Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance Performance)

Overview

• Designed for aspiring dancers who enjoy a challenge and are passionate about a career as a dancer.
• Intensive daily training in the core techniques of ballet and contemporary, and weekly duo, pas de deux, pointe, male virtuosity, Pilates, yoga and alternative classes.
• Intensive performance and choreographic program.
• Experience at least one Australian or international tour.
• Opportunities for international exchange programs.

Details

The dance performance program at QUT boasts an enviable reputation and continues to lead in developing the creative passions of Australia’s future dance artists. This three-year program combines a rigorous full-time dance training course with academic studies at degree level. This course is designed for young aspiring dancers who enjoy challenge, are passionate about a career as a dancer and are willing to commit their energies to full-time training at university level.

Why choose this course?

QUT Dance provides a nurturing environment in state-of-the-art facilities where students are trained to extend their talents in creating and performing. This course offers intensive daily training in the core techniques of ballet and contemporary dance supported by weekly duo, pas de deux, pointe, male virtuosity classes, Pilates, yoga and alternative dance styles, making you internationally competitive. Responding to influences of technology, choreography workshops now include a broad spectrum of screen studies, from video clips to dance films and all students make and perform in this digital domain.

Throughout an intensive performance and choreographic program, you will connect with innovative resident and guest choreographers and teachers and showcase your talents in major performance seasons each semester. You will have the opportunity to undertake at least one tour either in Australia or overseas and have access to international exchange programs. Secondment opportunities are available by choice to major Australian companies and organisations and supported within your studies.

When not in the dance studio you are engaging with the academic/theoretical knowledge that will extend your understanding, tolerance and curiosity about dance. This involves analysing, arguing and reflecting on and about the body in dance and the roles and functions that dance plays in our lives, in Australia and globally.

Together, these practices inspire and privilege our graduates and set their scholarship apart from other forms of full-time training. Our students are avidly involved with their learning and many achieve outstanding recognition as performers and choreographers throughout their careers.

All students connect with lively professional and global networks and are taught by internationally recognised full-time and visiting part-time specialists in dance. Teaching staff have real-world experience in an extensive range of dance practices and are active in the dance community through Ausdance, the Australian Dance Awards, external adjudication and examination panels, and in international organisations.

Career outcomes

QUT dance performance graduates are highly competitive in the real world and currently practise throughout Australia and internationally in major professional dance companies, education dance companies, musicals, commercial environments or as independent artists. Pathways exist to prepare you for further study including honours.

Units

Entry requirements

2012 registrations have closed.

Registration for 2012 intake was due on the 23 September 2011 and have now closed. If had not registered and you are considering applying to study in 2013 we recommend you read the following information as a guide only as it details requirements for entry in 2012 and these may change prior to the 2013 intake.

Thank you for your interest in Dance at the QUT Creative Industries Faculty. To be considered for a place you must both apply through QTAC and submit a Dance Registration Form to the Creative Industries Faculty. Please read through the following information carefully to ensure you are prepared to apply at that time.

What is the closing date for additional entry registration with Dance at QUT Creative Industries?

• Registration for the 2012 intake will close by the extended closing date of 23 September, 2011. To register for an audition, you must submit a Dance Registration Form.
• You must also apply to QTAC, where the due date for on-time applications is 30 September. See the QTAC website for more information.

What are the additional entry requirements?

You must submit the following and attend an audition:

• Academic record
• Personal statement
  • Personal statement form is included in the Application Guide
• Photograph
  • A current passport sized photograph AND
  • A full body shot, facing front in parallel, in leotard / swim suit (no board shorts)
• Physiotherapist's Report.
  • A specialist dance or sports physiotherapist needs to assess various physical elements such as your flexibility range and history of injuries.
  • Physiotherapist report form is provided in the Application Guide

What does the audition consist of?

There are two rounds on your day of audition. All applicants will complete round one. Those applicants successful in moving onto round two will be posted on the notice board during the lunch break.

Round One:

• a ballet class (no pointe work)
• a contemporary dance class
• a jazz class (for course code 429162 only)
• a course talk given by the Head of Dance
• a written interpretative exercise

The written exercise requires no preparation. It is a half hour session that looks at the applicant's interpretative skills and writing skills - e.g. spelling, punctuation, grammar - in response to an image presented on the day.

Round Two:

• a one minute solo in a dance genre of the applicant's choice
• This solo is an opportunity for you to dance in a genre of your own choice that you may feel better demonstrates your performance abilities - e.g. hip hop, adagio, Irish, tap. The solo is one minute long and music (if used) should be on CD. The solo may be choreographed by the applicant or someone else - e.g. teacher, guest choreographer
• a more advanced ballet and contemporary class, which includes pointe work (for course code 421822 only)
• A short impromptu talk from the auditionee on a topic given on the day (for course code 429162 1st preference only.)

What should I wear to my audition?

Ballet class:

• women: pink tights, light coloured leotard and ballet shoes. If you do not own ballet shoes, please bring cotton socks. If you do not own tights and leotard, please wear bike pants and tight, light coloured, fitting t-shirt.
• men: tights and a light-coloured singlet or t-shirt and ballet shoes. If you do not own ballet shoes, please bring cotton socks. If you do not own tights, please wear bike pants and jock strap.

Contemporary class:

• Same as above, but able to work in bare feet when required in this genre.

Solo:

• no costumes or props please. Tights and leotard only.

What do I need to bring on the day?'

Please bring your dance gear and water bottle. If you bring lunch it can be stored in the fridge in the dance corridor. There are no cafes open on campus on weekends.

I have no formal training in classical / contemporary ballet. Can I still audition?

You are assessed on potential, but formal training would benefit applicants. The selection panel looks at you for your movement potential, alignment, sense of musicality, and your degree of confidence. Studying a different technique (e.g. jazz, tap, contemporary) will also help you develop these skills.

What do I have to do in the solo presentation?

The solo presentation is one minute (maximum), which can be improvised or choreographed by yourself or another person, in a style of your choice (e.g. Tap, Irish Dance). The selection panel looks for confidence, appropriate quality and performance integrity.

How do I apply?

There are two steps to an application for Dance at QUT:

1. You must register for an audition by submitting a Dance Registration Form to the Creative Industries Faculty by the extended closing date of 23 September 2011. This should also include a copy of the QUTpay confirmation page from your online credit card payment of the $33 service charge. PLEASE NOTE: Q-Step and ATSI applicants are exempt from the service fee
2. You must also apply through QTAC, where the due date for on-time applications is the 30 September. See the QTAC website for more information.

When and where are the auditions?

Location and Dates

Brisbane

Saturday 8 October 2011

Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)/Graduate Diploma in Education QTAC code 429162 only
QUT O Block, B Wing East
Level 4, Kelvin Grove Campus

Round 1:
8am - 2pm

Round 2 (Call Back):
2.30pm - 6.00pm

Brisbane

Sunday 9 October 2011

Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance Performance) QTAC code 421822 only QUT O Block, B Wing East
Level 4, Kelvin Grove Campus

Round 1:
8am-2pm

Round 2 (Call Back):
2.30pm - 6.00pm

Sydney

Saturday 1 October 2011

University of NSW (Kensington Campus) Myers Studio
Gate 2 High Street
9am - 5pm

Melbourne

Saturday 1 October 2011

Australian Ballet School
9am - 5pm

You need to nominate the venue most suitable to you on your registration form. Confirmation of dates, time and place of audition, what to wear, what to bring on the day, will be sent out seven (7) working days after the extended closing date (23 September 2011). Please expect to be in attendance from 8am until 6pm on your day of audition.

Please Note: Registering with QUT for an audition is separate and in addition to listing the course as a preference with QTAC. To successfully apply for entry into this course, you are required to do both. The audition process is managed by QUT Creative Industries; however, all offers for the course will be made through QTAC in the 15 December 2011 offer round.

Course fees

Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. All fees are based on current fixed fee prices. We review fees annually.

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