National Ballet School (The)

Address
Corner Carlisle and Barkly Streets
ST KILDA
VIC 3182

Phone
03 9534 0224

Website
nationaltheatre.org.au/ballet-school/pre-professional/

Email
enquiries@nationaltheatre.org.au

The National Ballet School. Dancers (L-R) Fletcher Thomas, Magnus Gilmore, Patrick Annetta and Michael Boato. Photographer: Jacinta Christos.

Cultivating the stars of the future, The National Ballet School is one of Australia’s preeminent dance training institutions devoted to providing exceptional dance training to students of all ages. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Damian Smith, a renowned former Principal Dancer with the San Francisco Ballet, The National Ballet School offers a suite of pre-professional full-time accredited courses (Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Dance) that provide a professional pathway to elite performance.

As the birthplace of dance training in Australia, The National Ballet School (est 1939) has trained more than 16,000 young artists and boasts an esteemed alumni and faculty such as Marilyn Jones, Amber Scott, and Jarryd Madden to name a few.

Our commitment to cultivating creativity and excellence manifests through small intimate classes, individual development pathways tailored for your specific skills, experiences and goal, and multiple entry and exit points to suit your study, work and lifestyle needs.

“I learnt to fly at the National. The National Theatre Ballet School taught me how to perform, how to be an artist and a dancer. How to transcend the everyday, into the mysterious world of the stage. Without it I would never have known the joys which have become my life as a professional dancer.” Amber Scott, Principal Dancer, The Australian Ballet

Courses

CUA50113 Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance)

CUA60113 Advanced Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance)

CUA40120 Certificate IV in Dance

Main subjects: Classical, Pointe, Pas De Deux, Male Coaching, Contemporary, Classical Repertoire, International Character Dance Syllabus, Pilates, Drama, Choreography, Anatomy, Nutrition, Acro and Career Preparation.

Practical dance classes per week: Onstage Classical Ballet classes and rehearsals, Choreography and Contemporary workshops, 4 performances per year, Photoshoots, Repertoire, Community engagements, Public events, Private coaching, Film preparation, National and International Competition preparation.

Contact hours per day: 30 to 35 hours over a 5/6-day week

Pre-requisites/entry requirements: Entry Requirements: Age 15 or over, or the completion of Year 10 or International equivalent.

Acceptance is by audition only. Students without formal qualifications will need to provide The National Ballet School with evidence of an LLN test in order to access VET Student Loan funding.

Applicants must be at an Advanced Level from a Recognised Classical Ballet Syllabus.

Main teachers: Artistic Director, Mr. Damian Smith - former Principal Artist of the San Francisco Ballet Company, Associate Artistic Director, Ms Jane Inglis-Keen - former Ballerina with The Australian Ballet. Artistic Director, Mr. Damian Smith - former Principal Artist of the San Francisco Ballet Company, Associate Artistic Director, Ms Jane Inglis-Keen - former Ballerina with The Australian Ballet. Transitional Pathways Coordinator, Ms Ezlimar Dortolina - former Ballerina with Oklahoma City Ballet, Jackie Rae Lythgo, Head of Musical Theatre, Ms.Yuiko Masukawa (classical ballet) former Ballerina Melbourne City Ballet, Ms Alida Segal (Character) - former dancer with Moiseyev School of National and Character Dance Moscow.

Audition date: Register your interest for 2025 intake at https://nationaltheatre.org.au/ballet-full-time-eoi/

October auditions date will be released in July.

Audition requirements: Students need to supply documentation with age, academic levels and level of Classical Ballet training or other genres of dance. Video submissions are acceptable. Successful candidates will need to supply a full medical history.

Fees: AU/NZ student fees Tuition fees $11,681 (inc gst) per annum.

International Students Tuition fees $14,779 per annum.

Scholarships or subsidies: The Arrellah Indigenous Scholarship, The Gertrude Johnson Scholarship, The Jean Stewart Scholarship, The Miss Eileen Tasker Scholarship.

Possible career options: Professional career in the dance industry.