APDA exams are optional, graded dance exams that show your child's progress in a style. At Top Jazz Ballet the exam syllabus is taught in normal class time, from about age 6, in every APDA exam style. The only extra cost is the examiner's fee, about $60–$90 per exam.
What is the APDA?
The APDA (Australian Professional Dance Association) sets the syllabus and examiners for graded dance exams. Each style has its own syllabus:
| Style | APDA syllabus |
|---|---|
| Ballet | La Beauty Ballet |
| Jazz | Jazz Addict |
| Contemporary | Lucidity |
| Acrobatics | Agility, written by Top Jazz Ballet |
That's right: the APDA's acrobatics syllabus was written here in Bunbury, at TJB.
When do exams start?
From about age 6. The syllabus levels start at the youngest grades, so a child can sit a first exam early and progress grade by grade.
Are they compulsory?
No. About 70% of our performers dance purely for fun and never sit an exam. Exams are a good fit for children who like goals, feedback and a certificate to show for their work.
The one exception is the competition team: comp team members do exams, including a ballet exam, because ballet is the technical foundation. Performers who are only in a hip hop troupe don't need to.
What does exam season look like?
The syllabus is taught in class, and teachers let families know when exams are coming up. Before exams, our performers often hold up an "Excited for our APDA exams" board for a photo, which is a favourite tradition.
Questions?
See the FAQ, or register interest and we'll talk you through it.
Questions parents ask
Are dance exams compulsory at Top Jazz Ballet?
No. About 70% of our performers dance purely for fun. Exams are optional, except for competition team members, who do exams including a ballet exam (unless they're only in a hip hop troupe).
What age do APDA exams start?
From about 6 years old. The syllabus levels start at the youngest grades.
How much do dance exams cost?
The extra cost is the examiner's fee, about $60–$90 per exam. The syllabus itself is taught in normal class time.
Which styles have APDA exams?
We offer exams in every APDA exam style, including ballet (La Beauty Ballet), jazz (Jazz Addict), contemporary (Lucidity) and acrobatics (Agility, which Top Jazz Ballet wrote).