Teen dance program
Serious training for the years that matter most
High-school students at Croft Gilchrist School of Dancing train with some of North Queensland's most qualified teachers. Senior students work toward RAD vocational ballet examinations, ADA jazz and tap examinations, eisteddfod performances and our annual concert — while complete beginners find a friendly, focused class to start in.
Eisteddfod, exam and performance preparation
Serious students thrive here. Our teachers prepare candidates for formal RAD and ADA examinations with external examiners, coach eisteddfod and competition work, and build stage-ready performance quality through the annual concert. Many of our senior students also step into leadership, assisting with younger classes as they grow.
Whether your teen's goal is a vocational syllabus, the Townsville Eisteddfod stage, or simply a strong technical foundation, they'll train on professional sprung floors with teachers who know how to get them there.
Senior-level classes taught at Croft Gilchrist
Teens can join any senior stream their schedule allows:
- Senior & vocational ballet — graded and vocational RAD work including Pointe, with full examination preparation. See the ballet page.
- Senior jazz & tap — ADA syllabus classes progressing to formal examination levels. See the jazz & tap page.
- Contemporary — expression, technique and artistry for teens. See the contemporary page.
- Hip Hop — junior and senior street-style crews. See the hip hop page.
- Acrobatic Arts — certified acro program for committed students. See the acrobatic arts page.
- Highland — competitive Highland dancing through VSDA examinations. See the Highland page.
Beginners welcome, leaders developed
Not every teen arrives with ten years of training. Beginner-friendly streams let high-schoolers start ballet, jazz, tap or hip hop alongside peers, building skills at the right pace. As they progress, senior students are encouraged to assist in younger classes — a real leadership opportunity that looks great on a resume.
When do teen classes run?
Senior and vocational classes run weekday afternoons and evenings, with Saturday sessions for some streams and eisteddfod preparation added around competition season. The timetable is designed to fit around school commitments — see the full timetable for exact times.
Frequently asked questions about teen classes
Can my teen start as a complete beginner?
Yes. Beginner-friendly streams in jazz, tap, hip hop and even ballet let high-schoolers start alongside peers of a similar age, without being placed with much younger children.
Are teen classes social as well as serious?
Both. Classes are structured and syllabus-driven, but the studio is famously social — many students make lifelong friends here, and eisteddfod and concert work builds a strong team culture.
Can my teen start ballet now, at 13 or 14?
Yes. While vocational ballet streams need a foundation, dedicated teens can join age-appropriate graded classes and progress quickly. Talk to us about the best entry point for your teen.
Will dance fit around school commitments?
Classes run after school hours and on Saturdays, so most students manage dance alongside school comfortably. Many families pick one or two styles to keep the schedule realistic.
Browse all classes
Looking for a different style? See every class we teach at Croft Gilchrist.
