Group of diverse teachers posing for a Summer School 2017 banner with a blue gradient background and circular Teachers Course label

Summer School 2027 – Teachers Course

Tuesday 19 January 2027 – Friday 22 January 2027

9.00am – 4.30pm

Events Summer School Summer School 2027 – Teachers Course

Booking Deadline:

Monday 14 December 2026

Event Date:

Tuesday 19 January 2027 – Friday 22 January 2027

Event Time:

9.00am – 4.30pm

Country:

Location:

Wellington

Available Online?

No

Who’s it for?

Teachers

Fee:

See program details for fees

Teaching for Excellence
Technique, Artistry & Dancer Support

This inspiring professional development course is designed to empower dance teachers with practical strategies to refine their teaching practice. Explore effective tools to communicate dance vocabulary with confidence, develop movement quality with precision and clarity, and nurture artistry in every student. Through focused workshops, discussion, and hands-on learning, teachers will gain fresh insights and resources to elevate both their own teaching and their students’ performance.

Course Aims:

  • Develop a deeper understanding of the RAD Intermediate Foundation and Intermediate syllabus, with particular focus on the variations and their technical challenges and artistic elements
  • Explore the technical, stylistic and performance requirements of character steps and consider effective approaches to teaching them in creative enchaînements that compliment the RAD syllabus dances
  • Develop greater confidence in addressing technical challenges within syllabus work and using appropriate teaching strategies to support student progression
  • Increase their understanding of the shoulder complex, including support, stability and neutral positioning during dance-specific movement and loading
  • Develop practical strategies for applying anatomical and movement principles within ballet teaching, supporting dancers to move safely, efficiently and with greater body awareness

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the activity participants will have:

  • Have an enhanced understanding of effective teaching approaches to the key technical and artistic requirements of the Intermediate Foundation and Intermediate variations 
  • Have an enhanced understanding of the stylistic characteristics and technical demands of character steps and a greater range of strategies to develop students’ performance and musicality
  • Have a wider range of practical teaching strategies to address common technical challenges and support student progression
  • Understand the role of the shoulder complex in dance, including the importance of stability, support and neutral positioning during dance-specific loading
  • Incorporate practical exercises, imagery and teaching cues that help students develop greater awareness and control of the shoulder complex and apply these principles safely within their dancing.

Venue

Te Whaea, National Dance & Drama Centre, 11 Hutchison Street, Newtown, Wellington

Fees

*Earlybird available until 30 November 2026, after that normal prices apply.

Discounts

Special Teacher Offer
Teachers who register five or more students from their studio in the Vocational or Grades course at Summer School will receive a 10% discount on the full-week Teachers’ Course. A great way to support your students while investing in your own professional development.

Creina Gee Memorial Award

The RAD is very aware of how challenging it is for many teachers to find the fees for CPD, so teachers are encouraged to apply for a Creina Gee Memorial Award to attend Summer School. We have brought forward the closing date for Awards to 1 October to align better with Summer School registration dates and to give more time for teachers to be advised of an award and book their travel etc. 

For Summer School January 2025, 6 teachers were presented with awards to attend. Here’s how one recipient summed up her experience of receiving the Award to attend Summer School: 

  • Receiving the Creina Gee Memorial Award to attend my first full RAD Summer School was an incredible blessing. The collective energy and inspiration shared among the RAD staff, guest tutors, speakers, and fellow teachers were utterly revitalizing. It was the perfect way to begin the new year, and I am deeply grateful for the experience.

Timetable

A full programme with outlines of courses is available to download here

Tutors

Smiling woman with shoulder length light brown hair in a red blazer photographed against a dark background
Smiling woman with short dark hair wearing a blue top and green earrings facing the camera against a white background
Smiling woman with long dark hair wearing an orange knit sweater and green earrings against a gray background
Smiling woman with shoulder length brown hair wearing a black shirt indoors

Further information