Courses at Ballet West

A new course for September 2009 will be offered through the UHI Millennium Institute. The BA Classical Ballet and Dance Performance will be taught at Ballet West in Taynuilt, Argyll. The school has a considerable international reputation as a centre of excellence for ballet and musical theatre training. In addition to this academic qualification, students at Ballet West benefit from the unique aspects of training at the school that have set it apart from other schools, particularly in classical ballet. Students can be prepared for and enter Royal Academy of Dance examinations up to Solo Seal level. Students also participate in the Ballet West performing company which tours full-length ballets and musicals around Scotland. The company gives dancers the invaluable experience of working with professional dancers in class and in performance for audiences in a variety of venues, thus preparing them for their dancing career. They will have the opportunity to work with directors who are also working closely with companies such as the Royal Ballet and have a wealth of experience and contacts in the dance world.

The size of the school enables the highly trained staff to give intensive and tailored training to students who aspire to a career in the performing arts. Resident staff are supported by a wide range of guest professionals who provide links between the student and the performing arts industry.

Although the reputation of the school has been built on classical ballet, this new course offers equal opportunity for students to excel in the skills required for Musical Theatre. It enables them to become reflective practitioners of their art, enabling a critical awareness of their work and the work of others.

BA Classical Ballet and Dance Performance

COURSE PROFILE

This course prepares you for a performing career in dance. In the first 2 years you will study the HND Professional Stage Dance which provides you with a breadth of dance and theatre arts training, including ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, acting and singing. You will have the opportunity to make your own choreography, undertake research into the social and political context of dance pieces and be assessed in audition technique.

In year 3, the skills learnt in the first two years are taken to a more advanced level. The emphasis is on Classical Ballet and Musical Theatre performance, with research, rehearsal and performance of dance as the core of your course.

Performance work is complemented by two modules, Special Study and World of Work. The Special Study is a student led research project into a specific dance or theatre work, leading to a short dissertation. World of work provides an in-depth insight into the current social, political and cultural context of the performing arts and prepares you for the audition process.

COURSE FEATURES

• Training at a centre of excellence for ballet
• Tutors with considerable performing experience
• Opportunities to dance in genuine performance contexts
• Wide range of experience offering breadth of employment opportunities
• Specific preparation for professional audition process

COURSE UNITS

HND Professional Stage Dance YEAR 1
Classical Ballet Techniques: Intermediate
Jazz Dance Techniques
Tap Dance Techniques
Contemporary Dance Techniques
Singing Skills for the Actor 1
Acting for Dancers
An Introduction to Performance and Production
Anatomy and Injury Prevention for Dancers
Contextual Studies
Professional Stage Dance: Graded Unit 1

HND Professional Stage Dance YEAR 2
Classical Ballet Techniques: Advanced
Jazz Dance Techniques: Advanced
Tap Dance Techniques: Advanced
Contemporary Dance Techniques: Advanced
Singing Skills for the Actor 2
Acting for Dancers: Advanced
Advanced Performance and Production
Audition and Portfolio Skills
Dance Teaching Skills
Pas de deux
Professional Stage Dance: Graded Unit 2

BA Classical Ballet and Dance Performance
Classical Ballet Studies
Classical Ballet Performance
Musical Theatre Studies
Musical Theatre Performance
World of Work
Special Study

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The standard entry route is for you to join year one of the course after completing statutory secondary education. Experience in ballet and preferably other dance styles are required. Entry is by audition, either at Ballet West or by video / DVD for overseas students. You will study the HND syllabus and either exit after year 2 with an HND or progress to the BA completion year. If you exit with an HND, you can return to complete the BA at a later date after, for example, a period of employment.

You may also apply to join at the start of year three after completing the HND Professional Stage Dance, or equivalent, elsewhere. The course is also open to you if you have studied at a vocational school, worked professionally and would like to return to study for an academic qualification. Entry at year three will require you to attend an audition and interview, to assess your suitability for degree study.

More information on the UHI, fees and funding for the HND / BA courses and other aspects of life as a UHI student go to the UHI website.

Contact us today on 01866 822641 or by email to secure your place for September 2010!

Photographs of Students are Copyright © Lesley and Harvey Wolfinger