PRE-BALLET
Young children are introduced to the foundations of movement and music in a creative, playful environment. Coordination, balance, musicality, body and spacial awareness are just a few of the things achieved throughout this class. Designed to inspire and intrigue young movers, to help them develop skills for future movement classes. Class size limited to 12 students.
Pre-School ballet (ages 3 +4)
45 minute classes
CREATIVE MOVERS
This class uses elements of movement that compliment the natural shapes made by our bodies. Disciplined yet playful, this form of dance will focus on creating open minds and bodies for future dance forms. Creating movement through storytelling, use of props, and stimuli such as visual art and a variety of musical styles. A great start for the young artist inside us all.
Creative Movers (ages 3 & 4 years)
45 minute classes
BALLET
Classical ballet has much to offer the young dancer; posture, grace, and musicality are just a few of the many benefits. Children will explore a range of motion building strength and flexibility. Our students are trained using the RAD(Royal Academy of Dance) Method and have the opportunity to take their RAD exams.
Primary Ballet (ages 5 & 6 years)
Ballet 1 (ages 7 - 9 years)
Ballet 2/3 (ages 9-12 years)
60 minute classes
MODERN
CONTEMPORARY
DANCE
Modern dance classes promote the joy of physical expression, and the relationship between sound and music to movement. Classes emphasize the creative and technical aspects of the art form, and often feature musical accompaniment by a live musician. Classes include warm-up exercises to prepare the body for movement, and choreographic instruction that develops coordination, posture, strength, athleticism, imagination, and artistry. The focus is on the artistic potential of dancers and their development and passion for the art form.
Primary Modern (ages 5 & 6 years)
Modern 1 (ages 7 - 9 years)
60 minute classes
JAZZ DANCE
A lively form of movement which is accompanied by current music in styles such as r&b, dance/electronic, jazz, pop, and latin music. Jazz classes will have a strong technical base with body-safe stretching and strengthening exercises. Each class will end with a combination of the material taught throughout each class. These classes will appeal to those who like to move to the funky beats of the latest dance hits!
Included in Combo Classes *
TAP DANCE
Tap those toes! Shuffle your feet! This fabulous form of dance has students creating their own rhythms and exploring the many sounds of tap and getting a great physical workout. All tap classes will include a strong technical base, an improvisational section, and a combination to conclude each class. The expression and creativity found within a tap dancer is driven by the urge not only to dance, but also to create musical rhythms!
Included in Combo Classes
HIP HOP
A fun and athletic way to enjoy dance; Hip-Hop will challenge your coordination and fine motor skills. Students will move and groove to the musical styles of funk, rap, R+B, and electronic beats. All music will be child friendly and free of explicit content! Each class will start with a warm-up for strength and stretch as well as isolated activities. Hip-Hop will also explore travelling for spatial awareness and innovative dance games. Each class will finish off with a combination to hone the dancers’ ability to learn new movement quickly.
Primary Hip Hop (ages 5 & 6 years)
Hip Hop 1 (ages 7 — 9 years)
Hip Hop 2 (ages 9 - 11 years)
Hip Hop 3 (Ages 12+)
60 minutes classes
ACRO DANCE
Acro Dance combines dance technique with precision acrobatic elements. Its athletic character, unique choreography, and use of acrobatics in a dance context are what distinguish this unique class. This program is designed for dancers who want to increase their flexibility, control, and strength. Dancers will be shown how to execute acrobatic movements properly and safely.
Primary Acro (ages 5-6 )
Acro 1 (Ages 7 — 9 )
Acro 2 (Ages 9-11 )
Acro 3 (Ages 12+)
60 minute classes
Adult Dance Classes
We are excited to announce we are now offering 2 adult dance classes! Our adult ballet class focuses on balance, strength, and flexibility. Our adult contemporary/jazz class focuses on coordination, stamina, and creativity.
No previous dance experience required. Everyone is welcome.
1 hour classes
JAZZ/TAP COMBOS We are so excited to be able to offer the combo classes again!
This is a chance to do two forms of dance in an hour and a half class. This time will be divided so that dancers will start with a 45 minute tap class and then move into a 45 minute jazz class.
Programs
Pre-School Dance & Play Program
Open to children 2.5-4 years old, this 2.5 hour program will run Thursday mornings. In addition to an hour of creative movement dance class, the children will engage in free play, games, poems and stories in “circle time” and have fun with arts and crafts. Our snack time will be with picnic blankets and proper cleaning protocols.
This is how our morning will look:
9:15-9:30- Drop off
9:30-10:00- Open play with developmental activities through sensory objects, building toys, fine motor activities, puzzles and more.
10:00-11:00- Creative Movement Class: exploring multiple ranges of movement, dynamics and strength through active dance and various styles of music.
11:00-11:20- Snack time: all snacks brought from home- must be peanut free, and will be eaten on individual picnic blankets.
11:20-11:45- circle time- stories, games, and art activities
11:45- Pick up -Quiet play while waiting for pick up
10 week session
Rachel Fraser (ECE) and Yvonne Nichols (BFA, Honours in Dance) are proud of the Dance and Play Program they have been developing together over the past 8 years. With their educational background combined with their parental values, they have created a unique program. Here, children play with toys that provide a variety of challenges; puzzles, imagination, physicality, problem solving, building and creating. In dance, the children are led through a warm up that is based on Brain Dance technique which revisits the first developmental stages found in the first year of life. They are taught dances that explore body awareness and its capabilities, also beneficial in active learning through all of the senses. Their philosophy behind the program is that life long skills such as respect, cooperation, teamwork, confidence, patience, self-esteem and resilience can begin with Dance and Play.
SNACKS:
Please pack your child a nut free snack, thank you!
Young people who excel in dance and are committed to taking several classes a week may be invited to participate in these Programs.
Intensive Training Program students are expected to behave with respect and discipline in all classes and rehearsals, and to attend all classes and be on time for classes, rehearsals and performances. The benefits of joining a Program are not only the high level of dance training the students will receive, but also to foster hard work, expression, long lasting friendships, and a sense of belonging to a very special group of creative youth.
Intensive Training Program (ITP)
Junior, Intermediate and Senior ITP students will have the opportunity to work at a quicker pace, taking 5 classes per week. Students are expected to show dedication and respect for their fellow ITP members, and will have the opportunity to perform at community events in addition to participating in our end the year-end performances for the General division, Preschool in house performances, and the Gala performance. These students will also prepare and do their Royal Academy of Dance Ballet Exams every other year.
Dance Theatre Program (DTP)
This is a program intended for those students interested in the Musical Theatre style of movement and who are keen to work in a more intense fashion. Students will be asked to participate in 4 dance classes per week:
Broadway Jazz
Broadway Tap
Repertoire Class- Learning different styles seen in musicals
Contemporary Modern- Variations
Other features of this program include a quicker classroom pace, field trips to professional performances, and the opportunity to perform in local community events. These students will also participate in our end the year-end performances for the General division, and the Gala performance.
Pre-Professional Program (PPP)
This program is designed to encourage and educate dancers who are interested in experiencing the work and discipline of a professional dancer, performing as part of a dance company. Expectations are for these dancers to participate in fundraising for company activities, creating choreographic work, organizing events and performances, and to expose themselves to dance by attending many professional dance performances. The training includes classes in ballet, modern, jazz, tap and pointe. Choreographic workshops will be introduced, where the dancers can focus on creating work to be shown at their own independent dance performance. Extra performances and workshops will be offered to these students. This program hopes to inspire the students with a dedication to dance, theatre and art that will last throughout their lives.
Hip Hop Crew
This program is a hand picked group of dancers who show commitment, skill and performance ability in hip hop class. This two hour session will focus on strength, flexibility, grooves and skills to support our hip hop enthusiast. Each class will start with a warm up, stretch and strength, grooves session, and choreography. Guest Artists will come in to share their special skills and enhance their knowledge. This group will have extra performance opportunities, learn the skills needed for video shoots, and create and produce their own music video. Performances will occur in December and May.
Musical Theatre Club
Do you love to sing, dance and act? This is the program for you! Build confidence and develop lifelong skills as you explore vocal training, drama games and movement. Musical Theatre Club will explore singing, rhythm and vocal performance, storytelling through dance, character development and line memorization, and stage performance and team work. This group will have an independent showcase performance in our Studio theatre in February, as well as being a part of our MainStage performance in May. We can’t wait to get busy with you and explore all things musical theatre!
Primary Song and Dance
This class is designed to be a stepping stone into our Musical Theatre Club. Students will have the opportunity to sing and dance, as they do on broadway. Learning how to coordinate movement and sing at the same time. The dance style will be a range from multiple jazz styles, ballet and contemporary. Vocal work and drama games will make this experience so much fun with lots of added challenges. The skills taught in this class will help build a strong musical theatre performer. We can't wait for you to come SING & DANCE with us!