Vaganova Syllabus and Grades Description

RAD Graded Examinations

Available from Pre-Primary to Grade 8

• Students MUST attend regular class of the same Grade TWICE A WEEK to qualify for an exam, preferably with the same teacher.
• Exam candidacy will be confirmed by their teacher in late November
• Exams are scheduled end of April/early May and are held at our Wong
Chuk Hang Studio in Aberdeen.
• Students enter the exam in a group of 4 students maximum.
• The exam class is led by the examiner and the teacher is not allowed in the room. The student demonstrates all the required exercises from the syllabus and is carefully assessed and marked on a set of 10 different criteria. A total mark and percentage is given.
• A certificate and medal is awarded - Bronze (Pass), Silver (Merit) and Gold (Distinction).
• Examination results are accepted as a measure of achievement by the vocational schools attended by most young people aiming to enter the dance profession. They are also highly valued by universities and other HE institutions offering degree courses and programmes in the performing arts.

RAD Vocational Grade Examinations
• Intermediate     
​   Foundation
• Intermediate
• Advanced Foundation
• Advanced 1
• Advanced 2
• Solo Seal

Vocational Graded Examinations provide an in-depth study of ballet, develops technique, music and performance skills and introduces pointe work for female candidates. This highly focused and practical training education prepares students for a dance, or dance-related career. Students wishing to study for Vocational Graded examinations should have the maturity and technical aptitude to enable them to respond to demanding study and should ideally be taken alongside the Graded examinations Grade 6, 7 & 8 if time allows.
In order for students to be considered for an examination, they need to take the same vocational grade class twice per week to reach their maximum potential.

RAD Discovering Repertoire

'Discovering Repertoire' is an innovative new concept in training and assessment from the RAD.Suitable for students from ages 12 through to adult, the three levels cater for those with some prior ballet experience (1–2 years of study, equivalent to Grade 2/3) through to those of a more advanced standard (upper grades/vocational grades). Uniquely, it includes well-known classical repertoire, meaning students will learn and dance choreography that they have seen on the stage, set to music that they know and love.

The variations studied are taken from the following ballets:
• Level 2: Coppélia, Giselle
• Level 3: Paquita, The Sleeping Beauty
​• Level 4: Nutcracker, Swan Lake

Flexible, modular learning and assessment

The programme is based on modular assessment, to enable students to learn at their own pace. Each level is made up of three units:
• Unit 1 – Class work (barre and centre)
• Unit 2 – development exercises and Variation 1
• Unit 3 – development exercises and Variation 2 

To promote a sense of achievement and progression, students will be awarded a certificate for completing each unit, while those successfully completing all three units will achieve a qualification at the corresponding level.
The marking criteria includes an emphasis on the music and performance criteria, maximizing opportunities for all to succeed. Female students can decide whether or not to dance en pointe, giving greater flexibility in how the work is approached and executed.To promote a sense of achievement and progression, students will be awarded a certificate for completing each unit, while those successfully completing all three units will achieve a qualification at the corresponding level.
The marking criteria includes an emphasis on the music and performance criteria, maximizing opportunities for all to succeed. Female students can decide whether or not to dance en pointe, giving greater flexibility in how the work is approached and executed.
​The personal attention and guidance by VIVA Ballet Faculty will help prepare each student for his/her dance future.

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