Entry Information

Two variations are required:
a) One from the traditional classical repertoire listed below.
b) Free contrasting solo of up to 3 minutes. No tap shoes allowed. This Free Variation may be repeated in ONE other dance event. Entrants are advised that it is important to show elements with ground and air usage: dynamic movements that cover space and are in contrast to their classical solos to show diversity.


Important Notes

Class allocation for all interstate/regional entrants will be scheduled for the last day only if entries are received before March 14, 2016

Note: Proof of Age & Residency Requirements.


Conditions

CONDITIONS:
1. Open to any dancer who is a citizen or permanent resident of Australia or New Zealand. Previous winners not eligible. Dancers who accept an ‘Apprentice Scholarship’ or a ‘Contract’ with a company AND those who are already training with an overseas school at the time of the competition are not eligible for these scholarships, can perform for ‘comments only’ and are not eligible for a refund.

2. Semi-Finalists will be required to produce proof of age and residency before they are allowed to compete (e.g. original birth certificate or a photocopy OR an Australian or New Zealand passport OR a permanent resident stamp. A driver’s licence is NOT acceptable).

3. Entrants are advised to submit professional quality backing CDs.

4. Adjudicators’ reports will be written for the classical solos only. No marks will be given on these reports.

5. All entrants must attend a Closed Preliminary Class with the Adjudicators. Dress code for both the Preliminary Class and the Master Class:
* Girls: Leotard and pink tights, old pointe or demi-pointe shoes with ribbons (not elastic) MUST be worn. Flats NOT ALLOWED.
* Boys: Any coloured tights, white leotard or singlet top, white socks and black or white shoes. Unitards of one colour NOT ALLOWED.

NOTE: Entrants not following this dress code may be disqualified.

6. All entrants present their Classical Variation before an audience. Backing CD may be piano or orchestral arrangement. Up to one third of these dancers will be selected as Quarter-Finalists.

7. Quarter-Finalists present their Free Variation before an audience. Up to 20 Semi-Finalists will be selected. Entrants to supply their own PROFESSIONAL QUALITY BACKING CDs for both routines.

8. Semi-Finalists attend a Closed Master Class with the Adjudicators, from which eight Finalists will be chosen. Each Finalist is required for interviews with the adjudicators after the Master Class and to attend a photo call in their classical costume. Traditional costumes to be worn. It is advised that entrants keep, as close as possible, to the traditional/professional repertoire.

9. Finalists repeat both Variations in a deciding Final at the Sydney Opera House in the SAME COSTUMES as presented in the heats. Backing CDs will be the same accompaniment as used by the entrants in the heats. It is compulsory to perform in the Final with the spotlight and lighting arrangements under the direction of an experienced lighting director.

10. Awarding of the Second Scholarship to a dancer of the opposite gender to the winner is at the discretion of the adjudicators and remains subject to performance standard.

11. Winners receive payment of the cash component within 21 days of the Final and Scholarships progressively in instalments upon application as follows:
Study In Australia - Eight equal instalments over two years;
Study Overseas - Four equal instalments over one year.

12. To qualify for each instalment, payment is subject to the winner providing satisfactory progress reports of continued study from teachers or teaching institutions.

13. The Scholarship must be taken up within two years from the date of winning, and be completed within two years thereafter or be forfeited. If the winner is under, or subsequently accepts, a professional contract, the Scholarship can still be used provided approved tuition or coaching is undertaken and reported as per Condition 12.

14. The Winners and Finalists must be reasonably available for media interviews and to perform without fee in future Showcase performances nominated by and in the interest of Sydney Eisteddfod.

Adjudication Procedure & Dates:

1. All entrants must attend a Preliminary Class with the Adjudicators. Dress applicable to both the Preliminary Class and the Master Class: (DRESS CODE: See item No 5 above under the ‘Conditions’ for this Scholarship.)

2. All entrants present their Classical Variation before an audience. Entrants to supply their own backing CD, which may be piano or an orchestral accompaniment. 

3. Up to one third of those dancers will be selected for a Quarter-Final. Quarter-Finalists present their free variation before an audience.

4. Up to 20 Semi-Finalists will be selected to attend a Master Class with the Adjudicators, from which eight Finalists will be chosen.

5. All Finalists will be interviewed by the Adjudicators after the Master Class. All entrants are advised to have the following information pre-prepared as finalists will be asked to supply the following information shortly after they are selected:
 * Title of classical variation
* Title AND style of free variation 
* A 200-word biography in paragraph format (as a Word file, not printed)

FINALS: Finalists repeat both Variations in a deciding Final at the Sydney Opera House. Backing CDs will be the same accompaniment as used by the entrants in the heats.

All Classical Solos & Free Variations @ Shore School, Smith Auditorium

Sydney Eisteddfod is grateful to The Dance Spot, Randwick for generously providing their Studio facilities for the General & Master Classes for the Senior & Junior Ballet Scholarships.



Prizes

Total Prize Value Exceeds $36,000

Outright Winner: $18,000 ($3,000 cash plus a $15,000 Scholarship) and the opportunity of a short secondment with The Royal Danish Ballet.

2nd Scholarship: $12,000 ($2,000 cash plus a $10,000 Scholarship) Awarded at the discretion of the adjudicators to a dancer of the opposite gender to the winner.

Finalists: $1,000 each. Sponsored by Mr Rebbell Barnes

* Both Winners will have the opportunity to attend classes and observe rehearsals, at the discretion of the Artistic Directors, with: 
The Australian Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, UK, Houston Ballet and Houston Ballet Academy, USA, Northern Ballet, Leeds, UK, Queensland Ballet.
* Both Winners will have the opportunity to attend classes with: 
English National Ballet School, London & The Royal Ballet School, London.
* Both Winners will receive a photographic portfolio to the value of $100 of performance photos taken during the Festival courtesy of WinkiPoP Media.
* Bloch for Dancers Gift Vouchers: Outright Winner: $600. 2nd Scholarship Winner: $400. Remaining Finalists: $300 each.

* The Australian Conservatoire of Ballet is offering a ‘Performance Award’ to one or two Finalists of the Sydney Eisteddfod Ballet Scholarships. The prize will be an opportunity to perform, with a full orchestra and international guest artists, in two or three performances of the ACB’s December full-length classical ballet production at the Arts Centre, Melbourne. The chosen prize recipient will be given a total performing fee of $1,500. If living outside Victoria, the recipient will be provided with return airfares and accommodation (up to 10 days). This offer will be awarded by the Directors of the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet or their appointed representative.