A supportive environment

Tring Park dance course offers a nurturing environment where each child can achieve his or her utmost potential. Our dance course is designed to encourage students to understand and take responsibility for their own physique in the translation of required techniques. The department provides passionate and safe teaching, believing that the wellbeing of the pupils is paramount.

A complete education for dancers

The dance course covers not only a strong classical training, but dancers are also prepared for work in contemporary, jazz and commercial dance.

While pupils may take formal examinations as part of the dance course, they are also offered a wide range of performance opportunities, and can take workshops with visiting guest artists.

Annual performances also take place at the school itself and at a London West End Theatre, attended by leading choreographers and artistic directors. Many graduates of our dance course have also achieved secondary careers in areas such as choreography and artistic direction.

Thorough preparation for a career in dance

The dance course at Tring Park provides training that brings the students' technical accomplishment up to a professional level. Students learn ballet, jazz and contemporary dance. They develop performance and expressive communication skills, enabling artistic interpretation of a variety of styles and choreographic demands.

On our dance course, students also gain a good contextual knowledge of the historical development of major dance forms and of choreographers throughout the world. Pupils will develop a musical awareness and sensitivity to a wide variety of music styles, along with an understanding of how music and dancing are mutually enhancing.

Students taking the dance course develop:

• A thorough understanding of the physique and how to look after it, before, during and after performance
• The discipline and commitment necessary to work within a physically, mentally and emotionally demanding career
• An understanding of the focus necessary to achieve high levels of personal fulfilment
• The development of mental strength and the psychological skills necessary for performance preparation.

Practical knowledge to succeed as professional dancers

Our dance course also prepares students thoroughly for the practical aspects of starting a career in the performing arts. They learn important information how to apply for jobs including:

• Audition preparation
• Audition trends
• Current trends
• What to look for in a contract.

On the Tring Park dance course students also develop an understanding of the wider theatrical culture, along with knowledge of current thinking on medicine, fitness, nutrition and body conditioning therapies, including where to seek help if they are injured.

Dance course core subjects

Classical Ballet

This is the foundation of all dance studies and students attend daily classes. Initially we concentrate on fundamental technical principals and then progress through intensive study of more demanding and choreographic work, to achieve proficiency and understanding.

By completion of the course, the student will be familiar with an advanced classical vocabulary of steps and be competent to demonstrate this with technical accuracy.

A strong sense of performance and artistic interpretation is encouraged and developed throughout the course with emphasis on personal growth and understanding of varied musical and artistic styles.

Pas de deux is studied from fourth form to third year sixth form (Years 10-13), for 5 years. Starting with supported adage, the work is carefully developed to achieve the technique to perform classical repertoire and neo-classical works. This is showcased both in assessments and performances nationally and internationally.

Pointe work for girls and strength training for boys is also complementary to this subject. During each year, a student expects to spend at least one term learning solos and repertoire.

Contemporary Dance

Both Graham and Cunningham styles are taught to pupils in the senior school.

The Graham Technique demands a thorough understanding of the use of the spine, the torso and the powerful use of abdominal contraction.

The dancer is required to show good understanding of breathing to initiate and develop movement, and physical commitment to movement.

The development of the self and personal expression is encouraged, with choreographically exciting work to stimulate and encourage performance. Cunningham Dance relies on different articulations of the spine and arc and release.

Jazz Dance

Jazz classes emphasize the development of strong dynamics with isolated movements and strong performance. The course work covers commercial, classical and street jazz. The work focuses on developing a strong and secure technique and body awareness, complemented with challenging work.

Additional elements of our dance course

The dance course also covers a variety of additional techniques and styles including:

• Modern and Tap Dance, Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing syllabi
• History of Dance (in 'A' level Dance)
• Choreography
• Pilates-based body conditioning and fitness training
• RAD and Cecchetti Syllabi
• Singing
• Drama
• Musical performance.

Examinations

National Certificate (and National Diploma) in Professional Dance

These qualifications have been developed specifically to recognize the high level of skill and talent emerging from some of the most prestigious of England's professional training institutions. It is a compulsory part of the Learning and Skills Council Dance and Drama Award. More information on these qualifications can be found at http://www.trinitycollege.co.uk.

The School also offers ballet examinations with the Royal Academy of Dance, the Cecchetti method and modern and tap examinations with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.

Medicine, health and fitness

The dance department at Tring Park is a pioneer in safe training and staff pay a great deal of attention to medicine and science in relation to a dancer's health and fitness. The department works closely with the International Association for Dance, Medicine and Science of which the Course Director, Rachel Rist, is Chair of the Education Committee, and previously President. Teachers are very experienced and fully supported by highly qualified physiotherapists, who also lecture on this subject.

For more information please contact:
Director of Dance Rachel Rist M.A. rachel.rist@tringpark.com