On-Site Academic Support
- Supervised onsite academic study blocks
- Supports balance between training & education
Full-Time Pro
AUDITION ONLY
Our Full-Time Program is designed for dedicated dancers who aspire to a future in classical ballet. This program combines personalised coaching, academic study, and qualification mentorship to prepare dancers for auditions & pre-professional school placements.
Program inclusions:
- Integrated academic study on site
- Daily classical ballet training and technical refinement
- Access to our unique assessment & qualification pathways
- Guest international coaches and specialist faculty
- Access to CDA’s international network and industry database
Qualifications
We are exploring the introduction of:
- The Royal Ballet School's Affiliate Assessment Program
- Certificate IV in Dance (CUA40120)
*As part of our CDA program standards, dancers complete our training preparation phase (6-12 months) when they join our academy, to ensure students meet the required physical & technical criteria for any qualifications that we offer*.
Full-Time Programs for your growth:
You will be allocated to Pro 1 or 2 after we receive your application
STRICTLY LIMITED TO 15 POSITIONS
Pro 1
(13+ | Exceptional)
- Designed for highly motivated dancers who are technically and mentally prepared to pursue a professional ballet career.
- Exceptional potential, discipline, and maturity
- Ready to audition to a pre professional school
Pro 2
(13+ | Developing Potential)
- Designed for dancers who show promise and require further development before transitioning to Pro 1
- Focus on strengthening foundational technique for more consistency
- Clear pathway into Pro 1 and future professional training
Additional inclusions for Pro 1's & Pro 2's
- Structured classical ballet classes, variations, strength/flexibility, ballet history, character & career coaching classes
- Performance, Audition & Competition advice guides supplied
- Video + photo audition filming days scheduled to maximise your success
- Parent + Coach progress interviews for individual goal setting
- Professional Full-Time Pro's photoshoots
- CDA Soirée performances & semester assessments with reports to track progress
- Solo & competition opportunities (optional)
- Class Excursions & bonding nights for ongoing positive culture
Access to our CDA Audition + Competition Manuals
- CDA document that outlines all Pre-Professional schools & audition deadlines
- We set up complimentary termly audition filming days for you
- Includes summer school & competition recommendations
- Competition & Variation Guidance
Optional Add On Classes
R.A.D Exam Afterschool for QCE Points
Inter Found. RAD Class, 1 QCE point
Intermediate RAD Class, 1 QCE point
Adv Found. RAD Class, 2 QCE points
Advanced 1 RAD Class, 2 QCE points
Advanced 2 RAD Class, 2 QCE points
+ other add on's
Open Ballet Classes 13-18+ yrs
Contemporary Classes 13-18+ yrs
Jazz Classes 13-18+ yrs
Strong & Flexible Classes 13-18+ yrs
Lyrical Classes 13-18+ yrs
Character Classes 13-18+ yrs
Private Lessons
Our After-School Program is built on refined classical ballet technique, the foundation of all dance styles.
Term 3 Starts
13th July 2026
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What your journey can look like.
Founded by Claudia Dean, a former Royal Ballet dancer, CDA is shaped by her international experience and global connections that open doors for dancers at every stage of their journey.
You are here
Training at CDA means establishing correct foundations for your dream pre-professional school
Your dream pre-professional school
A Pre-professional school is linked to a company which means long term successful career
You made it
Because you had strong foundations at CDA
Why Full-Time at CDA is different
Correct Training from day one
- We offer prestigious assessment & qualification pathway options
- Personalised coaching that creates long term potential
- Unique methodology that develops strong foundations + habits
- We invest in teacher training to ensure methodology & training is consistent
Culture that actually supports you
- We host free 'CDA Culture Days' to chat through topics: motivation, nutrition & mindset in the danceworld
- Regular parent communication & coach + parent interviews
- Competition & Audition CDA guides to guide you on timelines of auditions
International Connections
- Training aligned with the standards expected by leading ballet schools
- Access to our international guest coaches & connections to maximise your opportunities in ballet
- First-hand knowledge of the professional ballet world, with informed pathways on how dancers truly progress
- Practical guidance for auditions, assessments, and next-step opportunities
Apply Online Now
Applicants may audition via one of the following:
Submission of 3 set audition photos.
Submit your photo & application below.
Or, we offer free 15-minute complimentary private lesson & pathway consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
Helpful information to guide your journey with Claudia Dean Academy.
Full-time training is best suited to dancers who are emotionally ready, highly motivated, and show strong potential within the artform. At CDA, acceptance is based on future potential and work ethic. We offer 2 full-time classes and place each dancer into the program that best supports their current level and long-term development. With regular parent communication, we guide families honestly and carefully on the right timing for each individual dancer.
At CDA, full-time dancers follow a carefully structured school-day schedule that balances dance training, academic study, and recovery. Optional add-on examination classes are available and are strategically scheduled to support Grade 12 QCE results without extending the training day unnecessarily. Our schedule is intentionally designed to support age-appropriate training loads monitored closely by our faculty.
We partner with Cairns School of Distance Education and provide supervised academic study on site. This ensures all CDA full-time dancers can maintain their education alongside professional-level training in a supported and structured environment.
Full-Time dancers at CDA may have access to 2 potential qualification pathways as part of their pre-professional development: We are exploring the introduction of The Royal Ballet School's Affiliate Assessment Program & Certificate IV in Dance (CUA40120). As part of CDA’s training standards, all dancers first complete our Training Preparation Phase (approximately 6–12 months upon joining the academy). This ensures each student meets the required physical and technical criteria before commencing any formal qualifications at CDA.
Our training is aligned with international standards and shaped by our founder’s professional experience overseas and global industry connections. CDA dancers also receive access to our audition and competition guides, video audition filming days, and personalised guidance - giving families clear insight into what leading international schools are truly looking for and how to prepare for them.