ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCE
Ballet
The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is a worldwide organization that governs ballet through a series of exams. We are RAD certified at the Brandon School of Dance, offering the entire syllabus from pre-primary through to vocational levels.
Beginner
Ages 5+
Pre-Primary and Primary RAD Ballet is essential for fostering the knowledge and technique necessary for graded RAD Ballet levels. There is an opportunity for dancers in the Primary level to present their skills to an external RAD examiner.
Junior
Ages 7+
Grade 1 – Grade 5 ballet allows students to participate in RAD examinations and awards. Participation in examinations is not necessary to advance to the next level. Students who wish to participate in RAD examinations are required to attend two ballet classes per week.
Senior
Ages 12+
To enroll in the intermediate and advanced levels, students must have at least 3 to 4 years of formal ballet training. These levels are technically and physically demanding and each one requires 12 to 18 months of dedicated study to complete.
All Classes
Beginner Levels
Pre-Primary RAD Ballet
Age 5+
Pre-Primary ballet is the first level in the RAD syllabus designed for students in kindergarten. Ballet at this level is slightly more structured and formal compared to our Tots-on-Tippy-Toes classes. (Read More…)
Students are introduced to basic ballet positions and emphasis is placed on imagination-based learning. Short stories and themed movement sequences are used to help students grasp choreography. Props such as butterfly wings, scarves, feathers, and certain percussion instruments are also used. These 45-minute classes are a great starting point for students to further develop their listening skills, demonstrate movements with control and coordination, as well as perform basic steps with appropriate expression and spatial awareness. Pre-Primary RAD ballet provides a nurturing environment for students to grow in their artistry and musical appreciation.
Primary RAD Ballet
Age 6+
Primary ballet is suitable for students in Grade 1 at school. Building on the fundamental concepts taught in Pre-Primary, students are introduced to a new set of slightly more complex ballet steps and movement combinations. (Read More…)
During our 45-minute classes, students are encouraged to execute floor patterns with a sound understanding of transference of weight and taught to move with increased coordination and control. Primary RAD ballet is essential for fostering the knowledge and technique necessary for graded RAD ballet levels. For the first time in their ballet journey, students will be given the opportunity to participate in a RAD class award. Here they can showcase their ballet technique and skills in front of an official external RAD examiner. The award is an informal assessment on the content of the Primary RAD ballet set syllabus and the class teacher will accompany the students for the duration of the session.
Junior Levels
Grade 1 RAD Ballet
Age 7+
Grade 1 ballet is suitable for students in Grade 2 at school. Prior to enrolling at this level, students are recommended to have trained in RAD Primary ballet or equivalent, for at least one year. (Read More…)
Grade 1 marks the start of more formal technical ballet training, with a greater emphasis on learning basic ballet vocabulary. Our 60-minute classes introduce students to jump steps (e.g., sautés, petit jetés, and spring points) and character work for the first time. Students are also taught to execute controlled landings and demonstrate a basic level of expression, audience communication, and projection, all while building on the foundational work learned in Primary RAD ballet.
Grade 2 RAD Ballet
Age 8+
Grade 2 ballet is designed for students in Grade 3 at school. It is recommended that students at this level should have completed at least one year of RAD Grade 1 ballet, or equivalent. (Read More…)
Our 60-minute classes will introduce students to formal barre and centre work. Building on the vocabulary learned in Grade 1, students are also exposed to exercises that require an increased level of balance, transference of weight, and jump combinations (e.g., echappés sautés and soubresauts).
Grade 3 RAD Ballet
Age 9+
Grade 3 ballet is suitable for students in Grade 4 at school . Before enrolling at this level, students are required to have trained in Grade 2 RAD ballet or equivalent, for at least one year. (Read More…)
During our hour-long classes, students will work towards demonstrating a sound knowledge of basic ballet vocabulary and will be exposed to new steps and terminology (e.g., battements glissés, battements fondus, and développés), at the barre. Centre work now includes ronds de jambe à terre and adage. Building on the syllabus work covered in RAD Grade 2, students are exposed to more complex and technical combinations in their jump and turn exercises. Students must be taking a minimum of 2 ballet classes per week to be eligible for competitions and festivals (with the exception of the Brandon and Rolling River Festivals).
Grade 4 RAD Ballet
Age 10+
RAD Grade 4 ballet is suitable for students in Grade 5 at school. Students who wish to enroll at this level are recommended to have completed at least one year of the Grade 3 RAD syllabus, or equivalent. (Read More…)
The syllabus for Grade 4 is carefully designed to expand on the fundamental concepts introduced in Pre-Primary, Primary, and Grade 1 to 3 ballet. Our 60-minute classes at this level promote the demonstration of secure posture and correct weight placement during the execution of more complex ballet movements that require accurate alignment of the body, well-stretched legs, and articulated footwork. Focus is also placed on the correct use of the supporting leg and placement of the working leg, especially in pirouettes and adage. Students must be taking a minimum of 2 ballet classes per week to be eligible for competitions and festivals (with the exception of the Brandon and Rolling River Festivals).
Grade 5 RAD Ballet
Age 11+
Grade 5 RAD ballet is most appropriate for students in Grade 6 at school. Students who wish to enroll at this level are recommended to have completed at least one year of the Grade 4 RAD syllabus, or equivalent. (Read More…)
The knowledge and skills gained from our 90-minute lessons and completing Grade 5 RAD ballet prepares students for more advanced vocational grades. These include Discovering Repertoire, Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, and Advanced RAD ballet. At this level, our students are introduced to a pre-pointe programme for the first time. A minimum of 3 years of ballet training is recommended for students to develop the necessary physical and emotional maturity, strength, and proprioception for dancing en pointe. Coupled with completing the pre-pointe programme, this will ensure that students are ready to safely transition to this new ballet technique and milestone. It is important to note that pointe work is not examinable in RAD Grade 5 and is only assessed from Intermediate Foundation level onwards. Students must be taking a minimum of 2 ballet classes per week to be eligible for competitions and festivals (with the exception of the Brandon and Rolling River Festivals).
Senior Levels
Intermediate
Age 12+
There are 2 levels in Intermediate RAD ballet: Intermediate Foundation and Intermediate. Intermediate Foundation is suitable for students aged 12 and up, who have passed their Grade 5 RAD ballet examination. Those who have completed Intermediate Foundation and are 14 years or older, may then enroll in Intermediate. These levels require students to have a strong technical foundation in ballet. For this reason, students who wish to enroll at this level need to have had at least 3 to 4 years of formal ballet training. (Read More…)
These ballet levels are technically demanding and call for a high degree of physical fitness, and a secure sense of artistry, musicality, and critical thinking. A well-developed sense of theatre, interpretation of music, and dynamics of movement are paramount to excelling at these levels. Each level requires 12 to 18 months of dedicated study to complete and is a prerequisite to progress onto Advanced RAD ballet.
Advanced
Age 14+
There are 3 levels of Advanced RAD ballet: Advanced Foundation (which is a transition from Intermediate), Advanced 1, and Advanced 2. Passing the Intermediate RAD ballet exam is a prerequisite to enrolling in Advanced Foundation. The advanced levels are technically demanding and require a high degree of physical fitness, sense of musicality, and critical thinking. (Read More…)
The Advanced ballet syllabi require female students to perform all exam solos en pointe. Each of these 3 levels takes 18 to 24 months of intense study to complete. Successful completion of the Advanced RAD examinations is often a prerequisite for enrolment at many college and university dance programs, or to be considered as a candidate for entry into vocational dance schools.
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