Examinations & Class Awards
At Herts Dance Studio, our students have the opportunity to participate in regulated ballet and modern exams through the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD).
These structured assessments allow dancers to progress through the graded syllabi each year, building both their technique and artistic expression.
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Each exam is a rewarding milestone, offering a chance to perform in a focused setting, grow in confidence, and celebrate the progress made in class. Many of our dancers leave the exam room beaming and eager to do it again!
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Exams also encourage discipline, teamwork, musicality, and goal-setting; nurturing well-rounded dancers who take pride in their achievements.
These qualifications are recognised on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and contribute to a dancer’s formal education. Higher-level exams can earn UCAS points, which support university and college applications, an added benefit for students committed to their dance training.
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Angela, our studio director, is accredited with both the RAD and ISTD and brings a professional, nurturing and exciting approach to exam preparation.
Performance Awards
The American Academy of Ballet (AAB) Performance Awards is a non-competitive international programme offered in over 18 countries, and proudly here at Herts Dance Studio.
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Open to students aged 6 and above, the programme features 12 levels of classical ballet, with students performing solos and duets inspired by famous ballets like Swan Lake and Coppélia.
Dancers perform solos an dduets on stage in front of an audience and an international AAB judge, building performance confidence and deepening their appreciation for ballet as an art form.
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Every dancer is awarded a bronze, silver, or gold medal and certificate based on their individual performance, musicality, and stage presence.
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Senior dancers may also be offered a scholarship to attend the AAB Summer School in New York, training with professionals from around the world, an incredible opportunity.
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The Performance Awards are a beautiful way to build performance confidence, develop artistry, and connect to the global ballet community in a supportive and celebratory atmosphere.
Studio Shows
Each year, Herts Dance Studio brings our entire community together for a professional theatre production—a true celebration of our dancers’ hard work, growth, and creativity.
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Held every November, our annual studio show gives students the chance to perform on stage in a supportive and inspiring environment. From our Tiny Dancers aged 3 to our adult ballet students, every dancer is invited to take part, contributing to a magical performance that showcases the technique, musicality, and expressive skills developed throughout the year.
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Our shows are carefully themed and choreographed to highlight the progression of each age group while creating an engaging experience for families and audiences. In November 2024, our show "Ballet Stories", was a beautiful collection of pieces inspired by classical ballets, reimagined for each class and level.
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Performing is a powerful and joyful part of dance education. It gives our students something to work towards, nurtures stage confidence, and strengthens the bond within our HDS community. Our shows are the abolute cherished highlight of the studio calendar for dancers and their families.
