Values and Fundamentals
The PNSD Rosella Hightower works to achieve artistic excellence, while endeavouring to preserve its core values which are fundamental to training future dancers, preparing them for diverse careers in an increasingly diversified and challenging world.
ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE
The PNSD Rosella Hightower has consistently strived to achieve artistic excellence standards. Our students are encouraged to develop both their technical and artistic skills, and to push the boundaries of their creative abilities by integrating a diversity of styles and influences in their work. Their training aims to produce skillful, multifaceted dancers, able to meet the demands of modern-day choreographers and dance company directors.
OPEN-MINDEDNESS AND INNOVATION
Our students are invited to experiment with new teaching and choreographic methods, to reconsider their approach to movement and to show creativity. They are led to explore different dance forms, to embrace a variety of styles and to appreciate the plurality of choreographic art, so that they may uncover and nurture their vision and unique artistic personality.
RESPECT AND ETHICS
The PNSD Rosella Hightower intends to offer a respectful and mindful environment for all students, building a learning environment that is conducive to making progress and developing everyone’s talents. Dancers’ health has been the focus of our educational project since 2009, and the PNSD Rosella Hightower provides students and staff with a setting that fosters physical, mental and social well-being.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
The world of dance ought to reflect the diversity in society. PNSD Rosella Hightower celebrates diversity’s richness by acknowledging that each dancer brings their unique and valuable perspective. Our school encourages the expression of dancers from all origins, cultural backgrounds, and identities, thus favouring an environment that is inclusive and respectful of diversity.
More on PNSD Rosella Hightower Fundamentals
A COMPREHENSIVE AND DIVERSIFIED EDUCATIONAL OFFER
A unique continuum : a historical combination between regular and higher dance education, alongside children’s dance classes and the training of dance teachers.
Many ways to access national diplomas : through formal training, apprenticeship, Validation of Acquired Experience (VAE) and continuous learning.
Continuing vocational education and training aiming to accompany dancers and dance teachers throughout their professional careers.
A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH: BALLET AND CONTEMPORARY
Well rounded education based on excellence, adaptability, open-mindedness, aiming to prepare young eclectic dancers that are able to meet modern-day artistic needs.
Ballet and contemporary techniques are taught as tools to enhance the quality in movement and virtuosity of the dancing body.
Dance teacher formal training in 3 disciplines : ballet, contemporary and jazz.
OUR INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION : STUDENTS AND TEACHERS
The school’s project has embraced globalisation as an unmissable evolution : respecting the past, embracing the present moment and building the future. It is about opening up to different cultures and being ready to adapt to pedagogical changes and professional reality which characterises dance education worldwide.
While student exchange programs such as Erasmus are important for students, they also benefit teachers by fostering motivation in our teaching staff, as do other European programmes in which the school partakes.
The Rencontres Internationales des Junior Ballets (International Encounters of Junior Ballets) in Cannes, organised by our school, support the artistic and educational exchanges between our students and an international network of professionals.
PROFESSIONAL INSERTION : CANNES JUNIOR BALLET
Professional integration is the common thread of our training programmes.
Preparing young dancers to become tomorrow’s artists requires ongoing connections with the professional realm.
Developing efficient tools of professional insertion: Rosella Hightower Cannes Junior Ballet (senior year), internships in dance companies, apprenticeships in regional ballets, network of alumni, permeability with the working world through many partnerships.
A 85 % employability rate as of graduation.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMBINE ARTISTIC AND ACADEMIC EDUCATION
One of the unique characteristics of Rosella Hightower Dance School is to integrate initial dance education into a combined curriculum. Students aged 11 to 17 are offered a comprehensive artistic education alongside their regular timetables, from year 7 to year 13, through a partnership with Centre International de Valbonne (secondary education)
Since 2009, dance students may pursue a Bachelor’s Degree (Ingemedia Degree at Toulon University) alongside the Higher National Diploma in Professional Dance Performance (DNSP)
PROMOTING DANCERS’ HEALTH: A RECOGNISED PRIORITY
Both a physical and artistic activity, dance – regardless of its style and aesthetics – requires a considerable physical engagement and places daily workload demands on the body.
Paying attention to dancer’s health is a distinguishing feature of our school. We integrate issues related to health into our curriculum, drawing from the latest advances in medical and scientific research relating to dance (movement science, biomechanics, physiology, psychology and neuroscience).
Resources provided through our Health Centre allow for the augmentation of individual potential through enhancing performance, while teaching dancers how to prevent injuries.
DEEP LOCAL ROOTS : A WELL-BALANCED CULTURAL ACTIVITY
Deep local roots which are strengthened through our school’s consistent commitment to delivering performances: a broad reach of the Cannes Junior Ballet (CJB) Rosella Hightower, extended throughout the area ; and the annual show to enable students to perform on stage in high quality artistic proposals, designed for them and with them, which delights both parents and local audiences.
Our students may also attend choreographic shows covering varied aesthetics in the Cannes area theatres, particularly at our neighbouring partner theatre Scène 55, and at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes.
Actions in schools to sensitise primary and secondary school children (artistic and cultural education), a wide range of artistic interventions (museums, exhibitions, street performances) and holiday workshops are part of the relations developed with the territory.
NETWORK PARTNERSHIPS
A project willing to foster partnerships with other training centres and professional dance companies, with a view to mutualising means, capitalising on experiences and creating a synergy between our activities. Some of our partnerships particularly contribute to shaping the structure of our school (CIV, UCA, Toulon University, Ballet National de Marseille, Ballet Preljocaj, Ballet du Grand Opéra in Avignon, Prix de Lausanne).
Overall, operating within a network has become our main economic and cultural development model. PNSD Rosella Hightower has already undertaken such initiatives at local, regional, national, European and international levels, establishing connections across the Euro-Mediterranean and transatlantic regions.
