Western Australian Academy Of Performing Arts

Address
Edith Cowan University, Mount Lawley Campus, 2 Bradford Street
MOUNT LAWLEY
WA 6050

Phone
134 ECU (134 328)

Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Dancer: Ella Cartledge - LINK Dance Company. Photographer: Stephen Heath.

Creativity, performance excellence, intensive training and classroom practice are central to the philosophy of the Dance department at WAAPA. Whether your focus is classical ballet or contemporary dance, WAAPA offers both vocational and degree programs to allow the individual to pursue their chosen career pathway. All courses are full time and range from one to three years duration. Pathways exist for students to articulate from their VET qualifications into the Bachelor of Arts (Dance) degree.

WAAPA dance teachers are committed to both performance and academic excellence, additional subjects offered include choreography, cultural studies, dance history, performance psychology and kinesiology. Coaching, mentoring and pastoral care support healthy student engagement. The training environment is inclusive and lays the foundations for the socially and politically aware performer, teacher, choreographer and/or independent practitioner.

Three performance seasons per year include opportunities to work with national and international visiting artists to ensure that our graduates are industry ready. Professional placements, international exchange programs, and short study tours (when available) provide a local, national and international arts perspective.

WAAPA dance graduates have become renowned performers and creators, leaders in community arts and advocates for equitable arts practice.

Courses

UNDERGRADUATE COURSES:

We offer three consecutive years of full-time ballet OR contemporary focused training. Each pathway allows the student to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (Dance).

Entry for all courses is by audition.

BALLET PROGRAM

Year One: CUA51520 - Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance)

Year Two: CUA60120 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance)Year Three: Bachelor of Arts (Dance) Conversion: ECU Course Code T73

Core studies: ballet, pointe work, pas de deux, repertoire, solos, and performance. Additional studies over three years also include: contemporary technique, fitness, character, choreography, dance history, music, dance teaching methods, anatomy/nutrition, kinesiology, performance psychology and arts administration.

In their final year, students undertake a professional work placement (secondment), with Australian dance companies, independent artists or when possible, international companies.

CONTEMPORARY PROGRAM: Bachelor of Arts (Dance) T73

Students train to professional levels in contemporary and ballet techniques. The course encompasses broad career outcomes including dance performance, choreography, education, research, and arts administration. The BA course also provides insight into dance as an art form of social and educative importance, it nurtures the individual, while providing additional skills in communication, critical thinking, research and analysis.

Core studies: contemporary techniques, ballet, performance, improvisation, duo, repertoire, choreography, dance history, kinesiology, alignment, and body conditioning.

Additional subjects: cultural studies, somatic practice, dance teaching methods, kinesiology, arts administration, related physical disciplines and acting. In their final year, students undertake secondment or industry placement with both Australian companies and/or independent artists. The BA (Dance) is an accepted prerequisite for the Bachelor of Performing Arts (Hons) Dance (LINK Dance Company), Masters, and Doctoral programs in performance research.

Bachelor of Performing Arts (Hons): (1 year full-time study) Course Code W92 LINK DANCE COMPANY

LINK graduate dance company is the only one of its kind in Australia. Each year a new LINK Dance Company is formed, bridging the gap between university studies and professional practice. LINK aims to create compelling performers and to facilitate contribution to choreographic practice and process. Through LINK, dancers have the unique opportunity to develop their research interests while working within a company context. New works are commissioned by highly regarded Australian and international choreographers.

In 2024, BA graduates interested in joining LINK can apply for the Bachelor of Performing Arts (Hons).

Admission Requirements:

Entry by audition and interview on successful completion of a Bachelor of Arts (Dance) or equivalent course, usually with a minimum 70% course average.

Applications are submitted via the ECU portal with subsequent application to Acceptd. This will include a written statement on your rationale for LINK and an outline of your proposed research topic or interest (-300-500 words). Video submissions are required for applicants that cannot attend a face-to-face audition.

POSTGRADUATE COURSES

Master of Arts (Performing Arts): 2 years full time, entry by audition/interview and research project proposal. A Master of Arts by Research is a two-year full-time program and is of the student’s choosing and specialisation, in alignment with the expertise of the WAAPA research program and allocated supervisor. Another option is a research degree with exciting opportunities to align with LINK Dance Company. Artists interested in developing their performance skills and choreographic voice in an exciting performance environment should apply. This course is unique for its ‘workplace’ learning model, embedding students in dance- making practice with world class teaching staff and national and international visiting artists.

YEAR ONE: students undertake research preparation while attending technique class, rehearsal, production, and performance within a professional company environment as they develop their research project.

YEAR TWO: students will be expected to develop an examinable research project, that includes a written exegesis.

Prerequisite qualifications are either a BA with Honours (First Class or Upper Second) or BA with equivalent to Honours industry experience (at least three years). Each student will be interviewed and auditioned.

RTO Code. 4706 | CRICOS IPC 00279B

Practical dance classes per week: Bachelor, Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses: 35 – 40 hrs. All dance programs are intensive and performance based. Honours: 18 hrs p/w plus intensive rehearsal and performance schedule.

Contact hours per day: Bachelor, Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses: 35 – 40 hrs. All dance programs are intensive and performance based. Honours: 18 hrs p/w plus intensive rehearsal and performance schedule.

Pre-requisites/entry requirements: All undergrad courses: All students must submit satisfactory medical reports and attend an audition. Dip. (Elite Performance): All students must attend an audition where the candidate demonstrates competence in ballet at the level of RAD Advanced or the equivalent. See more course information: reachyourpotential.com.au/COURSES/C78. Adv. Dip. (Elite Performance): All students must attend an audition. In the audition, candidates must demonstrate competence in ballet at a pre professional level. Honours: Successful completion of a BA (Dance) course or equivalent. Usually, a 70% course average is required, each student will be interviewed and auditioned to assess their commitment and aptitude for the program. LINK applicants with a Bachelor degree should apply for Bachelor of Performing Arts (Hons) Dance. More info on the LINK web page.

Main teachers: Susan Peacock (Course Coordinator/Lecturer), Justin Rutzou (Coordinator, Contemporary Dance), Kim McCarthy (Coordinator, Classical Dance), Andries Weidemann (Lecturer, Classical Dance), Michael Whaites (Lecturer and Artistic Director of LINK Dance Company). Core Teachers: Louise Roberts, Tracy Blackwell, Lauren Murray, Claire Voss, Jayne Smeulders, Evgenia Plotkin Mikhailov, Kynan Hughes, Bernadette Lewis, Brooke Leeder, Ella Rose-Trew, Rachel Arianne Ogle, Jacob Lehrer, Marnie Orr, Reyes de Lara, Dawn Jackson, Sukhi Shetty-Krishnan, Dr. Jo Pollitt, Jo Pickup, Dr. Joanna Nicholas, Julia Quinn, Isabella May Stone.

Audition date: 04/10 – PERTH – Diploma and Advanced Diploma Auditions

05/10 – PERTH – Bachelor of Arts (DANCE) Auditions

Australia wide auditions for dance programs (Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Bachelor of Arts) will take place in major centres:

29/09 - Brisbane

30/09 - Sydney

01/10 - Canberra

02/10 - Melbourne

03/10 - Adelaide

Audition requirements: Applications are submitted directly to WAAPA with subsequent application to Acceptd. Admission is based on a comprehensive audition (interview only if additional information is required).

Online applications open 1 July and close 22 September.

For more information go to waapa.ecu.edu.au

Fees: The Student Fees Office can answer your enquiries about how much your studies will cost as well as your account and payments. We will also arrange a HELP loan for tuition fees for you if you are eligible.

Scholarships or subsidies: For more information visit http://intranet.ecu.edu.au/student/mo

Possible career options: Classical dancer, contemporary dancer, choreographer, dance instructor, independent artist.