The Royal Academy of Dance at MDA
The Royal Academy of Dance
The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) was founded in 1920 to raise the standards of dance teaching, and over 100 years later they are recognized as one of the world’s most influential dance education and training organizations. With its headquarters based in London UK, the RAD is a global organization that trains teachers, creates syllabi, and delivers exams in over 85 countries with a quarter million candidates taking exams a year.
Metrowest Dance Academy is the sole RAD registered school in Metrowest MA.
Why RAD at Metrowest Dance Academy?
Behind the RAD training at MDA is Gemma Williams, Director of MDA and an examiner and tutor for the RAD:
“In structuring the school’s training around the RAD syllabi we are able to offer a rich, well researched, and up-to-date form of ballet training to all of our students. The first semester of training each year is focused on the learning of new steps and movement phrases. In the second semester exercises and dances are prepared progressively over five months, focusing on three main areas: technique, music and performance. Students are invited to enter for an exam in early June each year depending on their experience, attendance, and progress.”
Gemma Williams, RAD Examiner and Tutor
Director: Metrowest Dance Academy
RAD Exams and Class Awards
The RAD offers a broad variety of Examinations and Class Awards allowing for inclusivity throughout the studio.
RAD Exam
In an RAD Exam students present the syllabus to an external examiner in a group of up to four students. The students are marked on technique, musicality and performance and receive a mark out of 100.
RAD Class Award
The RAD Class Award is a supported form of the same examination material as the RAD Exam with the class teacher present to provide additional support and assurance. The students enter in groups of up to 8. They are assessed in the same areas as the exam and results show whether the required content was achieved occasionally, generally or frequently.
Benefits of Taking Exams
Working towards an exam/class award motivates everyone to work to their maximum capacity. They learn to implement feedback, grow from their mistakes, and problem solve in each class. Progress in classical ballet takes time and careful teaching. It is highly beneficial for students to understand that their consistent weekly practice is what leads to good results in the end of year exam.
Each student achieves at their own level. They do not compete with each other at any stage of their syllabus training. They are marked to an international standard and strive to do their personal best.
Students often come out of their exam wanting to go back in and do it all again. There is such a sense of completion and achievement when they can go into the studio and perform for the examiner.
“I am a proud husband and parent of RAD dancers. Personally, I believe RAD training and exams are a great opportunity to enhance soft skills that are highly valuable in adult life: being able to present something you worked on for an extended period of time, with grace and a smile! Moreover, you get the chance to do that with your group of friends in a safe and controlled environment. Without a doubt, RAD training teach values and skills that go beyond the classroom.”
M. Guardado
RAD Teachers
RAD teacher training takes time and investment, and we are fortunate to have 4 RAD registered teachers on faculty at MDA. We believe that all teachers who are responsible for the education of children should be professionally trained and qualified to teach effectively and safely.
“For most of us the training started as children in our home dance studios, being inspired in our classes and assisting teachers. As individuals we have invested years into our professional training and as RAD registered teachers, we must complete prescribed hours of continued professional development each year to maintain registered teacher status. In addition, every summer, the faculty at MDA undergo extra training with the director to build a cohesive training program for the students at MDA.”
Gemma Williams, RAD Examiner and Tutor
Director: Metrowest Dance Academy
“I’m a RAD certified ballet teacher. One of the biggest reasons I chose to get trained in the RAD methodology was I had the best experiences with RAD ballet schools as a student. Since the first exam I loved the feeling of achievement you get at the end of every year. The excitement of showing what you’ve learned to a different professional dance teacher and leaving the studio knowing you did your best. This shaped my character and gave me the ability to talk in front of a group and manage them, in and out of the artistic field.”
Tania Prado, RAD registered teacher
Metrowest Dance Academy
