Course
Introduction
Since its establishment, the Australian Teachers of Dancing (ATOD) has been Australia's largest member-based dance education organization, backed by over 30 years of dance education experience. ATOD’s dance curriculum covers a wide range of styles starting from the age of 2.5. It nurtures young dancers' talents from an early age, sparking creativity, releasing energy, and teaching self-expression, while simultaneously developing gross motor skills and coordination—bringing positive impacts to their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. ATOD provides high-quality, innovative dance training systems and services that lead the development of dance education, empowering the dance community to achieve its full artistic potential.
Genres Covered by ATOD
The ATOD training system encompasses various dance styles, providing comprehensive dance education for students of all ages and skill levels:
The foundation of traditional ballet technique and artistic expression. From preschool levels to professional standards, it systematically develops students' technique and musicality
A rhythmic, dynamic dance style incorporating elements of traditional, commercial, and stylized jazz.
Emphasizes rhythmic technique and foot coordination. Students create rhythms through their own body acoustics rather than relying on tap sounds in the music accompaniment.
Covers street styles including Urban, Commercial, Popping, and Locking, with a strong focus on individual style and rhythm.
Combines modern dance technique with musical expression, focusing on emotion and bodily fluidity.
A performing art form integrating singing, acting, and dancing, cultivating well-rounded stage performance abilities.
Visualized Grading System
ATOD’s assessment system provides students with clear benchmarks for their abilities. Except for select levels that operate on a "Pass/Fail" basis, most levels are graded on a percentage system:
Academic Grade & Percentage :
Unsuccessful 40% or below
Pass 41% – 50%
Pass Plus 51% – 55%
Credit 56% – 60%
Credit Plus 61% – 65%
Commended 66% – 70%
Commended Plus 71% – 75%
Highly Commended 76% – 80%
Highly Commended Plus 81% – 85%
Honours 86% – 90%
Honours Plus 91% – 95%
Honours with Distinction 96% – 100%
Pre-Levels 1、2、3
Test 1
Foundation Level
Intermediate Level
Test 2
Test 3
Bronze Medal
Bronze Star
Silver Medal
Silver Star
Gold Medal
Gold Star
Advanced Level
Elementary
Intermediate
Advanced
Avril Binzer Performance Award
Genre Introduction
Classical Ballet
Classical Ballet originated during the 15th-century Italian Renaissance and was later refined in the royal courts of France and Russia. It is characterized by a rigorous technical system, elegant arm movements (port de bras), turned-out leg lines, and pointe technique. Emphasizing lightness, balance, and precision, ballet is a cornerstone of Western theatrical dance.
Curriculum & Features
Classical Ballet is a core genre in the ATOD training system. Co-created by ATOD examiners and industry professionals, this comprehensive and rigorous system aims to build foundational strength, line, and artistry. Through systematic learning, students progressively build correct posture, core strength, and turnout while improving flexibility and coordination. The syllabus includes combinations designed to train concentration, memory, and musicality, shaping an elegant posture and laying the groundwork for advanced techniques and self-discipline.
Examination Levels
Avril Binzer Performance Award (An advanced performance award; candidates must pass the Advanced exam with a Commended grade or higher to be eligible).
Pointe Requirement: Gold Star and above include Pointe work. If a candidate cannot complete the pointe components, the maximum achievable result is capped at "Highly Commended."
Pre-Levels 1、2、3
Test 1
Foundation Level
Intermediate Level
Test 2
Test 3
Bronze Medal
Bronze Star
Silver Medal
Silver Star
Gold Medal
Gold Star
Advanced Level
Elementary
Intermediate
Advanced
Genre Introduction
Jazz Moves
Jazz is an ever-evolving dance form that encompasses various styles, including Broadway, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Funk, and Lyrical Jazz. ATOD’s innovative Jazz Moves system covers a broad range of jazz styles—from traditional to commercial—emphasizing musicality, dynamics, and physical conditioning.
Curriculum & Features
ATOD’s Jazz Moves is suitable for students of all ages and levels. The curriculum includes warm-ups, stretching, center work, and routine combinations, progressively building strength, energy, and explosive power at every level. Beyond technical growth, ATOD Jazz Moves introduces props (such as canes, hats, and chairs) and integrates student choreography and improvisation at higher levels, fostering personal creativity and holistic development.
Examination Levels
Pre-Levels 1、2、3
Test 1
Foundation Level
Intermediate Level
Test 2
Test 3
Bronze Medal
Bronze Star
Silver Medal
Silver Star
Gold Medal
Gold Star
Advanced Level
Elementary
Elementary Seal
Intermediate
Genre Introduction
Tap
Tap dancing focuses on rhythmic technique and foot coordination. It is a unique dance form where the feet act as musical instruments, producing crisp, resonant rhythms through metal plates striking the floor.
Curriculum & Features
The ATOD Tap system develops students' sense of rhythm, coordination, and musicality. A distinctive feature is the inclusion of "Seal" levels, which serve as milestones providing a clear pathway for advancement.
Examination Levels
The Tap examination system shares the foundational structure of Classical Ballet and Jazz Moves, with additional "Seal" levels:
Intermediate Seal
Advanced
Advsnved Seal
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Silver Star
Advanced
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Elementary
Advanced
Level 7
Level 8
Level 9
Level 9
Genre Introduction
Hip Hop
Hip Hop is characterized by improvisation and individual style. Dancers express themselves freely to the music, emphasizing groove, power, and control. Common elements include Bounce, Rock, and various footwork patterns. Sub-styles like Breaking focus on athleticism and floor work, Popping centers on muscle contraction, and Locking is known for stylized freezes. Overall, it highlights attitude and self-confidence, encouraging dancers to showcase their unique personalities and exchange ideas through Battles. Today, Hip Hop has swept the globe, becoming a dominant force in street dance culture across competitions, music videos, and stage performances.
Curriculum & Features
The ATOD Hip Hop syllabus covers techniques and combinations across various street styles, including Urban, Commercial, Popping, Locking, and Breaking. Lyrical choreography is not permitted. The focus remains strictly on personal style, rhythm, body control, and expressive performance.
Examination Levels
Hip Hop uses a standalone numerical tier system from Level 1 to Level 12, offering students a straightforward progression path:
Intermediate Seal
Advanced
Level 10
Advsnved Seal
Advanced
Level 12
Level 4
Level 8
Level 7
Level 11
Level 10
Level 11
Level 11
Level 11
Level 12
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Silver Star
Advanced
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Elementary
Advanced
Level 7
Level 8
Genre Introduction
Contemporary
Contemporary dance fuses ballet, modern dance, and improvisation, emphasizing emotional expression and bodily freedom. Movements are fluid and dynamic, often incorporating floor work, off-balance shifts, and weight transfers to evoke realism. Choreography focuses on thematic narrative and diverse styles. Dancers must challenge traditional boundaries, exploring physical limits and social themes in one of today's most expressive dance forms.
Curriculum & Features
ATOD Contemporary prioritizes technique and musical interpretation. Through systematic training, students learn to convey emotion through breath and body movement, gaining solid technique and physical fluidity to enhance their expressive capabilities.
Examination Levels
All Contemporary level examinations utilize the percentage grading system, giving students and teachers detailed feedback to track progress and highlight areas for improvement:
Level 6
Level 7
Level 6
Level 4
Entr'acte
Level 1
Level 2
Silver Star
Advanced
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 7
Genre Introduction
Musical Theatre
Musical Theatre combines singing, acting, and dancing to cultivate versatile, well-rounded stage performers.
Curriculum & Features
The ATOD Musical Theatre syllabus begins with Entr'acte (an introductory performance level) and progresses sequentially up to Level 7. It enables students to build vocal and dramatic capabilities alongside their dance technique.
Examination Levels