Our Academy programme has been created for children aged approx 9 – 20 years old who are displaying excellent rhythm, agility, confidence and co-ordination in their development or pre-academy programme and a clear passion for dance. They will be split into different Academy sections based on age and ability. Students accepted into Academy must be taking the general weekly classes as advised by our staff.
Academy students who are nearing the end of their time at High School will be assisted with their next steps as a dancer. This may be full time or straight into dance work depending on what is on offer.
Students who attend our Academy programme are coached to be independent and responsible dancers and are expected to be dropped off outside the gates and organize themselves to get ready for trainings and any performances without always having a parent to help them. This is very important to us as we train them to be capable dancers and it also helps our Senior dancers step up to help the younger ones. This doesn’t happen if parents are always close by.
Commercial Jazz, Organic & Commercial Contemporary, Hip hop, Ballet, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Aerial Hoop, Acro-Dance, Partnering, Adagio)
The children in our academy programme are given the chance to work in more depth with our tutors and other children of a similar skill level to push their dance over and above what exam work offers them. This is next level dancing and is creating outstanding performers who we believe will hold a lifelong love of dance and be some of the most inspiring performers of the future generation. The development of our dancers to convey emotion, deep feeling, storytelling and passion on top of their technique is a strength at Silhouette and we are very proud of this attribute. These skills are so important as it stands a dancer out from the rest at auditions and performances.
Another strong focus is working in a team and leadership to reflect the majority of dance career jobs.
A typical training will consist of a combined warmup, followed by a training session on either dance conditioning or choreography. Students will then have a combined dinner followed by a session working on choreography for upcoming performances & regional competitions.
Children in our Academy programme will have the chance to perform in these shows…..there may also be other opportunities offered.
KINGS BIRTHDAY WEEKEND – Academy Dinner & Floorshow
NOVEMBER 23rd – Celebrate Bishopdale (junior squad only)
NOVEMBER 30th – Christmas in the Park (selected group only)
DECEMBER 13th – 15th – End of Year Showcase
Any child in our open academy is welcome to do solos/duos/trios as part of our in-house comps. We will also be considering them for regional solos/duos/trios, however, this is by invite only and only if we feel it is the best step for them and their dance journey. The graduation from in-house to regionals is done at our Term Four in-house comp. Students in our Senior Academy may not be required to graduate.
April School Holidays – CTDTA Comps Christchurch (second week)
July School Holidays – NZDA / Evo Regional Comp (both weeks)
There may also be other opportunities that arise during the year but information for these type of events will be emailed out before you commit as they are not part of our official calendar.
The fee for this programme is $210+gst per term and is invoiced with your general class fees invoice each term.
Students accepted into Academy will receive 10% off their Development package fee if they are doing a minimum of four additional classes per week.
Each year in January we run a week long training programme called the Academy camp and this week concludes with a fun activity such as swimming or ice skating.
This camp is an opportunity for our Academy dancers to get to know each other and bond as well as getting a good head start on technique for the year and choreography. This camp is compulsory and is usually held the final week of January
Due to academy being so reliant on a team effort we require each parent to sign an agreement on behalf of their child committing to the year ahead. It can be really upsetting for fellow students and the staff if we have a lack of commitment from some and then have to pull the group out of performances so please read the full contract before signing.
The Academy contract will be emailed out to you.
If you think you have what it takes to join the Academy programme and wish to be considered then register your interest below. There are a lot of things we look for in a student before they are accepted into this programme. If you would like some more information about this then please email us to discuss.
The 2025 intake will be based on there 2024 class work and the End of Year Showcase. We do not run auditions.
Existing Academy members and any new applicants will be notified after the End of Year Showcase if they have been accepted into the 2025 year intake.
