Dear ADV Ballet Families,
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Welcome to the 2026 ballet year at Academy of Dance Victoria. We are so pleased to see our dancers back in the studio and beginning their Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus work for the year ahead.
Term 1 is an especially important term for ballet students, as we aim to teach the full exam syllabus early in the year. This allows Terms 2 and 3 to focus on consolidation, artistry and confidence in preparation for assessments and performances.
Please read the information below carefully and note all uniform requirements, exam expectations and key dates for the year.
BALLET UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS
Please ensure your dancer has the correct class uniform as outlined in our 2026 Information Booklet. The set ballet uniform is compulsory and is available from reception and our online store. Some changes to leotard colours were made this year and are reflected in our booklet.
HAIR FOR BALLET CLASSES
All ballet students must wear a neat ballet bun for class. A correct bun allows teachers to clearly see head and neck alignment, which is essential for safe and accurate ballet technique and supports the discipline expected in classical training. If another adult brings your dancer to class, we recommend preparing the bun before school. With water, hairspray, pins and a hair net, a bun will stay secure all day.
Ballet bun tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSI-fuiBcKU
ADDITIONAL UNIFORM ITEMS
Level 1 through to Level 8 Ballet (approx. Grade 2–Year 6 at school)
Students require black heel character shoes and a black full circle character skirt.
These must be brought to every class from Week 4 of Term 1 onwards.
Grade 5 & 6 Ballet
Students may receive pointe preparation invitations in Term 1 following physiotherapy screening. Families will be contacted individually if applicable.
Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced Foundation & Advanced 2
Students must have demi-pointe and pointe shoes.
RAD BALLET EXAMS – Why We Do Them
All ADV ballet students train within the internationally recognised Royal Academy of Dance syllabus. Preparing for exams provides clear goals and progression, increased strength and technique, confidence performing for an examiner, internationally benchmarked results and a strong sense of achievement. Students receive certificates, medals or badges and detailed feedback to guide their training.
2026 BALLET EXAMS
Level 1 to Level 8 Exams take place in Term 3 August (dates set by the RAD). Entry information and exam fees are issued in Term 2.
Intermediate, Advanced Foundation & Advanced 2 (Majors levels) Exams take place in early Term 4 (usually October – date set by the RAD).
ADV receives dates later in the year and families are advised as soon as they are confirmed.
TYPES OF PRIMARY RAD EXAMS
ADV teachers determine whether students are ready for an exam and which assessment type is most suitable. There are two types of Exams
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RAD Class Award Exam
Small group assessment with the teacher present in the room in front of an official RAD Examiner. Students perform exercises in pairs or small groups and receive written feedback, certificate and badge. This is often recommended for first-time or developing confidence students. Students also receive a medal at the ADV Presentation & Awards Night in December.
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RAD Graded Exam
Full exam in front of an official RAD Examiner with no teacher present. Students perform independently for the examiner and receive a mark out of 100, certificate and badge. Students also receive a medal at the ADV Presentation & Awards Night in December.
Families are advised of exam type invitations (Class Award or Graded) in Term 2 ballet reports.
COMPULSORY HOLIDAY EXAM PREPARATION
All exam students must attend ADV compulsory holiday exam preparation classes prior to exams. Students cannot enter exams without this preparation. Families are advised of exam invitations and level readiness in an exam notice in Term 2 or via Term 2 ballet reports.
ADV Holiday Exam Preparation Classes (Primary to Grade 8 Levels)
6th, 7th and 8th July 2026 – ADV Studios, Box Hill North
RAD Majors Winter Intensive (Intermediate Foundation & above)
Students in Majors levels can attend either Winter or Spring intensive as advised. Gold Team students attending ADF in Sydney in September holidays must attend the July Winter RAD Exam Intensive 7th – 10thJuly
7 to 10th July 2026 – RAD Winter Exam Intensive – RAD Headquarters, South Melbourne
21st to 23rd September 2026 – RAD Spring Exam Intensive RAD Headquarters, South Melbourne
HOME PRACTISE – RAD APP
RAD exams require significant practice. We strongly recommend the official Royal Academy of Dance App, which contains syllabus videos and music for each level. The app is free and level content can be purchased individually. The content contains full videos of all the work for the level.
2026 BALLET PERFORMANCE DATES
21st June 2026 – Mid-Year Showcase: All RAD Ballet exam students perform presenting their Exam work on stage – as preparation for artistry and performance required in exams
11th, 12th and 13th December 2026 – ADV End-of-Year Concerts
All ballet students perform in our fully costumed story ballet productions in either the Junior Concert (prep to grade 3) or Senior Concert (year 4 to university) in December
11th December: Theatre rehearsals after school Times and Details TBA
12th December theatre rehearsals during day and evening Times and Details TBA
13 Dec performances: Junior Concert Matinee and Senior Concert in Evening.
Please keep all dates available
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If you have any questions about your dancer’s ballet pathway, please contact our office team.
Warm regards,
Tamara Davidson
Principal
Academy of Dance Victoria