What is Stage Dance? Stage Dance comprises a range of different dance styles. Classical Dance provides an important foundation, and serves to develop a movement vocabulary from which contemporary dance styles can draw great benefit. Stage Dance includes various other dances, among others Jazz Dance, Step Dance, Modern Dance, Musical Dance, Flamenco, etc. Why does one become a dancer? Dancers are inclined to follow an inner calling. Children with an aptitude for dance often have a natural sense of rhythm, a slight build, and a profound desire to move to music. Nothing stops them from enjoying this enthusiasm for dance. After six years training, when the body, spirit, soul, and music unite on stage, a dream will have become true! When should one begin? How long does professional training take? While it is never too early to take up dancing, it is essential that lessons are age-appropriate. Our preparatory classes therefore focus on creative Classical Dance exercises and tasks suitable for children. We introduce girls to Pointe Work and Character Dance from the age of 12. Professional training at taZ takes about six years, comprising Introductory and Advanced Studies. How can I apply for an audition? Preparatory Classes Individual auditions during classes are possible throughout the year. Please contact the School Office to make an appointment. Introductory Studies We run regular taster weeks for prospective students, including a standard aptitude test. Individual auditions during classes are also possible throughout the year by prior arrangement. Please contact the School Office to make an appointment. Advanced Studies Please send us your curriculum vitae / resume (including details of your educational background and previous dance training), together with 1-2 full-size pictures of yourself in tunic and a recent video or DVD. We will be happy to assess your application for possible auditioning. Application forms can be downloaded here: Download School Prospectuses. Zurich Dance Adademy (taz) School Office Telephone: +41 43 446 50 30, Fax: +41 43 446 55 19, e-Mail: info.tanz@zhdk.ch Baslerstrasse 30, CH-8048 Zürich How are dance training and (secondary) school combined? We are currently devising a fully integrated programme to closely align school lessons and dance classes to ensure training sessions are run at the best times of day from a physiological point of view. School timetables will be adjusted to meet individual student’s needs and avoid unnecessary burdens. Which languages will I be taught in? The principal languages of instruction at taZ are German and English. This applies to dance classes, music history, and music theory. History, dance history, and dance medicine are also offered in German and English. German-speaking students will receive English language tuition; international students will have German lessons. What residential student accommodation is available? On request, special boarding accommodation is available for all international students and Swiss students from outside Zurich. Professional full-time staff is on hand round the clock to cater for our students’ needs. For details, please contact the taZ School Office or the Boarding School management. How much are tuition fees at taZ? taZ has set its regular tuition fee at CHF 1'000.– per semester. The semester tuition fee for 3rd to 8th semester advanced students is CHF 1'150.–. Which careers prospects will I have upon graduation? Graduates have very promising career prospects, since they can apply to both national and international dance companies. Switzerland boasts an increasing number of institutional and independent dance ensembles. Demand is also growing in theatres, shows, musicals, and television. Prospects, however, hinge on each individual’s specific professional qualities and a willingness to accept relocation and sacrifice time. What does a dancer’s typical career track look like? Graduates will as a rule start applying to national and international companies for auditions in the final year of their professional training. Careers tend to involve working for a number of companies and houses for several years before relocating. Career steps can include being a member of a corps de ballet, demi-solo dancer, solo dancer, and first soloist. Guest and project-based contracts are also common. What other prospects do qualified dancers have? Dancers develop skills and strengths of advantage in many professions. They are used to concentrated work, carrying out instructions, translating ideas into practice, accepting criticism, and dealing with it in a fruitful manner. They consider themselves part of a community and assume significant responsibility for others and themselves. The taZ Certificate in Stage Dance has been fully recognized by the Canton of Zurich since February 2003. What opportunities are there for dancers upon retiring from the stage? Dancers tend to undertake varied professional development during their active stage career. Many dancers move into occupations outside the arts. Others aspire to a career in the theatre or as instructors, ballet masters and mistresses, or choreographers in dance training centres. Many open their own ballet schools. Dance provides numerous administrative, organisational, or research opportunities, among others in higher education or the medical or paramedical sector (for example, physiotherapy).