The technical aptitude examination verifies that the candidate has the technical and artistic abilities required to prepare for the State Dance Teacher Diploma; this examination is open to candidates who are at least eighteen years old on 31 December of the current year (e.g. for the 2026 session, the candidate must be at least eighteen years old on 31 December 2026).
The technical aptitude examination is organised in a single session once a year by the Ministry of Culture.
- Body control and precision (body construction, precision of execution of technical elements, respect for dynamics, nuances, use of space) or ability to demonstrate technical elements.
- Mastery of rhythmic support and musicality
- Artistic sense (quality of investment in movement, interpretation)
- Mastery of composition (specificity, originality, creativity)
- Presentation, general attitude, ability to self-evaluate, clarity of objectives
For each of the options referred to in article L.362-1 of the Education Code: classical, contemporary, jazz, the level required corresponds to that of the end of the diploma cycle (DEC) of territorial public music, dance and drama teaching establishments.
- An eligibility phase based on a digital file, which includes a video recording of the variation at the end of the 2nd cycle at classified conservatoires, to be submitted in December.
This variation serves as a basis for an initial identification of the candidate's abilities in relation to the level required by the DE training, which is part of higher education. Except in the special cases mentioned above, it must be presented as proposed by the recording available on the Ministry of Culture website, without any adaptation.
A single mark is awarded for the assessment. Priority will be given to the candidate's body construction, as well as to the accuracy and fidelity of the rendition of the support variation indicated above. The curriculum vitae and letter of motivation will complete the jury's assessment of the candidate's recorded performance.
- A face-to-face admission phase, with:
- presentation of an imposed variation of the EAT, coefficient 3
- presentation of a personal composition, coefficient 2
- improvisation test on a theme proposed by the jury, coefficient 1
- graded interview focusing in particular on the ability to self-evaluate, coefficient 1
EAT compulsory variation test (coefficient 3): The level assessed corresponds to that of the technical unit of value at the end of the diploma cycle (DEC). The candidate chooses an imposed variation from among those proposed annually by the Ministry of Culture. It is interpreted or demonstrated in full and in detail by the candidate.
In this context, the PNSD Rosella Hightower is offering two support modules, one to prepare candidates for the eligibility phase and the other to prepare candidates for the admission phase. The two modules can be taken separately. A complete program will be offered during this internship, focusing on the admission tests:
- Required variations,
- Free variations,
- Improvisation.
ELIGIBILITY MODULE – October 2025
This module aims to provide candidates with a clear understanding of the variation and enable precise learning in line with the artistic intent of the piece.
Saturday, October 18th from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM: Eligibility Preparation
Guided work on decoding the Cycle 2 variation of the year. A one-hour warm-up class is scheduled before the specific variation study session.
Tuesday, October 28th from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM and Wednesday, October 29th from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM:
6 hours of technical and artistic refinement of the Cycle 2 variation of the year. A one-hour warm-up class is scheduled before each specific variation study session.
ADMISSION MODULE – February 2026
This module is designed to help candidates master the precision of technical execution, respect for dynamics, nuance, spatial use, interpretative quality, and the expression of each individual's artistic intent in alignment with the choreographer’s vision.
Classical / Contemporary / Jazz Option
Saturday, February 14th, 2026: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Admission Preparation
Guided work on decoding the Cycle 3 variation of the year. A one-hour warm-up class is scheduled before the specific variation study session.
Jazz Option
Saturday, February 28th, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM and Sunday, March 1st, 2026, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM:
6 hours of technical and artistic refinement of the Cycle 3 variation of the year. A one-hour warm-up class is scheduled before each specific variation study session.
Classical / Contemporary Option
Sunday, February 22nd, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM and Monday, February 23rd, 2026, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM:
6 hours of technical and artistic refinement of the Cycle 3 variation of the year. A one-hour warm-up class is scheduled before each specific variation study session.
Mandatory membership: €35
Complete Admission Module (2 sessions): €182
Individual Admission Module: €145,5
For more information, please contact Swanna Yengo
The PNSD Rosella Hightower is open to all specific requests in the event of a disability, in order to make it easier for you to take part in our training courses. Contact the Disability Officer.