Class Divisions

A – From "Pre-Stars" & up – Advanced *FDT* (twice a week + required BTC or Ballet Class)

B – Intermediate (twice a week + optional BTC or Ballet Class)

C – Recreational (once a week)

Dance Variety

CREATIVE DANCE MOVEMENT (Tiny, Mini)
Basic movement and locomotors skills for 3 - 6 year olds. Students must be 3 years old by January. They must be potty-trained, be able to follow basic directions, and say goodbye to mom and dad at the classroom door. They learn pre-positions of the arms and legs, and increase coordination with skipping, hopping, and turning patterns. Instruments help with rhythm and number. Flexibility and balance are increased, and listening skills improve.

INTRODUCTION TO DANCE (Pre-Stars, Stars)
This class combines the basics of different dance styles as kid’s social ballroom, modern dance, jazz, pre-ballet and stylized folk dance, tumbling skills and much more. It is split by ability level for ages and emphasizes creative movements, rhythm and coordination.

ESSENCE OF DANCE (Pre-Teens, Teens)
With a strong focus on technique and performance, students will be introduced to upper levels of different dance styles. Emphasis is placed on strength, flexibility, building musicality and exciting choreography. Our combination of discipline and technique make our high-energy classes ultimately enjoyable.

ELITE PERFORMING (Juniors, Seniors, Elite)
Elite Performing is the Studio's pre-professional dance company comprised of the most promising, dedicated dancers in the diversity styles. The dancers showcase their talent by performing in many community functions.

Ballet Levels

Pre-Ballet - This level is designed specifically for five-year-olds to help make a smooth transition from the pre-school quality of Creative Dance to ballet. We will continue some of the same activities from Creative Dance but will add introductory ballet concepts. Students will learn a few French words from ballet vocabulary.

Ballet Level I - In this level students will begin to learn basic concepts of ballet technique such as turn out, proper alignment, begin brief barre work, learning the positions of the feet and arms, tendu, and other ballet basics. We combine these essentials with exercises in movement quality, rhythm, tempo, balance, and coordination. We sometimes blend formal elements with creative movement. The children learn basic steps including polka, chasse, saute, turning, skipping, hopping and partner patterns. They increase their skills in listening, observing and performing dance movement. Now they will begin to understand how music works with dance. Ballet vocabulary which is in French is introduced.

Ballet Level II - In this level students will begin to develop more ballet technique and less creative dance material. More positions are taught; increase their vocabulary of ballet elements, with a longer barre and beginning work on crossed positions. Many new steps and patterns are learned, and combinations of elements. Musicality becomes increasingly important in dancing at this stage. We continually work to balance technical elements, with expressiveness and joy in dancing.

Ballet Level III - In this level student will begin to study ballet technique exclusively. The first half of class is spent working at the barre. The second half of class is for working in the centre and across the floor. Begin exploring pirouettes and a increasing vocabulary of jumps and connecting steps. The dancers work on quality of movement, musicality and clarity of form. A delight in dancing remains a necessity at every step. Students will work on developing muscles carefully and safely to support their technique. The bulk of their ballet vocabulary will be taught at this time.

Ballet Level IV - In this level students will continue to study ballet technique with strong emphasis on understanding anatomical concepts and how to work best and most safely within their own bodies. The first half of the class will be spent working at the barre. The second half of the class is for working in the centre and across the floor. The movement vocabulary is greater at this level, and the young dancers begin pointe work when they are strong enough. Readiness for pointe work is required, however, and dancers need to develop balance and steadiness as well as strength. We do not permit dancers to begin pointe until they are fully ready. Students will be expected to know ballet vocabulary and use it as communication.

Ballet Level V, VI - in this level student will continue to study ballet technique with strong emphasis on understanding anatomical concepts and how to work best and most safely within their own bodies. The first half of the class will be spent working at the barre. Part of the second half of the class is for working in the centre and across the floor and the remaining time will be used for pointe technique. Students will use a full vocabulary of barre and center, including pointe work. The adagio and allegro work increase in depth and complexity, and pirouettes of many kinds are explored. Musicality and artistry are increasing with technical ability at these levels.

HIP – HOP - is a very energetic form of dance style, usually danced to hip hop music and that is evolved from the hip hop culture. Hip hop allows dancers to perform with freedom of movement, adding their own personalities that are influenced by modern Rappers, B-boys, Street and Break dancing.

ZUMBA - fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms that are inspired by traditional cambia, salsa, samba and meringue dancing. This program has easy to fallow moves to create a dynamic fitness program that will blow you away. In one exhilarating hour of caloric-burning, body-energizing movements will tone and sculpt your body as well as engage and captivate you for life.

BTC - Boys Technique Class
Based on gymnastics, acrobatic moves are developed as well strength point and flexibility.

BALLROOM DANCE CLASSES

ADULT DANCE
This class is for adults who have/haven’t danced in the past and/or are interested in exercise with a focus on stretching and basic ballet/social ballroom dance.