Congratulations! We are thrilled to share that we feel your dancer is ready to attempt their RAD Ballet Examination for the level mentioned in the email subject line. This is a reflection of their dedication, progress, and hard work throughout the year.

The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Graded and Vocational Ballet Examinations are scheduled to take place in early spring, between May 2–10, 2025. Once MWDA receives confirmation of the exact date and time from RAD, families will be notified by email.

Please note that participation in the exams is optional. If your child chooses not to take the exam this year, they may still progress to the next level at the discretion of their teacher.

Expectations for Exam Participants:
If your child participates in the exam, they will be required to:

• Attend all extra preparation classes (details below) and practice regularly at home,

• Attend all regularly scheduled classes through to the end of the season in June,

• Pass the Mock Exam, which is included in the preparation class schedule.

These requirements are essential to ensure that each dancer is confident, well-prepared, and ready to succeed.

SCHEDULE OF EXTRA PREPARATION CLASSES

To ensure dancers are fully prepared for their Royal Academy of Dance Ballet examinations, extra preparation classes will begin in February. Depending on the level, dancers will attend 5-8 additional classes, along with one mock examination. These extra classes will take place either during the week or on weekends, and the finalized schedule will be shared soon.

Parent Observation:

• Mandatory: Grade 1–3

• Optional: Grade 4

• Not Included: Higher Grades/Vocational Levels

We encourage parents to actively support their dancers during the exam preparation process by assisting with home practice. For Grades 1–3, parent viewing provides an excellent opportunity to observe progress and record videos of the class for your dancer to reference while practicing. This additional support at home can make a significant difference in their success and confidence during the examination.

SYLLABUS BOOKS, MUSIC & VIDEOS

At MWDA, we strive to keep costs manageable for our dancers and their families while ensuring every dancer has the resources needed to succeed in their Royal Academy of Dance Ballet examinations. To support this, we aim to provide affordable access to RAD syllabus materials, including books and music, which are essential for effective exam preparation.

For Levels Primary–Grade 5:
Examination fees include a digital copy of the syllabus book and music for your dancer’s level. This approach significantly reduces the cost compared to purchasing these materials outright. Once your examination fees are received, you will be provided with access to these resources for the duration of your preparation.

For Higher Grades and Vocational Levels:
Unfortunately, rental syllabus books and music are not available for these levels. However, if you would like a digital copy of the music, please contact the office for assistance.

Additional Resources:
The Royal Academy of Dance offers an app available for purchase on the iTunes and Google Play stores. This app includes videos of the exercises and dances for most levels (excluding Grades 6–8). It’s an excellent supplementary tool to support your dancer’s practice at home.

DISTRIBUTION OF RESULTS

At MWDA, we believe in celebrating the dedication and hard work of our dancers and instructors, as well as the sense of community that makes our studio so special. To honour this, we are thrilled to host a celebratory event after the Royal Academy of Dance Ballet examinations—a chance for our dance family to come together outside of the studio and share in the joy of accomplishment. Past celebrations have included fun events like a frozen yogurt party!

Mark Your Calendars:
The distribution of all RAD Ballet examination results will take place at our Exam Celebration Party in June 2025. More details about this special event will be shared in a letter closer to the date.

Important Note:
Results will not be distributed or discussed prior to the celebration. This ensures that all dancers receive their results in a supportive and celebratory environment, reinforcing the importance of community and shared success.

DRESS REQUIREMENTS FOR EXAMINATIONS:

All of the items listed are available through McDonald-Wilson Dance Academy (Diva Gear for leotards and tights) BodyThings & City Dancewear (both for ballet slippers and character attire). Items are also part of the MWDA dress requirements 2024-25. 

*PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR DANCER’S CHARACTER SKIRT IS AT MID-CALF LENGTH IN MARCH 2025.

Ballet 1:                      

• Pink Prima Soft Leotard (#506)           

• Pink Prima Soft tights.

• Pink leather full sole ballet slippers with pale pink elastic

• Character skirt (mid-calf length) and low-heeled character shoes

• Watering Can (supplied by MWDA); please bring practice watering can to each extra class.

Ballet 2:                      

• Pink Prima Soft Leotard (#506)               

• Pink Prima Soft tights.

• Pink leather full sole ballet slippers with pale pink elastic

• Character skirt (mid-calf length) and low-heeled character shoes

• Flower garland (supplied by MWDA); please bring practice garland to extra class. 

Ballet 4:                       

• Navy blue Prima Soft Leotard (#506)        

• Pink Prima Soft tights.

• Pink leather full sole ballet slippers with ribbons (please start wearing them immediately); ribbons can be purchased by emailing Shannon shannonbachynski@me.com

• Character skirt (mid-calf length)

• 10” tambourine with head (supplied by MWDA); please bring practice tambourine to extra class. 

Ballet 6/7/8:

• Black Prima Soft Leotard (#506)

• Pink Prima Soft Tights

• Pink canvas, split sole ballet slippers, with elastic

• Black Chiffon Calf-Length Skirt (supplied by MWDA)

• White Free-Movement Scarf (supplied by MWDA)

• Character skirt (mid-calf length) and high-heeled character shoes

 Vocational levels (female)           

• Black Mondor (pinch front) Leotard

• Pink Prima Soft tights

• Soft pointe shoes with ribbons (please start wearing them immediately to all classes)

• Pointe shoes

EXAMINATION TUITION

What’s Included in the Examination Tuition?
The examination tuition covers:

• Royal Academy of Dance Examination Entry Fees

• Tuition for Extra Preparation Classes (ranging from 45 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on the level)

• Exam Preparation Support

• Syllabus Rentals (for eligible levels)

Please note that these fees are non-refundable, regardless of attendance, and must be paid by the specified deadline. Additionally, all student accounts must be paid in full prior to the examination date.

Fee Adjustments:
Exam fees are calculated based on the current number of exam candidates. Should this number change, there may be a corresponding increase in fees/schedule adjustments.

Why Choose RAD Examinations?
The Royal Academy of Dance is an internationally recognized organization, and its ballet examinations provide dancers with a globally acknowledged accreditation. This recognition reflects a high standard of achievement and dedication that your dancer can carry with pride wherever their dance journey takes them.

At MWDA, our RAD-certified instructors uphold the highest standards, ensuring that your dancer receives exceptional training. Our approach emphasizes:

• Healthy and Safe Athleticism

• Artistic Growth and Expression

• Mental and Psychological Development through nurturing mentorship and life skill cultivation

By participating in RAD examinations, your dancer not only hones their technical and artistic abilities but also builds confidence, discipline, and a lifelong love of dance.

EXAMINATION TUITION:  

Payments for examination tuition will be processed using the same method on file for your regular season classes. If your payment method is e-transfer, please ensure that the payment is received by noon on the due date to allow us to submit your dancer’s information to the RAD.

Please Note:
Examination fees may vary based on the number of extra practice hours required for each level, as outlined in the introduction.

Payment Schedule:
All forms/payments must be received by Wednesday, January 22, 2025:

• Grade 1: $344

• Grade 2: $295.50

• Grade 4: $387

• Grade 6: $537

• Grade 7: $541

• Grade 8: $526

• Intermediate: $597

• Advanced Foundations: $747

Thank you for ensuring timely payment to support your dancer’s participation in this important milestone.