NSW Public Schools State Dance Ensembles
The State Dance Ensembles 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.
This ensemble provides opportunities for students who cannot attend weekly rehearsals in Sydney to train, rehearse and perform with other students from across NSW in an intensive workshop model held throughout the school year.
The workshop-based dance ensembles develop high-level skills in dance technique, composition and performance. Training is aligned to syllabus outcomes and ensemble students perform at the State Dance Festival each year.

2025 applications are now open.
Applications close on Friday 4 April 2025.
Ensembles
- Primary – Years 7 to 12 – two workshop-based ensembles
- Senior – Years 4 to 6 – one workshop-based ensemble
Enquiries
2025 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 – Thursday 22 and Friday 23 May 2025 at Tanya Pearson Academy, St Leonards
Comprehensive styles-based workshop with various tutors and intensive choreographic tasks to develop their work for the State Dance Festival. - Workshop 2 – Monday 28 July to Friday 1 August 2025 at Tanya Pearson Academy, St Leonards
Intensive choreographic tasks where students will rehearse their work to perform for the State Dance Festival. - Workshop 3 – Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 September at DUTI Studios, Newtown
Technical rehearsals for the State Dance Festival. - Workshop 4 – October/November 2025 @ Sydney Olympic Park
Rehearsals for the Schools Spectacular (dates TBC).
Performance opportunities
- State Dance Festival at Seymour Centre – Thursday 18 and Friday 19 September 2025
- Schools Spectacular at Qudos Bank Arena – Friday 28 and Saturday 29 November 2025
- Additional opportunities throughout the year as they arise
Contact details
Should you have any queries, please contact us at dance.artsunit@det.nsw.edu.au