We are pleased to introduce to you a quarterly newsletter from the Ballet Division. This newsletter has been designed to keep our members informed of the events and topics that pertain to the C.D.T.A in particular the Ballet Division. In the efforts to communicate with our Ballet members, your input is very much appreciated and will help to inform us of your needs. Please feel free to either contact or email me with any of your questions or concerns.

Ballet Syllabus

• Exam Secretary, Heather Kendell, has been in contact with Kathleen Edge from the school board. The Ballet Syllabus has been reviewed by the Ministry of Education, Assessment Branch, along with the Stage Syllabus, for the External Credit program! As of August of 2007 the CDTA (major) ballet syllabus has been accepted for the External Credit Program!!! This is exciting news for all the dance students.

CDTA: Ballet 10. This is a 4-credit course, to receive credit for which students are required to produce Elementary certification.

CDTA: Ballet 11. This is a 4-credit course, to receive credit for which students are required to produce Intermediate certification.

CDTA: Ballet 12. This is a 4-credit course, to receive credit for which students are required to produce Advanced certification.

This information is contained in the "Course Information for the Graduation Program" book for 2007/08, available online at http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/graduation/courseinfo/.

Each of these courses also satisfies the Grades 10, 11 or 12 Fine Arts and/or Applied Skills graduation requirement.

• There are new updates for those members who have already purchased the Senior and Major syllabi. As soon as they are available you will receive them, in the mail, from the Ballet Exam Secretary. • Igor Vassine is now working on composing the music for the Elementary Examination. A CD should be available to members by the end of summer. Details will follow as they become available.
• CDTA Anniversary Celebration - The National Board is currently planning for the anniversary celebration to be held in Toronto in July of 2009. This anniversary is in its early planning stages with the hopes to include competitions and workshops on the CDTA syllabus. We hope it will include the demonstration of the ballet syllabus by either video or DVD. More information will be distributed to members as soon as it becomes available. Teachers from the BC Branch should consider attending the anniversary to show interest and to support the CDTA.
• The National Board has decided to create ballet videos and DVDs for the CDTA. They are now being prepared for the enrichment levels up to and including Grade Four as well as three major enrichment dances. There are plans that next summer the elementary and intermediate will be done as well. The character enrichment has been completed and those who attended the National Meetings were pleased with the results.

CDTA National Ballet Syllabus ORDER FORM

For those members who wish to purchase syllabus material, please click here to download syllabus order form.

Life Membership

Congratulations to Bonnie Lee Haus who was awarded Life Membership with the CDTA. Bonnie has been a long time member of the CDTA and received her life membership in March 2007.