Excellence in Dance
Stella Maris College is well known among Australian high schools for its excellent standard of dance, both in the classroom and through our ensemble program. Our dancers consistently achieve high results in a variety of eisteddfods and receive recurring HSC Callback nominations. Stella Dance is highly regarded in both choreography and performance.
Stella Dance offers a four-tier program to cater for a range of skill levels from beginner to elite. This includes a mix of fun beginner classes held at lunchtimes, to competitive groups at elite level. A range of styles including jazz, lyrical, hip hop, contemporary, in both commercial and traditional styles, is available. Students may also have the chance to work on acrobatics and aerial silks, and with current, industry-level choreographers. Stella dancers compete in three to five competitions per year and perform at two annual Stella Maris Dance concerts.
We have a four-tier program as follows:
- Performance Group (level 1) – A fun class for the Beginner/ Intermediate dancer (non-competitive)
- Ensembles (level 2) – Competition classes for the Intermediate dancer
- Company (level 3) – Competition classes for the Intermediate/Advanced dancer
- Extension Company (level 4) – Competition classes for the Advanced/Elite dancer
Auditions for the competition classes usually take place in Term 1, beginning in Week 2. All competition groups are required to audition. The Performance Group (Level 1) is open to anyone and does not require an audition.
A breakdown of each level is below:
Level 1 - Performance Groups (Years 7, 8, 9 and 10) – Non-competition
A semesterly program for the beginner/ intermediate dancer who may or may not have previous experience and primarily wants to dance for fun with friends. Rehearsals are held one lunchtime per week. This group performs one routine per semester in either Jazz/Musical Theatre/Hip Hop or Lyrical/Contemporary. The group works towards Dance Night (concert at school) performances in Terms 2 and 4 and does not compete at eisteddfods. Students may join in Semester 1 or Semester 2, or participate for the entire year. There is no audition required for the Performance Group; everyone is welcome!
Level 2 - Dance Ensembles (Years 7-9)
Ensembles are for intermediate dancers with some previous experience who want to compete, but with reduced commitment than the Dance Company. Rehearsals are held one morning a week before school for each style. Classes are available in Jazz and Lyrical with the possibility of Hip Hop and Contemporary if numbers permit. Members compete in three to five eisteddfod competitions and two Dance Nights (concert at school) per year. An audition is required.
Level 3 - Dance Company (Years 7-9, and 10-12)
Advanced, experienced and dedicated dancers make up the Dance Company. Students rehearse one morning a week for each style before school. Routines in Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, and Contemporary are learned. Members perform in approximately three to five eisteddfod competitions, two Dance Nights (concert at school), a Dance Camp Day, and year level Award Presentation Ceremonies each year. An audition is required.
Level 4 - The Extension Company (Years 7-12)
Extension Company is offered to dancers who are dedicated and serious about their training, and are considering a future career in dance. Members of Extension Company are expected to be attending classes outside of school at a dance studio, and competing in group and/or solo competitions regularly. Dancers undertaking 12+ hours of dance per week are ideal candidates for this group. A high level of technique and skill is a prerequisite for this group. This group consists of mostly Years 11 and 12 students with a few exceptional students from Years 7-10. An audition is required.
Please note: There is a cost involved for all dance groups.
