NSW Public Schools State Boys Dance Ensemble application form 2025

Applications are now open.

Applications closing Friday 14 February 2025. 

The NSW Public Schools State Boys Dance Ensemble develops high-level skills in dance technique, composition and performance. Training is aligned to syllabus outcomes and ensemble students perform at a regional dance festival, the State Dance Festival and Schools Spectacular each year.

Audition process

  1. Parents/students must complete the below application form. 
  2. Students will need to watch the audition video and learn the relevant movement phrase.
    Senior audition choreography (Years 7 to 12)
    Junior audition choreography (Years 4 to 6) 
    Students are encouraged to modify the movement so that it is appropriate for their technical ability. Students may also select an alternate music track to perform the movement to accommodate changes in tempo. 
  3. Students will need to attach 2 video links to the application form below. 
    • A video of the contemporary choreography audition sequence
    • A video of the applicant performing a contemporary, lyrical or hip hop dance (2 minutes minimum)
  4. Upload a headshot image (eg school photo).

To generate video links for your audition videos, please refer to the section How to produce your video audition in the Audition tips for dance resource.

Parents/students will be emailed their audition result by Friday 21 February 2025.

About the ensembles

The NSW Public Schools State Boys Dance Ensemble program aims to foster the development of talented students from Years 4 to 12 in dance from public schools across NSW. Students train and rehearse dance works during 4 intensive workshops in Sydney over the year.

​​​Schedule

Students train and rehearse dance works in Sydney in preparation for performing at the State Dance Festival in September and Schools Spectacular in November.

  • Workshop 1 – Wednesday 2 to Friday 4 April 2025 at Co-Lab Quarters, Newtown
    Comprehensive styles-based workshop with various tutors and intensive choreographic tasks to develop their work for the Regional Dance Festival.
  • Workshop 2 – Tuesday 17 to Friday 20 June 2025 at DUTI Studios, Newtown
    Intensive choreographic tasks where students will rehearse their work to perform for the Regional Dance Festival.
  • Workshop 3 – Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 September 2025 at DUTI Studios, Newtown
    Rehearsals for the State Dance Festival. 
  • Workshop 4 – October/November 2025 at Sydney Olympic Park
    Rehearsals for the Schools Spectacular (dates TBC).

Performance commitments 

  • In The Spotlight Dance Festival at Seymour Centre – Friday 19 June 2025
  • State Dance Festival at Seymour Centre – Friday 19 September 2025
  • Schools Spectacular at Qudos Bank Arena – Friday 28 to Saturday 29 November 2025
  • Additional opportunities throughout the year as they arise
Sydney

State Boys Dance Ensemble

Program Dance
Years 4 to 12
Develop high-level skills in dance technique, composition and performance.

 

What happens next

The audition panel will review the applications after the closing date. Parents and students will be emailed about the outcome of the audition after Friday 21 February 2025. 

Audition support resources

Contact details

Should you have any queries, please contact us at dance.artsunit@det.nsw.edu.au

Privacy notice

The information requested in this note is being collected by the NSW Department of Education. The department will use the information in connection with your student's participation in this event for the following purposes:

  1. administration;
  2. communication with parents/carers; and
  3. for the health, safety and welfare of your student.

The department might share the information requested in this note with health care providers in the event that your student requires urgent medical attention. All personal information will be held securely and disposed of securely when no longer needed.

You have the right to access and correct the information you provide in this note. If you wish to do so, please contact The Arts Unit on 02 8512 1100 Locked Bag 1500, Petersham NSW 2049 

Specific privacy information

The department will use information about your student's

  • Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status for the purpose of implementing its Aboriginal Education Policy.
  • Identified additional support information to ensure appropriate learning adjustments are in place.

The provision of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander status or gender status is voluntary, and not providing either of them will not impact on your student's participation. All other additional support information requested in this form is voluntary.

Important information

In the event of injury, no personal injury insurance cover is provided by the NSW Department of Education for students in relation to school sporting activities, physical education lessons or any other school activity. The department’s public liability cover is fault-based and limited to breaches by the department of its duty of care to students that may result in claims for compensation.

Parents/carers are advised to assess the level and extent of their child’s involvement in the activity when deciding whether additional insurance cover is required prior to their child’s involvement in the program. Personal accident insurance cover is available through normal retail insurance outlets.

Student details

Please include a headshot or school photo
One file only.
16 MB limit.
Allowed types: gif, jpg, jpeg, png.
Please list teacher email @det.nsw.edu.au

Parent / guardian details

Please enter a valid mobile number in the following format 04xx-xxx-xxx

Dance ensembles

How did you hear about this program?

Dance experience

In what styles of dance are you trained?
You can select more than one style.
Please provide a BRIEF summary of your previous dance experience, including studio/school groups, performances, workshops etc.

Student background information

Are you of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin?
Is a language other than English spoken at home
Is support required for the student due to a disability?
Please select from this list.
Are any educational modifications required to meet learning needs?
Are any other special provisions required?

Video applications

Please refer to the Audition tips for dance resource for instructions on uploading your video files to YouTube and Vimeo.
If either of your videos requires a password, please include your video's password/s here.

Permissions

I understand that I must gain approval from a parent/guardian as well as my school principal to participate in the 2025 NSW public schools dance ensembles program should I be successful in my audition.