Preparatory Dance Course Haarlem

• Improvisation, composition, choreography, repertoire, masterclasses, acting for dancers, lessons focused on stage presentation and expression, creating your own dances, developing musicality, stage presentations, developing your own dance material, creating your own dance production, and offering site-specific performances. Classes for artistic development take place weekly; stage and studio presentations occur several times a year.
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• → Classes 1 and 2 (ages 8 and 9): 2.25 hours per week in total
• → Class 3 (ages 10 and 11): 3.5 hours per week in total
• → Class 4 (ages 11 and 12): 4.75 hours per week in total
• → From class 5 (ages 12–18): 6.25 hours per week in total
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• The hours listed are exclusive of extra projects, rehearsals, watching performances, etc.
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• Dancers receive feedback several times a year, sometimes in the form of a written report and sometimes during a personal conversation. In March/April it is assessed whether the dancer can move up to the next class the following season.
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• A future in dance requires sufficient natural talent and physical suitability. Whether a candidate meets these requirements is assessed by the specialist teachers of the Preparatory Course through an audition. During the audition, existing talent is evaluated for its potential for further development. Young people already attending secondary school can combine this preparatory training with VMBO, HAVO or VWO education.
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• During an audition we assess:

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• Physical suitability
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• → physical capabilities
• → motor skills / coordination
• → medical fitness
• → dance technique
• → musicality
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• Artistry
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• → natural sense of movement
• → creativity
• → expressiveness
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• Work ethic
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• → motivation
• → ability to absorb instruction
• → perseverance
• → application of material taught
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• Dancers aged 12 and over are required to undergo a medical assessment by a physiotherapist.
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• Admission is in principle always granted for a full season, regardless of the assessment in December/January. In some cases a student is accepted on a conditional basis until Christmas. This makes entry into the Preparatory Course more accessible, particularly for younger dancers, as a full-season commitment does not need to be made straight away. It also allows the training to give a child the opportunity to develop when there is some uncertainty after an audition.

• You can receive excellent dance training while attending the primary or secondary school of your choice.
• Starting the Preparatory Course is low-threshold. Younger children gradually build up their hours each year, giving them the chance to explore whether this way of engaging with dance is right for them.
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• You dance alongside peers who share your passion for dance. You often make friends for life.
• You are taught by teachers who have all danced professionally and are passionate about sharing their experience with you.
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• Alongside technical training, there is ample opportunity to gain stage experience and develop your creativity.
• You receive regular feedback in the form of a report, so you always know what to focus on next.
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2025–2026

Class 1–2

Class 3

Class 4

Class 5–10

Additional discount

Medical assessment costs

• € 50,- (takes 30–45 minutes). This assessment takes place from class 5 onwards.

Not every parent can afford dance lessons. Support options are available for families with limited financial means. Submit an application at Sam& for a contribution towards tuition fees. Sam& is a collaboration between Leergeld Nederland, Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur, Stichting Jarige Job and Kinderhulp. Sam& ensures that the application reaches the right organisation.

Apply for support →

• Open lessons are organised several times a year for parents, family and friends.
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• These are studio performances in which the dancers can create their own piece or show a preview of a performance they are working on.

• The Preparatory Course places great emphasis on learning to create dance independently. In addition, all classes work with a choreographer. The programme differs per class.
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• Stage programme per class:

• Classes 1–2: perform in the student production of Danshuis Haarlem
• Classes 3–4: are invited to create their own work for an Open(Dance)House, and also perform in the student production of Danshuis Haarlem
• Classes 5–6–7: in addition to their own production with classes 8–10, they collaborate on an extra project, for example with a choir, orchestra or at a special venue
• Classes 8–10: dancers create their own production with dance group The Next Move, directed by a professional choreographer
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• → Dancers from classes 9 or 10 can participate as aspiring dancers with Dansgroep Haarlem

• Dance group The Next Move was founded in 2024 and consists of dancers from the senior classes of the Preparatory Course. The Next Move creates performances in close collaboration with a professional (guest) choreographer. The dancers contribute to the concept and develop their own dance material.
  
  The production is performed multiple times and ideally makes a small tour of different theatres. Danshuis Haarlem has a partnership with Theater de Schuur, which programmes this type of production. Dancing in The Next Move prepares dancers well for their next step towards a professional dance training in the Netherlands or abroad.
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• The Next Move at Theater De Schuur with 'Heartbeat'. Photo: Rutger Vos

• → The audition fee for primary school students is € 25,-
• → Dancers already enrolled at Danshuis Haarlem audition free of charge.
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• → The fee for an audition week is € 75,-
• → Dancers already enrolled at Danshuis Haarlem pay € 50,-

See where our students end up on the progression page.