About Chinese Dance Training System & Chinese Dance Pre-competitive Level 1
Introduction to the Yoyo School of Dancing's Chinese Dance training system
Yoyo School of Dancing's Chinese Dance training system is divided into three major levels: Chinese Dance Standard Level, Chinese Dance Pre-competitive Level (originally advanced level), and Chinese Dance Competitive Level. Each level has 10-12 sub-levels. We provide students with a complete Chinese Dance teaching system. Please click the button below to check more information.
* Starting from September 2025, all Chinese Dance advanced level will be changed to Chinese Dance Pre-competitive level.
What is Chinese Dance pre-competitive level 1?
Chinese Dance pre-competitive level 1 is designed for students who have finished the Chinese Dance standard level 4 and can execute dance movements of a certain degree of difficulty. This level will help students to further learn and improve themselves from the standard level to the pre-competitive level and the subsequent competition level. It will better develop the students' dance abilities.
What is the capacity for development in Chinese Dance pre-competitive level 1?
Students in Chinese Dance pre-competitive level 1 have two options after one academic year of training:
- After passing the year-end exam, they will be raised to Chinese Dance pre-competitive level 2.
- If the students chose to take the Chinese Dance competitive examination and pass the exam, they will be raised to Chinese Dance competitive level 1.
Students in Chinese Dance pre-competitive level 1 will have more opportunities for competitions and formal performances. The extra opportunities will allow students to accumulate stage experience and improve their dance abilities.
What will happen if students do not join Chinese Dance pre-competitive level 1?
Students who do not join Chinese Dance pre-competitive level 1 will enter Chinese Dance standard level 5 in the 2025-26 school year. The Yoyo School of Dancing curriculum is carefully designed based on the foundation and skill level of the students. Training students of a similar skill level in the same class allows the instructor to better attend to each student by eliminating conflicting student needs. Additionally, the instructors will carefully monitor each student. If at any point we notice that a student is ready for more advanced training, we will communicate with the parents to find a more suitable class for the student.
Viewing Session of the Current Chinese Dance Advanced Level 1
To allow for a better understanding of the Chinese Dance pre-competitive class, we have arranged the following viewing session of the current Chinese Dance advanced level 1：
- Date & time: 12:10-1:40pm, March 16th, 2025.
- Location: Chappelle Studio A, 8993 Carson Way.
- Demonstration class: CDA104 (Chinese Dance advanced level 1, age 8-12).
Chinese Dance Pre-competitive Level 1 Examination
Please pay attention to the following information before registering
- Registration is only open to students who are currently in CD403-1，CD403-2，CD504.
- Students must be flexible with regards to scheduling so that they can attend competitions and must be able to bear the cost of registration, costumes, and other fees for competitions. We attend two to three competitions each school year and all the competitions we attend are held in Edmonton so far.
- Students are required to attend two classes a week in the 2025-26 school year. Below are the class times and locations starting from September 2025:
- Class code: CDPC104 (Chinese Dance Pre-competitive Level 1, age 8-12).
- Class time and location from September 2025 to June 2026:
- Monday, 5:40-7:30pm, Ambleside Studio, #211 6271 Andrews Loop.
- Saturday, 5-6:50pm, Ambleside Studio, #211 6271 Andrews Loop.
- Teacher: Tracy (Ruige).
Examination contents
- Part 1: Flexibility, strength, and techniques (55 points)：
- Middle split for one minute (3 points)
- Side splits: right/left, one minute for each side (6 points)
- Shoulder stretching 10 times (2 point)
- Standing bridges 5 times (10 points)
- Leg holding: forward/side/backward (12 points)
- Handstands for one minute (5 points)
- Saute 10 times (3 points)
- Sit-up 20 times (5 points)
- Superman for one minute (5 points)
- Techniques (optional, extra 4 points): front walkovers, back walkovers, front rollovers, back rollovers, single/continue cartwheels, cheststands, etc.
- Part 2: Dance (35 points):
- Solo dance portion (28 points)：Please prepare a 1-1.5 minute long choreography. You may create your own or select one that was taught in class.
- Mimicry ability (7 points): A teacher will do a demo choreography for 4X8 counts a total of 3 times. The examinee must mimic the demo dance.
- Please note：
- The full score for the exam is 100 points. Students with 75 points and above will enter the Chinese Dance pre-competitive level 1 in September 2025. The maximum students we are taking is 12.
- An email notification will be sent out one week before the exam with the exam groupings and the exam time for each grouping. All examinees must arrive 15 minutes prior to the exam time to warm up.
- Please bring your own music for the solo dance portion. It should not exceed 1.5 minutes and there are no limitations with regards to style. Please prepare any required props in advance. If you need any music from a class, please contact your instructor in advance.
- Exam results will be announced through email before April 20th, 2025.
Time, location, and registration procedures of the examination
- Time and location of the examination:
- 5:30-6:30pm, Tuesday, Mar. 18th, Chappelle Studio B，8993 Carson Way.
- 10-11am, Monday, Mar. 24th (during the spring break), Ambleside Studio，#211 6271 Andrews Loop.
- Each student only needs to take the exam once. Please choose one of the above times to take it.
- Registration procedures:
- The registration fee is $36.75 (GST included). Please make an e-transfer to payment@yoyodance.ca. Please clearly state the student's name and current class code in the note.
- Fill out the registration form at the following link.
- The registration deadline is March 16th, 2025. Registration will be completed when both of the registration form and the fee is received.
