New syllabus for dancers from 2025

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Classical Ballet Examinations with COMDANCE

The Comdance Classical ballet syllabus is based on a pedagogy of technique, musicality and artistry. 

New music has been composed and performed for the progressive grades by Michael Brett, pianist for the Western Australian Ballet Company. The music allows students to fully express themselves and brings out the very best in artistry from each student. It compliments the Major Grade music released in 2014.

The Classical Ballet syllabi comprises the Foundation Grades Syllabus, Progressive Grades Syllabus and the Major Classical Syllabus. Pre Ballet offers an introduction into the joy of ballet, the six grades in the progressive levels build strength and technique and The Foundation Grades offer a scaffold on which to prepare and build students strength and performance between each of the progressive grades.

Modern Jazz

The Modern Jazz Syllabus was revised in 2017. It contains an amazing body of work choreographed and developed into a sound progressive, developmental sequence by Rachelle Conroy and Sandra Breen.

Some of Australia’s leading artists have contributed their choreography to the syllabus in both exercises and routines. The work is contemporary, technically challenging and a great preparation in all forms of jazz for today’s performance demands.

There are 11 Grades plus public performance awards and a Teachers’ Certificate & Teachers’ Diploma. The syllabus caters for children from 4 years up.

Tap

The Comdance Tap Syllabus was updated in 2017. The new tap syllabus is a complete training package with graduated exercises, amalgamations and dances suited to the target age group.

The Tap Syllabus caters for candidates from 4 years upwards and has been created by Sandra Breen OAM, Janine Tirant, and Sharee Stirling, with contributions to exercises and routines by Jack Chambers, Rennie Ann Martini, Keith Hawley and Chris Jordan; all are very experienced, well-respected tappers & choreographers. Theory is introduced from grade 5 upwards.

Theatrical 

Perfect for the all rounder who love to sing, dance, act and tumble! The Theatrical and Performing Arts Syllabus provides a broad framework which includes dialogue dance stagecraft dance practice musical theatre and acrobatics. Dances study renowned musicals. 

The wonderful thing about Comdance is that dancers switching syllabus are able to enter directly into the level they are up to! No time is wasted stepping backwards in levels if the teacher deems the students is capable of the sitting the level they are studying. 

This also allows dancers to continue to progress through the grades each year if they happen to miss an examination year due to injury, illness or other unforeseen event. 

Dancing during high school can serve as a vital complement to academic pursuits, significantly enhancing mental health and overall well-being.

Engaging in dance fosters a sense of community and belonging, providing students with an expressive outlet to relieve stress and anxiety often associated with academic pressures. This physical activity promotes the release of endorphins, commonly known as "feel-good" hormones, which can help improve mood and boost self-esteem.

Furthermore, the rhythm and discipline inherent in dance can enhance cognitive function, improving focus and memory retention—skills crucial for academic success.

By integrating dance into their routines, students not only cultivate creativity and emotional resilience but also develop essential social skills, ultimately enriching their educational experience and preparing them for the challenges of life beyond high school.

The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) recognised successful completion of COMDANCE Examinations as eligible to contribute credit to the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) in the complementary category of learning.

Did you know up to 8 of the required 20 points of complementary learning can be contributed towards the QCE! So yes, you can quite literally Dance your way through your high school education!

Each Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Theatrical Examination from Grade 4 and above contribute 1 point. Students who successfully attempt their Teacher’s Certificate contribute 2 points!