Teaching methods

The SNDO’ s teaching methods are aimed at the individual student.

A large appeal is made to the student’s own contribution and responsibility. The student is coached in his search for personal possibilities and interests. Reflection on the theoretical and social aspects of dance and performance are important aspects of the course. In the search for quality, investigation and the experiment play a major role, thereby stimulating new developments within and between the different disciplines. The dialogue between the varying international input of teachers and students contributes significantly to the vision of dance that has developed in the education. Professional choreographers, dancers and teachers is coach the student in his/her development . Professional guest lecturers give their own vision of the artistic field.
In order to bring the students in touch with the professional field the SNDO invites as many international choreographers as possible as a guest-teacher. From the first year on, professional programmers and presenters are invited to give feedback on the students work. These so-called outside eyes come from theaters, venues and festivals like Frascati WG, Het Veem Theater , Melkweg Theater, Theater Kikker, Springdance, Sophiensaele, Hebbel am Ufer, Mercat de les Flors, Dance Estate Bassano.

In the fourth year every SNDO-student is required to leave the school for 13 weeks to do an internship (in Dutch “stage”) in order to collect more professional practice. Stage work is intended to provide insight into the connection between the course and professional choreographic practice. Work placements need to be connected with the course and to offer the opportunity of gaining practical experience while becoming acquainted with the future field of work.