Riverina Wagga Wagga Primary Schools Dance Ensemble

The aim of this ensemble is to provide public school students in primary schools the opportunity to perform in an ensemble at a potential Riverina and State level as well as Schools Spectacular.  The ensemble is also aimed at catering for students who have limited access to dance at their school.

Students in the ensemble work with specialist dance teachers and other like-minded students to rehearse and perform dance works for the Riverina Dance Festival and audition to perform at the State Dance Festival and Schools Spectacular. 

The ensemble will be led by Sandra Hodges (relieving Assistant Principal at Estella Public School) and choreographer Brigette Gollasch.

This is a biannual program occurring on the off year to Chords

Applications are now open for students to audition for the Riverina Wagga Wagga Primary Schools Dance Ensemble.

Applications close Friday 14 February 2025 (Term 1 Week 3)

Please note that no further correspondence will be sent prior to the audition.

• Ensemble rehearsals are held weekly (during school terms) every Monday afternoon from 3:45 pm to 5 pm at Turvey Park Public School
• There may be some extra rehearsals added on a weekend and leading up to performances.
• It is imperative that the selected students make a commitment to the ensemble and turn up to all scheduled rehearsals for the full length of time. If you are unavailable on Mondays, please do not apply.

• Ensemble fee – $200 for the year. This fee covers running costs as well as an ensemble singlet 

• Extra fees will be required in the case of selection for performance excursions to cover travel and accommodation.

• Date: Monday 17 February 2025 (Term 1 Week 4)
• Where: Wagga Wagga High School, Currie Hall
• Registration: 3:30 pm to 4:00 pm
• Audition time: 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

The audition will be in the form of a warm-up and then a contemporary dance class. No prepared dance is required. Students should wear clothing suitable to dance in with hair tied back.  Students will dance in bare feet during the audition. Please bring a water bottle and snacks. Parents will not be able to view the audition class.

Offer of places in the Riverina Wagga  Wagga Primary Schools Dance Ensemble will be advised in Week 4 via email, with ensemble weekly rehearsals to begin on Monday 24 February 2025 (Term 1 Week 5).

The ensemble will begin developing a group performance piece to audition for:

• Riverina Dance Festival
• NSW Public Schools State Dance Festival held in Sydney.

Students will also audition for the Schools Spectacular. The audition video for this is due in April of the performing year. 

The Schools Spectacular performance dates are available on the Schools Spectacular website. Schools Spectacular is held at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney Olympic Park. If the ensemble is selected, students would be required to travel to Sydney and stay from Tuesday to Sunday of the Schools Spectacular week.