Grades Examination

Entry

Each candidate will greet the Examiner and hand the examination report to him/her.

 

Preparation for Dance

Candidates will perform the set routine together as in the syllabus.

 

Dance Demonstration

Candidates will perform the set dances individually with a partner as in the syllabus.

 

Knowledge and Understanding

On instruction from the Examiner the candidates will perform the set work required for the Grade being taken. All work should be performed individually, one after another, unless otherwise stated. The music can continue to play or be restarted if necessary. During the solo demonstrations a slower than standard tempo may be used.

 

Skill

Candidates will demonstrate the practical aspects of the Grade as instructed by the Examiner. All work should be performed individually, one after another, unless otherwise stated. The music can continue to play or be restarted if necessary. During the solo demonstrations a slower than standard tempo may be used.

 

Exit

Candidates will acknowledge and thank the Examiner before leaving the examination room.

Syllabus
Latin Dance

Preparatory Grade
(Minimum age 4 years)

Procedures
Entry
Each candidate will greet the examiner and hand the examination report to him/her.
Preparation for Dance (with music in Character, appropriate for the genre)
Dance Demonstration – Rumba, Samba, Cha Cha Cha
Demonstrate all routines twice to music with partner.
Knowledge and Understanding
Clap to music the Cha Cha Cha rhythm as used in the Time Step 123 4&1 234&1

Skill
Dance with music the Cha Cha Cha Time Step.

Exit
Candidates will acknowledge and thank the examiner before leaving the examination room.
Length of Examinations
15 minutes per 3 candidates, 20 minutes per 4 candidates

 

Primary Grade
(Minimum age 4 years)

Procedures
Entry
Each candidate will greet the examiner and hand the examination report to him/her.
Preparation for Dance (with music in Character, appropriate for the genre)
Dance Demonstration – Rumba, Samba, Cha Cha Cha
Demonstrate all routines twice to music with a partner. The Basic Movement in each dance may be danced with or without the standard amount of turn.
Knowledge and Understanding
Clap to music the Samba Rhythm 1a2 1a2 1a2 1a2 Commence with feet together and flat with both knees compressed. Demonstrate to music, the action of the knees and ankles as used in the Samba Bounce Action (&1 &2 &1 &2 &1 &2 &1 &2)

Skill
Dance with music 1-10 of the Cha Cha Cha Closed Basic ended in Open CPP.

Exit
Candidates will acknowledge and thank the examiner before leaving the examination room.
Length of Examinations
15 minutes per 3 candidates

 

Grade 1
(Minimum age 7 years)

Procedures
Entry
Each candidate will greet the examiner and hand the examination report to him/her.
Preparation for Dance (with music in Character, appropriate for the genre)
Dance Demonstration – Rumba, Samba, Cha Cha Cha & Jive
Demonstrate all routines twice to music with a partner. The Basic Movement is Rumba and Cha Cha may be danced with or without the standard amount of turn.
Knowledge and Understanding
Clap to music the Jive rhythm QQ QaQ QaQ QQ QaQ QaQ Demonstrate with music the basic hip action used in the Rumba showing the transfer of weight from one foot to the other.

Skill
Dance twice solo with music, the Jive Basic in Place.

Exit
Candidates will acknowledge and thank the examiner before leaving the examination room.
Length of Examinations
15 minutes per 3 candidates

 

Grade 2
(Minimum age 7 years)

Procedures
Entry
Each candidate will greet the examiner and hand the examination report to him/her.
Preparation for Dance (with music in Character, appropriate for the genre)
Dance Demonstration – Rumba, Samba, Cha Cha Cha & Paso Doble
Demonstrate all routines twice to music with a partner. The Basic Movement in Rumba and Cha Cha Cha may be dance with or without the standard amount of turn.
Knowledge and Understanding
Demonstrate with music: (Boy) Cha Cha Cha Chasse to Right (RLR) finished in Open CPP. (Girl) Cha Cha Cha Chasse to Left (LRL) finished in Open CPP – Check form Open CPP – Check form Open PP to show the correct hold and use of the arms. Paso Doble – Demonstrate Solo with music Sur Place, at the same time count the rhythm (8 counts)

Skill
Dance twice, with music, the following Solo Callisthenic Exercise in Rumba. Commence by taking a preparatory step back on LF, timed 4 1.

Exit
Candidates will acknowledge and thank the examiner before leaving the examination room.
Length of Examinations
20 minutes per 3 candidates

 

Grade 3
(Minimum age 7 years)

Procedures
Entry
Each candidate will greet the examiner and hand the examination report to him/her.
Preparation for Dance (with music in Character, appropriate for the genre)
Dance Demonstration – Rumba, Samba, Cha Cha Cha & Jive
Demonstrate all routines twice to music with a partner. The Basic Movement is Rumba and Cha Cha may be danced with or without the standard amount of turn.
Knowledge and Understanding
Rumba – Demonstrate and count to music A preparatory step followed by 1-6 Basic Movement ( 4&1&2&3&4&1&2&3&4&1&) Jive – Demonstrate and count to music The Basic in Fallaway. Then repeat this figure relacing the Jive Chasse with a single step timed Slow. Repeat again replacing the Jive Chasse with a tap step movement timed QQ.

Skill
Dance twice, with music, the following Solo Callisthenic Exercise in Cha Cha Cha. Commence by taking a preparatory step back on LF, timed 1.

Exit
Candidates will acknowledge and thank the examiner before leaving the examination room.
Length of Examinations
25 minutes per 3 candidates

 

Grade 4
(Minimum age 8 years)

Procedures
Entry
Each candidate will greet the examiner and hand the examination report to him/her.
Preparation for Dance (with music in Character, appropriate for the genre)
Dance Demonstration – Rumba, Samba, Cha Cha Cha & Paso Doble
Demonstrate all routines twice to music with a partner.
Knowledge and Understanding
Paso Doble – Demonstrate and count to music The shaping used during the Sixteen. Cha Cha Cha – Demonstrate and count to music 2 rhythms, selected by the candidate from the set routine above, that illustrate different timings.

Skill
Dance twice, with music, the following Solo Callisthenic Exercise in Rumba. Commence by taking a preparatory step back on LF, timed 4 1.

Exit
Candidates will acknowledge and thank the examiner before leaving the examination room.
Length of Examinations
30 minutes per 3 candidates

 

Grade 5
(Minimum age 9 years)

Procedures
Entry
Each candidate will greet the examiner and hand the examination report to him/her.
Preparation for Dance (with music in Character, appropriate for the genre)
The 3 candidates will work together, prior to the examination, to prepare one “Preparation for Dance” 16 bars (not 3 separate ones). This will encourage working together and can be overseen by the teacher. To be performed twice.
Dance Demonstration – Rumba, Samba, Cha Cha Cha, Paso Doble & Jive
Demonstrate all routines twice to music with a partner.
Knowledge and Understanding
Cha Cha Cha – Clap and count to music the Guapacha Timing used in the Time Step (commence with 4&1) Samba – Demonstrate and count to music Two figures, selected by the candidate from the set routine above, that illustrate different timings.

Skill
Dance twice, with music, the following Solo Callisthenic Exercise in Cha Cha Cha. Commence by taking a preparatory step to side and slightly forward on RF, timed 1.

Cool Down ( with music in character, appropriate for the genre)
Perform the set Cool Down in a group. The Cool Down may be performed in bare feet or the candidates may change into Jazz Shoes.
Exit
Candidates will acknowledge and thank the examiner before leaving the examination room.
Length of Examinations
30 minutes per 3 candidates

 

Syllabus
Ballroom Dance

Preparatory Grade
(Minimum age 4 years)

Procedures
Entry
Each candidate will greet the examiner and hand the examination report to him/her.
Preparation for Dance (with music in Character, appropriate for the genre)
Dance Demonstration – Rhythm Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango
Demonstrate all routines twice to music with partner. In each routine the boy’s steps are described, girl’s steps are normal opposite.
Knowledge and Understanding
Clap to music the Waltz.

Skill
Dance solo with music the Wlatz routine, without turn.

Exit
Candidates will acknowledge and thank the examiner before leaving the examination room.
Length of Examinations
15 minutes per 3 candidates, 20 minutes per 4 candidates

 

Primary Grade
(Minimum age 4 years)

Procedures
Entry
Each candidate will greet the examiner and hand the examination report to him/her.
Preparation for Dance (with music in Character, appropriate for the genre)
Dance Demonstration – Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot, Tango
Demonstrate all routines twice to music with a partner.
Knowledge and Understanding
Clap to music four beats in 4/4 timing. With music using 3/4 timing, start with feet together, rise on to toes for one bar of music then lower for one bar of music.

Skill
Dance solo with music the Quickstep routine.

Exit
Candidates will acknowledge and thank the examiner before leaving the examination room.
Length of Examinations
15 minutes per 3 candidates

 

Grade 1
(Minimum age 7 years)

Procedures
Entry
Each candidate will greet the examiner and hand the examination report to him/her.
Preparation for Dance (with music in Character, appropriate for the genre)
Dance Demonstration – Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot, Tango
Demonstrate all routines twice to music with a partner.
Knowledge and Understanding
Waltz: Clap with music the timing of the Whisk and Chasse from PP. Tango: Clap with music the Tango routine.

Skill
Dance solo with music the Tango routine.

Exit
Candidates will acknowledge and thank the examiner before leaving the examination room.
Length of Examinations
15 minutes per 3 candidates

 

Grade 2
(Minimum age 7 years)

Procedures
Entry
Each candidate will greet the examiner and hand the examination report to him/her.
Preparation for Dance (with music in Character, appropriate for the genre)
Dance Demonstration – Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot, Tango
Demonstrate all routines twice to music with a partner.

Knowledge and Understanding
Demonstrate solo to music, four Tango Walks. Show the Ballroom Hold as used in the Waltz, Quickstep and Foxtrot. Show the Tango Hold.

 

Skill
Foxtrot: Dance twice, solo with music, the following amalgamation. Feather step – Three Step.

Skill
Dance solo with music the Tango routine.

Exit
Candidates will acknowledge and thank the examiner before leaving the examination room.
Length of Examinations
15 minutes per 3 candidates

 

Grade 3
(Minimum age 7 years)

Procedures
Entry
Each candidate will greet the examiner and hand the examination report to him/her.
Preparation for Dance (with music in Character, appropriate for the genre)
Dance Demonstration – Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot, Tango
Demonstrate all routines twice to music with a partner.
Knowledge and Understanding
Candidates must know the 8 facing Alignments and be able to show 2 Alignments at the choice of the Examiner. Show the following foot positions: Forward – Back – Side – Diagonally Forward – Diagonally Back – Side and Slightly Forward – Side and Slightly Back.

Skill
Dance with music, the Natural Spin Turn, Boys showing the Natural Pivot and Girls, the Pivoting Action.

Exit
Candidates will acknowledge and thank the examiner before leaving the examination room.
Length of Examinations
25 minutes per 3 candidates

 

Grade 4
(Minimum age 8 years)

Procedures
Entry
Each candidate will greet the examiner and hand the examination report to him/her.
Preparation for Dance (with music in Character, appropriate for the genre)
Dance Demonstration – Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot, Tango
Demonstrate all routines twice to music with a partner.
Knowledge and Understanding
Count to music the timing and clap the accented beat or beats in all four rhythms using two bars of music. Demonstrate with music the Closed Promenade in Tango Showing the starting and finishing hold.

Skill
Boys, dance the Heel Pull. Girls, dance the Heel Turn

Exit
Candidates will acknowledge and thank the examiner before leaving the examination room.
Length of Examinations
30 minutes per 3 candidates

 

Grade 5
(Minimum age 9 years)

Procedures
Entry
Each candidate will greet the examiner and hand the examination report to him/her.
Preparation for Dance (with music in Character, appropriate for the genre)
Dance Demonstration – Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot, Tango
Demonstrate all routines twice to music with a partner.
Knowledge and Understanding
Dance to music whilst giving the timing of the Foxtrot Basic Amalgamation: Feather Step – Reverse Turn – Three Step – Natural Turn. Starting with the feet apart, with count, dance without music the Forward Lock Step or Backward Lock Step, showing the use of CBMP.

Skill

Dance the Basic Amalgamation in the Waltz, with music, showing CBM and Sway.

Exit
Candidates will acknowledge and thank the examiner before leaving the examination room.
Length of Examinations
30 minutes per 3 candidates