FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

There is no clear guide to the age at which a student commences Full Time training. At TPA we assess students on their physical and emotional maturity and readiness for full time training, plus additional factors such as family support, focus, dedication, and commitment.

Students commencing their first year of Full Time training at TPA will vary anywhere from 12 years to 15 years. Older students are also considered if they have prior full time training elsewhere and will be allocated to their appropriate Full Time level depending on their training, technique and ability to adapt to and benefit from our program.

All Full Time students are able to continue their academic schooling through a variety of distance education providers. At TPA our full time students are supported in their academic studies and provided time in the program for onsite academic tutoring through our providers: The Student Tutor Network. Students have onsite structured tutoring sessions three times a week, providing the opportunities for face to face support, assistance and help with their academic studies. Further private one on one tutoring is also available to all students throughout the week.

TPA does not have a ‘boarding house’, however we have an extensive network of homestay options serving our interstate and overseas students. We have built up this reliable and safe network of homestay families who understand well the needs of a Full Time ballet student and understand the program demands and commitments. Students that require accommodation are provided with an up to date list of homestay options to suit their needs, usually close to the studio or with easy access to public transport.

The Full Time students’ program generally runs from 9.00am to 2.45pm Monday to Saturdays and one or two classes on a Saturday. The day time program is comprehensive, covering all the students’ needs during the day. Full Time students are not required or expected to stay back and attend any after hours/part time classes unless they wish to, or have been advised to do so before an exam. Full Time students are welcome to join in to any part time classes at no extra charge.

The Academy has a long history of facilitating overseas audition tours for its students. The time of year that the tour takes place depends on factors including students’ readiness to audition and the timing of overseas competitions and events. Sometimes individual audition tours may be facilitated and organised for students when a more tailored itinerary is recommended. Students are guided and advised regularly throughout the full time program on audition opportunities and career advice.

Yes, students may be selected to join any level of the Full Time program, depending on their prior training and current technical level.

It is always best to audition in person. We do understand however, that not all students are able to attend out Open Audition Day and in this instance, we can review DVD footage / video links to see if a private audition is offered at some other time through the year.

All teachers on TPA faculty are available for private coaching. Private lessons are not compulsory however students may benefit from private coaching in preparation for competitions or exams. Students may request private lessons at any time throughout the year and we help advise what teachers are most suited for the students need. Private lessons costs are in addition to the Full Time fees.

The minimum number of classes students must attend each week varies depending on the RAD syllabus level they are in. At TPA students are required to attend the following minimum classes:

• Tiny Tots & Pre-Primary – 1 RAD Class per week
• Primary, Grade 1 & Grade 2 – 2 RAD classes per week. Students in Grade 2 can also select contemporary dance as an option.
• Grade 3 – 2 RAD classes + PBT minimum. Students at this level can also enrol for contemporary and jazz classes as optional.
• Grade 4 & 5 – 2 RAD classes + PBT + Open Ballet class. Students at this level can also enrol into contemporary, jazz, and character classes.
• Int. F & Intermediate – 2 RAD classes + PBT + Open Ballet class. Students at this level can also enrol into contemporary, jazz, and character classes.
• Adv.F, Adv 1 & Adv 2 – 3 RAD classes + PBT + Open Ballet. Students at this level can also enrol into contemporary, jazz, and character classes.

All our students from Grade 3 and above must attend their compulsory syllabus classes and Open Classes per week. Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Musical Theatre and Character classes are optional however highly recommended for TPA students as they all enhance a ballet student’s technique, versatility, musicality and dynamics.

Not every student will be ready or suited to eisteddfods and competitions. Students are invited to enter eisteddfods and competition based on their technical and emotional readiness and if it is deemed appropriate and suited to a students progress and development.

TPA holds annual auditions for its Eisteddfod groups – these take place around November for the following years groups.

We hold an audition at the end of every year to assess students for the following years eisteddfod groups. Students will be invited to be a part of these groups after the audition. Notification of auditions will be sent to all students.

Private lessons are not compulsory or expected, however some students may be requested to have private coaching in preparation for exams.

Students entering competitions and eisteddfods are required to have a number of private lessons to learn and be properly prepared for competitions and events.

All TPA teachers on faculty are available for private coaching and students will be advised and guided as to which teacher is best suited for the private lesson requirements. Private lessons costs are in addition to the regular Part Time fees.

Yes, every student is expected to sit for their RAD examination unless advised otherwise. RAD examinations are held annually at the TPA students and students will be well prepared for examinations and offered mock examinations and exam workshops.

TPA stages an annual concert which features every student of the Academy from Tiny Tots through to its most senior Pre Professional students. This Concert is a wonderful forum for bring-ing all students together and the opportunity to present to parents and friends of the Academy.

Students also have the opportunity to audition for Sydney City Ballet productions.

Students have the opportunity to audition for the Eisteddfod groups which perform at at least three of the major Sydney Eisteddfods.

Sometimes students are invited to perform at other events that the TPA is engaged with throughout the year.

The average class size for vocational RAD classes at TPA is 10 students.

The average class size for grade level RAD classes at TPA is 13 students.

Open classes or PBT may be larger when two streams are combined.

Yes every student at TPA is monitored in terms of progress throughout the year. Every student is informally assessed at the end of each year to review suitability to progress to the next level and/or remain within the TPA program.

Students from Grades 3 upwards are more formally assessed on a number of criteria in order to progress safely to the next level. This is not a formal examination process however students are reviewed and assessed by their teachers, The Principal of the Part Time Academy and the Artis-tic Director being conscious of the child’s self esteem and well-being.

If it is felt at any stage that a student is not suited to remain in the TPA program, a discreet and personal meeting will be called with the parents to discuss and address.

The Tanya Pearson Academy program is geared to the talented and the dedicated student who strives for achieving their personal best. Students are attracted to Tanya Pearson Academy because of the level and standard of training we provide, having exposure to our highly experienced faculty who are passionately focused on assisting every child reach their goals. Our program aims to inspire, challenge, motivate and move at a pace so that every child can progress and excel at maximum rate. We are committed to the many students and families that travel great distances in order to attend TPA and we are committed to delivering the best teaching and training possible. In return we expect all students to be as equally committed to giving 100% in every class.

Auditions may be held individually or as a group of students being assessed at the same time. During the auditions, students are given exercises suited to their age and level. Our teachers take many factors into consideration when assessing students for the TPA part time academy such as technique, prior training, coordination, musicality, turnout, feet, aptitude, artistry and potential.

Our teachers are very conscious of a students age and vulnerability and we endeavour to make the audition process a positive experience, whatever the outcome. It is important for students and parents to understand that students are selected for our specific program and pace and this is not necessarily indicative of a students potential for ballet or their future opportunities.

Auditions usually take place in Term 4 for the following year intake and in Term 1. Students may apply to audition throughout the year however due to our examination dates intake may be restricted at times during year. Audition results are usually issued within the week following the audition.

It is not possible for every student auditioning to receive individual feedback. Sometimes, a student may be encouraged to continue their training and work on elements and encouraged to re-audition in future.

Our class sizes and places at TPA are limited and therefore a student may be placed on a waiting list for a future opening.

Yes most certainly. A student may re-audition again if unsuccessful the first time.

All students are assessed on a regular basis throughout the year by the Principal of our Part Time Academy and teachers. If for any reason a student is not progressing as expected or we have concerns over the students suitability for our program, this will be discussed privately and confidentially with the parents.

All students are expected to sit for their Royal Academy of Dance examinations which are held annually at the TPA Academy. At times (usually for reasons of safety) a student may be discouraged from sitting for an examination, or may require more time study for an examination at the level deemed acceptable.

Formal assessments only apply to the TPA transition program students.

Auditions are held annually for the TPA Eisteddfod Groups. Students are selected for the groups based on their technical standard and suitability to the choreographic demands of the work. Factors such as ages and heights are also considered when selecting for the Eisteddfod groups.

Students must be invited to participate as Soloists in any Eisteddfod. Generally only students from Grades 4 and above are considered for Eisteddfod solos, with exceptions made from time to time.

TPA does not consider itself an “eisteddfod school” and therefore does not prioritise its resources and time to coaching eisteddfod solos. The focus of TPA and all our teachers will remain on laying the foundations for pure and sound ballet technique which takes time, patience and years of practice and perfecting.

We encourage all our students gain the enriching performance experience through our annual concerts and SCB opportunities.

Yes, all students are involved in the annual TPA Productions.

It is necessary for students to attend all syllabus classes at their level in order to cover the full syllabus and work on their technique and the “how” rather than the “what”.