Dance

Resonate Dance Competition

Our Secondary Eisteddfod Dance students had a thrilling experience participating in the Australian Dance Festival (ADF) on Friday and Sunday. ADF is a remarkable celebration of Australia’s top talent in dance, offering a dynamic blend of workshops, industry talks, and captivating performances. The festival offers open classes in a wide range of dance styles, making it a great opportunity for dancers to grow and explore different techniques.

The festival was an incredible whirlwind of excitement, talent, and inspiration for our dance students, who demonstrated their dedication, passion, and courage. Here’s a recap of their unforgettable journey:

Friday 20 September

The day started with our Jazz White team participating in a variety of workshops, where they had the chance to learn from experienced choreographers. It was a motivating experience, guided by an inspirational teacher and surrounded by countless passionate dancers. A highlight of the workshops was that many of our students were selected by the choreographers to perform again in front of the other workshop participants.

In the evening, Jazz White proudly took to the ADF stage to represent our college. They competed in the ‘Resonate’ competition and delivered a breathtaking performance of ‘Day of the Dead,’ captivating the audience with their energy and precision. Their look was enhanced by a professional makeup artist who crafted a stunning, standout design. Congratulations to their choreographer, Miss Alex De Santi, for guiding the team to such a spectacular performance!

Sunday 22 September

On Sunday, our Pymble Eisteddfod Secondary dancers participated in further ADF workshops, getting the change to learn from some of Australia’s top choreographers.

Our students participated in various styles, including Jazz, Contemporary, and Hip Hop, alongside dancers of all ages and skill levels. They loved the chance to try new things, push their boundaries, and connect with other dancers from around the country.

It was an exciting experience, and we are proud of how our dancers embraced every class with enthusiasm and a love for learning. We look forward to seeing the skills and inspiration they bring back to their classes at Pymble!

(Sunday section written by Miss Genevieve Gardiner (Dance Program Co-ordinator))      

Briar Nolet – International Dancer Visits Pymble

On Monday 23 September, our top tier Pymble Dancers were lucky enough to host well-renowned dancer and actress, Briar Nolet, for a two-hour master class.

This special workshop featured a comprehensive class focused on strength, conditioning, technique, and choreography, followed by a Q&A session with Briar. Students also had the chance for a meet-and-greet, where they could take individual photos with her on their devices, along with a group photo. Each student attending received a signed poster.

The dancers are to be commended on their bravery in their approach to taking a class with a celebrity who they all look up to. The experience pushed the students out of their comfort zones and provided a wealth of inspiration.

15 students are now being selected from this workshop to learn a short two to two and half minute troupe routine, created in four hours with Briar, to be performed at the Dance Showcase. This routine will continue to be reworked and cast for years to come.

Congratulations to Teagan Ning (Year 10) who was selected during the workshop as the Number One choice by Briar.

Garden Party

What a spectacular day at the Garden Party! The crowds came in numbers, making it a vibrant and festive atmosphere. Our busy dance day featured performances from our Hip Hop Crew below the chapel stairs, and we proudly showcased our dance stall.

Mrs Pettigrew and the Dance Captains chatted with lots of visitors at the busy stall, sharing insights and discussing all things related to Pymble dance. The friendship bracelet making station was a big hit, with plenty of chatting and connection as they were made.

We also held an exciting raffle with fantastic prizes and all prize winners have been contacted.

• 1st Prize – A dance photoshoot for one dancer and two friends, including digital photos and a 12×18 inch print of each dancer’s favourite shot (valued at $595.00).
• 2nd Prize – Four Dance Showcase tickets (valued at $120.00).
• 3rd Prize – Morning tea with Miss Cluff for one student and two dance friends.

Congratulations to the lucky winners.

It was a lovely day and thank you to our dance staff and student dance leadership team for all their hard work in creating a wonderful dance stall.

2025 Dance Audition Registrations

For a span of over 14 years, Pymble Dance has successfully produced many incredible performance groups, resulting in numerous accomplishments by nurturing student growth and establishing a diverse range of opportunities. We encourage all students who are interested in Dance to register for the auditions. Watch our 2023 Dance Showcase clip here to see our team in action. 

Audition Registration

Please read through our Performance Stream website for more information about auditions, including a link to the registration form.

Dance Holiday Workshops

A range of holiday workshops coming up these holidays. Please see below some updates.

Private Ballet Lessons – **Four sessions available

Students preparing for their RAD ballet examination can now book private ballet intensive lessons on Monday 30 September. Although the sessions are currently closed, we still have four slots available. To secure a last-minute booking, please contact dance@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au

Ballet Holiday Workshops

RAD workshops will be held for Grade 2, Grade 5, Intermediate Foundation, and Intermediate levels on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 October. To secure a last-minute booking, please contact dance@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au Please note that there will be no sessions available for Grade 3 and 4 due to low registration numbers.

Audition Workshops

Audition workshops will be held on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 October. These sessions provide an excellent opportunity for students to come together and review the audition combinations for the 2025 Performance teams. Each workshop will cover technique, audition skills, improvisation, and time to go over the choreography from the video tutorials.

The workshops are currently full, however if you are on the waitlist, the Dance department will reach out if a spot opens. Please note that attendance at these workshops is not part of the audition process, and students will not be at a disadvantage if they cannot attend.

Dance Showcase 2024 – ‘A Date to Remember’

The annual Pymble Dance Showcase is just around the corner, scheduled for Week 5 of Term 4.

This year’s theme is “A Date to Remember.” Students have been reflecting on meaningful memories, moments, and milestones in their co-curricular classes, and all routines will align with this theme.

We encourage all parents and students to check the Dance Showcase website for important information.

Please remember that it is essential for students to attend at least 80% of their lessons throughout the year. We will be reviewing any unexplained absences or those exceeding 20% absences to assess students’ readiness to perform. As Term 4 approaches, we expect all students to attend their classes regularly to prepare for the Showcase. Familiarity with their choreography will help ensure a wonderful experience for everyone.

Additional details will be posted on the showcase website during the term break, including the schedule. Tickets go on sale Week 1 of Term 4.

Katrina Cluff

Head of Dance