MINI STARS 6&U COMPETITION TROUPE

AGE

MINI STARS 6&U Competition troupe students will be aged -

• 5 or 6 on January 1st of the dancing year and ideally in Year 1 or Year 2 at school *reception age students may be accepted

Some students that turn 7 between January 2nd and April 30th and are in Year 2 at school will be moved to 8&U EEP Technique classes, but must dance in the MINI STARS 6&U EEP Competition Troupe. These students may also be asked to dance in the 8&U EEP Competition Troupe.

TIMETABLES

Click here for current Timetable

COMPETITION TROUPE PROGRAM DATES

MS Competition Troupe Program Schedule/Important Dates

MS Competition Troupe Competition Troupe Workshop Schedule

COST

Click here for current Fee Schedule

EEP ACCOUNTS (for other charges relating to Competition Troupe and Exams)

Each student will have a google sheet emailed to them at the commencement of the year, this is a personalised account of extra EEP charges. Please save this link so you can view at any time.

This sheet also contains the account details for you to transfer funds into your EEP account. You can personalise these payments to suit your needs and estimated costs for the year. Some parents choose to deposit a small amount each week rather than having to pay large amounts when due.

The costs below are all charged to EEP accounts and are separate to weekly class fees which are paid monthly via direct debit.

• COMPETITION TROUPE CHOREOGRAPHIC/REHEARSAL WORKSHOPS

Extra EEP Competition Troupe workshops are charged at $14.00 per hour, no discounts apply to these classes as it is already a discounted rate. As an approximate cost - each competition troupe dance will need a choreography workshop (approx. 2 hours) at an approximate cost of $28.00 per routine (once off). Each competition troupe dance will also need around 2 hours of extra rehearsals (blocking/polishing/dress) per competition, so an approximate cost of $28.00 per competition troupe routine per competition.

These costs will be charged to students EEP accounts.

• COMPETITION TROUPE EXTRA CHARGES

Each competition troupe dancer will have extra costs, per troupe routine, these include -

• Competition troupe entry fees - tba

• Competition competitiors registration/passes - tba

• Costume hire and cleaning fees - tba

• Staff wages at competitions - tba

• Troupe competition photo and video costs - tba

• Showcase costs - tba

*if you require an estimate of these charges, please get in touch with the office

• EXAM FEES

Current Exam Fee Schedule

Exam fees will be charged to students EEP accounts in Term 3.

EXAMINATIONS

Please see link above for Exam Entry Fees (in COSTS)

Examinations are a key part of a dancer’s journey, providing an official record of their training. While enrolment in exam classes is not mandatory, all EEP students are encouraged to participate. Dancers in these classes benefit from a technical focus and extra training time, allowing them to progress further and develop their technique to a higher level. Note that exam classes do not include performance work.

We follow the Borovansky method of Classical Ballet as taught by the Australian Institute of Classical Dance (AICD). Most exams require a full year of preparation, and higher levels (Intermediate, Advanced 1 & 2) may take 2 to 3 years. The Advanced 2 exam is by invitation only, requiring a Highly Commended or Honours result for Advanced 1 and exceptional en pointe skills. All dancers in Grade 5 ballet and above must attend Open Ballet and Pointe classes on Saturday mornings.

For Tap and Jazz, we teach the Australian Teachers of Dancing syllabus (ATOD), with most exams taking a year to prepare.

The class teacher and EEP Director may hold a student back if they are not technically ready for their exam due to a lack of preparation or missed lessons. This decision is made in the best interest of the student to ensure they have a solid foundation before advancing to higher levels.

Exam classes are generally organised by school year, with students typically completing their final dance exams in Year 11 or 12. Older beginner level dancers must start at a beginner level (up to Grade 2 ballet and Bronze Medal Tap and Jazz) and progress by passing exams each year. New students will be assessed and placed in an appropriate exam level.

Exams are extremely important for any dancer wanting to pursue a career in dance teaching.

Exams are held in October and November at our studio, with schedules determined by the relevant dance associations. Exams can occur any day of the week, often during school hours, with entry fees ranging from $70 to $150. Most of this fee goes to the dance association, with a small additional amount covering studio hire, examiner transport, food, and teacher wages. For an accurate cost of exams for your child, please contact the office.

PERFORMANCES / COMPETITIONS / END OF YEAR SHOWCASE

Competition Troupe Routines

All students in Mini Stars 6&U Competition Troupe will perform their routines at selected competitions throughout the year.

End of Year Showcase

Students attending Mini Stars classes with perform in the Mini Stars End of Year Showcase.

Students in Year 2 and attending 8&U technique classes will perform in the EEP End of Year Showcase.

*Please check the relevant streams information for performance information

Costumes

With performing comes costuming. We have a great hire service available, and parents hire all troupe costumes for the year. Absolutely everything is done for you and the cost is minimal compared to purchasing outright. Costume hire starts at $40.00

COSTUME HIRE AGREEMENT

Behaviour

All persons (dancers, parents and others) representing Generation Dance at any event must always follow our Code of Conduct.

COMMITMENT / ATTENDANCE

Commitment to your competition troupe lasts a full year. When you accept a spot on the team, it’s important for students and parents to understand that this means being available for all performances, workshops, and rehearsals according to the schedule.

Consistency and commitment are vital for success. Attending classes regularly leads to better results and we expect full attendance.

Missing technique classes can hinder individual growth as a dancer however missing a competition class or rehearsal affects the entire team, as your dancer may fall behind and impact the group’s progress. Dancers need to be in class to learn essential theory, technique, choreography and detail. While watching videos from missed classes can help, it can't replace the foundational learning that occurs in class.

We encourage a growth mindset in our dancers, helping them understand accountability and responsibility to achieve their goals. Whether it’s mastering a skill, earning a good exam mark, being selected for a competition troupe routine, or preparing for future training. The life skills learned in dance will benefit them long after their lessons.

Family holidays, events, and other commitments should be scheduled around the dance schedule. We only accept absences for mandatory school events or camps.

If your child is injured, they are expected to attend classes to observe and receive treatment for the injury. If they have a contagious illness, such as gastro, they should stay home for the recommended time.

If your child must miss a lesson, it’s their responsibility to catch up on what they missed before the next class, as teachers will not re-teach choreography.

Please notify us of your child's absence in advance, including the reason, so teachers are aware.

We use an app called BAND for rehearsal and competition schedules and to upload choreography videos, helping students practice at home. It is a requirement that students practice at home in between lessons.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS BAND

The program schedule clearly outlines all mandatory dates, however some of these are out of our control and may change. If a student is unavailable for any of those dates, they will become an “understudy” for that routine. The 4 weekly classes, plus blocking and dress rehearsals before a competition are compulsory, however students may miss 1 of these 4 classes for an acceptable reason (compulsory school events or contagious illness). Understudies will still attend all classes but will not perform unless required to do so. If a child is injured and not cleared by a doctor to dance by the first mandatory rehearsal, will also become an understudy.

Students wishing to withdraw from the program must follow the Withdrawal Policy outlined in our Terms and Conditions.

PRIVATE LESSONS

Private Coaching Information

TERMS & CONDITIONS

EEP Terms and Conditions