Upper and Lower School
This rigorous program is available to students in years 7-12, combining ballet training with senior academic studies at Kelvin Grove State College. It is best suited to students with ballet experience, who wish to pursue a career in ballet or dance.
Developing Students' Skills to the Highest Artistic and Technical Standards with Professional Ballet and Dance Training
Students enrolled in the program enjoy the benefit of working within a professional environment to advance their ballet and dance skills, while undertaking face-to-face secondary academic studies at Kelvin Grove State College. 
All Queensland Ballet Academy Programs are overseen by Academy Director, Christian Tátchev, under the guidance of Queensland Ballet's Artistic Director, Li Cunxin AO.
#Program Information
The Upper and Lower Schools are available to students in school years 7-12. This program consists of a half-day of dance and a half-day of academic studies, with further dance subjects offered on Saturdays for Upper School students.
Students undertake half a day of dance training each weekday, as well as on Saturdays for Upper Level students. This equates to up to 25 hours of dance studies per week, alongside a well-balanced academic study load.
Studies cover all aspects of classical ballet training including:
Daily class
Pas de deux
Repertoire
Pointe
Technique
And training in:
Classical character dance
Historical dance
Contemporary dance
Contemporary partnering
Improvisation and choreography
Body conditioning
General fitness
Additional supplementary subjects, such as musicality studies, choreography and improvisation, ballet history, drama and mime, career preparation, and sessions focusing on safe dance practice, performance psychology and sports nutrition are offered throughout the course*.
* Subjects offered based on level of training. Some levels may not offer all subjects.
All students are required to be enrolled in Kelvin Grove State College, where they attend half-day academic studies on weekdays. The College has developed a unique academic program which allows students to pursue their professional dance training, without compromising on their academic studies.
Students who successfully complete the program also receive a Statement of Attainment endorsed by Queensland Ballet and the Department of Education. Vocational Education and Training (VET) accredited courses, e.g., Diploma of Business, are also available.
Completion of each of the Upper School Levels allows students to attain credit points which contribute to their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), via Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA).
Learn more about the partnership with Kelvin Grove State College here.
The program aligns with students’ school years, where subjects and training hours vary depending on school year / student age*.
Lower level - program levels 6-4 (school years 7-9)
Upper level - program levels 3-1 (school years 10-12)
*Flexibility exists for misalignment of program Levels and academic years (e.g., a Level 5 student can be in year 7 or Level 2 student can be in year 10). The exception to this rule is that, due to timetabling limitations, it may not always be possible to meet the Australian Curriculum requirements for middle school students (years 7–9) enrolled in Level 3 or above. These enrolments are managed on a case-by-case basis by Kelvin Grove State College.
Queensland Ballet Academy has received a positive notice of recognition from the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) for Levels 3 to 1 (Upper School). Recognition by this Queensland Government statutory body allows students completing these levels to attain credit points which will contribute to their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).
Entry into all Academy programs is by invitation or audition only. Auditions are held annually on a set date, and are open to local, interstate and overseas applicants.
Level 1 Contemporary Course
The Level 1 Contemporary Course is for students in years 11-12, or in their first year post-school, wishing to pursue a dance career in contemporary or neo-classical companies. Students may transition from our classical course into the Contemporary Course, or audition to enrol directly into the course through the Academy audition process.
#Discover more
Academy Fees
Find out information relating to Academy fees and financial support.
FAQs
Have more questions about our training programs? Find more information through our frequently asked questions.
Auditions
Find out detailed information about auditions for all our programs.
