Exams are a wonderful way for students to have a goal to work towards during the year. It gives them a great feeling of accomplishment and achievement.
The NZAMD system encourages students to sit an exam from Grade 1 upwards. These are not compulsory until vocational levels, however are encouraged to maintain structure during the year, and ensure that students are achieving to a certain standard before moving upwards.
Students prepare for the exam in class and during extra lessons leading up to the day. Extra lessons are compulsory and are charged at an extra cost.
On the day, students arrive and have their hair done, and are ensured they are entering in their best capacity. Teachers are there on the day to encourage and re-assure. Students then enter into the exam in groups no larger than six, and present exercises and combinations they have learnt in class. They receive a mark on specific criteria:
Barre, floor, centre work, technique, presentation & dance.
Special consideration can also be asked for students with learning or physical needs.
From Elementary Jazz and Level 4 upwards, students are eligible to receive a scholarship nomination to attend a nation-wide competition against other top NZ dancers.
See below for some photos from our previous NZAMD exam sessions. Check out our Facebook page for photos from previous years.
