About
Marian McDermott School of Dance
Mission Statement
Marian McDermott School
of Dance is committed to providing an effective and innovative dance education
programme in a positive and supportive environment where all students
are respected and acknowledged.
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About Us
The school was established in 1995 and
initially specialised in the teaching of Classical Ballet. Contemporary
Dance and Jazz classes are now also included in the programme.
The school has been developed to
follow the philosophy that dance is a wonderfully expressive art form
that can be enjoyed and experienced by all, within a positive and encouraging
environment.
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The
tutors respect and enjoy working with dancers of all ages and abilities.
The teaching approach focuses on acknowledging individual achievements
within a supportive, innovative programme.
The
students work within a carefully structured syllabus and each is acknowledged
for their achievements and progress - not only those who meet the restrictive
physical requirements so often demanded. For these reasons the Marian
McDermott School of Dance has a policy of not entering students into exams.
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Alternative challenging situations
are provided for all the students to work towards. Each year the students
have the opportunity to perform on stage in our fabulous annual show.
The show is always very creative, entertaining and considered the highlight
of the year. The tutors work hard to help the students achieve a high
standard of performance. Students also participate in end of term sharing
sessions where they are expected to do their very best before an audience
of peers, family and friends.
2010 Show: This year the
show will be performed at Whangaparaoa College Theatre on Saturday 30th
and Sunday 31st October. Rehearsals will take place at the theatre in
the afternoon/evening of Thursday 28th and Friday 29th October and the
morning of Saturday 30th. details will follow closer to the time. Please
keep these dates free.
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At
the end of each year each student is presented with a "Certificate
of Attendance" and a personal report written by the class tutor.
The students continue to make excellent progress without the stress and
competitive nature of exams.
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One Step Beyond Dance Company
We were proud to announce
the launch of our own exciting and innovative youth dance company on August
3rd 2008. Established to cater for the needs of a group of highly dedicated
and talented senior students this company performs for the community all
over Auckland. Click on the One Step Beyond Button (at left) to read more
about this company.

A Career In Dance?
Please be assured that a decsion
not to sit dance exams will not prevent a student from going on to full
time dance training and a possible career in dance if they wish. Marian
already has several former students graduate with degrees in dance performance.
New Zealand's foremost full time tertiary level ballet school the "New
Zealand School of Dance" has confirmed in writing that it is not
necessary for students to have trained through ballet exam based systems
in order to be eligible for acceptance into their courses.

Contemporary Dance
These highly popular and creative classes are suitable
for students of 9 years of age and above. It is highly recommended that
keen dancers join these exciting and innovative classes which focus on
musicality, spatial awareness, movement composition and correct body alignment.
This class is designed to compliment the ballet programme at the school
and ensure the dancers are able to perform confidently in both dance styles.
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"Positively
Ballet"
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