Ballet Australasia Limited

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HISTORY OF BALLET AUSTRALASIA LIMITED

Many of our members formerly belonged to the Australian branch of The British Ballet Organisation (London), established in 1937.

The branch, at first under the direction of Mrs Vera Lacey and then Miss Lillian Skinner, worked in complete harmony with its Chairman Mr Edouard Espinosa and later his son Mr Kelland-Espinosa.

After Mr Kelland-Espinosa retired in the mid 1980’s, communication with the new London management began to break down and by early 1989, after much deliberation, it was decided it would be in the best interest of the Australian teachers to sever all ties with The British Ballet Organisation, thus ending a 50 year association.

In July 1989 Ballet Australasia Limited & The National Dancing Association was formally registered as a non profit Australian dance teachers' organisation.

Miss Enid Hall and Mrs Dorothy Kerr BEM were the leading pioneers in getting the Association up and running, establishing all new syllabi, music and teaching aids as well as having the foresight to purchase permanent premises containing a studio and headquarters in Surry Hills, Sydney.

Today, 15 years later the organisation has grown to expand in all states of Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Interim President – Mary Easton
Interim Vice-President – Annette Hill
Secretary – Lynne O'Halloran
Joleen Cotterill
Judith Monteith
Robyn Newton
Elizabeth Pike
Audrey Ann Ward

EXAMINATION GRADING SYSTEM

BAL classical ballet grading is similar to other associations – ie junior grades are from Beginners to Grade 5. Pre Elementary, Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced and Solo Diploma follow on in the senior section. Grade 6 is an optional grade for those physically unable to do pointe work. The BAL Elementary Teaching Diploma exam may be taken after passing Elementary.

Tap and jazz grading is from Beginners to Advanced. The BAL Tap Teaching Diploma exam is available to those who have passed Advanced Tap.

Hip hop grading is from one to four.

National Character syllabi cover a different country for every grade (Pre Grade to Solo).

The Irish Syllabus covers a different dance in each of its 9 Grades.

The Highland dancing exam work is set on the technique laid down by the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing. Students may take their Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced Teaching Certificate on completion of their grade work. When they have obtained a teaching certificate they are then eligible to sit for the Adjudicators exam which upon passing recognises them as a SOBHD adjudicator worldwide.

MARKING & ASSESSMENT

All students receive a written report and those who pass also receive a certificate. Honour badges are available for those who gain HONOURS.

There are perpetual trophies and certificates for the schools obtaining the highest number of HONOURS in exams each year.

The examiners choose INCENTIVE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS from the senior examinations throughout Australia and New Zealand. These students obtain a free week of Summer School at Headquarters Sydney in January

TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS

MBAL – Member of Ballet Australasia Limited
(Any currently financial member who has passed Elementary in Ballet, Tap, Character or Jazz)

MBAL BAL DIP Ballet –
(A member who has passed their Ballet Diploma Examination)

MBAL BAL DIP TAP –
(A member who has passed their Tap Diploma Examination)

MNDAA – Member of the National Dancing Association of Australia
(Any currently financial member who has passed Elementary in Highland)

MNDAA – NDAA Teach Cert (Elem) (or Inter or Adv)
(A member who has passed their Highland Teaching Examination at Elementary or higher level)

PATRON - Rachael Beck

Bio - (pdf~47KB)

ANNUAL EVENTS

The Australasian Highland Championships – held on the first weekend of July school holidays in Sydney. This prestigious event attracts Highland dancers from all over Australia, New Zealand and sometimes Canada and USA.

BAL conducts a Summer School every January at Headquarters in Sydney. A popular event for BAL students, teachers and examiners. It contains a mixture of revision of syllabi and classes given by guest teachers. See picture gallery for more images.

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