RAD BALLET
EXAMINATION GUIDE
THE GRADED EXAMINATION
IN DANCE SYLLABUS
Focuses on ballet and character dance. This includes Graded Examinations (Primary in Dance – Grade 8), Class Awards (Pre-Primary in Dance – Grade 3), Presentation Classes (Grades 4-8) and Solo Performance Awards (Grades 1-3). (RAD, 2020)
PRE-PRIMARY 5 min age (no pre-requisite)
PRIMARY 6 min age (no pre-requisite)
GRADES 1-3 7 min age (no pre-requisite)
GRADES 4-5 7 min age (no pre-requisite)
GRADES 6-8 11 min age (no pre-requisite)
VOCATIONAL GRADED EXAMINATION
IN DANCE SYLLABUS
Focuses on the performance of ballet to an advanced standard, intended for students wishing to pursue a career in dance. This includes 6 levels from Intermediate foundation- Solo Seal Award). (RAD, 2020)
Intermediate Foundation 11 min age (no prerequisite)
Intermediate 12 min age (no prerequisite)
Advanced Foundation 13 min age (Intermediate)
Advanced 1 14 min age (Intermediate)
Advanced 2 15 min age (Advanced 1)
Solo Seal 15 min age (Advanced 2 - D)
*Age as of 01/04/2020 (May-September), 01/09/2019 (October- December)
GRADED EXAMINATION UNIFORM
PRE PRIMARY
GIRLS | Short sleeved leotard pink, lilac or marine blue, wrap over skirt – colour to match leotard, skin tone socks, skin tone soft toe ballet shoes (satin or leather)
BOYS | Blue or white t-shirt, navy or black polycotton / lycra shorts, white socks, canvas/leather shoes (white or black)
GRADE 1-3
GIRLS | Sleeveless or short sleeved scooped neck leotard in pink, lilac, marine blue, mulberry, lavender or navy (any matt effect fabric), with matching elasticated belt, skin tone soft ballet shoes in satin, canvas or leather, with pink elastic or ribbons (split sole shoes are permitted), option of short skin tone socks or skin tone nylon tights
BOYS | White short sleeved leotard or well-fitted t-shirt, navy Lycra or cotton shorts, navy stirrup tights may be worn instead of shorts, white ballet shoes in canvas or leather, with white elastic, short white socks
GRADE 4-5
GIRLS | Sleeveless or short sleeved scooped neck leotard (any matt effect fabric) in pale pink, pale blue, red, mulberry / fuschia, navy, lavender, burgundy or dark green, with matching elasticated belt, skin tone soft ballet shoes in satin, canvas or leather, with either matching elastic or ribbons. (split sole shoes are permitted), option of skin tone socks or skin tone nylon tights
BOYS | White short sleeved leotard or well-fitted t-shirt, navy Lycra or cotton shorts, navy stirrup tights may be worn instead of shorts, white ballet shoes in canvas or leather, with white elastic, short white socks
GRADE 6-8
GIRLS | Any classic style of leotard in cotton lycra in any colour, but in particular the following are recommended: black, navy blue, royal blue, lavender, red, burgundy or mulberry, skirt should be in a georgette or chiffon material and approximately mid-calf length, and in any colour
BOYS | Short sleeved or sleeveless white PCL leotard (or well-fitting white t-shirt if leotard felt to be unsuitable), navy PCL or lycra stirrup tights, white ballet shoes in canvas or leather with white elastic, short white socks, piece of light cotton material, similar in size and shape to the silk used by female candidates, a light silk scarf of no more than 1m x 2m of any colour, akin tone soft satin, canvas or leather shoes with either elastic or ribbons
CHARACTER
GIRLS | Character skirts should be in black cotton material, with braiding that complements the colour of the leotard, and either circular in style or gathered at the waist, -The hem of the skirt should be approximately 3 inches (7.6 cm) below the knee. Character shows must be worn and should ideally be black canvas. These are available in two heel sizes – low heel in sizes 3-7 (including half sizes) and Cuban in sizes 2-8 (including half sizes). The Cuban heel should ideally be worn from Grade 3 onwards. Standard black leather character shoes are acceptable as an alternative. Other colours may be worn. Shoes should be fitted with skin tone elastic.
BOYS | The male uniform remains the same throughout all examinations/ classes/ awards/ solo performance awards except for the shoes, laced up character shoes should be worn
INTERMEDIATE FOUNDATION,
INTERMEDIATE,
ADVANCED FOUNDATION, ADVANCED 1 & 2
GIRLS | Sleeveless leotard – black, royal blue, navy blue or purple, Waistband (optional) – 2cm elastic, the same colour as leotard, skin tone tights, head ribbons (optional) – velvet, in the same colour as the leotard, skin tone soft pointe shoes or soft ballet shoes with matching ribbons, skin tone pointe shoes (pointe work section) with matching ribbons, (split sole shoes are permitted)
BOYS | White leotard or a short sleeved white t-shirt worn inside tights, tights – black or navy blue, white socks worn over the tights, black or white shoes with white elastic, (split sole shoes are permitted)
SOLO SEAL
GIRLS | Port de Bras | Any colour sleeveless leotard with: soft chiffon circular (mid-calf length) skirt in matching or toning colour to the leotard, soft chiffon wrap around (mid-calf length) skirt in similar matching or toning colour to the leotard
21st Century Variation | Any colour sleeveless leotard with: soft short chiffon wrap around skirt in matching or toning colour to the leotard
Classical Repertoire Variation | Any colour sleeveless leotard with tutu skirt in matching or toning colour to the leotard. Skin tone tights should be worn for all variations. Pointe shoes should be worn for all variations. Split sole shoes are permitted.
BOYS | Largo and Classical Repertoire Variation Any colour leotard or short sleeved t–shirt worn inside tights, any colour tights and socks, any colour unitard, black or white ballet shoes
21st Century Variation | Any colour leotard or short sleeved t-shirt, any colour ¾ or full-length tights, any colour unitard, black, white or flesh colour ballet shoes
