JAZZ
Overview
Jazz is a fast-paced style of dance with its foundations based on Ballet, and its music and performance firmly rooted in today's styles.
Asia Pacific Dance Association's Jazz Addict syllabus provides each student with solid technical training, performance training, and the platform to create, achieve and grow as a dancer and artist. We also offer scholarship-level Jazz in the NZAMD syllabus for students aged 13 and above.Students work towards sitting a mid-year exam, and then in terms 3 and 4 they prepare an item for our annual show.Competition work is offered in solos, duos, trios and troupes. Entry is through invitation or an audition processes.
Come and join us for the best jazz dance in Auckland!
Age at 31 Dec | Level | Classes per week | Class Type |
|---|---|---|---|
5 years | Jazz Prep | One | Exam |
6 years | Primary Jazz One | One | Exam |
7 years | Primary Jazz Two | One | Exam |
8 years | Junior Jazz One | One | Exam |
9 years | Junior Jazz Two | Two | Exam + Extend |
10 years | Junior Jazz Three | Two | Exam + Extend |
11 years | Elementary Jazz One | Two | Exam + Extend |
12 years | Elementary Jazz Two | Two | Exam + Extend |
13 years | Elementary Jazz Three | Two | Exam + Extend |
14 years | Intermediate Jazz One | Two | 2x Exam |
15 years | Intermediate Jazz Two | Two | 2x Exam |
16 years | Intermediate Jazz Three | Two | 2x Exam |
17 years | Advanced Jazz One | Two | 2x Exam |
18 years | Advanced Jazz Two | Two | 2x Exam |
7-11 years | Junior Open Jazz | One | Open |
12+ years | Senior Open Jazz | One | Open |
Jazz class guide by age
Jazz follows the APDA Jazz Addict syllabus. Levels go by your child's age on 31 December. Ballet is recommended alongside jazz but isn't required. Your free trial is one class per style.
Jazz for 5–7 year olds
One 30-minute class a week on Saturday morning, working towards a mid-year APDA exam (recommended, not compulsory) and the annual show.
| Level (age on 31 Dec) | Day & time | Classes a week | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jazz Prep (5) | Sat 9:30–10:00am | 1 | Book free trial |
| Primary Jazz One (6) | Sat 9:00–9:30am | 1 | Book free trial |
| Primary Jazz Two (7) | Sat 11:15–11:45am | 1 | Book free trial |
Jazz for 8 year olds
Junior Jazz One is one 45-minute class a week: choose Tuesday or Saturday, not both.
| Level (age on 31 Dec) | Day & time | Classes a week | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Jazz One (8) | Tue 5:15–6:00pm or Sat 10:30–11:15am (choose one) | 1 | Trial Tue Trial Sat |
Jazz for 9–10 year olds
From Junior Jazz Two, jazz is two classes a week and both are required: the level class plus Junior Extend on Friday. New to jazz at 9 or 10? Start in the class for your age. Your free trial is the level class.
| Level (age on 31 Dec) | Day & time | Classes a week | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Jazz Two (9) | Sat 10:30–11:15am + Junior 2 & 3 Extend Fri 4:30–5:15pm | 2 (both required) | Book free trial |
| Junior Jazz Three (10) | Thu 4:00–4:45pm + Junior 2 & 3 Extend Fri 4:30–5:15pm | 2 (both required) | Book free trial |
Jazz for 11–12 year olds
Two 60-minute classes a week, both required: the level class plus Elementary Extend on Friday. Leaps, turns, holds, acro and core strength, towards a mid-year exam and the annual show. New to jazz at 11 or 12? Start in the class for your age. At 12, we may need a quick chat first.
| Level (age on 31 Dec) | Day & time | Classes a week | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary Jazz One (11) | Mon 5:15–6:15pm + Elementary 1 & 2 Extend Fri 5:45–6:45pm | 2 (both required) | Book free trial |
| Elementary Jazz Two (12) | Wed 7:30–8:30pm + Elementary 1 & 2 Extend Fri 5:45–6:45pm | 2 (both required) | Book free trial |
Jazz for 13–14 year olds
Two 60-minute classes a week, both required. From Intermediate, dancers sit two exams a year, and NZAMD scholarship-level jazz is offered case by case. New to jazz at 13? Start in the class for your age, but we may need a quick chat first. From 14, we'll talk it through with you first.
| Level (age on 31 Dec) | Day & time | Classes a week | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary Jazz Three (13) | Mon 8:15–9:15pm + Wed 6:30–7:30pm | 2 (both required) | Book free trial |
| Intermediate Jazz One (14) | Tue 8:15–9:15pm + Wed 6:30–7:30pm | 2 (both required) | Book free trial |
Jazz for 15–18 year olds
Every senior level is two 60-minute classes a week, both required, with two exams a year. New to jazz at this age? We'll talk it through with you first.
| Level (age on 31 Dec) | Day & time | Classes a week | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intermediate Jazz Two (15) | Not running in 2026 | — | — |
| Intermediate Jazz Three (16) | Mon 7:15–8:15pm + Tue 8:00–9:00pm | 2 (both required) | Book free trial |
| Advanced Jazz One (17) | Not running in 2026 | — | — |
| Advanced Jazz Two (up to 18) | Mon 6:15–7:15pm + Wed 7:30–8:30pm | 2 (both required) | Book free trial |
Open Jazz (7–11 and 12+)
One class a week with no exam: fresh choreography and styles for dancers who love jazz. Open Jazz is compulsory for jazz troupe members. Free trials for Open Jazz open in 2027.
| Level (age on 31 Dec) | Day & time | Classes a week | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Junior Jazz (7–11) | Tue 6:00–7:00pm | 1 | Trials open 2027 |
| Open Senior Jazz (12+) | Tue 7:00–8:00pm | 1 | Trials open 2027 |
Jazz troupes and competition
Troupes, solos, duos and trios are by invitation or audition. Troupe and competition dancers must also take their jazz exam classes (both classes from Junior Jazz Two up) and an Open Jazz class. Contemporary and Musical Theatre compete under the Jazz genre. 2027 audition dates to be announced.
| Level (age on 31 Dec) | Day & time | Classes a week | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Jazz Troupe (5–11) | Wed 4:00–5:00pm | 1 | By invitation |
| Senior Jazz Troupe (12+) | Wed 5:00–6:30pm | 1 | By invitation |
Common questions
- Does my 8-year-old need two jazz classes?
- No. Junior Jazz One is one class a week: Tuesday or Saturday.
- Does my 9-year-old need two jazz classes a week?
- Yes. From Junior Jazz Two, the Saturday level class and Friday Junior Extend are both required.
- My 12 or 13 year old is new to jazz. Where do they start?
- In the class for their age. We may need a quick chat first.
- Do jazz dancers have to do ballet?
- No. Ballet is recommended because jazz is built on ballet technique, but it isn't required.
- Are jazz exams compulsory?
- No, but we highly recommend them.
- Is the free trial for both classes?
- The free trial is one class per style. Book the level class.
Times are for Term 4 2026. Pricing varies based on class size: see timetable and fees. Questions? Ask us.