
regularly reviewed through formal and
informal assessments. Promotion into
the third year of training is based
on achievement.
ASPIRATIONAL PROGRAMES
The School also offers part-time
programmes to students not currently
studying full-time. These include
NZSD Tu‑ Move
and open classes. They provide a
foundation on the path to becoming a
professional dancer, and experience
of the School, for students aspiring to
train at the NZSD.
The New Zealand School
of Dance Certificate and
Diploma sit at Level 6 and
Level 7 on the New Zealand
Qualifications Framework.
The Diploma is equivalent to
an undergraduate degree,
allowing the possibility of
postgraduate study and many
career pathways.
The School is funded by
the Ministry of Education
through the Tertiary
Education Commission (TEC)
and is registered with the
New Zealand Qualifications
Authority (NZQA) as a private
training establishment.
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NEW ZEALAND SCHOOL OF DANCE