Basic Dance Education (Dansegrunduddannelse - DGU)
DGU is a specially-certified high school offering for talented and ambitions young adults from Denmark who are aiming for a professional career in dance. DGU is a certified education, making it the only one of its kind in Denmark. What does this certification mean? Read more here (in Danish)
With DGU, students receive both an STX high school education on par with the best high schools in the country and a preparatory basic dance education. The education is certified by the Ministry of Education and is acknowledged by the Ministry of Culture as the only basic dance education in Denmark that can educate in the areas of modern dance and classical ballet with a focus on high technical prowess and artistic creativity.
DGU is the direct route to an education as professional dancer at leading institutions in Denmark and Europe and also qualifies the student for admission to leading universities and colleges. The basic dance education prepares the student for a bachelors education in modern dance both nationally and internationally. The education lasts 4 years and and is SU qualified.
Odense Katedralskole oversees the theoretical subjects and The Royal Danish Theatres Ballet School, Odense oversees the artistic dance education. The goal of the education is to give the student a certified academic and artistic STX and at the same time develop him professionally for a career in dance.
With DGU, the technical dance instruction is specialised and has its focus on individual coaching and development. Here is an educational environment that insures a high success rate for the student’s future involvement in professional dance educations. DGU emphasises that both dance and academics receive equal footing.
The goal for the students is that they can be accepted to leading colleges and universities both nationally and internationally.
The Future’s Dancers
Through the years, The Royal Danish Theatres Ballet School, Odense has sent students to London Contemporary Dance School, Laban, Den Kongelige Ballet, Kunsthøgskolen i Oslo (KHIO) Codarts Rotterdam, CDSH Contemporary Dance School, Julliard Arts, Den Kongelige Ballets aspirantuddannelse, Neumeyer, Millenium London.
DGU receives permanent approval from Ministry of Education
DGU started on a test provision from the Ministry of Education in 2014. During Spring, 2016, the education received permanent approval from the Ministry. This means that our DGU has the same special approval as, for example, Team Denmark. It is strictly educations with this approval that can call them selves Dansegrunduddanelse. Danish dancers who take a DGU are therefore insured an education in the area of classical ballet and modern dance, at the same time as they receive an STX - in the heart of Odense.
With a DGU, students receive both an academic STX education on par with the best high schools in the country, as well as a preparatory dance education of the highest quality in the areas of modern dance and classical ballet, with a focus on high technical ability and artistic creativity. The education is the only one of its kind in Denmark and a major piece of pioneering work was put into it. It was made possible by the cooperation of leading groups in the field dedicated to the interplay of dance and academics. Read more...
Acceptance to DGU is by audition only. In addition, students need to be declared fit for study for a high school education. However, consideration is given to students who are strong dancers, despite not having the same grade of academic ability. DGU can be combined with another preparatory education. Find out more under auditions
Daily LIFE in DGU
The STX portion comprises a minimum of 16 class hours of 60 minutes each. The DGU portion comprises 15 class hours of 60 minutes each, spread out over 4 years. There are training/workshops on Saturdays, approximately once a month. At the end of each school year, students go to an exam where they are judged by the permanent faculty and an external examiner. They are judged based on the 7-step scale and the students receive individual coaching. At the end of the whole education, students receive a diploma with an accompanying explanation.
