Top Performance Opportunities for Primary School Dance Groups in Sydney
There’s no shortage of performance opportunities for primary school dance groups in Sydney. Having so many options to choose from is one of the perks of living in a big city with an abundance of incredible school dance groups.
But, it can be a little overwhelming to decipher what each of them is and, ultimately, which one (or two) are right for your dance groups!
We’ve put together a list of the top performance opportunities in Sydney for primary school dance groups to help you on your way.
General Performance Ideas
Before we dive into our top picks, here are some general suggestions for performance options that your school could be taking advantage of:
- School Assemblies: Dance groups can showcase their talents during school assemblies such as morning assemblies, school events, or special occasions.
- Local Festivals: Participating in local festivals, such as cultural events, dance festivals, and community events, provides an opportunity for your students to showcase their talents and get exposure to different types of dances.
- Talent Shows: Organising a talent show, where students can present their various talents (including dance), can be a fun and exciting way for students to show off their talents.
- Competitions: Schools can participate in dance competitions organized by local or national organisations. This allows students to compete with other schools and gain experience in a competitive environment.
- Community Performances: Performing at community events such as fetes, fundraisers, and other public events, provides students with an opportunity to interact with the community and show their groovy moves.
- Dance Showcases: Organising your own dance showcase or performance, where students can perform in front of family, friends, and the school community, provides a platform for students to demonstrate their skills and gain confidence in their abilities.
As you can see, there are oodles of performance opportunities available for your school to leverage, so your awesome routines don’t go to waste.
We encourage schools to inspire and support their students to participate in these events as it helps in their overall development and builds their confidence…not to mention they’re loads of fun!
Now that you’ve got some ideas up your sleeve, let’s jump into our top choices for performance opportunities in Sydney.
Schools Spectacular
School Spectacular is an annual event that brings together thousands of public school students to showcase their talents in music, dance, and drama. It is one of the largest performing arts events in the world and has been running for over three decades.
The event is organised by the NSW Department of Education’s Arts Unit and is held at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney Olympic Park. The School Spectacular involves more than 5,000 students from around 400 public schools across New South Wales.
Students audition to participate in the event, and those selected undergo months of rehearsals to prepare for the final performances.
The event features a range of musical genres, including pop, rock, classical, and jazz. There are also dance and drama performances, with each year’s show featuring a different theme.
The students perform alongside professional musicians, dancers, and singers, and the event is attended by thousands of people each year, including parents, teachers, and members of the public.
Photo courtesy of Schools Spectacular
Why we love School Spectacular
School Spectacular provides a brilliant opportunity for students to develop their skills in the performing arts and gain valuable experience in a professional setting.
It also promotes the value of arts education in schools and highlights the diverse talents of public school students across the state.
Sydney Eisteddfod
Sydney Eisteddfod is an annual performing arts competition that has been running for over 85 years and is open to performers of all ages and skill levels, from novice to professional.
The Sydney Eisteddfod provides a platform for performers in a range of categories, including music, dance, speech and drama, choirs, and instrumental ensembles.
There are over 300 events across more than 40 categories, and the competition attracts thousands of participants each year from across Australia and internationally.
The competition is held over several months, with different events taking place at various venues across Sydney.
The winners of each event progress to the finals, held in September and October each year, where they compete for cash prizes and trophies.
The competition holds a day dedicated purely to school dance groups called ‘Dance Day’ at the one and only Sydney Opera House. The entire eisteddfod and is a celebration of the performing arts in Sydney and beyond.
Photo courtesy of Sydney Eisteddfod
Why we love Sydney Eisteddfod
Sydney Eisteddfod provides an opportunity for performers to showcase their skills and receive feedback from experienced judges.
It also provides a platform for performers to gain exposure and make connections in the performing arts industry.
Combined Schools Concert
Combined Schools Concert is held every year at Hurstville Marana Auditorium. It is a free dance showcase platform that involves students from multiple schools coming together to demonstrate their dance talents.
Typically, each participating school will send groups of dancers to perform specific routines. The concerts are designed to be a celebration of The Arts through a showcase of primary school dance under professional lighting on a large stage.
Combined Schools Concerts provide a unique opportunity for students to collaborate with their peers from other schools and showcase their dance abilities to a wider audience.
They also promote community engagement and foster a sense of camaraderie among the participating schools.
Video courtesy of Combined Schools Concert
Why we love Combined Schools Concert
Combined Schools Concert goes the extra mile in that the concerts can serve as a fundraiser for the participating schools or a local charity, further providing a benefit to the community.
Wakakirri
Wakakirri is an annual performing arts event that encourages primary and secondary school students to participate in a storytelling festival through dance, drama, and music.
The festival has been running for over 25 years and is one of the largest performing arts events for school students in Australia.
The festival is open to schools across Australia and involves months of rehearsals and preparations. Each school creates an original story that is presented through a combination of dance, drama, and music. The stories can be based on a wide range of topics and themes, such as social issues, historical events, or personal experiences.
The performances are judged by a panel of industry professionals who provide feedback to the students. Awards are presented in categories such as best story, best choreography, and best soundtrack.
The Wakakirri festival culminates in a national tour, where the winning schools perform their stories at selected venues across Australia. The tour provides a platform for the students to showcase their talents and share their stories with a wider audience.
Photo courtesy of Wakakirri
Why we love Wakakirri
The festival provides an opportunity for students to develop their creativity and performance skills, work collaboratively with their peers, and learn from industry professionals.
It also promotes storytelling as a means of connecting with others and sharing important messages.
Into the Spotlight Dance Festival
Into The Spotlight Dance Festival is a performance event for NSW Department of Education schools. The festival promotes dance education to engage students in rigorous and comprehensive syllabus-based learning in primary and high schools.
Each performance displays the passion, skills and creativity of students and teachers as they explore the art of dance.
Photo courtesy of Into The Spotlight Dance Festival
Why we love Into The Spotlight Dance Festival
Into The Spotlight Dance Festival is a wonderful celebration of dance in public education. It promotes the high calibre of students and teachers; dancers and choreographers in NSW schools.
Local Area Music & Performing Arts Festivals
Many school teachers and Principals give their time to the organisation of local area festivals for schools within various areas/networks in Sydney. These festivals often showcase multiple areas of performing arts like bands, singing, dance and drama in a professional and inclusive way.
Festivals run throughout the year, although often take place during the weeks surrounding NSW Department of Education’s Education Week. Education Week is held in Week 3 Term 3 and is a celebration of NSW public education.
Some of our favourite festivals are:
Photo courtesy of Iron Cove Performing Arts Festival
Why we love Local Area Festivals
Local festivals wouldn’t happen without the amazing teachers and Principals who launch these platforms and create opportunities for so many students to have a stage experience. They’re well-run, inclusive and a great way to showcase the talents within NSW primary schools.
Groove Nation provides performance dance programs to primary schools in Sydney and throughout NSW.
Learn how we can help your school put its best foot forward today.
