The New Zealand School of Dance
The official school of the RNZB, The New Zealand School of Dance, is one of the southern hemisphere's leading dance training institutions, preparing students for careers in professional dance performance.
For the New Zealand School of Dance 2024. Photo credit: Stephen A’Court.
Established in 1967, the School has an international reputation. It is known for producing versatile and employable dancers, skilled in classical ballet and contemporary dance. The School’s unique training develops qualities that meet the needs of the dance profession while extending the boundaries of the art form.
The architecturally designed, purpose-built facilities are located in Wellington, New Zealand. Around eighty gifted young dancers study full-time at the School. In recent years, these have included students from Australia, Brazil, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan and the United States of America. An impressive faculty of teaching staff, choreographers, and international guest tutors assist students to achieve two or three-year qualifications in dance performance.
Most graduates enter careers in dance performance, many gaining contracts within six months of graduating. Former students have gone on to make significant contributions to dance, leading outstanding careers and dancing with top companies around the world.
For the New Zealand School of Dance 2024. Photo credit: Stephen A’Court.
FACILITIES
Te Whaea: National Dance & Drama Centre is home to the New Zealand School of Dance
Located on Wellington’s green belt nature reserve, five minutes’ drive from the heart of the city, Te Whaea* is architecturally designed, with large spaces and high ceilings contributing to an exhilarating atmosphere.
The centre includes nine fully equipped studios, a 160-seat theatre, design and costume workshops, lighting and AV studios, student common room, student computers and Wi-Fi and New Zealand’s foremost performing arts library.
For conditioning, strength and healthcare, New Zealand School of Dance students have access to a Pilates studio onsite, gym and Gyrotonic equipment. Safe dance practice is of paramount importance, and the staff includes a team of physiotherapists, osteopath, performance psychologist, nutritionist, healthcare and counselling specialists.
For safe dance practice and healthcare New Zealand School of Dance students also have access to:
- Jetts Gyms
- A specially equipped Pilates studio and Gyrotonic equipment
- Physiotherapists, osteopaths
- Performance psychologist and nutritionist
- Healthcare and counselling through Massey University
World-class training
The New Zealand School of Dance full-time course prepares graduates for the multifaceted repertoire demanded of a professional dancer in the 21st century.
The School provides world-class training to students between the ages of 16 and 20. Students complete either a two or a three-year intensive training programme in classical ballet or contemporary dance, while maintaining a strong grounding in both subject areas.
Graduates of the School leave with a strong technical skill base as well as an open-minded approach to a career path that is wide, varied and relevant.
The New Zealand Diploma in Dance (Level 6) is a two-year course that equips students for a performance career in dance.
Upon completion, graduates will be prepared and ready to enter either a third year working towards a New Zealand School of Dance Diploma in Dance Performance (Level 7), or their first professional industry placement.
The first year focuses on the foundation of technique for both classical ballet and contemporary dance. It also introduces a range of allied subjects, both practical and academic. In the second year, students continue to refine their technical strengths, develop performance skills and dance in regular performances.
The NZ Diploma in Dance includes a strong choreographic component for both contemporary dance and classical ballet students along with a focus on professional development and self-management. Other subjects that complement their time in the studio include: nutrition; dance history; anatomy and physiology; and music studies.
The classical programme consists of classical ballet technique, contemporary dance technique, pas de deux, classical variations and pointe. Separate men’s classes focus on the physical strength of male dancing with particular emphasis on elevation, pirouettes and batterie.
For the New Zealand School of Dance 2024. Photo credit: Stephen A’Court.
The contemporary programme consists of contemporary dance technique, classical ballet technique, contemporary repertoire, partnering, yoga, choreographic practice and improvisation.
For the New Zealand School of Dance 2024. Photo credit: Stephen A’Court.
The New Zealand School of Dance Diploma in Dance Performance (Level 7) is recognised at the same level as an undergraduate degree. The third year of training at the School focusses on performance skills, offering students a range of diverse experiences both within the School and externally.
Students must have completed the New Zealand Diploma in Dance (Level 6) before enrolling for the Level 7 diploma course – one additional year of study.
Secondments and professional placements are an important part of the final year of training, providing the opportunity for students to work off-site with a dance company for up to 12 weeks of term time. Dancers gain exposure, industry knowledge and build a network of contacts through these secondments – which can lead to professional contracts.
Students have the opportunity to perform in the School’s end-of-year Performance Season – a collection of works curated to showcase the creativity, technical ability and exquisite talent of students at the School.
Contemporary students choreograph their own works for the Choreographic Season produced every winter. As part of this season, students collaborate with lighting designers, costume designers, production and stage managers from Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School. Through this project, the students are introduced to aspects of collaboration and production.
Throughout the third year, all students maintain their studies in classical ballet and contemporary dance technique and learn a diverse range of repertoire in readiness for the industry. They also receive advice on career planning.
Both academic and theoretical classes are regularly reviewed through formal and informal assessments. Entry into the third year of the School is not automatic but is based on achievement and commitment demonstrated throughout first and second year.
For the New Zealand School of Dance 2024. Photo credit: Stephen A’Court.
The New Zealand Diploma in Dance and the New Zealand School of Dance Diploma in Dance Performance sit at Level 6 and Level 7 respectively on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework. The New Zealand School of Dance Diploma in Dance Performance (Level 7) is equivalent to an undergraduate degree, allowing the possibility of postgraduate study and many career pathways.
The programme is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under section 439 of the Education and Training Act 2020, and New Zealand School of Dance is accredited to provide it under section 442 of the Act.
The School is funded by the Ministry of Education through the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) and is registered with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) as a private training establishment.
The NZQA conducted an external evaluation and review (EER) of the School in 2021. The report states that NZQA is “highly confident” in both the educational performance and capability in self-assessment of the New Zealand School of Dance. This is the highest rating given by NZQA.
For the New Zealand School of Dance 2024. Photo credit: Stephen A’Court.
In recent years students from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan and the USA have trained at the New Zealand School of Dance.
The School has support systems in place to assist international students. A student support manager provides advice to help students adjust to full-time training and life in New Zealand.
The New Zealand School of Dance has agreed to observe and be bound by The Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 published by the Minister of Education. The code is available from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
For the New Zealand School of Dance 2024. Photo credit: Stephen A’Court.