Syllabus Information
The Jazzaddict Australasia Dance Syllabus
The Syllabus comprises of 15 levels and a Teacher Examination:
| Preschool Jazz | |
| Primary Jazz | 1 – 2 |
| Junior Jazz | 1 – 3 |
| Elementary Jazz | 1 – 3 |
| Intermediate Jazz | 1 – 3 |
| Advanced Jazz | 1 – 2 |
| Solo Seal | |
| Teacher Examination |
The levels are made up of a series of exercises including arm combinations, classical technique, floorwork, turns, isolations, leaps, amalgamations and dances.
There is room for the teacher to stylise many of the exercises with their own head and arm lines. The notes advise where this is possible.
All work is progressive and is designed to develop co-ordination, strength, agility and style. Amalgamations include jazz, musical theatre, lyrical and contemporary. These styles complement competition requirements. The teacher sets the dance and must incorporate the compulsory steps.
Students can enter the syllabus at any age (and ability) at a level recommended by the teacher.
Year Plan
Lessons in terms one and two of the school year are focused on preparing students for examinations. Examinations are held in the third term of the school year.
Lesson Plan
Syllabus work in preparation for examinations is based on the following class time recommendations:
| Jazz Levels | Class Times |
| Preschool | 30 minutes per week |
| Primary | 45 minutes per week |
| Junior | 1 hour per week |
| Elementary | 2 x 1 hour lessons per week |
| Intermediate | 2 x 1 hour lessons per week |
| Advanced | 2 x 1 hour lessons per week |
Age Recommendations
Please use the recommended age guidelines for class placements. These recommendations are based on students who have had no previous dance experience.
| Preschool Jazz | 4 years |
| Primary Jazz 1 | 5 years |
| Primary Jazz 2 | 6 years |
| Junior Jazz 1 | 7 years |
| Junior Jazz 2 | 8 years |
| Junior Jazz 3 | 9 years |
| Elementary 1 | 10 years / new adults/ new teens |
Any student who has had dance experience should be placed in a class at the recommendation of the teacher.
Music
Teachers are able to set their own music with the exception of the musical theatre amalgamations (which are set to timeless Broadway classics). Jazzaddict Australasia provides music CD’s with the training dvds. It is licensed for teacher training use only. Recommended BPM (beats per minute) for each exercise are provided in the notes.
Impromptu Work
Impromptu work is included to encourage freedom of movement in junior levels. The examiner provides the music for the impromptu. Students should prepare for impromptu work seeking to show musicality, use of the floor, use of levels and variety of steps.
Student Choreography
Student choreography is incorporated at higher levels to develop student initiative and creativity. Students are to choreograph their work individually with assistance from the teacher where necessary. Time limits are detailed in the teaching notes. Students choreography should be prepared by students in their own time and polished by the teachers. The music for student choreography is set by the teacher.
Solo Seal
Solo Seal is a performance based examination which involves an unseen amalgamation, taught to the candidate by the examiner. This is to prepare the student for audition technique. The candidate also pre-choreographs three dances for performance in the examination.
