McDonald College (The)

Address
17 George Street
NORTH STRATHFIELD
NSW 2137

Phone
02 9752 0500 or 02 9752 0507

The McDonald College. Dancers: Sienna Micallef and Charlie Carberry. Photographer: Gavin Maxwell.

The McDonald College is an independent, non-denominational, co-educational Kindergarten – Year 12 school. We specialise in performing arts and elite sports, with an equal focus on academic rigour through to the HSC.

In dance, we offer Classical Ballet, Commercial Dance, and our Senior Contemporary Dance program (Years 10 – 12), partnering with Sydney Dance Company.

Students are offered many performance opportunities throughout the year, including at our High Performance Season, An Evening of Classical Ballet, showcases, eisteddfod groups, and more.

We can provide up to 45 boarders of all genders from Years 7 – 12 with a home away from home. Our dance alumni include Lachlan Monaghan (Birmingham Royal Ballet); Harrison Lee (The Royal Ballet in London); Jordan Micallef (National Ballet of Canada); Amanda McGuigan, Rohan Furnell, Hugo Dumapit and Daniel Idaszak (Australian Ballet); Emily Flannery and Glory Tuohy-Daniell (Bangarra Dance Theatre); Sienna Green and Alexander Idaszak (Queensland Ballet); and Dimitri Kleioris and Simon Plant (Sydney Dance Company).

Courses

We have always been famous for our excellence in classical ballet training – today our performance offering is varied and includes:

Classical Ballet

Contemporary Dance (in partnership with Sydney Dance Company)

Commercial Dance

Musical Theatre

Main subjects: We teach Kindergarten through to Year 12 (NSW HSC).

Dance streams include Classical Ballet, Commercial Dance and Contemporary Dance. Other performing arts streams include Acting, Music, Musical Theatre, Elite Tennis and Rhythmic Gymnastics.

Contact hours per day: Primary School up to 8 hours per week.

Secondary School up to 10 hours per week.

Pre-requisites/entry requirements: A passion for performance and skill level commensurate with age.

Main teachers: Our highly experienced faculty are professional, personable, and passionate. Many of our staff have been at the top of their careers, are still active in their chosen field on a professional basis and stay current via professional development.

Audition date: We hold a series of Auditions for entry into Years 5 – 11 throughout the year, in addition to Open Days and Mornings. The Principal’s Tours are available by appointment.

For more information, visit mcdonald.nsw.edu.au

Audition requirements:

Ballet (45 mins – 1 hour).

Wear classical ballet attire. Girls can bring pointe shoes if applicable. You will participate in an open classical ballet class.

Dance (45 mins – 1 hour).

Wear appropriate dance attire. Bring jazz shoes and tap shoes if applicable. You will participate in a dance class. The class will include a brief warm-up, jazz and tap combinations.

Senior Contemporary Dance

Wear appropriate dance attire and shoes.You will participate in a dance class. The class will include a brief warm-up. Academic test

All prospective students are also required to take an academic test to assess literacy and numeracy (45 mins).

For more information on audition requirements visit https://www.mcdonald.nsw.edu.au/apply/auditions/audition-on-campus-requirements/

Fees: Please visit https://www.mcdonald.nsw.edu.au/apply/fees/

Scholarships or subsidies: Please visit https://www.mcdonald.nsw.edu.au/apply/fees/scholarships/

Possible career options: Classical ballet companies, commercial dance, acting, contemporary performing arts companies and musicals – on stage or behind the scenes. Because we place equal emphasis on academic performance, many of our graduates also go on to successful careers in the business world.