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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 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, as well as singing and music lessons. 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.
| CODE | UNIT |
| CUADAN407 | 1 Develop expertise in dance performance technique |
| CUAPRF405 | 2 Rehearse technique for performance |
| CUADAN303 | 3 Develop partnering techniques |
| CUAWHS401 | 4 Apply movement and behavioural principles to physical conditioning |
| CUACHR403 | 5 Develop choreography skills |
| >CUADAN409 | 9 Develop expertise in contemporary dance performance technique |
| CUADAN403 | 10 Develop expertise in jazz dance technique |
| CUADAN411 | 11 Develop expertise in cultural dance technique |
| CUAIND304 | 12 Plan a career in the creative arts industry |
| CUAWHS403 | 13 Incorporate anatomy and nutrition principles into skill development |
| CUAMUP301 | 14 Prepare personal appearance for performances |
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 CUA50113 Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) consists of 17 units – 9 core units and 8 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 |
| CUADAN501 | 1 Refine ballet technique |
| CUADAN502 | 2 Refine ballet performance skills |
| CUADAN505 | 3 Refine contemporary dance technique |
| CUADAN507 | 4 Refine dance partnering techniques |
| CUAWHS403 | 5 Incorporate anatomy and nutrition principles into skill development |
| CUAWHS501 | 6 Maintain a high level of fitness for performance |
| CUAPRF501 | 7 Refine performance techniques |
| CUAPRF503 | 8 Prepare for performances in a competitive environment |
| CUAPPP502 | 9 Develop own sustainable professional practice |
| CUADAN509 | 10 Refine pointe work techniques – females |
| CUAWHS402 | 11 Participate in gym and weight training for performance – males |
| CUACHR501 | 12 Create and perform complex dance pieces |
| CUADAN504 | 13 Perform ballet solo variations |
| CUADAN611 | 14 Perform virtuoso contemporary dance technique |
| CUAPRF402 | 15 Develop conceptual and expressive skills as a performer |
| CUVRES503 | 16 Analyse cultural history and theory |
| CUAMUP501 | 17 Apply theatrical makeup and hairstyles |
| CUACHR403 | 18 Develop choreography skills |
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 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 |
| CUADAN613 | 1 Extend ballet techniques to a professional level |
| CUAWHS611 | 2 Apply advanced gym and weight training to dance |
| CUADAN631 | 3 Perform dance repertoire at a professional level |
| CUADAN614 | 4 Extend ballet performance skills to a professional level |
| CUADAN615 | 5 Perform pas de deux at a professional level |
| CUADAN616 | 6 Extend pointe work techniques to a professional level |
| CUADAN621 | 7 Perform virtuoso contemporary dance techniques |
| CUADAN617 | 8 Extend dance techniques to a professional level |
| CUADAN618 | 9 Extend contemporary dance performance skills to a professional level |
| CUAWHS511 | 10 Maintain a high level of fitness for performance |
| CUACHR511 | 11 Create and perform complex dance pieces |
| CUAMPF612 | 12 Manage stagecraft aspects of performances |
| CUADAN432 | 13 Improvise advanced dance sequences |
| CUADAN531 | 14 Refine dance techniques |
| CUADAN619 | 15 Extend cultural dance performance skills to a professional level |
| CUAWHS612 | 16 Develop strategies for maintaining resilience in a competitive environment |
| CUARES501 | 17 Refine conceptual understanding of dance |
| CUADTM431 | 18 Design and conduct dance learning program |
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 government 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, all our teachers are RAD registered and trained, plus all full time teachers hold a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
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