Co-curricular Performing Arts
Pymble’s Performing Arts program allows students to uncover hidden talents and nurture existing passions through ensembles and productions as well as individual exploration.
From Dance and Drama to Language Art and Music, Performing Arts programs at Pymble offer your daughter every opportunity to build confidence, creativity and a lifelong love of the stage.
The program fosters an environment of experimentation as growth, where students are encouraged to push boundaries and challenge themselves, whether they’re mesmerising an audience with their music, dominating a debate or dancing in front of a full house.
Dance
Onstage and Ballet Classes
Kindergarten to Year 2: Our youngest girls are given joyful introduction to movement and performance with classes in Dance,Tap, and Classical Ballet, following the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Syllabus with the option to complete the Class Award.
Onstage and Sidestage Classes
Years 3 to 6: Girls explore a range of dance styles, including Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Theatre Dance and Tap, with World Dance offered for Years 5 and 6. Sidestage Technique classes (Years 3 to 6) focus on building strength and technique, with Performance Stream girls also receiving College gym access.
Ballet Classes
Years 3 to 6: Following the Royal Academy of Dance Syllabus, our Ballet program offers a Showcase Focus class for Years 3 to 6, with an optional Syllabus Focus class for girls wishing to sit formal RAD examinations. Our most advanced young dancers may also be invited to join the Ballet Extension Program.
Performance (Invitation only)
Years 3 to 6: Our Performance Dance Groups are selective, audition-based groups for talented dancers who wish to excel as part of a dedicated Dance team. Successful dancers join our Eisteddfod Groups or Performance Dance Troupe, performing in Jazz, Lyrical and Hip Hop styles.
Drama
Drama and Film
Years 3 to 6: Our Drama programs help girls grow as confident, expressive performers, from The Actor’s Craft for Years 3 to 6 to The Director’s Cut and Drama - Musical Theatre for Years 5 and 6, exploring acting, dance, singing and filmmaking. Our most dedicated performers may audition for The Performance Ensemble, a select group with opportunities to perform on professional stages.
Language Arts
Debating
Years 5 and 6: Our Debating programs help girls research, analyse and structure arguments, from Social Debating Classes for experienced debaters and novices alike, through to our invitation and audition-only teams: ISDA Debating, igsa Debating and The International Debating Championships.
Public Speaking
Years 5 and 6: Public Speaking Classes build girls’ confidence in speaking and structuring engaging speeches, while TEDx, offered to girls in Years 6 to 11, is a sequenced program culminating in the presentation of TEDx talks.
Speech and Drama
Years 2 to 6: Designed to develop confident speakers, girls benefit from small groups in an enjoyable learning environment.
Music
Music Programs
Music programs are offered across Kindergarten to Year 2 and Years 3 to 6, giving every girl the chance to explore and grow her musical talents.
Private Tuition
We are fortunate to have more than 40 highly qualified specialist music teachers and performers who provide private instrumental and voice lessons. Students are also encouraged to present for the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB), Trinity College or ABRSM examinations. Pymble consistently rates in the top five schools in the state by the AMEB for outstanding results.
Bands
From their first note to the concert stage, there's a place for every young musician in our band program. Students start in the Year 4 Training Band, learning a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument from scratch, then progress to Stanhope Band after a year of playing, and on to Grainger Band for proficient Year 5 and 6 players tackling more challenging repertoire. Along the way, our auditioned Junior Jazz Band offers concert band members a chance to explore jazz.
Choirs
All students take part in Year Choir as part of the curriculum, while our youngest voices in Year 1 and 2 can join Piccoline Choir, and singers from Year 3 to 6 come together in Junior School Choir. For Year 5 and 6 students wanting to stretch further, the auditioned Capella Chamber Choir offers Junior School Choir members the chance to refine their sound in a select ensemble.
Strings
Our youngest players join Pizzicato Strings in Years 1 and 2, while the Year 3 String Program offers a curriculum pathway into the Year 3 String Orchestra. From Year 4 to 6 (and select Year 3 students with more experience), players join the Brumby String Orchestra, with the auditioned Hindson Chamber Strings offering Brumby members a further step up. For those wanting an even more intimate setting, the auditioned Junior String Quartet brings together four string players.
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Frequently asked questions
What Performing Arts programs does Pymble offer?
Girls can choose from a vast range of Dance, Drama and Film, Music, Speech and Drama, Debating and Public Speaking classes. Dance alone offers Onstage, Sidestage, Classical Ballet and, for our most talented dancers, invitation-only Performance groups, creating a genuine pathway from a first Kindergarten class through to selective, audition-based ensembles.
What year groups can take part?
Most Performing Arts programs run continuously from Kindergarten to Year 6, though some begin at a specific stage, such as Speech and Drama from Year 2, Drama and Film from Year 3, and Debating and Public Speaking from Year 5. Refer to specific program listing for the exact year range.
Does my daughter need prior experience to join?
No. Our Kindergarten to Year 2 Dance and Ballet classes, The Actor’s Craft in Drama, and our general Music program are all designed as an introduction, with no audition or previous training required. Girls with more experience can move into advanced streams as they’re ready.
What's the difference between the Dance Onstage/Sidestage and Ballet Syllabus classes?
Onstage and Sidestage classes for Years 3 to 6 focus on a range of dance styles (Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Theatre Dance and Tap) and building technique and strength. Our Ballet program follows the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Syllabus, with a Showcase Focus class for all abilities and an optional Syllabus Focus class for girls wishing to sit formal RAD examinations.
How does my daughter get invited to a Performance Dance Group, the Performance Ensemble, or a representative Debating team?
These selective, audition-based groups sit at the top of a broader pathway. Coaches and directors typically identify talented girls through their participation in our open Dance, Drama and Debating classes and invite them to audition. Performance Dance Groups perform in Eisteddfod and Performance Dance Troupe settings, while the Performance Ensemble offers opportunities to perform on professional stages. Our top debaters may progress to ISDA, igsa or International Debating Championships teams.
Can my daughter work toward a formal qualification through Dance?
Yes. Our Ballet program follows the RAD Syllabus, and girls in the Syllabus Focus class have the option to complete the Class Award through formal RAD examinations.
Are Debating and Public Speaking part of Performing Arts?
Yes. We group them under our broader Language Arts umbrella, which sits alongside Dance, Drama and Music, because these programs build the same performance confidence.
What is TEDx, and who can take part?
TEDx is a sequenced public speaking program that culminates in girls presenting their own TEDx talk. It’s open to students from Year 6 through to Year 11, making it one of the few Performing Arts pathways that continues beyond Junior School.
What does a program cost?
Costs vary by program, particularly where formal RAD examinations or external performance opportunities are involved.
Can my daughter take part in more than one co-curricular activity?
Yes. Many girls combine Dance, Drama, Music and Speech and Drama, or add Debating or Public Speaking alongside. We encourage families to keep their daughter’s weekly commitments balanced alongside schoolwork and rest.
