NSW Public Schools Sydney Dance Ensembles

Region: Metro, Metro South and West, Metropolitan North, Metropolitan South, Regional North, Regional North and West, Regional South | Sydney

Years 5 to 12

The NSW Public Schools Sydney Dance Ensembles support talented students in Years 5 to 12 to develop their skills and experience in dance. Participation is by audition and open to students enrolled in NSW public schools. The program provides students with a pathway to explore and extend their interest in dance within a supportive environment, training in works aligned to syllabus outcomes and gaining practical performance experience throughout the year.

Students of the NSW Public Schools Primary Ensemble 2 performing 'Hana' at the 2019 State Dance Festival

Applications for 2027 audition workshop are now open. To apply, please complete the audition workshop application form by Wednesday 18 November 2026.

Auditions for 2027 ensembles

Auditions for the 2027 Sydney Dance Ensembles will be held at the Australian College of Physical Education (ACPE), Sydney Olympic Park on 2 and 3 December 2026 (Term 4 Week 8). After applications close on Wednesday 18 November 2026, students will be notified of their allocated audition group via email.

Ensembles in this region will run in either a weekly (Terms 1–2) or workshop-based (Term 2) format in the lead-up to the 2027 In The Spotlight Dance Festival. In 2027, up to three ensembles are proposed:

Primary Dance Ensemble, Years 5 and 6
Secondary Dance Ensemble, Years 7 to 12
Boys Dance Ensemble, Years 5 to 12
Combined Primary and Secondary ensemble (if enrolments do not justify 2 separate ensembles)

On the application form, please indicate all ensembles you would be interested in participating in.

Auditions will be conducted as a full-day workshop, and there is no requirement to prepare choreography. Schools will be advised of participating students so that attendance can be recorded as School Business, in accordance with NSW Department of Education procedures.

Audition requirements

Please bring lunch, snacks and a water bottle; students cannot access food facilities on the day.
If relevant, hair tied back and away from face.
Where possible, students should be dressed in form-fitting dance clothes – crop tops are not appropriate for this workshop
Where possible, students should either dance in bare feet or wear proper dance shoes or sneakers. Enclosed shoes should be worn to and from the venue.
Valuables should be left at home
All loose items should be labelled
Families are unable to observe the audition workshop.

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Rehearsals

Students who are accepted into an ensemble will attend rehearsals within the Strathfield, Parramatta and Ryde regions in either of the following formats:

Workshop-based ensembles proposed for 6 days in Term 2 across three weeks.
Weekly rehearsals taking place for 2 hours in the evening each week are proposed to begin on Tuesday 9 February 2027 (Term 1 Week 3) and continue until the end of Term 3, except for school holidays.

Successful applicants must make a full commitment to the program if accepting a place in the ensemble.

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Fees

$60 workshop audition fee

The fee covers the cost of tutors for the workshops. Students will learn dance skills during the workshop and be observed as part of an audition process to be considered for a place in an ensemble. All prices include GST.

$350 per year

The fee covers the cost of regular tutors and industry professionals for workshops, as well as costumes for ensemble performances. Students will need to pay for any travel or accommodation if needed. All prices include GST.

Fees are payable throught the payment portal. Please select 'Dance' and 'Local Dance' to locate the correct fee.

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