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Introduction
Join us for our JC DDPF Spring Masterclasses 23!
We’re excited to announce we have a wide range of MASTERCLASSES that will be running from the 11th – 14th April 2023 that are NOW OPEN for booking! Please have a read through of everything we have on offer.
We are also running a Spring Ballet Intensive which you can find more information about on the dedicated Spring Ballet Intensive page.
Please note spaces are LIMITED and reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis, so we recommending booking asap to avoid disappointment. We are also pleased to be offering priority booking and a 15% Discount Code on all classes for our Junior Conservatoire students.
Please contact juniorsddpf@rcs.ac.uk if you are a current Junior Conservatoire student to receive the discount code.
Masterclasses in the following
- Stage Combat
- SFX Make-up
- Short Form Filmmaking and Micro Documentary
- Lion King Dance Workshop: ages 10-14 (P6 upwards)
- ZooNation Dance workshop: ages 11-14 or ages 15-25
- Horton Technique Workshop
- An American in Paris Workshop
- Yoga for Dancers
You can find more information about each course and book your place in the course outline section.
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Course outline
STAGE COMBAT
From action films to classical drama, knowing how to create realistic and safe fight scenes is a key skill for all budding performers. In this workshop, we’ve invited an industry leader, EmmaClaire Brightlyn, to show you the ropes. Across the half-day session you will learn about basic technique and put together small sections of fight chorography led by one of the top experts in the country! Recommended for students aged 12-18.
Sign up for this session if you:
- Want to apply your movement skills in a new way to create fast-paced action and high-octane scenes!
- Are seeking new ways to explore you dance or choreography skills to broaden your career options!
- Fancy yourself as the next 007 and want to have great fun, build new connections, and make new friends from across the Junior Conservatoire!
Date: Wednesday 12th April (2PM – 4:30PM)
Price: £20
SFX MAKE-UP
Ever wondered how zombies are created for the big screen? Or how cuts and scars are created for stage and screen? Prosthetic makeup goes back to the beginning of film making with A Trip to the Moon (French: Le Voyage dans la Lune), a 1902 French adventure short film directed by Georges Méliès through to Boris Karloffs ‘Frankenstein’ and on to Die Hard and zombie films like day of the dead. Then you need to take part in a masterclass on special effects makeup! We’ve invited an industry professional to share with you some of their tips and tricks and introduce you to the world of special effects! Recommended for students aged 12-18.Sign up for this session if you:
- Are interested in understanding the craft of special effects.
- Want to find out how to create makeup special effects that you can use to enhance your film project
- Want to get a look at the makeup and special effects makeup careers
Date: Wednesday 12th April (10:30AM – 12:30PM)
Price: £25
SHORT-FORM FILMMAKING AND MICRO DOCUMENTARY
If you are interested in creating engaging short form drama or documentary, then this session is for you! Short-form videos are becoming increasingly popular, especially as social media platforms continue to evolve. Creating well-crafted short and concise content has become key to engaging audiences, so we have invited an industry expert to share their tips and tricks on creating short form content with you! Recommended for students aged 12-18.
Sign up for this session if you:
- Are interested in telling your story in a well-crafted film that shares a lot of information in a short period of time
- Want to find out how to create an informative stand-alone micro documentary or a teaser for a larger documentary project
- Want to get a better understanding of how to shoot a micro drama or documentary
Date: Tuesday 11th April (10AM – 3PM)
Price: £25
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACEDANCE
Before booking, please note the age ranges below for each class.AN AMERICAN IN PARIS WORKSHOP
Learn choreography from the West End and Broadway musical An American In Paris written by George and Ira Gershwin, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon. Students will learn directly from experienced cast member Kristen McGarrity.Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Kristen trained at The Royal Ballet School (RBS) during which time she won the April Olrich Award for Dynamic Dance, Adeline Genée Bronze Medal and was a Young British Dancer of the Year Finalist. She graduated into Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) where she danced most of the company’s soloist repertoire. After leaving BRB she completed her BSc Honours degree in Psychology and her RBS teaching diploma with distinction, whilst touring the UK and Europe as a singer/songwriter/musician with artists Andy Burrows and Emmy The Great.
Kristin played the lead role of ‘Lise Dassin’ in Christopher Wheeldon’s An American in Paris (London West End, Asia and Paris tours). Kristen is currently working as a freelance Rehearsal Assistant for Scottish Ballet and continues to guest teach, stage productions and assist choreographers for schools and companies, whilst guest performing. She believes in a holistic approach towards movement and education, in aid of enhancing every student and artist’s experience in dance.
Recommended for students aged aged 14-25.
Date: Friday 14th April (3.30PM – 5.30PM)
Price: £20
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR SPACETHE LION KING WORKSHOP
Learn choreography from the West End and Broadway musical The Lion King written by Elton John and Tim Rice, choreographed by Garth Fagan. Students will learn directly from experienced cast member Mark Hindle.Mark Hindle, Royal Ballet School Dip. Some of Marks professional credits include: The Classical Spectacular at The Royal Albert Hall London, Celebrity Cruises, Pirates of the Caribbean for The Queens Jubilee Concert, The Dutch Musical Gala and Walt Disney’s The Lion King award winning musical.
Mark has recently completed two years at The Royal Ballet School on their teachers diploma and is now a qualified ballet teacher under The Royal Ballet School. He has also taught for The Royal Ballet School Associate and Primary Steps programs. Mark has been invited by The Royal Ballet School to be a guest assessor and was on the schools panel for their final auditions. Mark has also taught the Yorkshire Seminars along with teaching the Auditions for The National Youth of Great Britain. Mark currently adjudicates nationally and internationally for VAD Productions and The Dance World Cup.Junior session (ages 10-14 / P6-S2):
Date: Wednesday 12th April (10AM – 1PM)
Price: £30
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACESenior session (ages 15-25):
Date: Tuesday 11th April (2PM – 5PM)
Price: £30
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACEHORTON JAZZ DANCE TECHNIQUE
A jazz dance class led by Mark Hindle, centred on Horton technique – a modern dance technique based on Native American dances, anatomical studies, and other movement influences. Recommended for students aged 14-25.
Date: Wednesday 12th April (3.30PM – 5PM)
Price: £20
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR SPACE
Zoonation are ground-breaking storytellers creating original music and dance to inspire the next generation of theatregoers and theatre makers.ZooNation was founded by Kate Prince in 2002 and is best known for its work in the theatre, creating full length narrative dance productions strongly influenced by hip hop culture and music. A trailblazing company and an enabler of the next generation of talent. Our current associations include: Kate Prince as Associate Artist and ZooNation as Resident Company at Sadler’s Wells. ZooNation Youth Company (ZYC) as Resident Company at Southbank Centre. ZooNation Academy of Dance (ZAD) West as Resident partner at The Lyric Hammersmith. ZooNation being an Associate company at Southampton Mayflower. Kate Prince as Associate Artist at Old Vic. ZooNation is committed to enabling all participants to engage in workshops, equally and with dignity and respect.
Junior session (ages 11-14):
Date: Tuesday 11th April (2PM – 4.30PM)
Price: £30
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACESenior session (ages 15-25):
Date: Tuesday 11th April (10AM – 12.30PM)
Price: £30
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACEYOGA FOR DANCERS
Join us for a Yoga class tailored specifically for dancers. This is a great way for dancers to improve their flexibility, strength, and balance, helping you focus your mind and de-stress. The course will be led by Laura Gonzalez. Recommended for students aged 11 – 25.
Date: Thursday 13th April (3:30PM – 5PM)
Price: £10
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR SPACE -
Who is the course for?
Any young person that has an interest in Dance, Acting, Musical Theatre, Film and Production studies.
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Entry requirements
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These masterclasses are for students who are already studying in their chosen artform. These masterclasses will enhance their learning in the subject area.
When booking the course, students should state their age and any experience in this field that they’ve had so far.
For dance masterclasses, please state any prior dance training/experience, to ensure that the student can be placed in a learning environment most suited to their knowledge and skillset.
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Course preparation
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Students will be sent information on any course preparation or materials required on confirmation of place on the course.
Participants should bring refillable water bottles a well as lunch/snacks where appropriate.
For dance masterclasses, students should come dressed in their usual ballet or other dance attire.
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FAQs
Choosing a course
Q) Which course is right for me?
Most of our courses are open access meaning that anyone can attend. We ask that bookers check the age range for the class. Our Adult classes are for ages 16+, our Children and Young People courses are generally split by age/school group.
If your child or young person is not based in Scotland please see the general age equivalents below.
School Group /Age Range in Scotland
Primary 1 – 4/5 years old
Primary 2 – 5/6 years old
Primary 3 – 6/7 years old
Primary 4 – 7/8 years old
Primary 5 – 8/9 years old
Primary 6 – 9/10 years old
Primary 7 – 10/11 years old
Secondary 1 – 11/12 years old
Secondary 2 – 12/13 years old
Secondary 3 – 13/14 years old
Secondary 4 – 14/15 years old
Secondary 5 – 15/16 years old
Secondary 6 – 16/17 years old
Q) I have no previous experience, can I take this course?
Most of our courses are open access – meaning that anyone can take part. If there is an entry requirement or specific previous experience is recommended for the course, there will be a tab on the course webpage to specify this.
Generally, if you have no experience, or have been away from your study for a number of years – we would encourage you to look at courses with Beginner or Introduction in the title.
Q) I’m an adult learner – am I too old for this course?
Never! Our adult classes are for anyone 16+. We often have a range of people aged from their late teens/early twenties to their late sixties and above. Our tutors are adept at creating a comfortable learning atmosphere for all the people in the group. We can’t predict the ages of the people on the course – but we can assure you that now is the right time to learn something new!
Q) Are the courses accredited?
Several of our courses for young people and adults aged 16+ offer an optional credit-rated choice. You can find out more about the credit-rated accreditation we offer on the credit rated courses page, or clicking on your chosen course page for further details.
In general, our courses are unaccredited however you can request a certificate of attendance on completion of your course, if required. Please email shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk to request this 2 weeks prior to your course end date.
Q) English isn’t my first language, can I still take the course?
Yes! Our courses welcome students from across the world. You do not need a certificate in English in order to take Short Courses at the RCS. However, as all classes are delivered in English we do ask that you are comfortable following instructions, discussing ideas and sight-reading English aloud within the class.
Bookings/Booking a course?
Q) What is Schooble? Why do I need it?
The first time you book a short course you will need to set up a Schooble account – this is your customer account for our online booking system, Experios. You need a Schooble account to book your course, change or update your personal information, and check when payments are due/make a payment. Details of all the courses you have attended or are attending can be found on your account.
Q) I’ve not been sent a verification code?
If you are trying to set up a Schooble account or change your password, you might see that you have been sent a verification code. This code will be sent to the email associated with the account and often goes to your junk mail. Please check there first, and then email us if you cannot locate it.
Q) I haven’t received my course confirmation?
You will receive an automated email from our booking operator, Experios, to confirm that you have been successful in booking your course. This may get filtered to your junk mail – so please remember to check. If you are in any doubt – you can email us for further confirmation.
You will receive your course welcome information from us 1 to 2 weeks ahead of the course start date. This includes all the information you will need to attend the course including details of advance preparation is this is required.
Q) How do I update my email/password/address?
Log into your Schooble account by going to rcs.paritor.com. From there click the Clock icon on the left-hand side, and then click My Details. You can click Change Sign-in or Change Password as required. If you are changing your address, click Update.
Q) I’ve forgotten my password?
Go to rcs.paritor.com and click the Forgotten Password button. Enter the email address you used when you set up your account to receive a verification code. Once you have verified your email address you will be able to follow the steps to change your password.
If you are struggling with this, please email shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk for assistance.
Q) Why do I need to put an emergency contact down?
We offer classes to people ages 1-100, and during our courses our student’s safety is our priority. By giving us emergency contact information, you can ensure that should anything happen to you/your child during our courses – we will be able to contact someone to make them aware.
Q) Why are you asking for my age and school?
Our booking form accommodates a wide range of classes, and is the same for children, young people, and adults. As an adult you can click, I’m an Adult to avoid some of these questions.
As a young person, we ask for your age and school to ensure that you are in the correct age group for your class.
Q) Why do you ask for my medical information?
We take our student’s safety and wellbeing seriously and want to support everyone to learn in a way that suits them. If you have listed a medical condition or disability, we will contact to you to ask if there is any specific support we can put in place for you.
Q) What email address should I use for Microsoft Teams?
During your application you will be asked to select an email address to use when we add you to the course Teams group. Microsoft Teams is an online classroom where materials will be posted for your class and you will access the Zoom codes for each session.
Microsoft Teams gets upset by switching emails on a device – so if you already have an account registered for Teams, you should enter that email to avoid confusion.
If you are booking the course for someone else, you should ask them what email they use to access Teams, as only the participant will have access to the Team.
Teams is used by many schools across the UK – so if your child has been accessing Teams for school work, they should use the email already associated with that account – usually their school email address.
Some schools or workplaces do not allow accounts to be used for outside activities, please check, and email us if you wish to change the email address for Teams.
Q) It says the course is full – what do I do?
Courses have a limited number of places available. You can book onto the waiting list by clicking the Book Now button on the webpage. This will take you to the booking form to register your interest but without taking you to the payment page – it does not cost anything to book onto the waiting list.
We encourage all bookers to register for the waiting list if you wish to take the course. We try to respond to demand, and if we have enough people on the waiting list to run another course – we will! So it is worth booking on to register your interest.
Q) How will I be contacted if a space becomes available?
You will be contacted on the email associated with your account. We ask that you respond to your invitation as soon as possible as it allows us to process your application and get you set up for the course. If you no longer wish to take the place, please email us to confirm.
Q) I’ve been invited from the waiting list – do I need to do anything?
Yes! If you have received an automated email saying you have been invited from the waiting list, please log onto rcs.paritor.com and click Accept. This will take you to the payment stage of the booking form to confirm your space. After completing this you should email us so we can confirm your booking and send you over the relevant welcome information.
If you no longer want your place – please email us! We would love to offer the space to someone else and the more notice we are able to give people the better.
Payment
Q) Can I pay by instalment?
Yes, you can. When you reach the payment part of your booking form there are different payment options. We do request that all course fees are paid in full before the end date of your course.
Full – paying the course in full at the time of booking.
By Term – paying the course in three instalments, one for each term (only available for full year courses)
Monthly – this will split the course cost over the remaining months until your course completion date.
Please note these options will depend on how much time there is between the booking date and end of the course.
Q) I’m paying by instalments. Can I change my payment date?
You can log onto your Schooble account by visiting rcs.paritor.com. On your home page you will find your Account Balance. By clicking Pay/Review you will be able to see your current payment schedule and below you are given the option to change your payment day. Please note the options are from the 1st to the- 28th of each month and if you change it to a date beyond the course end date your payments might increase. This is because payment for courses must be complete by the last class.
e.g. – your course finished on the 18th April. You currently pay your fees on the 10th of each month, so you are due to complete your payment for the course on the 10th April. You change it until the 28th of each month. Your instalments will increase to ensure you have paid for the course by 28th March, as the course will already be complete by the 28th April.
Q) How do I change my card details?
You can log onto your Schooble account by visiting rcs.paritor.com. On your home page you should find your Account Balance then Pay/Review. By clicking Amend Schedule you will be able to Make a Payment, which will redirect you to our secure online payment Sagepay and you will have the option to amend your card details at that stage.
Q) Is there any financial support?
Yes! We have bursary and scholarship programmes which all students can apply for. Please see the Financial Support page on the website for more details. Please check your eligibility for each prior to applying.
Q) How do I withdraw from the course?
Please email shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk with to confirm in writing that you wish to withdraw. You can read our Cancellation and Refunds policy online to see if you will be eligible for a refund.
You are entitled to a 14-day cooling off period from the date of booking the course in which you will be entitled to a refund (unless the course has been complete in this period).You should be aware at the time of booking that, out with the statutory 14 day cooling off period, there is no automatic right to cancel, and there will be no refund of fees.
Accessing my course
Q) How do I access my course?
Our online courses are delivered through Microsoft Teams and Zoom. You can read about each of these platforms on their webpages. We advised that all bookers download the desktop versions of the applications for easy access.
Q) What is Teams?
Microsoft Teams is a virtual classroom. Your Team is your RCS course and will be comprised of the other students on the course, your tutor, and Short Courses staff.
Q) Do I need Teams account?
Yes! Our online class are delivered through Teams and Zoom, and we require bookers to have access to both these platforms to participate.
On Teams you will be able to view materials the tutor has posted, ask questions, upload any tasks the tutor has set, and access the Zoom codes for each class.
Your Teams account is linked to the email address you supplied in that section of the booking form. To read more about setting up your Teams, please see below.
Q) How do I set up Teams?
Before the course, you will be sent an invite to your Team to the email address you supplied in your booking form.
If you have never used Teams before:
- Click the purple Open in Microsoft Teams box in the email.
- Your internet browser will take you to a Microsoft page that offer to Create account – with the email listed below. Click Next.
- Create a password – and click Next.
- Fill out the remaining account information (date of birth).
- Follow the information to verify your email. Enter the code into the box.
- Fill out the captcha and click Next.
- You will then be taken to an RCS page. Read the permissions and click Accept.
- Once you have clicked Accept, you will be redirected to a page. On the page there will be two options: Download the Windows/Mac app or Use the web app instead. We advise all users to download the app. Follow the steps to do so.
If you have already downloaded the app, a pop up will appear on the screen and you can click Open Microsoft Teams.
- Once you have done this you will either be directed to the online version or the desktop version as selected. You will then be asked to enter your email to sign in. This is the email you received your Teams invitation to, and the account you have just created.
- Enter the password you just created for this account.
- You may have a ‘Welcome to Teams!’ page. Please select Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (Guest) if not already shown. Click Continue.
- At this point – you are in Teams. You should be automatically taken to the RCS Course Team. You will see a General tab, and a Zoom Codes tab. These are channels where the tutors will post the relevant information.
Q) Where is my RCS email account?
As a Short Courses student you are not a matriculated student of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (other than Introduction to Actor Training). You therefore do not have an RCS email account. If you are asked to select the type of Teams you will be using, please click Personal.
Q) Where do I find the Zoom codes for my class?
You will find the codes in the Zoom Codes channel of Teams. You will see it on the left-hand side of your screen, and by clicking on that Channel you’ll see where the Tutor has posted the Zoom code and password for the session.
Please note that the Zoom codes are different for each week. In order to keep all our customers safe online, we require bookers to log into Teams to access the codes. This limits the amount of people who will see the codes and stops them getting forwarded via email. For this reason, we cannot send you the Zoom codes via email.
Q) When will I have access to my course Team?
Once you have been sent the Welcome Information, you will be added to the Teams group. You will receive an automated message from Microsoft Teams notifying you of this. We will aim to send this information out 1 to 2 weeks ahead of the course start date.
Q) Where is my Teams invite?
If you have received your Welcome Information, you should have received your Teams invite. Please check your Junk Mail before emailing us. Remember that the Teams invite will go to the email address you entered for Teams – this may be different to the email address you have listed for communication from us.
If you have not received an email, it may be due to an error in the email provided to us.
Q) I can’t see my RCS Team?
Sometimes Microsoft Teams can get confused. Please sign out and sign back in by clicking your initials at the top right-hand corner. Try clicking the Open Microsoft Teams in the invitation email again. Try logging in via the Microsoft Teams website. If you are unsuccessful, please email shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk with screenshots and we will endeavour to help you
Q) How long will I have access to the Team?
You will have access to the Team for up to a week after the course ends. On the day of the final class, we ask that you download any materials and save any links you wish to keep from the Team. One week after the course, we will remove all members from the Team and delete it.
Q) How do I upload something to the Team?
You can either upload a file by posting a message in the General Channel, or you can upload it to the Files section, by clicking the Files button at the top.
You need to wait until the full file is uploaded. For video files this can take a number of minutes. You need to keep the Teams page up while your file uploads. You will see a green line crossing the bottom of the File – only once that has completed is the file fully uploaded – and then you are ready to hit post. Remember to check your file works once it has been uploaded.
Please note that anything you upload to Teams can be seen by your classmates – this is great as it offers the opportunity for peer review as you would in a usual classroom setting. If you would rather send something directly to the tutor, you can email it to