Encompassing a wide spectrum of industry-based dance practices, the Pre-Professional Year dancers train as an ensemble and work with over 40 choreographers, teachers and company affiliates each year. The expansive and highly curated program offers a diverse range of practices and movement philosophies, forging a direct link to the global contemporary dance community.
Throughout the program, analytical and critical thinking is developed to process and manifest the wealth of knowledge, ideas and expertise that is openly shared. Each extended workshop, masterclass or choreographic development emphasises both the expansion of technical ability and the self-regard required in the professional setting.
Course Details
Sydney Dance Company's Pre-Professional Year offers nationally recognised qualifications, delivering CUA51520 Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance).
All graduating first-year dancers can progress to the second year of training to complete CUA60120 Advanced Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance). Successful applicants who have already completed diploma-level tertiary education or higher join the second year and complete CUA60120 Advanced Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance).
Both qualifications are delivered through an auspice partnership with Australian Teachers of Dancing Limited (RTO #31624).
Subjects
Contemporary dance techniques, classical ballet and biomechanical techniques, improvisation and composition, partnering, repertoire classes with members of Sydney Dance Company, repertoire and choreographic developments with over 40 nationally and internationally renowned industry teachers per year, professional career development including audition techniques, performance skills and advanced conditioning skills, yoga,
Pilates, embodied anatomy, nutrition, and injury prevention.
The process-based, practice-led program will conclude with a graduation season of choreographic works and Sydney Dance Company repertoire.
Practice Classes:
Ten technical sessions per week
Five 3-hour guest workshops per week
Contact Hours:
32.5 hours per week
Teachers
Sydney Dance Company’s Head of Training Linda Gamblin
Pre-Professional Year Course Coordinator Omer Backley-Astrachan,
Training Associate Juliette Barton
Sydney Dance Company’s Rehearsal Director Richard Cilli
Rehearsal Associate Charmene Yap
Along with Company dancers when in residence.
Pre-Professional Year Dancers have workshops with guest choreographers including: Sydney Dance Company’s Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela and leading contemporary artists Kristina Chan, Idan Cohen, James Vu Ahn Pham, Holly Doyle, Cloé Fournier, Gabrielle Nankivell, James Batchelor and many more.
Auditions
Pre-requisites:
Applicants need to be at least 18 years of age in 2023 and demonstrate competency in classical and contemporary dance technique. Eagerness to explore collaborative processes and choreographic developments are encouraged. Applications are open to Australian and New Zealand residents.
Auditions dates:
Applications close Monday 5th September 2022. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to audition on Monday 26 September 2022 at Sydney Dance Company studios, Wharf 4/5, 15 Hickson Road Dawes Point NSW 2000.
An application fee of $55 is required. You will be required to include three videos of up to 2 minutes each: one ballet, one contemporary and
one improvisation.
Register your interest here or additional video arrangements can be made.
www.sydneydancecompany.com/advanced-training/pre-professional-year
Audition requirements:
Shortlisted applicants are to make their own way to Sydney to attend their Audition Workshop on Monday 26 September 2022. If you are unable to attend there is an option to submit a Video Only Audition. Please contact fulltime@sydneydancecompany.com for further information.
Additional Information
Location:
Wharf 4/5, 15 Hickson Road
Walsh Bay NSW 2007