Amanda Bollinger Dance Academy

Address
9/46 Smith Street
SOUTHPORT
QLD 4215

Phone
07 5591 7027

Amanda Bollinger Dance Academy. Dancer: Yve-Noelle Bollinger (Prix de Lausanne European Pre-Selections 2024, YAGP Finalist 2024). Photographer: Stephan Bollinger.

The Amanda Bollinger Dance Academy (ABDA) offers elite training in classical ballet, providing talented dance students with the necessary coaching and performance experience to pursue a career in Classical Ballet or Contemporary Dance.

All students are trained in the Vaganova method of classical ballet, renowned for its strength, placement, artistry, and harmonious coordination of the body. ABDA offers a range of specialised training programs from an in-house Tiny Tots Program and After-School Junior Elite Programs to a Half-Day Program for 12-13 year olds and a comprehensive Full-Time Program for students from 14 years.

The careful training and nurturing of each child to achieve their individual goals is paramount at ABDA.

ABDA graduates have been accepted into prestigious ballet and contemporary schools all around the world, including: the Royal Ballet School London, John Cranko Ballet School Stuttgart, San Francisco Ballet School, Princess Grace Academy Monte Carlo, Canada’s National Ballet School, Junior Company of the Kirov Academy of Ballet Washington DC, Joffrey Studio Company, Dutch National Ballet Academy, Tanzakademie Zurich, Australian Ballet School, New Zealand School of Dance, Rambert Ballet School, London Contemporary Ballet School, Codarts Rotterdam, School of Contemporary Dancers Winnipeg, École Superieure de Danse de Marseille France, Royal Conservatory of the Hague, San Francisco Ballet School, Rudra Bejart Ballet School Lausanne, Palucca University of Dance Dresden, European School of Ballet and Royal Ballet School of Antwerp.

Courses

Full-Time Program: designed for talented and dedicated students from 13 years of age. Within 2-3 years, these dancers are given the extensive training and preparation required to join a renowned classical or contemporary dance institution overseas. Full-time students gain a CUA30120 Certificate III in Dance, and/or CUA40120 Certificate IV in Dance in partnership with Empowerdance Pty Ltd RTO 40397. Half-Day Program: for 12-13 year old students. Specialised coaching classes in classical ballet are provided in addition to the evening classes, allowing a smooth transition into the full-time program. These classes are recognised as an alternative to sport at the dancers academic school and are tailored around each students’ schedule. Certificate II or III in Dance is completed as part of the Half Day Program. Half-Day students can complete a CUA20120 Certificate II in Dance in partnership with Empowerdance Pty Ltd RTO 40397.

Main subjects: Classical ballet (Vaganova, ‘Ballet Conservatoire’ syllabus and open classes), pointe, repertoire, pas de deux, contemporary, jazz, character dance (ICDS syllabus), composition, improvisation, body conditioning (including yoga, cardio and pilates).

Practical dance classes per week: Full-time Program: 28-30 hours per week.

Half-Day Program: up to 20 hours per week.

Pre-requisites/entry requirements: Physical and mental aptitude for classical ballet or contemporary dance. All Full-Time applicants must have previous ballet training at an advanced level. Entry is by private or DVD audition only.

Main teachers: Amanda Bollinger, Riannon McLean, David Semple, Ariane Murray, Mary Bertossa, Taylor Murphy, Mila Nathan, Kiarna La Rosa, Marija Simonds, Jack Hersee, Juliet Burnett, Giselle Poncet, Richard Causer, guest teachers and choreographers.

Audition date: By appointment only.

Scholarships or subsidies: ABDA has a limited number of scholarships available for particularly talented and dedicated students.

Distance Education fees are subsidised through the Cairns School of Distance Education.

Possible career options: Full-time students are encouraged to audition for large training institutions attached to companies in Australia and overseas.