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Join a Southern Tablelands Primary Dance Ensemble – Take your dancing to the next level!
Join a Southern Tablelands Primary Dance Ensemble – Take your dancing to the next level!
We are excited to invite students to audition for the Southern Tablelands Primary Dance Ensembles 2026.
Established in 2025, the ensemble continues to provide a high-quality performance opportunity for talented NSW public school dancers in Years 4 to 6 across the Southern Tablelands and beyond.
The Ensemble is designed for dedicated, passionate young dancers seeking opportunities beyond what is typically available in a school setting. It is more than just a dance group — it is an elite performance experience where students are immersed in professional rehearsal environments, high-level choreography, and the creative process of developing a polished performance work.
Why Join the Ensemble?
Why Join the Ensemble?
⭐ Advanced Training & Technique Development: Students work with specialist choreographers and educators who challenge and extend their technical and expressive abilities. Dancers will refine skills in musicality, dynamics, spatial awareness, and performance artistry.
⭐ Collaboration with like-minded dancers: Meet and work with other talented young dancers from diverse schools and backgrounds. This ensemble fosters teamwork, trust, and shared creativity - key qualities of any successful performer.
⭐ Performances: Experience the excitement of performing in a high-calibre production at the Southern Tablelands Dance Festival - with the opportunity to audition for the State Dance Festival, one of the most prestigious dance showcases in NSW.
⭐ Increased confidence and stage presence: Students develop confidence in expressing themselves through movement, strengthen their stagecraft, and learn how to captivate an audience as part of a cohesive ensemble.
⭐ Preparation for future opportunities: This ensemble is the perfect stepping stone for students considering future dance studies, high school dance ensembles, or professional performance opportunities. The skills and experiences gained will set dancers apart as they continue their artistic journey.
If you are ready to challenge yourself, grow as a dancer, and be part of something extraordinary, apply now to audition for the Southern Tablelands Primary Dance Ensemble!
Enquiries
Enquiries
Please contact Sue Dawson - Arts Coordination Officer should you have any further questions or concerns:
E: susan.i.dawson@det.nsw.edu.au
P: 0402 992 897
TWO GREAT ENSEMBLES TO CHOOSE FROM!
TWO GREAT ENSEMBLES TO CHOOSE FROM!
Southern Tablelands (Goulburn) Primary Dance Ensemble
Southern Tablelands (Goulburn) Primary Dance Ensemble
📅 Audition date: Monday 23 February 2026 (Term 1 Week 5)
🕘 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
📍 Queanbeyan East Public School - 10 Yass Road Queanbeyan
⭐This ensemble will perform at the Southern Tablelands Dance Festival - Goulburn Showcase - Monday 15 to Wednesday 17 June (Term 2 Week 9)
Ensemble members may also perform with their school in a school item at the festival if applicable.
Southern Tablelands (Picton) Primary Dance Ensemble
Southern Tablelands (Picton) Primary Dance Ensemble
📅 Audition date: Wednesday 25 February 2026 (Term 1 Week 5)
🕘 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
📍 Picton Public School - 27 Lumsdaine Street Picton
⭐This ensemble will perform at the Southern Tablelands Dance Festival - Picton Showcase - Tuesday 9 to Thursday 11 June (Term 2 Week 8)
Ensemble members may also perform with their school in a school item at the festival if applicable.
Important information and how to get involved
Important information and how to get involved
How to apply
How to apply
Interested students must have a parent or carer complete the Southern Tablelands Primary Dance Ensemble application form by Thursday 19 February 2026 (Term 1 Week 4).
After applications close, school principals will be contacted to endorse the participation of nominated students.
📅 All applicants are invited to attend the relevant audition.
Following the auditions, the choreographers will nominate students for selection into the 2026 Ensembles.
Only selected ensemble members will be required to attend all subsequent rehearsals and performances.
Students will be notified of audition results by Monday 2 March (Term 1 Week 6).
Workshop rehearsal dates and venue
Workshop rehearsal dates and venue
Ensemble rehearsal dates are yet to be confirmed and will include a two-day rehearsal and a final rehearsal in the lead-up to the festival.
The host venue for ensemble rehearsals will also be confirmed once the 2026 Ensemble is finalised.
Venue locations will be determined with consideration of student demographics to best support access and participation.
What to wear to auditions and rehearsals
What to wear to auditions and rehearsals
Students should wear either dancewear (leotard and shorts) or their school sports uniform to all rehearsals. Bare midriffs and tops with large logos are not permitted. Dancers may wear jazz shoes or dance barefoot as preferred.
Cost
Cost
A $100 participation fee is required for each student selected into the Ensembles. This fee will cover tuition, ensemble t-shirt and costume.
Students who attend an audition rehearsal only will not be required to make a payment.
State Dance Festival
State Dance Festival
The Southern Tablelands Primary Dance Ensembles will submit nominations to perform at the State Dance Festival, held at the Seymour Centre in Term 3 Week 9 (14 to 18 September 2026).
If selected, the ensemble will perform on one night of the festival, representing the incredible talent and dedication of dancers from across Regional and Rural South and West.
The State Dance Festival brings together the best student ensembles from across the state to perform in a professionally produced showcase. This is an extraordinary opportunity for our young regional dancers to:
Perform on a professional stage in front of a state-wide audience
Represent and celebrate regional and rural excellence in dance
Connect with top student performers from across NSW
Be part of a high-calibre festival known for its artistic and technical excellence
Being selected for the State Dance Festival is a remarkable achievement, providing dancers with invaluable experience, confidence, and exposure. The Southern Tablelands Primary Dance Ensemble will be proud to stand alongside some of the best young performers in the state, showcasing the power of regional and rural talent.
If selected, an additional rehearsal will be scheduled in the lead-up to the festival.
Third-party content attributions
Third-party content attributions
No third-party attributions.
Southern Tablelands Primary Dance Ensemble
artsunit.nsw.edu.au/local-arts-program/southern-tablelands-primary-dance-ensemble
Southern Tablelands Dance Festival
artsunit.nsw.edu.au/local-arts-programs/southern-tablelands-dance-festival
The Arts Unit
artsunit.nsw.edu.au
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