Diploma of Dance Elite Performance

The Diploma of Dance – Elite Performance is designed to provide participants with the technical skills, artistry, theoretical knowledge and appropriate attitudes that will lead towards the establishment of a career in the entertainment industry as a dancer or performer in a range of fields, including ballet, musical theatre, contemporary dance, television, advertising, acting, physical theatre or circus arts.

Entry into The Australian Ballet School is by audition only. All applicants for the Diploma of Dance – Elite Performance are expected to have completed a minimum education standard of Year 9 secondary schooling or equivalent.

Students are selected on the basis of their suitability for vocational classical ballet training. This includes possessing the physical characteristics of a professional classical ballet dancer and the facility for dance (including coordination, musicality, artistry and appropriate temperament) that is required for intensive dance training in the field of classical ballet.

Successful applicants will have demonstrated these characteristics and a level of dance ability that is considered appropriate by the Director for entry into The Australian Ballet School’s training programme.

Generally, successful applicants will be between 15 and 17 years of age.

Due to the nature of the dance industry and the employment opportunities available, as well as the intense physical nature of dance training, vocational training must be undertaken during a certain age range.