EXAMS

Taylor’s Dance Company invites your daughter/son(s) to take part in our next exam session.

Date: Sunday 8th June

Time: 10am- 4pm (exact times being confirmed at a later date.)

Venue: Marks Farm Community Centre, Dunstable Drive, Braintree

Cost: As stated on your email. This includes the price of their certificate and medal/rosette. Fees are due Sunday 4th May. Please pay to TDC Show LTD. Account Number: 99231303. Sort Code: 60-83-71.

Please confirm whether your child will be taking their exam by Monday 23rd March by emailing info@taylorsdancecompany.co.uk.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT HAPPENS ON THE DAY?
On the day, the children will be dropped off, Miss Sophie will bring them into the waiting room, where we will check they are looking their best. Once in the exam room, the children perform their dances in a small groups (usually with children in their class), in front of an examiner. And that’s it! They will wait to be collected. Usually, the children are with us for between 30 minutes and 1 hour.

WHAT WILL MY CHILD NEED TO WEAR?

MINI’S
Girls- Black Leotard & Ballet Shoes.
Boys- Black TDC T-Shirt, Black Shorts, Ballet Shoes.

Please wear a dressing gown, onesie, or something easy to take on & off.

Hair - High Ponytail, with fringes pinned/gelled back. Hair must be neat and tidy. Anyone with short hair please speak to Niki or Sophie and we will advise. If you’re unable to do your child’s hair, please let us know in advance.
Boys- neat & tidy and away from the face.

PRIMARY’S
Girls- Black Leotard. Ballet, Tap & Jazz Shoes.
Boys- Black TDC T-Shirt, Black Shorts, Ballet Shoes.

Please wear a dressing gown, onesie, or something easy to take on & off.

JUNIOR’S & SENIOR’S

TAP TEAM EXAM
Girls- Black Leotard, Black Plain Leggings, Black Socks, Tap Shoes.
Boys- Black TDC T-Shirt, Black Plain Trousers, Black Socks, Tap Shoes.

Hair - Bun, with fringes pinned/gelled back. Hair must be neat and tidy. Anyone with short hair please speak to Niki or Sophie and we will advise. If you’re unable to do your child’s hair, please let us know in advance.
Boys- neat & tidy and away from the face.

BALLET TEAM EXAM
Girls- Black Leotard, Ballet Shoes
Boys- Black TDC T-Shirt, Black Plain Shorts, Ballet Shoes

Hair - Bun, with fringes pinned/gelled back. Hair must be neat and tidy. Anyone with short hair please speak to Niki or Sophie and we will advise. If you’re unable to do your child’s hair, please let us know in advance.
Boys- neat & tidy and away from the face.

We ask for no makeup, jewellery, nail varnish or tattoos (minimal make-up to be worn for our older students).

We will be providing Socks/Tights and Skirts if not mentioned.
PLEASE ENSURE EVERYTHING IS NAMED.

WHAT WILL MY CHILD NEED TO BRING?
We ask everyone to arrive in their uniform, with hair ready. The children will only need to bring their dance shoes, a bottle of water, and an inhaler if needed. Please ensure all belongings are brought in a named bag. Please ensure everything is named!

WHAT EXAM IS MY CHILD TAKING?
The exams are taken with the International Dance Teachers’ Association (IDTA)

Rosette Exams- Freestyle, Ballet & Tap.
The rosette exams have been designed for young children to explore the various forms of rhythm and dancing in an exciting, fun and imaginative way. Children take the exam in small groups of approximately eight pupils, and they are assisted throughout the exam by their teacher. The children receive a colourful Rosette to attach to a banner. The children perform two very short and simple dances for each dance style. They take these in separate exams. Our Mini/Primary Students take these exams.

Freestyle Medals- the children will perform their dances in a small group of around 5 children. They receive a Medal Plaque. The higher level they become the more dances they need to perform. (One Dance= 1, Bronze=2, Silver=3, Gold=4)

Ballet & Tap Team- A ‘team’ exam is similar to a ‘show’ dance. Pupils must perform the correct choreography and technique, show patterns, keep in time with the music and each other, present the dance with a smile and show that they can work together as a team. There are 3 levels- bronze, silver and gold.

Adult Ballet & Tap Medals- Once the children reach the age of 14 (Senior 2 level), they will go onto our adult medals. Each dance style has 3 different elements to perform in the exam.

WHY SHOULD MY CHILD TAKE PART?
Taking part in a dance exam is great fun! It’s a chance to have their dance and performance skills rewarded in a professional way. The children will build confidence in a fun way, learn to work as part of a team, as well as learning to work hard to achieve an outcome! And finally, it’s a memory to treasure for a lifetime! (most of the teachers still have all their exam certificates & medals!!! Please note we would not enter a child if we think they would fail- we practise and train the pupils to ensure they will pass!!! (even the youngest pupils)

ARE EXAMS COMPULSORY or WHAT IF WE CANNOT MAKE THE DATE?
No! If you do not want your child to take part in the Exams, they are still very welcome and encouraged to continue to take part in classes as normal!
If you cannot make the date of the exam, that is no problem at all- there will be another chance to take exams in 2023.

WILL I HAVE TO STAY TO LOOK AFTER MY CHILD?
No! We will be asking parents to drop off their children and leave. The children will be approximately 30minute- 1hr so feel free to leave to do a spot of shopping (large Tescos less than 5 minutes away) There is plenty of parking at the venue, but we would always recommend sharing lifts! We understand the children may be nervous, but there will be lots of friendly faces to welcome and reassure them. The children will be in safe hands with our team.

HOW CAN YOU HELP AT HOME?
We ask you to encourage the children to practice at home, mainly on their performance- lots of smiles & stretched arms!!! If we haven’t sent videos to practice, we don’t think your child needs to practice at home!

HOW QUICKLY WILL THEY GET RESULTS?
The results can take 6- 8 weeks to be returned.

For any other questions or concerns, please email us at info@taylorsdancecompany.co.uk.