Vocational Auditions
15:30 - 17:00 on Sunday 28th June 2026
St Anne’s Church Hall, Park Hill, Moseley, B13 8DU
This term we have auditions to join our Vocational Ballet classes from September, and the audition is open to all ballet students at RNSD aged 10+.
Auditions will be on Sunday 28th June at St Anne's Church, Park Hill, Moseley, B13 8DU from 3:30 - 5:00
Students will take a warm up and then a very simple ballet class with one of RNSD's teachers, observed by other RNSD teaching staff. Students should wear classical attire and only ballet shoes & water will be required
What are vocational classes?
If your dancer is looking for a challenge, this is it!
The Vocational syllabi is offered by the Royal Academy of Dance offers for dancers looking to push their dancing to the next level. The Vocational classes focus on a serious study of classical ballet. There is no Character Dancing but instead Pointe Work for girls and additional Allegro (jumps) for boys. Each grade is longer and more complex than the Graded syllabus and the examinations also include Free Enchaînements (a free exercise) set by the examiner on the day which have not been pre-rehearsed.
Vocational ballet classes are more challenging and faster paced than Graded ballet classes and they consist of 5 levels, the first level is Intermediate Foundation, following to Intermediate, Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1 and finally Advanced 2. Dancers who pass Advanced 2 with Distinction are eligible to take the Solo Seal Award; this year RNSD is entering our first ever Solo Seal candidate; exciting times!As you'd imagine, the marking criteria is stricter too and the exams are significantly harder to pass, especially in the Advanced levels. This is why we have to carefully assess whether a student has the required technical and intellectual ability to be able to pass these exams in the future. Students are challenged but they absolutely love these classes and the sense of achievement when they pass their first exam is wonderful!.
What will I have to commit to?
In addition to their regular Grade class, dancers will join two Vocational Classes a week - this is non-negotiable. Classes should not be missed and pupils should be prepared to practice during the holidays. Vocational students are also expected to attend pre-pointe/pointe work classes and additional stretch classes (free of charge). They also perform more in our shows and have opportunities to perform at fetes and Christmas events.
What criteria do I need to meet?
- A sound understanding of basic classical technique (control of posture and turnout).
- A good ability to perform confidently & musically.
- A quickness to pick up new choreography.
- A good level of flexibility in the feet, legs and back.
- A good attitude to class. A student who is keen to learn, works hard and is able to listen to and implement corrections will do well.This is to ensure children have the qualities to be able to pass the stringent Vocational Examinations.
If my audition is successful, when are the classes?
Classes are in Moseley on Wednesdays from 4:45 - 6:00 with Miss Geraldine and Saturdays from 9:45 - 11:00 + 11:00 - 12:00 pre-pointe & stretch with Miss Debbie. Both are the school's longest serving teachers and prepare the students diligently for the exams.
Both classes must be attended each week in addition to the current Grade class and students must not miss classes.
Sounds exciting but how much will this cost my parents?
Classes are subsidised by RNSD. At other schools, an hour's Vocational class could be anything upwards of £15/ class. We're able to subsidise these down and a student attending one grade class each week plus two vocational classes is £24.70 for the 3h15m tuition. You also get free access to a half-hour pre-pointe/ pointe class and a half-hour stretch class taking the total tuition hours to 4h15m for £24.70/week.
For female candidates, pointe shoes + accessories are about £90 the first time you go but then can be less than £60/ pair. We will write to your dancer when its time to buy pointe shoes. They don't need them for the start of term.
All candidates will receive feedback to allow them to continue to progress in their classes.
Successful candidates can join the Intermediate Foundation classes from Saturday 5th September onwards.
Unsuccessful candidates can then work on their feedback and are very welcome to audition again at a later date stage. From past auditions, we have accepted about one in six students into the Vocational classes. Dancers must be prepared for a "no". As a rough measure, usually successful candidates are achieving 65%+ in their Graded exams, but this isn’t always the case.
Think you’re up for the Challenge?
Click to book your place now.
