Are you an adult who wishes you could have trained in ballet as a child? Or do you dream of continuing your training where you left off years ago? If so, Joy of Dance offers you a unique opportunity.
Our Adult Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Program trains adult students for ballet exams. This one-of-a-kind program offers conservatory-style training within an accessible, part-time schedule. Directed by Emily Tench, the courses inspire discovery and excellence in an inclusive environment. We see your potential and want to help you reach your goals.
The Adult RAD Ballet Program courses are 10 months long, September-June. Most courses have 2 classes per week. For information on Term Dates and Fees, please scroll down to the drop-down menu.
Dancers can take courses from either stream. For the best results, we suggest alternating between streams.
1 year course
September 11, 2022 to June 18, 2023
1 year course
September 11, 2022 to June 18, 2023
1 or 2 year course
September 11, 2022 to June 18, 2023 (some students may need a second year to be exam ready)
1 year course
September 11, 2022 to June 18, 2023
*This is a repertoire class for Intermediate-Advanced level dancers. It is not a technique
class. We strongly recommend students attend at least 1 technique class/ week on top of
their repertoire class
1 year course
September 11, 2022 to June 18, 2023
Note: This course is a supplemental technique and pointe class intended for students training towards Discovering Rep Level 3, Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1 or Advanced 2. This course does not include an exam.
For more information about the courses we offer, please see the descriptions below.
All new students must attend an in-person or virtual, private or group assessment. If you are interested in the program, please fill out our “New Student Form” and you will be contacted to schedule your assessment shortly.
The studio is CLOSED on Sunday April 3 and Monday April 4 for Easter.
The RAD offers a series of 5 vocational syllabi which provide an in depth, progressive education in ballet. Each syllabus course introduces movements and concepts appropriate to the level. In these courses, you will develop the skills to dance confidently at an advanced, or professional, level.
Female syllabus work:
Male syllabus work:
Prerequisite: 3 years of continuous ballet training at beginner and advanced beginner levels.
Assessment: Group or private assessment required for new students.
Current Course Registration: September 2021
Next Exam Period: June 2022
Intermediate Foundation is a course for advanced beginners. Through basic choreography, you will develop your fundamental ballet technique and hone your artistic skills. To be exam ready in this course, we recommend you take 2 RAD classes a week. To supplement your training, we also recommend you take at least 1 non-exam ballet class per week and practice at home 1-2 hours a week.
All: Basic pas de bourrées, single pirouettes en dehors and en dedans, developes devant and 2nd in the centre. Allergo: glissades de côté, basic assemblés, sissonnes fermé, jeté ordinaire, temps levé in 1st arabesque, grand jetés.
Male: single tour en l’àir.
Pointe: Courus sur place, relevés 5th and echappé relevés at the barre and in the centre.
Prerequisite: 3-5 years of continuous ballet training and 1 year of pointe experience for women or having passed the RAD Intermediate Foundation exam.
Assessment: Group or private assessment required for new students.
Next Course Dates: September 2022 to June 2023
Registration: September 2022
Next Exam Period: June 2023
RAD Intermediate is the first mandatory syllabus. It is a prerequisite for all advanced-level RAD exams. You must also pass this level to apply for RAD teacher training. To be exam ready in this course, we recommend you take 2 RAD classes per week. To supplement your training, we also recommend you take 1-2 non-exam ballet classes per week and practice at home 1-3 hours a week. Dancers who are not interested in taking exams are still welcome to take this course.
All: Double pirouettes en dehors and en dedans, posé piqué turns en dedans, fouetté of adage, developé passé, entrechat quatre, assemblé battu, sissonne ouvert, brissé dessus, pas de basque sauté.
Male: Grand allegro and chassé coupé turns en manège, single tours en l’air, sissonnes with changes of alignment.
Pointe: Barre: Coupé fouetté racourci and posé piqué de côté. Centre: Relevé devant/ derriere/ passé, temps lié en avant and de côté, courus de côté and en tournent.
Prerequisite to take the course: 5+ years of continuous training and 2-3 years of pointe for women.
Prerequisite to take the exam: Having passed the RAD Intermediate Exam
Assessment: Group or private assessment required for new students.
Current Course Dates: September 2020 to June 2022
Registration: Closed/Pending Assessment and special circumstances.
Next Exam Period: June 2022
This course introduces ballet movements used by professional dancers. The choreography you will learn in this course is both challenging and fun. To attend this course, your posture and alignment must be secure. Your turnout, core, feet and legs must be strong and well controlled. To be exam ready in this course, we recommend you take 2 RAD classes per week. To supplement your training, we also highly recommend you take 2-3 non-exam ballet classes per week and plan to spend a minimum of 2 hours a week practicing in your own time.
All: Double pirouettes en dedans with fouetté, posé piqué turns en dedans, pivots (promenade) in attitude derrière, entrechat trios and cinq, brissé desus, failli, sissonne doublé, ballonnée, grand jeté en tournent.
Male: Double tour en l’air, multiple piroettes en deshors.
Pointe: Barre: relevé 1-1. Centre: relevé passé with ¼ turns, assemblé soutinue, posé piqué en avant to arabesque, posé piqué de côté and en arrière to retiré, emboités, single pirouettes en dehors and en dedans, posé piqué turns en dedans.
Prerequisite to take the course: 6+ years of continuous training and 4-6 years of pointe for women or having passed the RAD Advanced Foundation exam.
Prerequisite to take the exam: Pass the RAD Intermediate Exam
Assessment: Group or private assessment required for new students.
Current Course Dates: September 2022 to June 2023
Registration: Closed/Pending Assessment and special circumstances.
Next Exam Period: June 2023
Advanced 1 is a true vocational syllabus. The movements taught in this course can be seen in professional ballets around the world. The training is detailed, demanding and rewarding. To be exam ready in this course, we recommend you take 2 RAD classes per week. To supplement your training, we also recommend you take 3-5 non-exam ballet/pointe classes per week (at the advanced level). Plan on practicing a minimum of 2 hours a week in your own time. To succeed at this level, you must maintain a high level of fitness, strength and flexibility. To prevent injuries, we recommend cross training such as Pilates and yoga.
In your first year, you will learn all the movement vocabulary needed for the exam. Training focuses on strength, coordination, control and artistry.
In your second year, you will solidify your technique, learn the exam choreography and prepare (both mentally and artistically) for your exam.
All: Pas de bourrée couru, pivots (promenade) in arabesque, penchée, fouetté turns (female, demi-pointe), Piroettes finishing in open positions, chainés, coupé brisse, sissonnes changées, fouetté sauté, ballottés sautés.
Male: Pivots (promenades) à la second, pirouettes à la second, double tours en l’air, retiré passé sauté, pas de basque sauté battu, sissonne battu fermé, sauté de basque en menage
Pointe: polka step, single pirouettes en dedans with fouetté, posé piqué turns en deshors, chainés, emboité turns, relevé in 2nd en l’air with rond de jambe en l’air, sissonne fermé relevés.
The RAD recently introduced 3 new syllabi called Discovering Repertoire. Their focus is teaching solo variations from classical ballets like The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, and Coppélia. In each Discovering Repertoire syllabus there are 3 possible exams: a technique-class exam, a variation 1 exam and a variation 2 exam. Each 2 hour class includes a technique class and then variation training. Depending on your ability, you may take class in soft shoes or all on point. Male and female dancers will train together, however they have different variations.
For more information about Discovering Repertoire, see the course descriptions below. To get a taste of these new syllabi, watch this RAD video:
Watch VideoLevel equivalent:
Assessment: In-studio assessment required.
Next Course: TBA Please fill out our NEW STUDENT FORM if you are interested.
Registration: TBA
Exam Period: TBA
This year the course will focus on the variations from Giselle and Coppélia. Classes are two hours long. The first hour is a technique class. The second hour focuses on progressively training the variations. Regardless of your ability, this course will give you the confidence needed to perform each variation. There are two possible formats for this course. We can choose to do 2 exams, one in February and one in June, or we can spend the whole year working towards 2 exams in June.
1.Technique Class
2.Variation 1: Coppélia
3.Variation 2: Giselle
Level equivalent:
Assessment: In-studio assessment required.
Current Course: September 2022 – June 2023
Registration: September 2022
Next Exam Period: June 2023
This course will focus on the variations from The Sleeping Beauty and Paquita. Classes will be two hours long. The first hour will be a technique class. The second hour will focus on progressively training the variations. Regardless of your ability, this course will give you the confidence needed to perform each variation. There are two possible formats for this course. We can choose to do 2 exams, one in February and one in June. Or we can spend the whole year working towards 2 exams in June.
Female: Princess Florine (Blue Bird)
Male: Act 2, Prince Désiré
Female: Pas de Trois
Male: Variation from Paquita
Level equivalent:
On Pointe or Demi-Pointe: Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1, Advanced 2.
Assessment: In-studio assessment required.
Student Trajectory: To take this course, you must complete Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1 or Discovering Repertoire Level 3. Female dancers preparing for Advanced 1 or Advanced 2 should take the course on pointe.
Next Course: September 2023 to June 2024
Registration: Summer of 2023
Exam Period: June 2024
This year the course will focus on the variations from Giselle and Coppélia. Classes are two hours long. The first hour is a technique class. The second hour focuses on progressively training the variations. Regardless of your ability, this course will give you the confidence needed to perform each variation. There are two possible formats for this course. We can choose to do 2 exams, one in February and one in June, or we can spend the whole year working towards 2 exams in June.
Female: Act 2, Odette
Male: Act 3, Prince Siegfried
Female: Sugar Plum Fairy
Male: Act 2, The Nutcracker Prince
Progressing Ballet Technique is an innovative dance conditioning program developed by Marie Walton-Mahon in Australia. This training system develops a dancer’s muscle memory to improve their core stability, weight placement and alignment, as well as over-all strength and control. Dancers perform exercises using a fitness ball or resistance band. The tools give the dancer immediate feedback on their alignment while training specific muscle groups and coordinations required for ballet and other dance forms. Each exercise has been developed with the care and guidance of a team of physiotherapists. The system is now taught world wide and has helped countless dancers prepare for careers in dance.
Please stay tuned to our website for future website.
Adult Ballet Summer Intensive (August 25-28, 2022)
Thursday and Friday: 6:00-9:00pm
Saturday and Sunday: 9:30am-4:00pm
EARLY BIRD RATE (ends July 4th ): $300+hst
Regular Price: $325+hst
Optional: Saturday OR Sunday OR Thursday + Friday (together): $125+hst
LEVELS:
Beginner-Plus/ Elementary:
– 3-5 Years of Ballet Training
– RAD Intermediate Foundation – Intermediate
Intermediate/ Advanced:
– 6+ Years of Ballet Training
– RAD Advanced Foundation – Advanced 1
CLASSES:
Ballet Technique
Pointe (soft shoes optional)
Variations
Conditioning and Stretch
Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT)*
To Register:
Call: 416-406-3262
Email: info@joyofdance.ca
Or sign up online
*Progressing Ballet Technique is a conditioning class created specifically for ballet dancers. If you are able please bring:
-65-75 cm Fitness Ball
-9-14 cm Fusion Ball (or children’s ball)
-lacrosse ball
-medium strength theraband
To apply for any Adult exam course, you must first book an assessment. This ensures that you are placed in a level that matches your abilities. To book an assessment, please fill out the New Student Form.
If you have less than 2 or 3 years of ballet training, we recommend you take Adult Beginner Ballet for 1 year, followed by Adult Advanced Beginner Ballet for 1 to 2 years. We do not offer RAD ballet exams for beginner adult dancers.
The Intermediate RAD exam is a prerequisite for all Advanced levels. If you have non-RAD training, please let us know. The RAD recognizes some exams from other organizations.
To prepare for a ballet exam, we recommend you take 2 exam classes per week. Depending on your level, you should supplement these exam classes with 1 to 4 drop-in ballet classes per week. This will give you the fitness, strength, confidence and consistency required for the exam.
Adult RAD courses are progressive. This means that each new movement of concept introduced is building on skills you have learned previously. Each course has three terms. During term 1 you will learn preparatory exercises. This training will give you the technical skills needed for the exam material. In term 2, you will learn the set exam choreography. In term 3, we will clean and finesse your choreography and prepare you (mentally and artistically) for your exam.
If you want rigorous ballet training, but do not want to take an exam, you are still welcome in our adult RAD program. You may take any exam-level course without doing the exam.
If you are an aspiring RAD teacher, you must pass the Intermediate exam before you can apply to the RAD’s teacher training program. For more information on the RAD’s teacher training options, visit radcanada.org.
At Joy of Dance Centre we are proud to share our Adult RAD Ballet Program training with people outside the Greater Toronto Area! You can register for our courses virtually and attend the classes from your own home or local studio. HOWEVER, please note that virtual training is not a replacement for in person training.
There are many benefits to virtual training but a virtual teacher will not be able to catch all your mistakes and technical issues, even with the best HD video and home studio setup. Also, because we can’t put our hands on you, it is sometimes challenging for the virtual student to understand and fix corrections.
We can not enter virtual students for ballet exams. However, many international students have used our virtual classes to support their local in-person RAD ballet classes! If your local teacher feels you are ready for an exam, they may enter you for your ballet exam through their studio.
At Joy of Dance we are well equipped to teach virtual private ballet lessons. Working 1 on 1 with virtual students, and not concurrently with an in-person class, is very beneficial for the student’s progress. With the teacher’s attention 100% focused on the screen we can offer much more detailed feedback.
Virtual Private, 45 minutes: $65 +hst
Please see the drop-down menu below for virtual Adult RAD registration fees: Term Dates and Fees
If you have questions about Virtual RAD Ballet classes or private lessons, please email our admin team: ballet@joyofdance.ca
Term Fees:
Once/ week: 14 classes: $406 + HST
RAD Private Lessons:
Single, 30 minutes: $45
RAD Jump-in Passes:
Single: $31
5-Class Pass: $150
10-Class Pass: $299
Monday start : Jan 2
Friday start : Jan 6
Saturday start : Jan 7 (1 week earlier than previously scheduled)
Sunday start : Jan 8
Wednesday start : Jan 11
Thursday start : Jan 12
*no classes on January 21st, April 7th, 9th, 10th
Term Fees:
In person – Once/ week: 14 classes: $464 + HST
*2 make-up classes available
Virtual – Once/ week: 14 classes: $336 + HST
*class recording offered for missed classes
*no classes Sunday/Monday, May 21/22
Term Fees:
In person – Once/ week: 14 classes: $203 + HST
*1 make-up classes available
Virtual – Once/ week: 14 classes: $147 + HST
*class recording offered for missed classes
RAD Private Lessons:
RAD Exam Coaching, 30 minutes: $45
Virtual Private, 45 minutes: $65
RAD Jump-in Passes – In Person:
Single: $31, Virtual Single: $23
5-Class Pass: $150, Virtual 5-Class Paass: $110
10-Class Pass: $299
RAD Exam Fees 2022/23:
RAD Intermediate Foundation: $155
RAD Intermediate: $170
Advanced Foundation: Member – $185, Non-Member – $320
Discovering Repertoire Level 3: $75
Are you interested in training for RAD exam and you don’t know what level you are at? At Joy of Dance, you have access to a $30 private assessment for 45 minutes. Please call for availability.
All new students who are interested in joining the Adult RAD Ballet Program must attend an assessment. Dancers can be assessed in our Elementary/Intermediate or Advanced level jump-in ballet classes or in currently running RAD syllabus classes. Please call to book your spot in a class. Jump-in class rates apply.
If you are registered for one of our Teen or Adult RAD programs and are preparing for a ballet exam you have access to RAD coaching classes. These are half hour private lessons specifically designed to work on your exam exercises and choreographies. We want you to succeed in your exams, and private lessons give a huge boost to your training and progress. Contact your teacher for bookings. You have access to a 30 minute coaching session for $45.
Training for an RAD ballet exam takes commitment. Here is what we expect of you, and what you can expect from us:
This program takes time and commitment. We understand that as an adult student, you have a career, a family, and non-dance obligations. We recognize that teaching ballet to adults is different than teaching ballet to children and youth. We encourage you to work hard, but will treat you with respect and empathy. We want your experience to be engaging, satisfying and rewarding.
Any dancer who wishes to register for the Adult RAD Ballet Program is welcome, regardless of their gender identity/expression. Any dancer who wishes to learn pointe may do so. Any dancer who wishes to learn the traditionally “Female” or “Male” choreography may.
Dancers have the freedom to wear a training uniform that best suites their gender expression. It may be the traditionally Female or Male uniform, or one that the dancer creates. The uniform should:
– be form fitting to allow teachers to correct technique
– allow for freedom of movement
Gender and RAD Ballet Exams
The RAD’s current policies on gender in examinations are as follows:
Students must chose a binary gender (Female or Male) to perform. They can not perform material from both genders in one exam. However students may chose to take 2 exams for the same level, preforming the Male work in one exam, and the Female work in the next.
-Students may chose to wear either the Female or Male uniform in the exam. The uniform does not need to match the gender of the choreography being performed.
Someday perhaps the RAD will find a way to include a non-binary examination and uniform.
Our Current Gender Labeling
The binary gender labels we are using for registration purposes mean the following:
Women (Pointe): Includes Pointe work and Female Variations.
Men: Includes Male specific Allegro and Pirouettes and Male Variations. Does not include Pointe work.
*Dancers who wish to learn Pointe should pay Female Term Registration Fees.
*Please speak to your teacher about what syllabus material you are interested in learning in class as well as your chosen pronouns.
Dancers have the freedom to wear the training uniform that best suits their gender expression. It may be a traditional Female or Male uniform, or one that the dancer creates.
The uniform should:
The RAD’s current policies on uniforms in examinations are as follows:
Students may choose to wear either the Female or Male uniform in the exam. The uniform does not need to match the gender of the choreography being performed.
The only requirements for hair style in our ballet classes and RAD exams are the following:
We support and encourage dancers to wear shoes and tights that match their skin tone if they desire. This is also encouraged for RAD exams.
Specific RAD Ballet Exam Uniforms
Female: Vocational Syllabus (Intermediate Foundation-Advanced 2)
Body Suite: sleeveless or capped sleeve scooped neck leotard
Body Suite Colours: black, navy blue, royal blue, purple
Skirt: Variation 1: Half/practice tutu may be worn. Colour should tone or match with leotard.
Variation 2: Short chiffon wrap skirt may be worn . Colour should match or tone with leotard.
Belt: optional. 2cm elastic, colour to match leotard
Tights: flesh coloured or pink tights
Shoes: Soft blocks or dead pointe shoes
Must have ribbons
*Intermediate Foundation only: soft ballet slippers may be worn
Colour: flesh coloured or pink, with matching ribbons.
Pointe shoes worn for the pointe work section
Hair: Pulled up off your face and neck in a secure style that will not fall out.
Male: Vocational Syllabus (Intermediate Foundation and Intermediate)
Top: Leotard or well-fitted short sleeved t-shirt worn tucked into tights
Top Colour: white
Tights: grey, navy or black stirrup tights
Socks: white socks, worn over the tights
Shoes: white or black, canvas or leather soft ballet shoes with white elastic.
Hair: Pulled up off the face and neck in a secure style that will not fall out.
Male: Vocational Syllabus (Advanced Foundation-Advanced 2)
Top: Leotard
Top Colour: white, black, navy
Tights: grey, navy or black stirrup tights
Socks: white or black (should match shoes), worn over the tights
Shoes: white or black (should match socks). Canvas or leather soft ballet shoes with elastic.
Hair: Pulled up off the face and neck in a secure style that will not fall out.
Female: Discovering Repertoire, Levels 2-4:
Body Suite: capped sleeve scooped neck or camisole leotard
Body Suite Colour: black, burgundy
Skirt: Variations: Optional asymmetrical knee length chiffon skirt to match leotard,
OR a romantic or classical tutu in white or black with-or-without decorative ribbons may be worn.
No Belt
Tights: flesh coloured or pink tights
Shoes: soft ballet shoes in satin, canvas or leather
Pointe shoes or soft pointe shoes may be worn for Units: Variation 1 and Variation 2, in all
levels.
Colour: flesh coloured or pink
Elastic or ribbons, should match colour of tights and shoes
*Note: Units: Variation 1 and 2 must be performed completely wearing the pointe shoes, the dancer cannot change shoes half way through.
Male: Discovering Repertoire, Levels 2-4:
Top: short sleeved leotard or well fitted t-shirt
Top Colour: white, navy or black
Tights: grey, navy or black stirrup tights
Socks: white or black (should match shoes), worn over the tights
Shoes: white or black ballet shoes in canvas or leather with matching elastic and socks
The Adult RAD Program at Joy of Dance offers small class sizes for excellent student to teacher ratio. If registration numbers are too low, however, rather than cancel classes we will make the following adjustments:
4-5 registered students*: Semi-private course
Regular Course Fees, No Make-up classes offered, limited live accompanist
6+ registered students*: Group class
Regular Course Fees, 2 Make-up classes offered per term. limited live accompanist.
8+ registered students*: Group class
Regular Course Fees, 2 Make-up classes offered per term. live accompanist 1 class/week.
In-person students in registered classes with 6 or more students are allowed 2 make-up classes, per registered class, per 14 week term, OR 1 make-up class per registered class , per 8 week term. Virtual students do not have make-up classes. Instead they will receive a video copy of the class for the day.
Make-up Email protocol:
Teen and Adult Ballet Program Director
Ballet
Hard work, mental focus and dedication are all part of the process. Just remember that in life the best part is often the journey not the destination which gives us our greatest joy. Step into your future, point your toes and embrace your dream.
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