Our Syllabi
We offer 6 genres of syllabi recognised by Ofqual and Qualification Wales:
Classical Ballet, Tap, Modern, Musical Theatre, Jazz and AcroDancer.
Our syllabi are rich in heritage and artistic quality, whilst remaining relevant and enjoyable for today’s dancers. Multi-genre training is becoming increasingly important, ensuring the development of creativity, adaptability and a sustainable career in dance.
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Our Registered Teachers and Associate Members gain access to written and visual resources for all 6 genres at no additional cost. Begin teaching all genres as soon as you join.
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Our syllabi can be taught for enjoyment and structured training, or with the goal of entering students for exams.
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Discover each genre below.
Teach another genre? Explore our Dance Awards (UK) and Dance Theatre Awards (Australasia) for non-syllabus exams!
“I feel very passionate about the bbodance syllabus and what it provides. It offers a high standard and challenging work at each stage for the students. bbodance is also forward-thinking with its non-gendered syllabi. I've found it is very inclusive and liberating for children - it allows them to discover who they are rather than try to fit into patterns of behaviour that they may not feel resonate with them.”
– Sonya, bbodance Registered Teacher
Syllabi Genres
Classical Ballet
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The current bbodance Classical Ballet Syllabus stands as one of the most distinctive and enduring creations in the history of dance education. The syllabus focuses on introducing students to the foundations of ballet and the vocabulary needed to develop strong technique.
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The core movement principles include: accurate footwork; coordination of limbs; graceful elevation and precise turns. Our syllabus is loved by teachers for its artistry and clear progression structure, making it enjoyable and relevant for dancers of all ages.
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At the higher levels, the syllabus exposes students to the choreographic demands and musical complexities required to pursue dance as a profession.
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“The structure of set work, incorporation of dances in higher Grades, and free work at Vocational level enhances the training of ALL students. It is beautifully created and choreographed.”
– Lynn, bbodance Registered Teacher
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Tap
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The current bbodance Tap Syllabus was created by Deborah Clark in collaboration with Julie Heath and Jurek Sroka. The syllabus carries the essence of Espinosa’s detailed approach to step titles, musical style and flair for which bbodance was famous. Espinosa visited America in the 1930s and 1940s and would have encountered the full spectrum across Jazz Tap and Theatre Tap during its Golden Age; the backbone of what later became the early bbodance Tap syllabus: clarity, musicality and rhythm, woven into a structured training system.
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Students learn shuffles, beats, rolls, wings, breaks and time steps – all to demonstrate their musical prowess. The bbodance Tap syllabus equips students to perform at a professional standard, adapting to varying styles and choreography throughout the levels.
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“The bbodance syllabus helped me massively! Some roles I have been cast in my career I don’t think I could have done if I wasn’t introduced to so many dance genres at a young age. For example, I worked at The Australian Ballet where I danced for eight years. My goodbye performance was as The Mad Hatter in Christopher Wheeldon’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, a role that is purely tap dancing.”
– George-Murray, former bbodance Student
Jazz​
The bbodance Jazz Syllabus is challenging but rewarding. From the foundation exercises of Pre-Primary to the complexities of Advanced 1, the work builds strength, control, flexibility, and stylistic interpretation that includes a diversity of movements and dance styles.
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Each Dance within the syllabus explores different musical and historical aspects of Jazz, helping students to become versatile and appreciate the genre’s rich heritage. Throughout the syllabus, all content is carefully selected to be age appropriate and suitable for each learner’s development. Exercises and Dances are structured to encourage safe practice, creativity, and enthusiasm for Jazz dance. This approach supports an inclusive environment, enabling students of all ages and abilities to grow, gain confidence, and progress at their own pace.
Modern
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The bbodance Modern Syllabus is designed to equip dancers with a strong technical background in the genre. Each Grade includes a Dance, choreographed by the teacher or student, enabling the chance to showcase individual skills and interpretations. Throughout the syllabus, all content is carefully selected to be age appropriate and suitable for each learner’s development. Exercises are structured to encourage safe practice, creativity, and enthusiasm for Modern. The Steps and Amalgamations cover the broad spectrum of Modern; from Lyrical, to Jazz, Musical Theatre and Street Dance.
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There is no set music, which keeps the work current and gives the teacher freedom to experiment and utilise the current musical interests of their students.
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“The bbodance syllabus has definitely helped me progress in my dance journey as it has given me solid foundations in multiple styles and pushes me to become a better dancer.”
– Phoebe, bbodance Student
Musical Theatre
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The bbodance Musical Theatre Syllabus is a fun, accessible, and engaging syllabus that prepares students for progression into Vocational Training in Musical Theatre and ultimately provides the groundwork for a professional career.
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Inspired by a range of musical productions from stage and screen, this all-encompassing genre draws on a huge range of characterisation and narrative to create versatile dancers with strong movement technique and expressive performance skills.
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The movement vocabulary used draws on current performance demands and supports students to refine footwork, clarity of line in the body, musical responsiveness, and artistic flair.
AcroDancer​
The bbodance AcroDancer Syllabus is a genre of acrobatics designed specifically for the dancer. This genre fuses the elements of lyrical gymnastics, balance, and tumbling, all coordinated with the beauty of Classical Ballet and the gusto of Jazz.
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AcroDancer promotes the building of core strength, spatial awareness, and enhanced flexibility. To master the elements of AcroDancer, the emphasis is to ensure safety and build confidence, together with developing sound technical training to be integrated with the choreography in today’s competitive world of dance.
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As students progress, the focus shifts towards performance quality, dynamic phrasing, and choreography that merges acrobatic vocabulary with expressive artistry.
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This syllabus is designed to accommodate the fun element for young dancers through to the expectations of the elite student.
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“AcroDancer is a brilliant syllabus and the children absolutely love it.”
– Kate, bbodance Registered Teacher