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 basic elements through our developmentally-appropriate movement curriculum. Using our “See-Say-Do-Play” learning methodology, we explore concepts –  such as speed, direction, and pathways – that make up the universal movements of dance, all while nurturing your little one’s love of dancing. 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). 

Dance Debut

Once the pandemic has passed, students in Discover Dance 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: Performance opportunities
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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: ABCs of Dance, ATRIUM Aerial, Leadership, Enrichment

Development

Students in our ABCs of Dance stream advance to a weekly class that covers three important performance dance forms. Stretching and reaching, turning and leaping, dancers learn 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.

To mark their passage to the ACADEMY Dance program, students graduating from the ABCs of Dance program are acknowledged at our end-of-year celebration. Students also attend an interview with the director to reflect on their dance experience so far, and to talk about their dance aspirations for next year.

Students age 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 ABCs of 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; Performance opportunities
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Class frequency: 

• DANCE: One in-studio or virtual class per week, and virtual access to any other classes of their level throughout the week
• AERIAL: One in-studio class per week
• JUNIOR LEADER: One or more observation classes per month, minimal at-home work
• WORKSHOPS / EVENTS: Occasional, offered throughout the year

​Ages 9 to 14 ~ Specialization & Leadership

Programs: ACADEMY Dance, ATRIUM Aerial, Leadership, Enrichment

Specialization

With a strong foundation, students can now chart their movement path. 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. Students 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 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.

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

Highlights: Independent studies; Five- and 10-year commendations; Performance opportunities
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Class frequency: 

• PER DANCE FORM: One-to-two in-studio or virtual classes 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
• ​WORKSHOPS / EVENTS: Occasional, offered throughout the year

​Ages 15 to 18 ~ Culmination & Graduation

Programs: ACADEMY Dance, ATRIUM Aerial, Leadership, 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; Performance opportunities; Graduation ceremony; Employment opportunities
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Class frequency: 

• PER DANCE FORM: One-to-two 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

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

CLASSES

LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS