KWDA DANCE Kimberley Woodger 

Dance Academy

Why Us?

• We have proven results. Dancers have been successful in professional ballet careers with ballet companies around the world, Dance teachers, Commercial Dancers and more. Please see our website for full results. We are also proud that our students who do not decide to follow a dance career are very successful in their chosen field. Dance gives skills for life!

• Knowledgeable teachers with the right purpose: Our Teachers are qualified educators, not glorified demonstrators/student teachers. We teach from an academic as well as artistic standpoint.

• Our ballet teachers have ARAD (Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance) credentials (postnominals) which means they passed their Advanced 2 examination as young dance students and well as The RAD Teachers Certificate.  It is important that your teacher can correctly dance the steps they are teaching.  Our teachers are also registered with ComDance for Jazz, Tap and Contemporary. It is important your teachers are registered professionals.

• We use a "build-up" rather than a "tear-down" method (emotionally & physically), using curriculum and methodology that challenges, yet stays within safe, realistic and individual boundaries. This includes building a positive self-confidence and a healthy self-image.

• Short and long-term goals and objectives worked towards.

• Well organized and well planned recitals and productions to provide a happy and memorable experience to students, parents & audience.

• Security cameras for each dance studio.

• All dance floors professionally built sub-floors beneath “sprung floors ” and “Tarkett” dance floor material for safe and healthy dancing.

• Each studio has its own air-conditioning unit.

• Lessons that start and end on time: We respect you and understand that your time is valuable. We will be punctual with lessons, rehearsals and events.

• The dance arts are beneficial to academics with the ability to think quickly, logically and effectively. It has been proven that people that pursue an education in the dance are notably more successful in academics. A student begins a “formal” dance education between 6 and 7 years old. Earlier training (ages 18 months to 5 years) provides valuable preparatory work and a foundation for future education in the dance arts. In the preparatory levels, students learn to explore their own individual levels of capacity but are not pushed beyond safe or realistic boundaries. Students are brought up to their highest potential dependent upon their level of commitment.

• The right teacher can produce a physically and emotionally enjoyable experience filled with many positive side effects that will be enjoyed for a lifetime. We understand the importance of what we do. What we impart goes beyond just teaching dance steps: body awareness, self-confidence, self-esteem and stress reduction are only some of the valuable by-products. Whether you pursue dance as a career or simply for the joy of the art, KWDA standards will not vary. Students get a sense of accomplishment from each lesson as well as the long-term of the training process. No matter how serious you are about the art, it’s always supposed to be an enjoyable experience! Prove it to yourself: Observe at our Open Days, speak with any teacher, student, or parent.
   

There’s SO much more than just learning dance steps at KWDA

Here are some valuable extras:

● Improved cognitive function for better academics, clearer mental process & cognitive function.
● Proper body posture and alignment
● Eye-hand/eye-foot motor coordination & spatial cognition
● Learning safe physical potentials and limitations
● Working on strength, balance and flexibility
● Musicality, rhythm and timing
● Learning a positive work ethics in ALL learning situations
● Self-confidence and a positive body awareness
● Working effectively with peer groups and partners
● Working effectively in a disciplined classroom atmosphere
● Lengthening attention span
● Learning & practicing patience as a life virtue
● Stress and anxiety relief
● Positive and effective teacher/student relationship
● Proper lesson etiquette in ALL classroom situations
● Learning that it’s enjoyable & fulfilling to do & be your best
● Exposure to the classical arts, music & dance
● Learning responsibility to commitments
• Learning Positive Life Core Values

Students learn the enjoyment of dance and how to express themselves in a positive and constructive manner. These assets will help the student in many aspects of life, far beyond the dance class. Everything worthwhile takes patience and dedication.

There is a strong symbiotic relationship between a proper dance arts education and an academic education. One feeds, enhances and balances the other. We have been serious professional educators in the dance industry since 1998. The contribution we make goes far beyond simply teaching dance steps. We will make a valuable, enjoyable and memorable experience and a worthwhile & rewarding investment for all our students!

At the Kimberley Woodger Dance Academy, we follow, and meet and exceed the following: Royal Academy of Dance Syllabus in Classical Ballet and Commonwealth Society of Dance (ComDance) Syllabus for Jazz, Contemporary and Tap. 

Why Exams?

Goal Setting - Progress - Confidence Building

Did you know that some levels of dance exams earn the candidates QCE (Queensland Certificate of Education) credits?

At KWDA we strongly believe in the benefits of exams.  We follow and teach the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus for ballet and the ComDance syllabus for tap and jazz.  Following a syllabus and set curriculum means that each child is working to their personal potential while following safe dance practice.

Safe progression is so important in dance, as we are dealing with young minds and bodies. We want them to progress safely for both their physical and mental health. Having a certified and professional dance teacher is of the utmost importance. They are trained to understand what is healthy development for each age and the differing abilities of each child. Injuries can occur when a dancer is working on technical elements that are too much for their body to handle.  Correction from the teacher is key, so the dancer can gain the muscle memory needed to perform each new step properly.

Why examinations?

• Examinations are a way for the parent, dancer and teacher to see how an individual student is progressing. Students are      marked on their individual merits in an exam.

• Examinations are a memorable experience and present an opportunity for students to be critiqued and evaluated by professional dance masters and examiners on a yearly basis.

• Examinations teach a dancer about personal responsibility and the importance of perseverance.

• Examinations encourage each and every student to work harder, in order to develop their own best personal potential and to help them maintain that potential throughout the dance training years

• Examinations are certified and successful candidates receive certificates and a report/marking sheet.

• Examinations help a student to develop better technical discipline and encourage proper and professional grooming.

• Examinations allow students to enjoy a better sense of confidence and help to develop a positive attitude, supports good competitive values along with enhancing stronger performance abilities.

• Examinations offer young dancers the opportunity to gain recognized qualifications that will serve them well in a career in dance as well as being of value later in life when considering further career development. These are great life skills for a career in or out of the dance world.

• Examinations are not mandatory.

• We are so proud to be able to offer our dance families a professional dance education. Part of our vision for the studio is to provide professional dance training in a caring atmosphere. We aim to help our dancers learn responsibility, accountability and discipline while still nurturing their love of dance.