This preparatory training consists of two phases: an orientation phase and the preparatory training. It is best to start the first phase when you are around ten years old. Below you can read what you will be doing in each phase.
For pupils in years 7 and 8 of primary school.
In the orientation class, you will find out whether the professional dance world really suits you. You will attend your own primary school and have dance lessons twice a week after school. The lessons last 2.5 hours. You will attend the ArtEZ dance studios in Arnhem.
You will work on contemporary dance, creative dance, classical ballet and folklore. You will perform in front of an audience several times a year. This will give you stage experience.
You will be taught by dance teachers who specialise in working with children. They will carefully tailor the lessons to your age and abilities. This will help you build a natural and healthy foundation that you will enjoy throughout your life.
If you would you like to attend the ArtEZ Dance preparatory programme after the Orientation class, you will need to audition at the end of Year 8.
Jits thoroughly enjoyed the orientation phase. He was given the opportunity to develop his technical skills far beyond what would have been possible at an amateur school. His passion for dancing only grew during that period!"
For secondary school pupils.
If you enrol in the ArtEZ Preparatory Course in Dance, you will follow two courses simultaneously: regular education and a professional dance course. ArtEZ in Arnhem collaborates with the Beekdal Lyceum for this purpose. Together, we ensure that you develop your dance talent and obtain your HAVO or VWO diploma. For VMBO-T, we collaborate with 't Venster. You follow a timetable that combines regular education and dance education. This allows you to attend school and complete your preparatory course without becoming overburdened.
The Beekdal Lyceum is a school for HAVO and VWO in Arnhem. It is a cultural profile school with four art streams: music, theatre, visual arts and the DaMu-accredited Preparatory Dance Programme. Dance lessons take place in two dedicated dance studios. There is also a theatre hall. In addition, the large theatres in Arnhem are at our disposal, for example, at ArtEZ and the Stadstheater.
The preparatory programme helped me discover my own dance identity.
You will have dance lessons every school day, totalling twelve to fifteen hours per week. Some students also take lessons at their own dance school. In the lower school, you will be exempt from physical education, art, theatre and music classes. The preparatory course is divided into year groups, so you will always be in class with students of the same age. You will be taught all dance styles and work on developing a strong technical foundation. You will also explore your own individuality in dance. Special dance project weeks and guest lessons will show you what is possible in the field of dance.
In the upper years, the dance programme is part of your final exam package. You are exempt from the subjects of cultural and artistic education and social studies. In addition to the dance lessons at school, you will dance in various performances several times a year. In your final year, you can audition for dance programmes at ArtEZ in Arnhem, such as Dance Artist or Artistic Educator in Dance.
The ArtEZ preparatory programme not only improved my technical skills in dance, but has also significantly broadened my vision for what dance can be.
You will be taught by experienced and skilled dance teachers at ArtEZ. They have earned their stripes in the dance world as dancers, choreographers or dance teachers. The teachers are not only qualified in dance, but are also skilled in passing on that knowledge effectively and guiding you as a dancer.
For young male dancers, ArtEZ collaborates with the Boys Action organisation for performances. Boys Action is a talent development network in which independent dance schools offer dance lessons specifically for male dancers. Young male dancers at ArtEZ can also train with Boys Action on Saturdays. Many male dancers who move on to the Dance preparatory programme continue to train at Boys Action.