Students begin our program as dancers and aerialists, and graduate from it as teammates, performers, creators and leaders. Weekly classes help students create pathways of understanding that advance and solidify their movement knowledge, and prime them for successful learning outcomes within the dance space and throughout their lives.

 

​Ages 2 to 6 ~ Dance Debut & Foundations

Programs: ABCs of Dance / Enrichment

 Foundations
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Young dancers begin their journey with the ABCs of Dance program. We distill dance down to its essential elements through our developmentally-appropriate movement curriculum. Using a “See-Say-Do-Play” learning methodology, we explore concepts –  such as speed, direction, and pathways – that are applicable to all dance forms, all while nurturing your little one’s love of movement. Students start with a caregiver by their side (Discover With Me class) as they dance their way through weekly class, eventually graduating to attend class on their own (Discover Dance). 

Stage Debut

Students will have their on-stage debut at the end of the year, appearing in sparkly costumes in front of friends and family! 
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Learning levels: Remembering, Understanding, Applying

​Highlights: Recital participation
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Class frequency: 

• DANCE: One in-studio or virtual class per week, and virtual access to classes of their level throughout the week
• WORKSHOPS / EVENTS: Occasional, offered throughout the year

 

​Ages 6 to 8 ~ Development & Leadership

Programs: ACADEMY Dance / ATRIUM Aerial / Leadership / Enrichment

Development

Students in our ACADEMY Dance stream advance to a weekly class that covers three important performance-dance forms. Students slide and reach, and turn and leap, learning the fundamentals of Ballet, Tap and Jazz technique. They watch recordings of professional performances, learn about the history of each dance form, and experiment with creating their own movement within each form. Dance students are eligible to join our Junior Leader Program (see below). Throughout the session, dancers learn choreography that may become part of our seasonal shows! Snazzy costumes will make post-pandemic performance day a magical experience.

Students ages eight and up can join our ATRIUM Aerial program, where they learn the exciting art of dancing in the air! Aerial arts training is an excellent adjunct to studies in dance, or students can take aerial classes exclusively. Students learn skills, sequences, and dances, and may have performance opportunities based on venue availability. In order to be eligible for our Junior Leader Program, aerial students must also be enrolled in a dance class.
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For both dance and aerial, our spiral curriculum cycles through concepts and skills, elaborating on and deepening student understanding each time. This results in increased mastery and true understanding, and allows students multiple entry points into the material.

Leadership

When ACADEMY Dance students turn eight years old, they are eligible to join our Junior Leader Program. This program offers a gentle and nurturing way for dancers to begin their leadership journey at the studio. Students in this program join in on a lower-level dance class once a month, and then reflect on their experience by answering short questions in the supplied workbook. They are recognized throughout the studio as Junior Leaders, and receive priority access to our DanceStep Student Teacher Education Program when they are old enough to apply.

Learning levels: Remembering, Understanding, Applying, Analyzing

Highlights: Leadership options; Graduation ceremony; Five-year commendations; Recital participation
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Class frequency: 

• PER DANCE FORM: One in-studio or virtual class per week, and virtual access to any other classes of that dance form throughout the week
• AERIAL: One in-studio class per week
• JUNIOR LEADER: One or more observation classes per month, minimal at-home work, occasional meetings and events
• WORKSHOPS / EVENTS: Occasional, offered throughout the year

 

​Ages 9 to 14 ~ Expansion, Leadership & Performance

Programs: ACADEMY Dance / ATRIUM Aerial / Leadership / Performance / Enrichment

Expansion

Students now have access to more classes of diverse dance forms. As learning pathways are formed through repetition and exposure, students are invited to take multiple dance forms, and to consider including ATRIUM aerial arts in their movement training. Dancers may have access to workshops and other enrichment opportunities offered at the studio throughout the year. 

Students continue to hone their technique in their chosen forms, becoming stronger, more confident practitioners. Through lessons in history and context, students achieve a greater understanding and appreciation of each form.

Leadership

ACADEMY Dance students age eight and up continue with their Junior Leader studies, completing levels one and two. Students age 10 and up are eligible to apply to our Student Teacher Education Program, known as DanceStep. This program provides dancers with an opportunity to gain important leadership skills that will benefit them over their lifetime. Through online course work and an in-studio practicum, students in this program learn the techniques and strategies that enhance their leadership skills. They become recognized as leaders throughout the studio, and are looked up to by the little people they work with. In order to be eligible for DanceStep, aerial students must also be enrolled in one or more dance classes. In the case where spots are limited, priority access will be given to students who have graduated from the Junior Leaders Program.

Performance

​Students who have a passion for dance are invited to apply to our Performance Company program. In addition to technique classes in multiple dance forms, Performance Company members take a performance class reserved exclusively for them, where they take their dance development to the next level. Members have extra performance opportunities throughout the year.

Learning levels: Remembering, Understanding, Applying, Analyzing, Evaluating, Creating

Highlights: Workshops; Five- and 10-year commendations; Recital participation
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Class frequency: 

• PER DANCE FORM: One in-studio or virtual class per week, and virtual access to any other classes of that dance form throughout the week
• AERIAL: One in-studio class per week
• STUDENT TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM: Weekly practicum classes, 15 minutes at-home work per week, occasional meetings and events
• PERFORMANCE COMPANY: Three dance technique classes and one Choreography/Composition class per week, occasional meetings and events
• ​WORKSHOPS / EVENTS: Occasional, offered throughout the year

 

​Ages 15 to 18 ~ Culmination & Graduation

, Programs: ACADEMY Dance / ATRIUM Aerial / Leadership / Performance / Enrichment

Culmination

​Students in this range are reaching new heights with their understanding of their chosen dance form or forms, becoming competent technicians, confident creators and valued educators. They may have options for intensive and independent study in addition to their weekly technique classes, and have the chance to shine at performances.

Graduation

Graduates of the DanceStep program may have employment opportunities as teaching assistants or teachers at our studio, bringing their education full circle. 

Students who graduate from their dance or aerial education with us are honoured with a ceremony at our year-end celebrations!

Learning levels: Remembering, Understanding, Applying, Analyzing, Evaluating, Creating

Highlights: Independent studies; Five- and 10-year commendations; Recital participation; Graduation ceremony; Employment opportunities
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Class frequency: 

• PER DANCE FORM: One in-studio or virtual classes per week, and virtual access to any other classes of that level and dance form throughout the week
• AERIAL: One in-studio class per week
• STUDENT TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM: Weekly practicum classes, 15 minutes at-home work per week, occasional meetings and events​​
• PERFORMANCE COMPANY: Three dance technique classes and one Choreography/Composition class per week, occasional meetings and events

• ​WORKSHOPS / EVENTS: Occasional, offered throughout the year

 

Teen & Adult ~ Continuation

Programs: ACADEMY Dance / ATRIUM Aerial / Enrichment

Continuation

Teens and adults continue their dance and aerial education through our weekly in-studio and virtual offerings. These classes vary by season and interest, to help provide a rewarding and challenging movement experience to newcomers and experienced movers alike.

Learning levels: Remembering, Understanding, Applying, Analyzing, Evaluating, Creating

Highlights: Performance opportunities
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Class frequency: 

• PER DANCE FORM: One in-studio or virtual class per week, and virtual access to any other classes of that level and dance form throughout the week
• AERIAL: One in-studio class per week
• ​​WORKSHOPS / EVENTS: Occasional, offered throughout the year

CLASSES

LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS