Exams are 30-1 hour in length.  You must be an hour early prepared and ready to go!  

Please Note:  Names and times reflect your class, Please review by Class Type!

DC2 is Dance class 2, ages 3/4/5

PP is Pre-Primary, age 5-6

PR is Primary, age 6-7

GR1-Grade 1 -, 7+

GR2- Grade 2, 8+

GR3 E- Grade 3, 9+

Gr4 E-Teen

G3 A-Adult Award

DR2, Class A- Adult Awards

Why do we host Class Awards and Exams?

We encourage all of you to join us ages 3+ as this will absolutely increase their focus in their learning & their ability to present themselves.  

It also absolutely increases our focus as educators to meet standards of excellence as well. 

Who can participate?

Adult Program and all Children can register for the Class Award. We recommend starting at age 3 so they get the experience and will feel comfortable as they get older.

What is included in the class Award & Exam process?

This will include a Moch Exam (like a dress rehearsal) & a Class Award or Exam with an independent examiner that we fly in specifically for the school.  Both are hosted at 511 Orchard St at Golden Ballet Theater.

What is the difference between a Class Award and an Exam?

Moch Awards/Exams:

 We encourage parents to see this and support their child by being present in class.  Must show up prepared an hour before scheduled time.

Class Awards:

This is a representation of their classwork they have studied all year. Anyone can take a class award and it is an important part of their education in preparing them for an exam in the future.

1. Closed to parents

2. Led by the Teacher: If we've seen them perform something much better we can ask them to perform it again.

3. Grading: They are graded on Technique, Musicality and Performance.

Class Exam: 

This is a representation of their classwork they have studied all year.  These are independently tested and teachers are not allowed in the room. 

1. Closed to parents and teachers

2. Led by the RAD examiner only

3. Grading: They are graded on criteria on a scale of 1-10 and they may receive an overall score of Pass, Merit, High Merit, Distinction, or High Distinction.  This one they could fail, but we won't allow them to take an exam if we feel they might get nervous and not pass. This is the sole discretion of the teacher and more specifically, Ms. Vera has the final say since she is our RAD director and has international experience including being an examiner for RAD herself.  

How do I know which one I qualify for?

Everyone is invited to take a Class Award and you will be specifically invited to take a class exam which is tested completely independently.

How do I prepare for Exams?

Those who take exams will need to take our summer camp and summer classes, and train twice a week in their ballet class (at least) by Grade 1 and up to be prepared to take an exam.  This is the standard.  If a student works and practices they might still be invited to examine next season, but in years past it's those  who are in these programs who meet the standards to examine.  We can only prepare them if they are in class.  

Some of you already align to this, but we want you or your child to have a compassionate experience the first time in case you get nervous during this first experience.   

Investment?

The Mock Exam is for practice and is similar to a dress rehearsal.  This gives us time to guide everyone on how to enter/exit the room, what to say, and where to go during each phase of the exam.

The Class Award fees are as follows and go directly to Royal Academy of Dance.  

These fees are the true fees for the RAD program and we do not upsell or increase the fee.

RAD Official fees (these go directly to the RAD organization):

Demonstration Class Level 1 & 2 DC1/DC2  $34+ $40 for Mock Class

Pre-Primary in Dance $63+ $40 for Mock Class

(Practice Exam is $40 and includes Ms. Vera's expertise at hosting the exam and written notes, what a gift!)

RAD Official Exam Fees (these go directly to the RAD organization):

(Practice Exam is $40 and includes Ms. Vera's expertise at hosting the exam and written notes, what a gift!)

Primary in Dance $73+ $40 for Mock Class

Grade 1 G1 $77 + $40 for Mock Class

Grade 2 G2 $83 + $40 for Mock Class

Grade 3 G3 $90 + $40 for Mock Class

Grade 4 G4 $95 + $40 for Mock Class

Grade 5 G5 $101 + 40 for Mock Class

Repertoire Level 2 $61+ $40 for Mock Class

When do they receive Awards?

They will receive an award that will demonstrate their commitment a couple months after their class award or exam in April/May.  The advanced exams are recognized for college credit in Europe.  These are special awards because they are tested by an unbiased eye. 

Last day to register is February 1st.  This is a hard deadline with no exceptions. No refunds.

Check out a few of Last year's Award recipients below!!!!  

We celebrate in summer with a family picnic! They had a blast! 

Ms. Vera’s students! Both of Katherine’s kids got into the one and only MIT!

2024 RAD Testimonial. 

My son danced for 5 years progressing his way through RAD Grade 4.  It taught him balance and coordination using both sides of his body; to be organized and responsible for his gear; and to keep his presence of mind when performing at his best during exams.  These were skills he went on to utilize in soccer, rugby and competitive sailing along with in his academic studies.

My daughter has danced since preschool progressing her way through the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus and exams from Pre-primary to Grade 8 & the vocationals to Advanced 1. She is currently working towards her Advanced 2 exam.  I have seen her progress from a timid child to a confident adult who gives presentations and walks into interviews with self-confidence that she has learnt her material and will present it to the best of her abilities.

The syllabus has taught her technique and musicality which is examined on an internationally recognised scale for her to learn and reflect her own abilities in a quantifiable way.  The exams are arduous both physically and mentally, with upper levels lasting an hour or more. With preparation, consistent practice and dedication to improving technique, she has been rewarded with passing grades that she is proud of.  They have taught her to learn the material and present it to an unknown person. This has given her the self-confidence to take SAT and AP exams in high school without qualms or panic of an exam.

More importantly to me as a parent are the indirect outcomes of the RAD exams: self confidence in her body for its strength and abilities; dedication to persevere when given a task that she cannot instantly master; time management of multiple hours of ballet along with other activities and school work each week;  appreciation of the benefits of working with friends to e

ncourage and improve their skills and keep each other motivated after a hard class;  independence and responsibility of uniforms, shoes and hair; and the stamina to work through and maintain her calm for more than an hour in an exam.  These skills have helped her through life in her other sports always turning up to ski races, sailing races and jiu-jitsu tournaments with all her gear and prepared for the event. I see her flourish in academics working through material, learning and presenting it to others in class.  I have observed her apply to college with confidence of who she is and that she can share what she knows.

-Katherine 

(Parent at Reverence Dance Academy, Ms. Vera’s beautiful dance program she operated for 20 years!)