The emphasis of our training is structured around intensive practical performance classes in each subject, with every technique being consistently developed over the 3-year course to such a level that graduating students will be able to explore the professional dance & musical theatre industry with crucial knowledge and high skill set.
We hold technique as the foundation on which the best training is built upon.
Contextual Studies
The rigorous and practical training is enhanced by contextual studies to promote an intellectual approach and enhance personal development. Including health and nutrition, anatomy and physiology, theatre and dance history, fitness and conditioning, injury rehabilitation and industry preparation.
B A L L E T
Classical Ballet is the very foundation that all other forms of dance gravitate towards. Technical discipline and attention to the very finest detail have always been at the very centre of training the performers of tomorrow by embracing the deep and rich history of Ballet throughout the world.
For the young performers at Renaissance-Arts to truly excel in the field of Ballet, they must understand each basic step, position and muscle to fully appreciate the journey from simple barre-work towards Virtuosity, Pointe-work and Classical Pas De Deux.
Ballet is the core discipline for all other forms of dance and the stronger the technique the more versatile a young performer will be. At Renaissance-Arts we have a huge amount of respect to the finest classical dancers, teachers and companies and believe in particular to the great Imperial Russian Technique as providing the world of dance with some of it’s greatest performers. Though we realise the need to continue the development of ballet into the 21st Century, we must always pay homage to the great history of Classical Dance.
C O M M E R C I A L
Providing an extension to the core subjects. Enabling each student to be fully versatile and equipped for todays commercial field. Covering different specialist styles of from commercial, house dance, hip hop, popping and breaking. With the emphasis on a strong technical foundation. Each style is broken down, training performance style and dynamic, needed for each specialist genera.
C O N T E M P O R A R Y
Contemporary dance is a genre of concert dance that employs compositional philosophy, rather than choreography, to guide unchoreographed movement. It uses dance techniques and methods found in ballet, modern dance and postmodern dance, and it also draws from other philosophies of movement that are outside the realm of classical dance technique.
The term “contemporary dance” is sometimes used to describe dance that is not classical jazz or traditional folk/cultural dance. The hallmark of contemporary dance is an awareness of the limitations of form. Sub-genres recently defined by dance critics include non-dance, conceptual dance and pedestrian contemporary.
Only through a strong understanding of all genres of dance can our students truly embrace their technique, enabling them to push the boundaries of the mind, soul and body.
S T R E N G T H & C O N D I T I O N I N G
What is a dancer? Artist or Athlete? The answer to this is confusingly both. However in order for a dancer to become an artist they must first become an athlete. Renaissance Arts challenge every student to increase their technique, stamina and conditioning from the very first day of college through to the last. A dancers physicality must be strong, fit & healthy to be able to push their boundaries whilst studying and thus entering the industry completely prepared for the challenges that await.
The life of a performer requires stamina both physically and mentally with long days in both rehearsals and performances. Being athletic is and always been of vital importance and performers with healthy well-conditioned bodies are far quicker to adapt to vast amounts of work than bodies not as finely tuned. Specific classes such as Pilates, Body- Conditioning, Circuit Training all feature highly throughout the 3 Year Course.
With so many classes throughout the day at Renaissance Arts we feel it of vital importance to condition the students to the very highest level whilst also providing insight and appreciation of the human physiology by helping the students to understand their bodies from separate muscle groups, joints, connective tissues and skeletal structure.
Whilst training at Renaissance Arts students will be assessed physically throughout the year to maintain an upward curve towards fitness & stamina. Students will also study and then sit an ‘Anatomy & Physiology’ Diploma (Please see Teaching Training for more info).
Nutrition is of great importance as the fuel we feed our bodies will ultimately determine a performers output. Renaissance Arts provide the students with fully qualified nutritionists to provide students with all of the necessary information to fuel their bodies at the optimum level whilst also understanding that an athlete must fuel their bodies with a greater importance and appreciation of all food-groups and correct hydration.
Every day at Renaissance Arts provide students with a new challenge and whether that challenge is in Dance, Vocals or Drama a student who balances their conditioning, nutrition and rest-periods will ultimately improve the quickest and most effectively. Talent is effective to a point but inevitably the student who applies themselves to the tasks in hand with desire, determination and knowledge will eventually rise to the top. Vocational Training is a marathon and not a sprint.
I N J U R Y P R E V E N T I O N & M A N A G E M E N T
A healthy body and mind are the most important tools at a performer’s disposal and at Renaissance Arts we recognise that due to the intense nature of our course that students need to be informed of how to keep themselves as informed as possible of ways to avoiding injury & illness.
Injury prevention plays a vital role at college to assist students in having to take unnecessary time out of classes with obstructive aches & pains that with the help of Open Masterclasses provided by our medical team throughout the year can be avoided. Dance in particular carries with it various opportunities for students to injure themselves, therefore students are taught the correct manner in which to warm up and cool down from their classes.
During these Open Masterclasses students are encouraged to identify their areas of concern and then helpful exercises and treatments can be discussed to provide an insight into developing a stronger understanding and appreciation of the biomechanics of a dancer. A good comparison could be that a Formula 1 car may not be failing and performing well, it is still in need of a visit to the garage for a fine tune. It would be naive to expect that acute injuries will not occur from time-to-time at Renaissance Arts and we are extremely proud of the medical team that we have put in place to assist in the treatment and rehabilitation of the students. Like any professional athlete a dancer places a huge amount of pressure on their bodies and occasionally for various reasons the body will encounter difficulties, should this happen we will immediately organise an appointment with the necessary consultant and begin the healing process. We are aware that students do not wish to sit-out any of the classes but ultimately we must look at the big picture to make sure once the student begins to dance again, that this is done so pain-free.
We have medical consultants in Physiotherapy, Osteopathy, Podiatry & Sports Massage and students will receive selected discounts on various treatments. Injuries have and will always be a significant part of an athlete’s life we like to believe that with the correct education and execution it is not as frequent to the students of Renaissance Arts.
M U S I C T H E O R Y
A.B.R.S.M music theory is increasingly important to performers of todays industry. We cover all grades from 1 – 5 and we also encourage optional theory exams. In todays profession the ability to sight read and have an awareness of vocal harmony is important, especially in Music Theatre. For more information on vocal theory please visit the A.B.R.S.M website by clicking HERE. Students are responsible for their own work materials, these can be purchased from the A.B.S.R.M website.
M U S I C A L T H E A T R E
Covering all aspects of the industry including.
- Vocal Training (Group and Private Lessons)
- Acting through song.
- Dance
- Repertoire
- Choreographic Styles
- Musical Theory and Harmony
- Song and Dance
- Audition Technique
- 1:1 Instrument Tuition also available
Musical Theatre at Renaissance Arts concentrates on the two main aspects of Musical Theatre. Music and Theatre.
Musical Director Neil Rigg concentrates on Music, harmony, vocal range, technique, musicality and theory. Working alongside the highly esteemed Luke Fredericks who works on Theatre, vocal technique, repertoire, acting through song and Audition Technique.
With Guest Lecturers, Directors and Choreographers from the West End and Broadway. The Musical Theatre course provides vocational training that covers styles from all styles of Musical Theatre.
Annual Performance Productions in UK Theatres with a full Production Team, live musicians and industry guests.
T A P
Tap dance is a form of dance characterised by using the sound of one’s tap shoes hitting the floor as a percussive instrument. As such, it is also commonly considered to be a form of music. Two major variations on tap dance exist: rhythm (Jazz) tap and Broadway tap. Broadway tap focuses more on the dance, and is widely performed as a part of musical theatre. Rhythm tap focuses more on musicality, and practitioners consider themselves to be a part of the Jazz tradition.
At Renaissance-Arts we focus on building a strong and diverse technique in order for students to fully understand the unusual musical sequences and riff’s of Tap Dancing. Broadway Tap shows such as ‘, ‘Singing in the Rain’, ‘42nd Street’& ‘Billy Elliot’ as well as studying the wonderful Rhythm Tap performers such as ‘The Nicholas Brothers’ & ‘Gregory Hines’ are all studied on our full-time course.
T E A C H E R T R A I N I N G
During the 3-year course students will be given the option to train and then enter for an Associate Teaching Exam in Modern Jazz or Ballet with the I.D.T.A. The following is the breakdown of the teaching course.
To take the Associate Teaching Exam and become a fully-qualified professional teacher students must be 18 years of age and must have;
- Received 2 Years of Vocational Training.
- Taken and passed either Intermediate Modern Jazz/Ballet performers examination with the I.D.T.A
- Passed a Diploma in ‘Anatomy & Physiology’
Renaissance Arts will provide all of the above on the 3-Year Full Time Vocational Course.
Teacher Training schedule at Renaissance Arts:
Year 1
First year students have to learn their trade in the classroom, learning the foundations of becoming a great performer and understanding the fundamentals that technique is built upon. No teacher training is given during the first year as all students have been accepted onto the course based on their desire be in the performance industry already.
Year 2
Students wishing to pursue Formal Teacher Training will begin to study for the ‘Anatomy and Physiology Diploma’. The examination for this will be taken at end of the 2nd Year. Students cannot enter for their Associate Teaching Qualification unless they have passed this diploma.
- Intermediate Modern/Ballet performers examination to be taken.
- Students begin their practical teaching studies at college.
- Renaissance Arts always work with an examiner s from the IDTA, who help guide our students in preparation for their final examination.
Year 3
- IDTA examiners will continue to guide and assess students throughout the year towards their final examination .
- The exact date of the final examination will be dependent on the students’ preparation and abilities. Students
- must provide their own demonstrators for their own sessions.
On passing this final exam students will then graduate and be ready to enter the ‘Industry’ as performers and also as fully qualified professional teachers
T E C H N I C A L J A Z Z
Technical Jazz giving students a thorough system of dance training proven to develop the most versatile, creative and technically accomplished performers.
Emphasising the development of core strength, isolation, physical awareness and a strong and secure foundation. Enabling the skilled dancer to create huge impact with an extensive range of control dynamics. Covering all genres developing each performers creativity and charisma. Ensuring each student able to the choreographic demand employed in todays theatre, TV and commercial field.
V O C A L T U I T I O N
Students will cover a diverse range of vocal skills for maximum versatility. Training and understanding correct vocal technique and developing strength and performance. Studying and covering all genres of music needed for todays industry from theatre to recording.
Renaissance Arts specialise on the individual and focus on their talents. Encouraging confidence and commitment to help develop each students understanding of their own voice and full potential.
Classes are streamed into different levels appropriate for each student individual needs.
Vocal Curriculum
- Vocal Techniques
- Harmony
- Microphone Technique
- Performance
- Music Theory
- Acting Through Song
- Recording Technique
- Genre Study
