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 such as Wakakirri Story Dance Challenge for our Contemporary and Jazz dancers and the Australian All Star Cheerleading Federation (AASCF) competitions for our Pom and Hip Hop Teams.
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.
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.
Parent pick up for Year 3 to Year 6 girls is in the southern foyer of the Senior Centre regardless of any room changes.
2019 was an extremely successful year for the MLC School Dance program which continues to make an outstanding impression both within and outside the School community. Their participation in numerous internal and external performances and competitions has proved to be a great success for all involved. In 2019 the Junior Wakakirri entry Faded, which explored human impacts on the Great Barrier Reef received awards for: Spirit of Wakakirri, Best Teamwork, Excellent Performance Teamwork, Well-Rehearsed Performance, Excellent Group Acting, Excellent Theme/Concept, Best Direction – Combination of Dancing and Acting. The group also won a Story Award for Best Social Media Story which meant our Junior School team qualified for the awards night for the first time.
Our Senior Wakakirri team was awarded for their performance, The Price of Low Cost, Most creative reuse of materials for sets and props, Most creative reuse of materials for costumes, Excellent Lead Cast, Excellent Supporting Cast, Excellent Theme/Concept, Excellent Construction and Clarity, Excellent Overall Set Design, Best Backstage Crew, Best Lighting Design and Calling. The group also won a Story Award for Best Raising Awareness Story which meant our Senior School teams once again qualified for the awards nights and for the first time won the converted Division 1 – Story of the Year Award.
Our Junior and Senior School Hip Hop teams were undefeated in both Australian All Star Cheerleading Federation (AASCF) WinterFest and AASCF Dance Battle competitions with the Junior Pom and Senior Pom teams placing first in the AASCF WinterFest competition and at the Dance Battle.
We request that all parents/carers and students read and agree to the MLC School Dance contract before participating in co-curricular Dance.
For enquiries, please contact Dance Coordinator Jenna Skepper.

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
Uniform
Click here for uniform requirements.
Coordinator: Jenna Skepper
Time: Tuesday 3.30pm–5pm
Location: To be advised
Cost: $140 per term
Costume hire fee: $100 (one-off payment)
Enrolment: Enrol via the MLC School Payments Site
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 a number of 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 Community Performance
Uniform
Click here for Year 3 to Year 6 uniform requirements.
Click here for Year 7 to Year 12 uniform requirements.
Coordinator: Jenna Skepper
Time: Ensemble: Wednesday 3.30pm–5pm
Company: Tuesday 3.30pm–5pm
Location: To be advised
Cost: $140 per term
Costume hire fee: $100 (one-off payment)
Enrolment: Enrol via the MLC School Payments Site
Enrol in Contemporary Dance Ensemble (Year 3 to Year 6)
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 Community Performance
Uniform
Click here for Year 3 to Year 6 uniform requirements.
Click here for Year 7 to Year 12 uniform requirements.
Coordinator: Jenna Skepper
Time: Junior: Monday 5pm–6pm
Senior: Thursday 5pm–6.30pm
Location: To be advised
Cost: Junior: $125 per term
Senior: $140 per term
Costume hire fee: $85
Enrolment: Enrol via the MLC School Payments Site
Enrol in Junior Hip Hop Crew (Year 3 to Year 6)
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
Uniform
Click here for Year 3 to Year 6 uniform requirements.
Click here for Year 7 to Year 12 uniform requirements.
Coordinator: Jenna Skepper
Time: Ensemble: Monday 3.30pm–5pm
Company: Thursday 3.30pm–5pm
Location: To be advised
Cost: $140 per term
Costume hire fee: $100 (one-off payment)
Enrolment: Enrol via the MLC School Payments Site
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 Community Performance
Uniform
Click here for Year 3 to Year 6 uniform requirements.
Click here for Year 7 to Year 12 uniform requirements.
Coordinator: Jenna Skepper
Time: Junior: Thursday 3.30pm–5pm
Senior: Wednesday 3.30pm–5pm
Location: To be advised
Cost: $140 per term
Competition uniform: Approx. $140 (for new students)
Enrolment: Enrol via the MLC School Payments Site
Enrol in Junior Pom Team (Year 3 to Year 6)