Dance Classes Sydney

Gai Massingham is the Head of the Dance Department here at The Performance Studio. With over 15 years of professional experience, Gai is committed to ensuring that all TPS Dance Classes are designed to develop children’s confidence through their dancing.

Our aim is to provide the best Dance Classes Sydney can offer.

The Performance Studio is one of Sydney’s best all-round performing arts schools, providing classes in Acting, Singing, Dance, Musical Theatre, TV & Camera and Private Tuition – everything a dance school offers and so much more.

Studio Directors Brendan & Yvette Monger are both qualified industry professionals who are committed to developing children through the performing arts.

Dance Stream

BALLET:  The RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) Ballet syllabus is followed at TPS. RAD Ballet is widely recognised and highly regarded worldwide. Ballet forms an integral part of a dancer’s training and is the most important style to maintain throughout a student’s development. Any student that shows a keen interest and focus in other areas of dance are strongly advised to take Ballet classes to support their training. In Grade 1 Ballet an Extension class is offered in addition to the regular class for students that are interested in completing their exam or are serious about their dance training.  In Intermediate Foundation level Pointe work forms part of the grade. Once the teachers believe students are ready to progress to Pointe work they must be assessed by our physiotherapist at Inspired Physiotherapy for clearance. Students may do the Pointe component of the class in flat shoes if they wish however they will not be able to sit for their exam until they are on Pointe. From Grade 2 onwards, two classes per week are required.

PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAM:  READY SET DANCE is a performing arts syllabus designed specifically for Pre-Schoolers.  Through exercises such as balancing bean bags, working as a team with the parachute, singing on the microphone, and playing musical instruments, the classes extend beyond dance to develop skills such a teamwork and confidence. The lovable characters TWIRL and FREEZE will soon be inspiring our TPS Pre-Schoolers as they embark on their performing arts journey. READY SET DANCE has been developed using the knowledge of successful dance teachers who have been running classes for this age group for over thirty years. Targeting ages two to five years, the syllabus is perfect for both boys and girls in this foundational level of training.

CONTEMPORARY:  Our Contemporary classes incorporate key techniques from both Classical and Modern dance. As this stream requires a solid technical base, it is highly recommended that students also study Ballet at TPS or have had previous Ballet training.  This class is not suitable for beginners.

HIP HOP:  Hip Hop is a broad style of dance that combines urban influences and features, such as popping, locking, breaking and tutting. These classes are suitable for all students regardless of former dance training. A Boys Only class is available for Boys Year 2 – Year 6 to help them explore dance at a pace that is comfortable for them to do with confidence.

TAP:  In Tap, students learn a mixture of technique and choreography. There is a strong emphasis on repetition with set exercises performed each lesson, as Students aim to perfect both the rhythmical and technical components of the steps. The difficulty of these steps increase throughout the term as students progress.  A variety of Tap styles will be explored over the course of the year. For Junior, Pre-Intermediate and Intermediate Classes, Jazz and Tap are a combined Class

JAZZ:  In Jazz, students learn a mixture of technique and choreography. It is strongly recommended that all students study Ballet in conjunction with their Jazz classes in order to support their development and give them the strength and flexibility required to perform the increasingly demanding skills in their class. Senior Jazz is of an Advanced level and not suitable for beginner dancers. All Senior Jazz students are expected to take part in approximately 3 Eisteddfods throughout the year and regular class attendance is required. For Junior, Pre-Intermediate and Intermediate Classes, Jazz and Tap are a combined Class

LYRICAL:   Lyrical dance is characterised by fluidity and grace and dancers learn to use expressiveness to convey the lyrics of the music. As this class requires a solid technical base, it is limited to Ballet Students studying at a Grade 1 Extension level minimum.

PRE-JUNIOR COMBO:  A class designed for school aged children in Kindergarten or Year 1 as a stepping stone from the Broadway Babies Class into mainstream classes. It consists of Tap, Jazz and Ballet components giving students a sound base of skills required to advance into the Junior age group. It is recommended that students of this age complete at least one year of this class before progressing into the Junior Age group.

TAP:  Students learn technique and choreography in Tap class. There is a strong emphasis on repetition with set exercises performed each lesson as students aim to perfect both the rhythmical and technical components of the steps. The difficulty of these steps increase throughout the term as students’ progress.

SHOW TEAMS:  (Invitation Only) Show Teams are the representative teams for TPS Dance. They participate in community events, Eisteddfods and workshop classes. Invitations to selected students are sent out at the start of the year. To be eligible for selection students must be studying Ballet and Jazz and show a strong focus and determination in their classes. Students are required to maintain excellent class attendance, practice regularly at home and are expected to make the Team a priority as most events fall on Weekends. The Pre-Intermediate Show Team will be rehearsed over a series of workshops rather than a weekly class.

ACROBATICS:  This class is open to advanced level students who are enrolled in dance classes at TPS. Suitability will be assessed by the Head of Dance prior to accepting enrolment. These classes are run offsite by a professional Gymnastics coach and will teach students basic tumbling, acrobatic and stretch skills that will complement their dance training. As fees are paid directly to the facilitators of this course, these classes are not eligible for inclusion in our TPS Fee Package.

ZUMBA:  Zumba is an aerobic fitness programme featuring movements inspired by various styles of Latin American dance and performed primarily to Latin American dance music. It is a great way to have fun whilst exercising.