Dance Works programs:
Acrobatics
Acting
Ballet
Contemporary
Highland
Hip-Hop
Jazz
Latin
Mom's 'N Tots
Musical Theatre
Visual Arts
Tap

Acrobatics top

  Acrobatics and Gymnastic movement has become a big part of the “tricks” seen in Hip Hop and Jazz dance.  Dance Works Academy introduced Acro into our program in 2006/2007 to our younger students and has now become popular with older students as well!  Acro is a great way to increase back and overall flexibility.  It is a lot of fun in group and solo choreography and again Ballet should be a part of the serious Acro students training. We offer training for C.D.T.A. Acro examinations and opportunities for Acro competition.  Please refer to the Competitions and Exams section for more information. At Dance Works we offer classes in Acrobatics for ages 6 and up.

 

Acting top

   Acting is a big part of the Performing Arts.  From Dancing to Musical Theatre acting skills are essential for a well-rounded performance.  The acting program at Dance Works gives students the skills necessary to pursue an acting career.  Audition preparation is also a big part of pre professional training; it gives students the necessary tools to enter the acting world.
  Acting and drama are an excellent form of self-expression and a great way to improve confidence and public speaking skills.  Sr. Acting classes are available for the beginner actor or the experienced alike and are offered to 14 years to adult.
   For our Jr. students we offer an introductory class into acting and drama.  This class will give students the foundational skills required in acting, and is a fun course for any young student.  Dance Works offers Jr. Acting for ages 6 to 13. Acting is taught by Eide Inksetter, Junior acting is taught by Casey Kneller.

 

Ballet Program top

    At Dance Works Ballet is the foundation of all dance training.  We encourage all students who are serious about dance to take part in at least 1 Ballet class per week.  The discipline, technique and strength acquired in Ballet are utilized in all other forms of dance and help to improve the over all dance ability.  At Dance Works two syllabi are taught.  The I.S.T.D. (Imperial Society Teachers of Dance) and the R.A.D. (Royal Academy of Dance).  Full examination and assessments in both are offered at Dance Works and highly encouraged.  For those pursuing professional careers, performing or teaching examinations are necessary.  At Dance Works classes in Ballet are offered from the pre-school age to adult, novice to professional. Ballet is taught by Penny Hudson.

Pre-Primary I Class (Ages 3-4 yrs)

    This 1 class is for students aged 3-4 (and on occasion the mature 2 year old can register). This is an introduction to dance class, which offers the children a chance to learn how to function as a group, and learn the basics of rhythm and music set to movement.  There is a great deal of imagination involved in these classes as the children are led by Penny through a world of make believe where dancing is the main form of expression.

Pre-Primary II & III Class (Ages 4-6 yrs)

      The 1st class is for students aged 4-5 and the second is for students aged 5-6.  These 2 classes are the next levels after the pre-school program.  Whether you started in Pre Primary I or you are new to dance, Pre Primary II & III are fun and exciting classes that begin to teach the foundational training involved in ballet. Though slightly more complex technique is now being introduced in class the same imagination and play is involved as it was in the Pre-Primary class.

Primary & Grade I (Ages 6-8 yrs)

    Primary is for students ages 6-7, and Gr. I is for students ages 7-8.  As in the previous classes each year the level of technique taught in class advances and students are taught the syllabus, which reflects their ballet grade level.  Technique and Ballet discipline are taught in class with an emphasis on mime and imagination.  Both classes are a great way to build confidence and open to experienced or beginner children alike.  

Gr. II, Gr. VIII & Pointe (Ages 8 & up)

 

     The Gr. II classes and upwards are for students aged 8 and up.
The lower grades are an excellent foundation for those wishing to continue on with dance of any genre.  Classes are open to the novice dancer and to those wishing to pursue a more serious training program.  For those wishing to take examinations in these grades a minimum of 2 classes per week is mandatory.  Anything less will not cover the work involved and will not build the strength required. For those wanting to take Pointe, an assessment of strength and ability by Penny is required.  As we do encourage students to aspire to Pointe work, we take the safety of our students very seriously.  That is students must be at least 11 years of age, having studies Ballet a minimum of two years, with two lessons per week.  The core strength must be sufficient and of course the feet and ankles must be suited to doing Pointe work. 

Vocational Classes:

 

    These classes are designed for the serious student who wishes to make dancing a career (teaching or performing).  The classes consist of the following levels:

 

Beginner Teen/Adult Class

  This class is for anyone who wishes to take dance but lacks the previous training.  This class consists of floor work for core strength, stretch, & free movement.  This class is complimentary to your regular workout program. 


Contemporary top

  Contemporary is a dance style that is originally based on Greek Natural movement.  Again, as in Jazz, there are several styles that have been developed.  And like Jazz, Contemporary has been incorporated into a Classical style so that “Dance” has become homogenized in current choreography.  Contemporary style is incorporated into the R.A.D. Ballet syllabus and is valuable in teaching students the “Rise & Fall” in movement. Dance Works Academy incorporated Contemporary into their program along side of classical work.  The “Pure” style Contemporary classes at Dance Works are offered to teens and adults.

 

Highland top

  Highland is a fun form of dance, which originated in the Scottish Highlands.  Unlike other forms of dance in Highland you dance with the heels off the floor.  This builds great overall leg strength and great discipline!  At Dance Works, students in the Highland classes are taught the S.D.T.A. (Scottish Dance Teachers Association) syllabus set to the enchanting sound of Celtic music.  Over the past years highland has been an important part of our Dance Program and has been enjoyed by many of all ages.  For information on exams and competition opportunities please refer to our Competitions and Exams section. Classes in Highland are offered to student aged Primary to Adult. Highland is taught by Tara MacLeod.

 

 

 


 

Hip Hop top

    Believed to have originated in New York (Brooklyn Uprock or b-boying/b-girling) in the 1970’s and heavily influenced by the West Coast “Funk Movement’ Hip Hop has evolved into a cultural phenomenon.  Hip Hop involves many techniques from other genres of dance and benefits from acrobatic ability.  At Dance Works we offer Hip Hop classes with exciting choreography for competition and performance set to popular yet positive Hip Hop music.  Although there is not a set syllabus for Hip Hop, serious Hip Hop students are encouraged to take Ballet and other forms of dance to
sharpen their technique and over all ability.  Our Hip Hop teachers have a background with the appropriate examinations in many forms of dance.  For information of the competitive opportunities in our Hip Hop program at Dance Works please refer to the Competitions and Exams section. Classes in Hip Hop are offered at D.W. for the ages of primary to adult. Jr. Hip-Hop is taught by Shantaya Erb, Primary and Junior Hip hop is also taught by Taryn Patterson, Pre-teen and Sr. Hip-Hop is taught by Tal Iozef.

 

Jazz top

   Jazz is a rhythmical dance form set to Jazz music of various styles.  This genre of dance is popular with all age groups Jazz is always evolving with various stylistic influences from North Americas East Coast and west Coast.  Jazz dance is an important of a dancer’s training.  Dance Works Academy offers set work in the I.S.T.D. syllabus in its Jazz program as well as Street Jazz techniques.  Freestyle choreography for competitions and performances.   Refer to our Competitions and Exams section for more information.  Jazz classes at Dance Works are offered for ages Primary to Advanced. Jr. jazz is taught by Shantaya Erb. Junior and Primary Jazz is also taught by Taryn Patterson.

 

Salsa/Mambo/Swing top

       Social dancing is very popular today.  Making a huge comeback through out the world.  Rhythms originating in Africa and Latin America appeal to almost everyone.  At Dance Works we offer novice to experienced classes in this genre of dance.  This is a suitable program for any level of experience and a great stepping-stone for the beginner dancer.  Classes offer an exciting introduction to the basic of this dance method as well as more advanced training for the experienced dancer.  You can join with a partner or join solo. At Dance Works classes are offered in the Salsa/Mambo/Swing for the ages of teen to adult. Salsa is taught by Shantaya Erb.

 

 

Moms N Tots Program top

   The Moms N Tots program is a fun strength and stretch class instructed by Penny Hudson.  During this class Penny will lead Mom through a set of exercises and show her how to incorporate baby into the routine.  It is a wonderful way for Mom and baby to spend a little quality time together while getting their exercise.  This class is for babies ages 1-2 years.

 


Musical Theatre top

   The Musical Theatre program at Dance Works is a wonderful way to explore one of the many forms of the Performing Arts.  Students enrolled in this program are taught the fundamentals of singing and voice training in a theatre setting.  For those interested in a theatrical career or for those who simply enjoy performing, the Musical Theatre program is a great choice.  We highly recommend Musical Theatre training to create a well-rounded performer. This course works along side our Acting program. Classes in Musical Theatre at Dance Works are offered to the ages of pre-teen to adult. Musical theatre is taught by Laura Jean Hogan.

 

 

 

 

Visual Arts top

   Visual Arts is an important element to a well-rounded Arts Education.  At Dance Works we offer a Visual Arts program, which allows students to explore texture, shape, & colour in various mediums.  This program is a fun and exciting way to develop artistic technique as well as a wonderful form of self-expression.  Dance Works Academy offers Art classes for primary age group.

 

 

TapTap top

  The Tap program at Dance Works is a relaxed style with feet sounding out exciting rhythms.  Young and old love the “sound” of tap dancing to all forms of modern music. Tap is a wonderful way to improve on timing and rhythm.  And for the serious dancer Tap is essential to having a well-rounded background in dance.  At Dance Works we offer training in Street Free Style Tap as well as training in the I.S.T.D. & C.D.T.A.  For information on exams and competition opportunities at Dance Works please refer to our Competitions and Exams section. Tap classes at Dance Works are offered to student ages primary to adult.