Year End Show
The Deas Island Dance year-end performances are a full production with costumes, scenery, lighting and storyline. The show has become an annual community event and the students eagerly anticipate discovering the show’s theme each January. Studio families receive a full show newsletter which details photo and ticket sales, costume, hair and accessories info, volunteer positions, and rehearsals and show days. Because the show is a full-scale production, we ask that each family have one member volunteer for one of the shows or rehearsals. Examples of the volunteer positions include painting scenery, childcare, ushering and ticket taking. We announce the show theme in January and begin choreography for each class in the springtime. As the routines are a team effort it is imperative that students keep an excellent attendance record to participate in the show. Ballet and Modern costumes are typically made by a school seamstress, and Jazz, Tap and Hip Hop costumes are usually ordered or store bought. Students pay a $20 per costume deposit on November 1st and then are billed the remainder in the spring. The show is a great highlight of the year, and students, staff and parents all work together to put on a terrific production! |
Festivals and Competitions
Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Ballet Examinations
 With over 13,000 members, spread across 79 countries, The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is one of the largest and most influential dance education and training organizations in the world. RAD Membership supports the advancement of dance and includes professional dancers, students, teachers, benefactors and friends. Established in 1920, to improve standards and re-invigorate dance training initially within the UK, the Academy helps and encourages its teachers to perfect their teaching skills and pass on this knowledge to their students. The examination syllabus is taught to more than a quarter of a million students worldwide.
Students who are studying RAD Ballet at Deas Island Dance will be notified if they are ready for entry in to the RAD exams and presentations. The examinations sessions take place either in the fall or spring and students. Parents will be contacted when students are ready for examinations. |
RAD Credits towards Graduation
 Students may receive arts credits towards their high school diploma if they have successfully completed the following R.A.D. ballet examinations. Ballet students should take copies of their exam reports to the school councilor who can ensure the extra credits show on your high school transcript.
URAD 11B (4 CREDITS) = RAD INTERMEDIATE |
Performance, Travel, Volunteerism
 Past fieldtrips for Deas Island Dance students have included performances and workshops at Disneyland and California Adventure, classes at The Edge Performing Arts in L.A. Senior students also attended the Royal Academy’s international ballet competition, the Genee Awards in London, England. Students and parents also enjoy local fieldtrips to professional dance performances at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
Performance opportunities for students have taken place in the form of Coffee Concerts, Charity fundraisers, Festivals and Competitions, seniors’ centres and Christmas performances. Students of Deas Island also have opportunities to volunteer in such positions as prop makers, scenery assistants, classroom student teachers and assistants to junior students on stage at the year-end. The mentorship and volunteer aspect that the students bring to the studio make an impact on the climate of the entire school. We appreciate the energy and commitment of all our yearly volunteers many of whom continue to return for years after graduation. |