EXAMINATIONS
STRIVE TO ACHIEVE YOUR PERSONAL BEST
Dance examinations are a fantastic teaching tool, allowing our students to learn and grow one step at a time. Our mission at Maximo is to allow all students the opportunity to succeed. Dance exams provide valuable feedback on students’ progress and are essential for dancers’ development.
Here at Maximo Dance Studio, our dance examinations provide goals for our dancers to reach and strive towards. Our clear, structured and progressive study program gives our students the tools they need to feel ready and prepared, as they challenge themselves in a safe and caring environment.
Under the guidance of our wonderful teachers, Maximo dancers enjoy their dance exams, feeling a sense of achievement as they reflect upon their results and the hard work and determination that allowed them to achieve them.
From junior level (7 - 9 yo) onwards, students undergo internal examinations here at Maximo in all styles except lyrical and musical theatre. These dance examinations are held annually in July and August. Internal examinations are less formal taken by a panel of our teachers or guest teachers with the rest of the group. These examinations are ideal for students who attend dance classes purely for extracurricular purposes and enjoyment. They give them something to strive towards alongside our end of the year show and other performances throughout the year.
Classical ballet students can also undergo formal ballet examinations with an external examiner (a highly qualified professional with extensive knowledge in the Vaganova method). The examination program for classical ballet is customised to combine the professional Vaganova method ballet school program and the overall ballet standards seen in Australia. We encourage our students to undertake annual classical ballet examinations. By doing so, students build confidence, progress and achieve, regardless of whether their goal is a career in dance. Dance examinations allow students the obtain fantastic life skills such as determination, practice, time management and more.
Internal and external dance examination participants receive both oral and written feedback on their progress with areas for improvement in the future. Students who undergo Official classical ballet exams will also receive a certificate upon completion.
OUR BALLET EXAMINERS
The exceptional local professionals that examine our students
Mr Leslie White
Mr Leslie was the first examiner at our studio. He finished his dance training at the Royal Ballet School London and later joined the Royal Ballet Company where he became a leading soloist. In 1974 Leslie joined Queensland Ballet as Dancer, Choreographer and Rehearsal Director and later became Assistant to the Artistic Director. After retiring from professional Theatre, Mr Leslie worked with Ballet Theatre of Queensland, as performer, choreographer and Artistic Director (1988 - 1993). Mr Leslie was also an Assistant Artistic Director of Brisbane City Youth Ballet. We are honoured to have had such an excellent professional and wonderful person be a part of Maximo Dance Studio. He was always happy to give his time and knowledge to ensure that the next generation of dancers could experience the joy of dance as an examiner at our studio. Mr Leslie's passing is an enormous loss to the Brisbane dance community.
"Dancing and teaching dance is, and always has been, the love of my life." – Mr Leslie White.
Ms Janine McGrath
Ms Janine is the founder and Artistic Director of Brisbane City Youth Ballet (BCYB). After studying all facets of dance from a very young age, Ms Janine received full teaching qualifications in ballet, modern and tap dance as well as graduating from University with a Bachelor of Education. Commencing teaching with the Department of Education, Ms Janine opened her dance school in 1994, quickly developing a reputation as a leading school in classical ballet with excellent teaching. In 2008 Ms Janine decided to focus solely on developing BCYB, which is her love and life passion, dedicating her time to working with elite students who require specialised training to reach their goal of becoming professional ballet dancers.
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Ms Jan Moore
Ms Jan is a life member, and a Grades and Major Examiner for A.D.A, formerly known as the Federal Association of Teachers of Dancing. Former Principal of her studio in Rockhampton for 25 years, Ms Jan now has over 50 years of teaching experience. Over the years, she has adjudicated at festivals and Eisteddfods throughout Australia. Ms Jan has also been committed to the Brisbane City Youth Ballet since its inception and works as a rehearsal and class teacher. Past students of Ms Jan are presently performing in companies both overseas and in Australia, most notably Leanne Benjamin, who was Principal Dancer with the Royal Ballet. Ms Jan Moore has been our examiner for many years and continues to be to this day and we are honoured to have such an expert in the field of ballet and dance on board.
Ms Veronika Sheremetieva
Choreographer, dance teacher and Head of the Associate Program at the Queensland Ballet Academy, Ms Veronika Sheremetieva (Ms Nika) began her dance training at Baku Choreography School and graduated from the ballet school of the Natalya Nesterova Academy in Moscow. Taught by Natalia Zolotota from the Bolshoi Academy, Ms Nika studied classical ballet, musical theatre, tap, and folk dance. On completion of her studies, she joined several renowned companies and toured the world - having graced some of the best stages around the globe. While continuing to dance professionally, she has decided to further her education and complete a university teaching degree in classical ballet in Moscow. Expanding her knowledge of classical ballet even further (specifically the Russian methodology and the Vaganova method), Ms Nika moved to Australia in 2006 and continued her teaching practice across various schools in Queensland. In 2017 she joined the Queensland Ballet Academy and was recently appointed the Head of the Associate Program.