EXAMINATIONS
STRIVE FOR YOUR OWN PERSONAL BEST
one step at a time. We strive for everyone of our students to succeed and get best learning experince. Evaluation and quality feedback on he progress are essential for dancers' development. Dance examinations at our studio are excellent for setting and striving towards set goals within clear, structured, progressive study program. Examinations provide age-appropriate challege in a safe environment under qualified guidance and give children a sense of achievement and reflect progress resulting from commitment, effort and ongoing practice.
From Junior level (7 - 9 yo) onward, students undergo Internal Examinations in all styles except Lyrical and Musical Theatre. Examinations are held annually in July - August. Internal examinations are less formal taken by a panel of our own 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 as this gives them something to strive for other than the end of the year show and other performances throughout the year.
Classical Ballet Students can also undergo formal official examinations with an external examiner, a highly qualified professional with extensive knowledge in the Vaganova method. Examination program for classical ballet is customised to combine professional Vaganova method ballet school program and the overall standards common in Australia. We encourage our students to undertake annual official classical ballet examinations. By doing so, students build confidence in their dance practice and ensure progress and achievement, regardless of whether student is aiming for a future career in dance or not, and especially if this is undecided.
Internal and Official Examinations participants get oral and written feedback respectively on their progress and areas for improvement. Students who undergo Official Classical Ballet Examination receive a certificate upon completion of each Classical Ballet grade’s examination passed and a Certificate of Completion upon successfully passing the whole of the study program.
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 the 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. Mr Leslie said "Dancing and teaching dance is, and always has been, the love of my life." We are honoured to have had such an excellent professional and wonderful person who 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 was an enourmous loss to Brisbane dance community.
Ms Janine McGrath
Ms Janine is 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 own 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 as she dedicates her time to BCYB and working with elite students who require specialised training to reach their goal of becoming professional ballet dancers through engagement in full scale ballet productions.
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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 own 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 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 a number of 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 Associate Program at 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. Ms Nika was taught by Natalia Zolotova from the Bolshoi Academy. She studied classical ballet, musical theatre, tap, and folk dance. On competion of her studies Ms Nika joined several renown companies and toured the world having graced some of the best theatre stages around the globe. While continuing to dance professionally, she has decided to further her education and completed a university Teaching degree in Classical Ballet in Moscow. She has thereby expanded her knowledge of the Russian methodology and the Vaganova method of teaching. Ms Nika moved to Australia in 2006 and continued on her teaching practice across various schools in Queensland. In 2017 she joined Queensland Ballet Academy and recently took up the position of the Head of Associate Program.