RAD Grade 1 Ballet is suitable for students of age 7+, RAD Grade 2 Ballet is suitable for students of age 8+, and RAD Grade 3 is suitable for students of age 9+. By this stage students are expected to have a year of experience in ballet training and will be approaching the stage where they can take their RAD Graded ballet exam should they so wish.

Grades 1-3 constitute Level 1 of the RAD’s graded syllabus provision in the performance of ballet. They are the first three in a suite of eight grades. An entry pathway to Grade 1 is provided by the RAD’s Primary in Dance syllabus.

Grade 1 to 3 classes get serious and the syllabus is vast. You take one year to complete each level.

A candidate who has successfully completed Grades 1, 2 and 3 will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the fundamental and relevant technique required for these grades
• Demonstrate co-ordination, control and accuracy in a range of sequences Perform with an awareness of line
• Perform with spatial awareness of the body in travelling movements and turning actions
• Demonstrate an awareness of the appropriate dynamic values in the performance of the vocabulary.
• Perform with correct and accurate timing and appropriate response to the music. Perform with expression and communication.

In the examination, candidates will be assessed on their ability to:

• Perform a series of prepared ballet exercises which require the ability to demonstrate
• secure posture, correct weight placement, co-ordination of the whole body, control, line, spatial awareness and dynamic values
• Dance, throughout the examination, in time to the music and show responsiveness to the music
• Dance, throughout the examination, with expression and communication
• Perform two dances which require the candidate to demonstrate all the above aspects of technique, music and performance

Students also start to learn Ukrainian dancing in their character work in Grade 3.