School Of The Arts, Singapore
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JRLam:
Its on the website http://www.sota.edu.sg/
Hi ikkinique,ikkinique:
Hope my reply helps you.
Do you know if it is SOTA's Open House day on 12 May? If not, do you know which day is it held and what can the public expect to see on that day?
Sorry to ask you coz the website doesn't seem to offer much info yet I thought I read/hear from someone else on that Open House day ...
Thanks!
12th May 9-5pm -
Ragamuffin shinobi:
My daughter is in SOTA Dance Year 3, so I can only help with answers about dance. She auditioned for SOTA in her Primary 6 year with a RAD Gd 5 certificate and CSTD Tap Silver, Jazz Gd 5 and a resume that included wins in the under 13s category of the Asia Pacific Dance Competition (Ensemble).Wow! Thanks for your reply!
Really good to hear this from a student's perspective.
There's always that nagging feeling that if my girl loses interest in dance in future, her years in Sota will be tough. However, it may also be the best years since it'll allow her to continue doing what she (currently) loves while she studies. I have no doubts that Sota provides very good training and facilities for the different art forms. Hmmm... Just wondering of she will be able to stand the rigourous schedule tho.
Just out of curiosity, your friends in dance intend to give up dancing after graduation? Or just not go into full fledged performing? My girl has also asked about what happens to her dance qualifications coz she heard that most dancers in Sota stop their dance class outside. Does Sota prepare them for their RAD or equivalent certification? I think Sota does prepare the Music students for some music certification.
Thanks in advance again! :thankyou:
As far as I know, for the SOTA auditions a dancer with technical maturity and a keen awareness of the performance (facial expression, dance artistry) is very important, it is what sets a dancer with potential apart. Sadly, while some dancers have technique, they lack the performance factor and seem to go through dance motions with a very wooden expression which lets them down. SOTA dance auditions are very competitive, and if you present the RAD certificate as part of the resume, your child should be in the High Distinctions (92% and above). Aside from Ballet, the auditions have students from Malay, Indian and Chinese, as well as Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop and Dancesport/Ballroom some of whom are already savvy competition or award winners.
Only 30 students are given spaces for SOTA Dance each year so you can imagine the standards required.
\"My girl has also asked about what happens to her dance qualifications coz she heard that most dancers in Sota stop their dance class outside. Does Sota prepare them for their RAD or equivalent certification? \"
My daughter has passed her RAD Intermediates last year and currently in RAD Advance 1 at her dance school outside of SOTA. She has stopped the Graded RAD classes because the dance teacher felt it was not necessary as the RAD Vocational Exams require higher dance skills, are geared towards performance over the graded syllabus learning. Frankly, it gets harder to keep up with ballet outside as SOTA dance has long hours, each day the dance schedules are different and there are practices for showcases or events. Some outside dance schools are not supportive of SOTA's dance curriculum which is tailored very specifically for the students, it does not follow the RAD syllabus (being one we are used to in Singapore). I personally know of incidences where outside RAD dance teachers have strongly discouraged their dance students from auditioning for SOTA saying the IB dance curriculum is untested and no one knows yet where it will lead.
Many parents ask me are the SOTA dancers being short changed when they do not have the outside ballet schools and RAD exams ? Look at it this way : SOTA dance is everyday, Monday to Friday and over the holidays, they must attend Dance lessons in school over a fixed period. SOTA has it's own dance exams which they MUST pass.
Is the RAD certificate important ? I used to think it was, but now have decided it is not because looking at my daughter, SOTA dancers receive more than adequate dance training. At Year 3, the level of Ballet is very mature, technically very good for Singapore standards because the teachers themselves were dancers and know the exacting standards required.
My daughter absolutely LOVES the school and is lucky to have the opportunities to learn dance from industry specialists who were dancers with Singapore Dance Theatre and THE Dance Company. The exposure SOTA dancers get is extraordinary where subsidised dance performances and ballets at the Esplanade are learning experiences, their depth of learning about dance is amazing (Anatomy & Kinesiology, Dance History). There are regular Master Classes from visiting teachers of other schools around the world to broaden their dance training.
Does my daughter want to be a dancer ? She says yes but ...... she also wants to do well in school especially as she enjoys Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.
At the end of Yr 2, parents will be invited to a talk where the IB subject combination is explained very clearly to them. They will be able to see where their child is heading academically and speak to the Subject Heads for clarification. Neither the student nor parents will be left floundering for answers, I've found the teachers to be contactable via emails and able to meet me when I ask for appointments.
I hope this helps. -
dance and theatre:
Thanks for the parents point of view here, dance and theatre!
My daughter is in SOTA Dance Year 3, so I can only help with answers about dance. She auditioned for SOTA in her Primary 6 year with a RAD Gd 5 certificate and CSTD Tap Silver, Jazz Gd 5 and a resume that included wins in the under 13s category of the Asia Pacific Dance Competition (Ensemble).Ragamuffin shinobi:
Wow! Thanks for your reply!
Really good to hear this from a student's perspective.
There's always that nagging feeling that if my girl loses interest in dance in future, her years in Sota will be tough. However, it may also be the best years since it'll allow her to continue doing what she (currently) loves while she studies. I have no doubts that Sota provides very good training and facilities for the different art forms. Hmmm... Just wondering of she will be able to stand the rigourous schedule tho.
Just out of curiosity, your friends in dance intend to give up dancing after graduation? Or just not go into full fledged performing? My girl has also asked about what happens to her dance qualifications coz she heard that most dancers in Sota stop their dance class outside. Does Sota prepare them for their RAD or equivalent certification? I think Sota does prepare the Music students for some music certification.
Thanks in advance again! :thankyou:
As far as I know, for the SOTA auditions a dancer with technical maturity and a keen awareness of the performance (facial expression, dance artistry) is very important, it is what sets a dancer with potential apart. Sadly, while some dancers have technique, they lack the performance factor and seem to go through dance motions with a very wooden expression which lets them down. SOTA dance auditions are very competitive, and if you present the RAD certificate as part of the resume, your child should be in the High Distinctions (92% and above). Aside from Ballet, the auditions have students from Malay, Indian and Chinese, as well as Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop and Dancesport/Ballroom some of whom are already savvy competition or award winners.
Only 30 students are given spaces for SOTA Dance each year so you can imagine the standards required.
\"My girl has also asked about what happens to her dance qualifications coz she heard that most dancers in Sota stop their dance class outside. Does Sota prepare them for their RAD or equivalent certification? \"
My daughter has passed her RAD Intermediates last year and currently in RAD Advance 1 at her dance school outside of SOTA. She has stopped the Graded RAD classes because the dance teacher felt it was not necessary as the RAD Vocational Exams require higher dance skills, are geared towards performance over the graded syllabus learning. Frankly, it gets harder to keep up with ballet outside as SOTA dance has long hours, each day the dance schedules are different and there are practices for showcases or events. Some outside dance schools are not supportive of SOTA's dance curriculum which is tailored very specifically for the students, it does not follow the RAD syllabus (being one we are used to in Singapore). I personally know of incidences where outside RAD dance teachers have strongly discouraged their dance students from auditioning for SOTA saying the IB dance curriculum is untested and no one knows yet where it will lead.
Many parents ask me are the SOTA dancers being short changed when they do not have the outside ballet schools and RAD exams ? Look at it this way : SOTA dance is everyday, Monday to Friday and over the holidays, they must attend Dance lessons in school over a fixed period. SOTA has it's own dance exams which they MUST pass.
Is the RAD certificate important ? I used to think it was, but now have decided it is not because looking at my daughter, SOTA dancers receive more than adequate dance training. At Year 3, the level of Ballet is very mature, technically very good for Singapore standards because the teachers themselves were dancers and know the exacting standards required.
My daughter absolutely LOVES the school and is lucky to have the opportunities to learn dance from industry specialists who were dancers with Singapore Dance Theatre and THE Dance Company. The exposure SOTA dancers get is extraordinary where subsidised dance performances and ballets at the Esplanade are learning experiences, their depth of learning about dance is amazing (Anatomy & Kinesiology, Dance History). There are regular Master Classes from visiting teachers of other schools around the world to broaden their dance training.
Does my daughter want to be a dancer ? She says yes but ...... she also wants to do well in school especially as she enjoys Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.
At the end of Yr 2, parents will be invited to a talk where the IB subject combination is explained very clearly to them. They will be able to see where their child is heading academically and speak to the Subject Heads for clarification. Neither the student nor parents will be left floundering for answers, I've found the teachers to be contactable via emails and able to meet me when I ask for appointments.
I hope this helps. -
Anyone went for the SOTA open house? No comments?
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blitz:
Anyone went for the SOTA open house? No comments?
We went for the dance showcases and we were blown away! Fwaah! Can understand their long hours now...
:rahrah: :rahrah: :rahrah:
Now wondering if my dd can ever reach those standards....
more like if she can even get in like that.
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The dancers in the showcases are Yr 3, 4, the Esmerelda Solo is by a Yr 6 sitting for her IB this year. My daughter's class did the barre exercises in the 10.30am showcase and it's mostly to show the parents and prospective students where they will be at after 2 whole years of dance.
Glad you enjoyed the showcase, they are always wonderful to watch.
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I'm wondering if the dance showcases were recorded? I'd love to watch but can't seem to find them on youtube. We missed the open house unfortunately
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dramamama70:
I'm wondering if the dance showcases were recorded? I'd love to watch but can't seem to find them on youtube. We missed the open house unfortunately
Think they are quite strict on the 'no recording' rule so don't think anyone did. Unless its by the officials.
And yes... Think everyone was too mesmerised by the dancers to even record!
Am sure your dd should be able to find someone who recorded their rehearsal or something. -
Ragamuffin shinobi:
Same here! I watched all 3 shows! The standard is amazing!We went for the dance showcases and we were blown away! Fwaah! Can understand their long hours now...
:rahrah: :rahrah: :rahrah:
Now wondering if my dd can ever reach those standards.... more like if she can even get in like that.
Dance and Theatre - May I know, does every girl get to perform? Is everyone that good just because of the long hours they put in? Most of the dancers look like they are very outgoing, extrovert and really enjoying their dance. But I am sure there are a few more introvert ones and not performance-oriented. Are they being trained to perform? -
JRLam:
I think the dancers were already the outgoing, extroverted ones who enjoy performing in the first place. Think it sounds like what they look out for at the TA.
Same here! I watched all 3 shows! The standard is amazing!Ragamuffin shinobi:
We went for the dance showcases and we were blown away! Fwaah! Can understand their long hours now...
:rahrah: :rahrah: :rahrah:
Now wondering if my dd can ever reach those standards.... more like if she can even get in like that.
Dance and Theatre - May I know, does every girl get to perform? Is everyone that good just because of the long hours they put in? Most of the dancers look like they are very outgoing, extrovert and really enjoying their dance. But I am sure there are a few more introvert ones and not performance-oriented. Are they being trained to perform?
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