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Producing Elite Dancers with a consistent track record of producing exceptional dancers year after year, our full-time dance programs at the National College of Dance (NCD) have cultivated elite talent that graces stages across the globe in various dance genres.
Our meticulously designed full-time dance courses offer a personalised and advanced training experience tailored to your chosen genre. Whether your passion lies in classical or contemporary dance, our curriculum places a strong emphasis on both techniques. As a result, NCD students emerge as dancers who not only possess remarkable technical proficiency but also exceptional versatility. This reputation positions them as highly sought-after artists upon completing their comprehensive training.
Unified by a shared vision, our dedicated instructors and mentors are unwaveringly committed to nurturing each dancer’s potential, enabling them to pursue their aspirations. With over a decade of experience as a Registered Training Organisation, we ensure that every student graduates with a nationally recognised qualification, unlocking a world of diverse opportunities beyond their successful dance career.
At the National College of Dance, we go above and beyond to prepare our students for auditions. We offer a range of support, including regular in-house audition classes, Career Planning sessions, assistance with audition videos and portfolios, and access to guest artists and workshops. Our vibrant alumni community allows students to maintain connections with past NCD graduates worldwide. Located in one of Australia’s dynamic coastal towns, NCD provides a stimulating environment for aspiring dancers.
Our students enjoy a multitude of performance opportunities, including mid-year showcases, competitions, festivals, corporate events, and grand end-of-year productions. We take pride in our collaboration with youth orchestras, offering students the unique experience of performing alongside live musicians. Additionally, our annual commissioned compositions provide students with the exciting challenge of choreographing to freshly composed music, fostering creativity and artistic growth.
The Certificate III trains dancers and develops skills leading to audition for individuals working as entry level dancers in the live performance industry. Individuals are expected to demonstrate application of foundational skills and knowledge for routine activities expected for dance and live performance contexts. The job roles that relate to this qualification may include ensemble work. The Certificate III in dance is an excellent lead-in towards further training in pre-professional dance programs, musical theatre productions, stage shows, pantomimes, fashion parades, TV shows, films and commercials.
A typical weekly schedule for Certificate III students incorporate 3 full time days which consist of classes in classical ballet, body conditioning and contemporary, plus classical and contemporary repertoire, choreography, jazz, pas de deux and solo work. The other two days incorporates completing academic school studies in conjunction with a Distance Education provider. Completion of year 10 ROSA is a requirement for this course unless approved by the education department for an exemption. Students are expected to maintain high academic results while completing their Certificate III in Dance.
They also participate in fully choreographed classical ballet, contemporary and jazz groups. Theory subjects covering anatomy, nutrition, body conditioning and career planning.
Students receive numerous opportunities for performance throughout the year working with our in-house choreographers on solo and group performances. The opportunity for individualised, professional choreography is one of the enormous benefits of completing the Certificate III through NCD.
Course Competency Units
The CUA30120 Certificate III in Dance comprises 13 Units – 5 Core Units and 8 Elective Units.
The Certificate III in Dance is a full time program run over 40 weeks of the year with an additional 4 weeks of required holiday training in term breaks.
The course runs the normal NSW school term. Units selected in each of these courses reflect the NCD focus on preparing students for a professional career in dance.
| CODE | UNIT |
| CUACHR311 | Develop basic dance composition skills |
| CUADAN331 | Integrate rhythm into movement activities |
CUAIND311 CUAPRF317 | Work effectively in the creative arts industry Develop performance techniques |
| CUAWHS311 | Condition body for dance performance |
| CUADAN316 | Increase depth of ballet dance techniques |
| CUADAN317 | Increase depth of cultural dance techniques |
| CUADAN318 | Increase depth of contemporary dance techniques |
| CUADLT311 | Develop basic dance analysis skills |
| CUAPRF314 | Develop audition techniques |
| CUACOS304 | Develop and apply knowledge of costume |
CUAMUP311 CUAIND314 | Prepare personal appearance for performance Plan a career in the creative arts industry |
The Certificate IV trains dancers and develops skills leading to audition for a wide variety of national and international ballet or contemporary programs. The Certificate IV is an excellent lead-in towards further training in pre-professional dance programs, musical theatre productions, stage shows, pantomimes, fashion parades, TV shows, films and commercials.
A typical weekly schedule for Certificate IV students consists of classes in classical ballet, body conditioning and contemporary, plus classical and contemporary repertoire, choreography, jazz, pas de deux and solo work.
They also participate in fully choreographed classical ballet, contemporary and jazz groups. Theory subjects covering anatomy, nutrition, body conditioning, career planning and history are also included.
On completion of the program, graduates will develop expertise and technique in dance performance for classical ballet, contemporary dance, partnering, choreography, dance performance and jazz ballet.
Students receive numerous opportunities for performance throughout the year working with our in-house choreographers on solo and group performances. The opportunity for individualised, professional choreography is one of the enormous benefits of completing the Certificate IV through NCD.
Course Competency Units
The CUA40120 Certificate IV in Dance comprises 13 Units – 6 Core Units and 7 Elective Units.
The Certificate IV in Dance is a full time program run over 40 weeks of the year with an additional 4 weeks of required holiday training in term breaks.
The course runs the normal NSW school term. Units selected in each of these courses reflect the NCD focus on preparing students for a professional career in dance.
| CODE | UNIT |
| CUADAN417 | Develop expertise in dance performance techniques |
| CUAPRF414 | Develop moment skills for performance |
CUAPRF415 CUADAN313 | Rehearse for performances Develop and apply dance partnering techniques |
| CUAWHS411 | Apply movement and behavioural principles to conditioning |
| CUACHR413 | Develop choreography skills |
| CUADAN419 | Develop expertise in contemporary dance techniques |
| CUADAN418 | Develop expertise in ballet techniques |
| CUADAN421 | Develop expertise in cultural dance techniques |
| CUAPRF314 | Develop audition techniques |
| CUAWHS413 | Incorporate anatomy principles into skill development |
CUAMUP311 CUADAN432 | Prepare personal appearance for performance Improvise advanced dance sequences |
NCD offers the Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) program for students wishing to have a professional career within Australia or Internationally.
This vocational Diploma is equivalent to Year 12 completion and provides entry into higher education and University institutions throughout the country.
Graduates of the Diploma will perform more complex movement in a range of dance skills far wider than Certificate IV. They perform complex technical routines across a wide range of dance genres.
A typical weekly schedule consists of daily classical ballet class at an elite technical level, body conditioning, contemporary in contrasting styles, established pieces of work in classical and contemporary repertoire.
There is also choreography, jazz, pas de deux classes in both classical and contemporary, solo work for both classical and contemporary and participation in fully choreographed classical ballet, contemporary and jazz groups.
Theory subjects covering anatomy, nutrition, history and assignment on preparing for the audition process are also included. Our professional team prepare our students Audition videos and CV for applications to finishing schools and professional junior companies all over the world. We also prepare videos for competitions such as Prix De Lausanne and International Grand Prix.
The Artistic Staff at the National College of Dance consists of professional teachers and choreographers who have produced many works in Australia and overseas on leading professional companies and have experience training dancers and placing them in prestigious international and national companies.
Course Competency Units
The CUA51520 Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) consists of 17 units – 7 core units and 10 Elective units chosen by the Artistic Director and the Staff.
The Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) is a full time program run over 40 weeks of the year with an additional 4 weeks of required holiday training in term breaks.
The course runs the normal NSW school term.
Units selected in each of these courses reflect the NCD focus on preparing students for a professional career in dance.
| CODE | UNIT |
| CUADAN531 | Refine dance techniques |
| CUAPPR512 | Develop sustainability of own professional practice |
| CUAPRF513 | Prepare for and perform in competitive environments |
| CUADAN517 | Refine dance partnering techniques |
| CUAWHS413 | Incorporate anatomy principles into skill development |
| CUAWHS511 | Maintain a high level of fitness for performance |
| CUAPRF511 | Refine performance techniques |
| CUADAN511 | Refine ballet techniques |
| CUADAN512 | Refine ballet performance skills |
| CUADAN515 | Refine contemporary dance techniques |
| CUADAN516 | Refine cultural dance techniques |
| CUADAN621 | Perform virtuoso contemporary dance techniques |
| CUARES503 | Analyse cultural history and theory |
| CUACHR511 | Create and perform complex dance pieces |
| CUAMUP511 | Apply theatrical makeup and hairstyles |
| CUADAN514 | Perform ballet solo variations – ballet stream |
| CUADAN432 | Improvise advanced dance sequences – contemporary stream / male ballet |
| CUADAN519 CUAWRT401 | Refine pointe work techniques – ballet stream Write about dance – contemporary stream |
NCD offers an Advanced Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance) program. This program is designed for students who are looking to audition and head directly into and junior or professional company.
It is also a perfect program for students who have completed a Diploma of Dance and have been overseas and looking to re-focus their career and continue to audition for professional companies.
As well as the course material this program consists of the following:
Graduates of the Advanced Diploma will perform more complex movement in a range of dance skills far wider than the Diploma of Professional Dance. They perform complex technical routines across a wide range of dance genres.
A typical weekly schedule consists of daily classical ballet class at an elite technical level, body conditioning, contemporary in contrasting styles, established pieces of work in classical and contemporary repertoire.
There is also choreography, jazz, pas de deux classes in both classical and contemporary, solo work for both classical and contemporary and participation in fully choreographed classical ballet and contemporary works.
The Artistic Staff at the National College of Dance consists of professional teachers and choreographers who have produced many works in Australia and overseas on leading professional companies and have experience training dancers and placing them in prestigious international and national companies.
Course Competency Units
The CUA60120 Advanced Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) consists of 18 units – 4 core units plus 14 elective units chosen by the Artistic Director and the Staff.
These 18 VET Units of Competency are clustered within the course delivery units of Ballet, Repertoire, Pointe, Contemporary, Contemporary Duo and Improvisation, Contemporary Repertoire, Pas de Deux, Performance, Anatomy, Choreography, History, Performance Psychology, RPD, Dance Teaching.
The course runs the normal NSW school term.
Units selected in each of these courses reflect the NCD focus on preparing students for a professional career in dance.
| CODE | UNIT |
| CUADAN531 | Refine dance techniques |
| CUAWHS611 | Apply advanced gym and weight training to dance |
| CUADAN631 | Perform dance repertoire at a professional level |
| CUADAN612 | Develop strategies for maintaining resilience in a competitive environment |
| CUACHR611 | Create choreography for stage and screen |
| CUADAN614 | Extend ballet performance skills to a professional level |
| CUADAN621 | Perform virtuoso contemporary dance techniques |
| CUADAN617 | Extend dance techniques to a professional level |
| CUADAN519 | Refine pointe work techniques |
| CUAWHS406 | Interact appropriately with children in performing arts environments |
| CUACHR511 | Create and perform complex dance pieces |
| CUADAN517 | Refine dance partnering techniques |
| CUAPRF511 | Refine performance techniques |
| CUAWHS511 | Maintain a high level of fitness for performance |
| CUAMUP511 | Apply theatrical makeup and hairstyles |
| CUAPRF513 | Prepare for and perform in competitive environments |
| CUARES503 | Analyse cultural history and theory |
| CUAWRT501 | Write about dance |
Our vision, shared by our team of exceptional staff, is to foster a healthy and creative culture with a training model that embraces excellence and the artistry of dance. We maintain a foundation of world-class training alongside pioneering and innovative full time dance programs that develop strong, creative and versatile dancers.
We are proud of our 100% placement record and invite talented and committed dancers to join our growing ranks of graduates enjoying diverse dance careers around the world.
National College of Dance Pty Limited is a recognised Registered Training Organisation offering nationally recognised training programs. We are regulated by the national body Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).
Registered Training Organisation Number 91281
CUA20120 – Certificate II in Dance
CUA30120 – Certificate III in Dance
CUA40120 – Certificate IV in Dance
CUA51520 – Diploma in Professional Dance (Elite Performance)
CUA60120 – Advanced Diploma in Professional Dance (Elite Performance)
CUA30920 Certificate III in Music
CUA40920 Certificate IV in Music
CUA50820 Diploma of Music
CUA30320 Certificate III in Assistant Dance Teaching
CUA40320 Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management
The National College of Dance Junior Academy located in Newcastle NSW, offers dance classes in Ballet, Contemporary, and Jazz for students from 12 months old to Adults. Acrobatics, Pilates, Yoga and Body Conditioning are also available. Utilising the Royal Academy of Dance syllabi, our teachers are RAD trained.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where we work and live. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land.
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