Students en pointe in the ballet production, Trilogy

Ballet Academy

Kura Ori Hīteki

We are the only school in New Zealand to provide a co-educational integrated Ballet Academy programme on campus. Launched in 2010, we have established a unique and comprehensive programme which encompasses the entire school – from Pre-school to Year 13. With classes held within the school day, this offers our students a seamless transition from academic class to Ballet studio – with specialised tuition focused on classical technique, development of artistry and musicality, and the joy of performance.

Dr Carolyn Cairns with students during a Royal New Zealand Ballet class

"Ballet is an ephemeral art – it's hard to capture and impossible to hold. In being so, the method of teaching remains as it always has – a passing of knowledge from master to student. I hope to pass on all I can about this beautiful art form to my dancers – giving them every opportunity to strive for their personal best while we endeavour to provide our professional best."
Dr Carolyn Cairns
Ballet Academy Artistic Director

A unique and comprehensive Ballet programme

The StAC Ballet programme aims to develop the dancer beyond the physical demands of ballet. Learning through this artform, which demands discipline and dedication, also translates into strong character traits such as self-confidence, perseverance, and self-esteem – positive attributes that remain with each dancer throughout their life. Dancers take yearly examinations, enjoy annual productions, and have opportunities to explore other dance genres such as jazz, lyrical, national character, and contemporary. Extension classes such as Pilates and Pointe are also available.

Ballet students performing in The Sleeping Beauty production.

Role models of excellence

For the past eight years we have enjoyed regular visits from the Royal New Zealand Ballet Dance Specialists. Our dancers are privileged to learn repertoire from the current RNZB ballets and to have new pieces of choreography developed and taught to them. Guest tutors are welcomed throughout the year – adding depth to our dancers' experiences. Dancers attend Royal New Zealand Ballet productions, visiting dance event, and professional classes as are available.

St Andrew’s College Old Collegian Joshua Guillemot-Rodgerson (OC 2013) is our Patron of the Ballet Academy. Joshua studied at The Juilliard School in New York, was a member of the Houston Ballet, and is now a Principal Dancer with the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Throughout his training, and now as a professional, Joshua has maintained close ties with the Ballet Academy, taking classes when visiting home and as a contributing choreographer in our productions. We are thrilled to have him share his knowledge and professionalism with our dancers.

Students during a Royal New Zealand Ballet workshop

Professional pathways

We are proud of all our students, regardless of ballet becoming a professional pathway or a lifelong passion for the artform from dance experience through school. We congratulate those who have departed for full-time training or careers – Joshua Guillemot-Rodgerson to the Houston Ballet and is now a Principal Dancer with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Kate Holmes to the New Zealand School of Dance, Harrison Bradley to the Australian Ballet School and Tara Kinajil-Moran and Anika Boet to Brent Street Performing Arts (Sydney). Anika is also a member of the Sydney Dance Company. Becoming our own 'role models of excellence', past students are encouraged to return and share their experiences also.

Old Collegian and professional ballet dancer, Joshua Guillemot-Rodgerson

Ballet Academy curriculum

Available from Pre-school to Year 13, classes are held within the school day, offering our students a seamless transition from academic class to Ballet studio – with specialised tuition focused on classical technique, development of artistry and musicality, and the joy of performance. Dancers take yearly exams, enjoy annual productions, and have opportunities to explore other dance genres such as jazz, lyrical, national character, and contemporary. Extension classes such as Pilates and Pointe are also available.

Pre-school programme

Children aged 3–5 enjoy one class a week where they are provided with an introduction to the joy of dance.
Preparatory School programme

Starting in Year 1, ballet students have one class a week, which increases to two a week for Years 3–8 dancers. Our students are taught by specialist teachers and guest tutors, take part in annual examinations and productions, plus optional performance awards, extension classes and for our Years 7–8 dancers and optional pointe classes.
Secondary School Ballet programme

To provide for the needs of today’s current dancer, our Secondary School programmes offer quality balletic training plus choreographic experiences across all core dance styles. Quality teaching, examination accomplishments plus experiences with renowned guest tutors, excellent performance opportunities, and NCEA credits, all combine to provide a true robustness and rigour to the programme.
In Years 9–11 we offer Ballet and Dance Studies as a comprehensive subject option. Three classes per week in Years 9–10 and four classes per week in Year 11 provide an ideal opportunity for dedicated dancers to train and perform within their school, plus explore other dance genres such as jazz, lyrical, national character, and contemporary. In addition, we offer open classes, pointe (3 levels), dance pilates, private training, and more. This programme is a stepping stone into our elite Ballet Company – Years 12–13.
Ballet Academy Diploma

Year 13 dancers, having completed the five-year course (if commencing in Year 9), graduate with our St Andrew’s College Ballet Academy Diploma. Those with fewer years due to entering later, may apply for cross-credits from prior study, or alternatively gain the Ballet Academy Certificate.

Preparatory ballet students performing in Gym 1

Ballet productions

Performing in a professionally produced production is one of the highlights of the Ballet programme and highly anticipated by our dancers. Having an opportunity to learn the major ballets, such as The Nutcracker, Tales of Beatrix Potter, and La Boutique Fantasque is a vital and valuable part of any dancer's training - giving a real knowledge of its history and a deep appreciation for the art. Performance experiences provide knowledge in stage craft, opportunities for self-growth, and are wonderful for confidence building.

Opportunities and invitations to perform also occur, including Dance Revue (annual Secondary School event), Dancing Like the Stars (Isaac Theatre Royal), Prizegiving (whole school event at The Wolfbrook Arena, ballet highlight piece).

Past productions have included Peter Pan, Hansel & Gretel, Alice in Wonderland, The Sleeping Beauty, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and many more. This year the Ballet Academy will present The Nutcracker.

Ballet students performing in the production, Trilogy

Meet our Ballet Academy Artistic Director

Dr Carolyn Cairns
B.Sc, DipEd(Hons), M.Ed(Hons), Ph.D, ANZAMD

St Andrew’s College is fortunate to have Dr Carolyn Cairns heading our Ballet Academy. With an enviable background in ballet, medical science, and education, Carolyn combines excellence in ballet with a sound understanding of the school dynamic. Dr Cairns trained in Classical Ballet (RAD, BBO), Modern Jazz (NZAMD), and Character National (ISTD). Two of her notable ballet masters were Lorraine Peters (QSM) and Russell Kerr (ONZM, past Artistic Director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet). She danced with Southern Ballet, its companies, and Dance Arts, winning numerous awards including a student guest scholarship to the New Zealand School of Dance.

Dr Cairns is also a qualified secondary school and special education teacher who has worked in both Australia and the USA. While living in Washington DC she was the Ballet Mistress for Gallaudet University. In San Diego she was the Head Mistress for a small private school. Returning to New Zealand, she achieved her Doctorate in Education specialising in understanding the expert practice of teaching ballet. This research included working closely with international ballet masters within the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the Australian Ballet, and its findings strongly informed her professional knowledge and style of teaching.

In 2010 Dr Cairns established the Ballet Academy at St Andrew’s College, bringing this wealth of knowledge into daily practise.

Dr Carolyn Cairns, Ballet Academy Artistic Director

Dr Carolyn Cairns with senior ballet students

"Dr Cairns is an amazing influence on my children – they love her positivity and amaze me with their confidence. Her expectations are high, and she gets results, but she is supportive to each individual’s needs. Her communication and organisational skills are exemplary."
Parent

Our Ballet Academy tutors

Patron and Guest Tutor

Joshua Guillemot-Rodgerson (OC 2013)
B.F.A. (Dance, The Juilliard School, New York).

Past member of the Houston Ballet and current member of the Royal New Zealand Ballet (Principal Dancer).
Academy Tutor

Cariad Parker
RAD RTS (Dist.), AISTD, ARCM
Jazz Tutor

Sandy Gray
AJDA Solo Seal, Cecchetti Adv, Dip.Dnc Instr.
Guest Tutor

Hayley Watts
RAD.RTS, TC.NZAMD, ABBO
Guest Tutor

Sharon Tite
ARAD, BBO (Hons), ABBO (Dist)

Ballet Scholarship

A ballet fees scholarship is available for a new dancer joining St Andrew's College, for Year 7 or 8. The successful applicant receives a 50% reduction in all Ballet term fees for the year obtained. Please refer to enrolment form for full details. Past examination results are required (with achievement at Honours/Distinction or equivalent) or an audition.