Dance
Year 3 to Year 12
Dance is an integral part of MLC School’s performing arts program.
A popular activity, Dance offers a variety of classes from Year 3 to Year 12. The Dance program prides itself on being an inclusive, creative and collaborative community. Our aim is to provide a supportive environment for girls of all abilities, allowing the girls to develop and refine their skills alongside peers as well as those from outside of their Year level. Along with being an excellent physical activity, we identify the importance of dance as an art form and see dance as means for our students to understand and respond to the world around them. Each year the program creates and performs a number of works for School community performances, such as Dance Showcase, alongside various external competitions.
Dance is a year-long commitment. Enrolment in all dance programs occurs via our online enrolment system. New enrolments are only accepted in Term 1 and Term 4.
In order for a class or program to run, there must be a minimum of eight students enrolled. If this minimum number is not reached the class will not go ahead and any enrolled students will be fully refunded.
Fees for the first term are paid in advance by credit or debit card through the online enrolment page, and at the start of each subsequent term students will be automatically re-enrolled in the relevant programs and payment will be added to the student’s school fees.
Any student can opt out of re-enrolment by informing the Dance Coordinator in writing by Week 7 the term prior.
For full details on each program please scroll to the drop down menus at the bottom of this page.
For Enrolment in each Program please go to the MLC School payments page by following the relevant link below:
YEAR 3 TO YEAR 6 PROGRAMS
Contemporary Dance Ensemble (Year 3 to Year 6)
Ballet Dance Ensemble (Year 3 to Year 6)
Junior Hip Hop Crew (Year 3 to Year 6)
Jazz Dance Ensemble (Year 3 to Year 6)
Junior Pom Team (Year 3 to Year 6)
YEAR 7 TO YEAR 12 PROGRAMS
Ballet Technique and Conditioning (Year 7 to Year 12)
Contemporary Dance Company (Year 7 to Year 12)
Senior Hip Hop Crew (Year 7 to Year 12 )
Jazz Dance Company (Year 7 to Year 12)
Senior Pom Team (Year 7 to Year 12)
All information and notices will be communicated by the MLC School app.
To receive this information, parents and carers must adjust their settings in the MLC School app to subscribe to the Co-curricular Dance tags appropriate to their daughter/s registrations. You will also need to subscribe to the same tags within the parent portal – Omnia.
Students commit to their chosen dance programs for the full academic year so that they are able to participate in the performances and competitions throughout Term 2 through to Term 4.
We have high standards for the girls taking part in dance – they are expected to attend all rehearsals – both the weekly after school sessions and a small number of weekend rehearsals in the lead up to a major performance (not applicable for Pre-Kindergarten to Year 2). If a rehearsal must be missed, the Dance Coordinator must be informed in writing prior to the date of the rehearsal, with a minimum of one week’s notice. There is an expectation that students attend 85% of all scheduled rehearsals at minimum.
In Term 2 and Term 3, ensembles and companies will require additional rehearsals, including some Sundays, as they prepare for performances. Students and parents/carers will be notified of these rehearsal dates via term notices.
Please note: Class and ensemble rehearsal venues are subject to change on occasion. Despite this parent pick up for Year 3 to Year 6 girls is in the southern foyer of the Senior Centre regardless of any room changes.
Dance Ensembles
Year 3 to Year 6
The Dance Ensemble program allows for continued growth and development of our Junior School girls in dance. As part of the dance ensembles students start to focus on individual styles of dance and are offered a number of internal and external performance opportunities throughout the year. The dance ensembles are an inclusive program. The vertical nature allows us to cater to both the students who are new to dance as well as those who are experienced dancers.
Dance Companies
Year 7 to Year 12
The Dance Companies allow for both development and extension of a Senior School students’ dance skills, with a focus on the character attributes including teamwork skills, sense of responsibility, appreciation of diversity, tenacity and self-awareness. The vertical nature of the dance companies allows for girls to work with others from across the Senior School creating a strong sense of community. Girls also work with others who have the same skill level. The companies are inclusive and foster a sense of responsibility and reinforce cognitive and personal development.
Celebrated for its beauty, Classical Ballet is the traditional form of dance that evolved from court dancing. Over time it has been refined to the skilled and artistic version we see today. With a sound ballet technique, dancers can make an easy transition into other forms of dance. Ballet trains the body carefully, developing strength, control, coordination and line. These programs are suited for beginner through to intermediate students.
Performances
Wakakirri Story Dance Challenge
Annual Community Performance
Dance Coordinator: Jenna Skepper
Assistant Dance Coordinator: Jessica Dyson
Places Available: minimum eight students to run
Time: Tuesday 3.30pm–5pm
Location: Senior Centre Studios
There is a cost associated with this activity
Costume hire fee: There is a further fee (one-off payment)
Enrolment: Enrol via the MLC School Payments Site on the link below.
2025 Payment links will be made available soon.
Note: Ballet Dance Technique and Conditioning is not running in Term 1 2025.
Targeted to both beginners and intermediate dancers in Year 7 – Year 12, this class offers a unique blend of traditional ballet techniques, enriching variations, and innovative Pilates-based conditioning exercises.
In this dynamic class, you’ll dive deep into the art of ballet, mastering fundamental techniques through structured classwork. Our Dance tutors will guide you through a series of carefully curated ballet exercises, helping you perfect your form and enhance your skills.
We believe in the holistic development of dancers. As such, students should expect to engage in Pilates-based conditioning exercises, tailored to strengthen the core, improve flexibility, and promote pliability. These exercises are designed to enhance overall ballet performance, ensuring you not only move with grace but also with strength and precision.
This non-performance-based lesson is specifically crafted to promote a dancer’s kinaesthetic awareness and artistry in dance. It’s not just about mastering the steps; it’s about understanding your body’s movements and capabilities on a deeper level, fostering creativity and expression in your dance journey. This unique approach makes our class an ideal choice for all dancers, particularly those studying contemporary dance, RAD vocational ballet outside of school or our Years 9-12 elective dancers.
Whether you’re a beginner discovering the magic of ballet or an intermediate dancer looking to refine your skills, our class will support and nurture your command of this traditional artform.
Dance Coordinator: Jenna Skepper
Assistant Dance Coordinator: Jessica Dyson
Places Available: Minimum of eight students for class to run
Not running in Term 1 2025
Time: Monday 3.30pm-5pm
Location: Dance Studio F19
There is a cost associated with this activity
2025 Payment links will be made available soon.
Enrolment: Please note this is not running in Term 1 2025, payment page below is not available.
ENSEMBLE: YEAR 3 TO YEAR 6
COMPANY: YEAR 7 TO YEAR 12
Contemporary Dance is an expressive dance style that uses movement to communicate an intention to an audience. Practitioners such as Martha Graham and Isadora Duncan pioneered Contemporary Dance in the early 1900s. In Australia today we have several Contemporary Dance companies including Sydney Dance Company, Chunky Move and Bangarra Dance Theatre. Students will engage in a warm-up and technique development component before working towards generating dance work for public performance.
Performances
Wakakirri Story Dance Challenge
Annual Showcase Performance
Dance Coordinator: Jenna Skepper
Assistant Dance Coordinator: Jessica Dyson
Places Available: minimum eight students to run
Time: Ensemble: Wednesday 3.30pm–5pm
Company: Tuesday 3.30pm–5pm
Location: Senior Centre Studios
There is a cost associated with this activity
Costume hire fee: This is an extra fee (one-off payment)
Enrolment: Visit the MLC School payment page on the relevant link below.
2025 Payment links will be made available soon.
JUNIOR HIP HOP CREW: YEAR 3 TO YEAR 6
SENIOR HIP HOP CREW: YEAR 7 TO YEAR 12
Hip Hop is a pop culture style of dance, rooted in urban US culture. The music is the driving force behind the Hip Hop genre, with an emphasis on execution, style, creativity, body isolations, control, rhythm, uniformity and musical interpretation. Routines may also put an additional focus on athletic incorporations such as jumps and other tricks.
Performances
AASCF Competitions
Annual Showcase Performance
Dance Coordinator: Jenna Skepper
Assistant Dance Coordinator: Jessica Dyson
Places Available: minimum eight students to run
Time: Ensemble: Monday 5pm–6pm
Company: Thursday 5pm–6.30pm
Location: Senior Centre Studios
There is a cost associated with this activity
Costume hire fee: there is a further fee (one off payment)
Enrolment: Enrol via the MLC School Payments Site on the relevant link below.
2025 Payment links will be made available soon.
Ensemble: Year 3 to Year 6
Company: Year 7 to Year 12
Jazz is a high-energy form of dance performed to popular music. This style is often musically driven using technical skills such as turns, jumps, leaps, kicks and body isolations. Students will engage in a warm-up and technique development component before working towards generating dance pieces for public performance.
Performances
Wakakirri Story Dance Challenge
Annual Community Performance
Dance Coordinator: Jenna Skepper
Assistant Dance Coordinator: Jessica Dyson
Places Available: minimum eight students to run
Time: Ensemble: Monday 3.30pm–5pm
Company: Thursday 3.30pm–5pm
Location: Senior Centre Studios
There is a cost associated with this activity
Costume hire fee: there is a further fee (one-off payment)
Enrolment: Enrol via the MLC School Payments Site on the relevant link below.
2025 Payment links will be made available soon.
Enrol in Jazz Dance Ensemble (Year 3 to Year 6)
Enrol in Jazz Company (Year 7 to Year 12)
Junior: Year 3 to Year 6
Senior: Year 7 to Year 12
MLC School has been highly successful in the competitive cheer arena. Through our Pom teams students learn specific skills relating to aspects of competitive cheerleading including jumps, lifts, motions and dance elements. The team works towards generating a routine for public performance and cheer competitions.
Performances
AASCF Competitions
Annual Showcase Performance
Dance Coordinator: Jenna Skepper
Assistant Dance Coordinator: Jessica Dyson
Places Available: minimum eight students to run
Time: Junior – Thursday 3.30pm-5pm
Senior – Wednesday 3.30pm-5pm
Location: Senior Centre Studios
There is a cost associated with both Ensemble and Company
Competition uniform: there is a further payment for uniform (for new students)
Enrolment: Enrol via the MLC School Payments Site on the relevant link below.
2025 Payment links will be made available soon.