WEBSITE
www.dancebal.com
DIRECTOR
Mary Easton, President of BAL Board of Directors
HISTORY
Founded in 1989 by Australasian dance educators who saw the need for an Australian-based organisation offering dance syllabi to Australasia. Initially providing exam syllabi in Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap and National Character, BAL expanded to include a Hip Hop syllabus co-choreographed by BJ Rorke, a new Jazz syllabus choreographed by Joel Peisley, and an additional Tap syllabus choreographed by Nathan Sheens.
In response to changing industry standards, BAL further expanded its scope by becoming an RTO offering an accredited Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management (CUA 40320).
STYLES/GENRE
Classical Ballet, Jazz, BAL Tap, Tap’N’Beats, Hip Hop, and National Character
GRADING/MARKING SYSTEM
With some variation between genres, the gradings are generally - Beginners Assessment (5 & 6 yrs), Pre-Primary, Primary, Grades 1-5, Grade 6 & Pre-Elementary (Ballet only), Junior Solo, Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced, Senior Solo, Solo Seal Diploma.
TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS
BAL members must hold either an internal Certificate III in Dance Teaching or our accredited Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management (CUS 40320). These qualifications can be taken in the genre of choice, and are available to dancers and teachers from any background or dance organisation.
COMPETITIONS/AWARDS
All exam candidates receive a written report and Certificate of Achievement, with students awarded 97% or higher receiving an Excellence Award. Senior candidates also receive a Senior Achievement medal. Perpetual trophies are awarded annually to BAL studios with the highest exam Honour Points in all genres. BAL holds the Diamond Star Group Competition in Sydney each late-May, open to all studios. We also hold our Audrey Ward Ballet, Tap, and Jazz Scholarships bi-annually, with senior students who receive high passes in their exams invited to enter.
Melissa Dance
BAL Examiner, Board member, Director of Melissa’s Dance Elements, Cert 4 Dance Teaching and Management (Classical Ballet, Jazz & Tap)
How have examinations and assessments evolved, and what do you think is most important for students today?
At BAL, we regularly refresh our syllabi and love introducing new dance genres. Even so, our overall structure and pass marks have stayed reassuringly consistent. For our youngest dancers, we offer gentle assessments rather than formal exams, helping them ease into the world of dance testing with confidence. We also take a more relaxed examination style for Hip Hop and Tap’N’Beats, keeping the experience fun and supportive. Our goal is always to make sure students feel encouraged and enjoy their time in the exam environment, while still honouring the strong technique and standards that our syllabus is known for.
What do you see as the real value of syllabus training and exams for young dancers?
Syllabus training is such an important part of a dancer’s journey. It gives students of all ages a strong, reliable technical foundation and it truly benefits every style of dance. Each syllabus level is thoughtfully designed to build skills and understanding at a pace that suits the student, helping them grow safely and confidently. When young dancers try difficult steps without this foundation, it can be unsafe—so a solid grounding really does make all the difference. Syllabus work also reassures parents that their child’s teacher is qualified and committed to recognised, proven methods of dance education.
It’s also wonderfully rewarding for students to sit exams. They gain a genuine sense of achievement and pride for all the hard work they’ve put in throughout the year. The exam process should be enjoyable and uplifting, and good teachers make sure their students feel prepared and confident—without any last-minute stress. It’s equally important that parents keep expectations gentle and supportive, allowing their children to experience the joy of learning and progressing at their own pace.
In your view, what makes your syllabus distinctive compared to others?
At BAL, we take great pride in offering syllabi that inspire every dancer. Our programs are designed to stretch and challenge the more gifted students, while also giving encouragement and genuine success to the average learner. We understand that every studio has a beautiful mix of abilities, and our aim is to support each dancer so they can shine in their own way.
We also strive to make life easier for teachers by providing everything—from syllabus materials to professional support—through one trusted organisation. This helps avoid the stress of juggling multiple exam sessions, memberships, and different administrative bodies.
Our BAL team is warm, approachable, and always ready to help. Teacher members can access free technical support whenever they need it. Examiners are available for lessons on request, and each genre has a dedicated technical advisor to answer questions that don’t require a full session.
Our annual Summer School, held every January, is an invaluable opportunity for teachers to observe syllabus classes, receive helpful corrections, gather practical suggestions, and gain valuable exam insights from experienced examiners and teachers.
With our strong commitment to quality dance syllabi and accredited teacher training, BAL truly offers a supportive, reliable home for dance teachers across all genres.