We take pride in creating a safe and welcoming environment to foster and encourage creativity while helping dancers to accomplish their goals.
Whether your dream is to be a professional classical ballet dancer, under those Broadway lights, or simply for the joy of learning a new skill that feeds both body and mind.
Our curriculum:
Each new dance season is a fresh start with new goal oriented lesson plans to ensure that students returning to their lessons continue to grow in their learning journey.
Each year we celebrate this progress and achievement at the end of our spring season with our annual specially themed Spring Showcase! While this is our primary (and most popular!) performance of the year, we also offer every interested student open access to additional dance performance opportunity through our All-Stars Dance Team!
But you won’t have to wait for spring to celebrate! Our studio calendar is filled with fun seasonal events, holiday celebrations, special events, and more!
A Few Words About Our Dance Program
We offer internationally recognized and accredited syllabi for all movement styles such as Jazz, Tap, Lyrical/Contemporary, Ballet, PBT, Acro, Baton and Dance Cirque. Understanding the art of movement in dance and building the foundation through dance exercises makes a compelling difference and adds beauty into performance of movement. Following a professional and established syllabus is the foundation to safe dance training that complements the development needs of your dancer.
Ballet – Vaganova
We follow the Vaganova (sometimes referred to as “Russian ballet”) method and philosophy teaching classical ballet to our students. The success of the Vaganova system lies in scientifically created development of the whole learning process giving it liveness and unstoppable growth. Following strictly the induct method of transitions from easier to more complicated movements, from cellular to integrity – this is the principle of development of an artist’s consciousness and the dance technique of the student. The Vaganova method is the most popular ballet teaching method in Russia and Eastern-Europe and dancers trained in a good Vaganova-style school are valued all over the world.
Tap and Jazz – (ADAPT) : “Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers”.
ADAPT is a certified dance syllabus that represents an elite group of dance teachers who follow the ADAPT Syllabus. ADAPT dance teachers are leaders in quality dance training. They teach the love of dance and movement not only to the elite student, but to the recreational dancer as well.
ADAPT and the ADAPT Syllabus System is taught by over 175 Canadian Dance Studios from coast to coast.
Acro – Acrobatique Certification Teacher Levels, Acrobatic Arts Certified
This program is based on safe and effective progressions with proven results in five divisions of AcroDance: Flexibility, Strength, Balancing, Limbering and Tumbling. Developed with input from professionals and experts in ballet, modern dance, jazz, contortion, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, sport acrobatics, yoga, acro yoga, pilates, physiotherapy, hand balancing and more, you will not find a more comprehensive program. Simple thoughtful progressions take the beginner preschool level dancer from log rolls and somersaults to the advanced dancer tumbling effortlessly across the stage!
PBT – Progressing Ballet Technique
Progressing Ballet Technique is an innovative program developed by Marie Walton-Mahon for students to understand the depth of training muscle memory in achieving their personal best in classical ballet.
Safe Dance training has been a passion of Marie’s as an educator for over 40 years. It is difficult for students to feel what muscles initiate the correct alignment in ballet training, however, as the fit ball is continually mobile under the students’ body, it gives the students a sense of posture and weight–placement whilst feeling each correct muscle group.
Each exercise has been developed with care and guidance with a team of physiotherapists.
Baton – Baton Arts
Created by successful studio owners and world renowned coaches and athletes, Baton Arts runs training and certification courses for twirling and dance teachers in the art of Baton Twirling. The program is based on safe, logical and effective progressions with proven results in the five divisions of Baton Arts: Contact-Full Hand; Contact-Flips and Fingers; Rolls; Aerials; and Body. Developed from years of successful coaching with input from professionals and experts in baton twirling, Baton Arts, AcroDance, ballet, modern dance, jazz, contortion, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, juggling, yoga, acro yoga, pilates, physiotherapy, color guard, hand balancing and more, you will not find a more comprehensive program. Simple thoughtful progressions take the beginner preschool level twirler from circle passes and wrist twirls to the advanced twirler effortlessly manipulating the baton for spectacular stage and competitive performances!
Dance Cirque – New Class!
Introduce your child to something new and unique. Dance Cirque Circus classes are in PEI! We will have classes in Dance Cirque for children 2 years of age and up. Watch the excitement as your child looks forward to each class as they meet new friends, gain confidence and learn new skills in this super fun class.🤸Includes: Interactive circuits, lyra, silks, trapeze, juggling, hula hoops and more all under the supervision of our fully qualified teachers.
Description of Classes and Levels:
DSA All Stars Dance Team
(Competitive) The All Stars Dance Team’s focus is on the performance aspects and skills of dance that are outside the range of the regular dance class training. The group will have an opportunity to present dance works in a variety of styles, as part of educational presentations, public performances and community events. In addition, and when opportunity arises, the group members will be encouraged to take part in local and regional dance competition events. This class requires an additional commitment and flexibility from student and parents in terms of occasional performance time outside of studio class hours and location. Each performance is usually accompanied by extra rehearsals. There is also an added cost of performance costumes. The students are required to attend a minimum number of class styles per week, depending on the program:
Students interested in joining the DSA All Stars Dance Team should contact us prior to enrolling in the program. No audition or experience necessary, all are welcome!
For more information please join our DSA All Stars Dance Team Facebook group!
Programs are: Mini (Ages 5-7), Junior (Ages 7.5-12), Inter/Advanced (Ages 12.5+)
Tumble Tots For the little ones who just can’t stop moving! This caretaker-and-me class is for those children anxious to begin basic movement. Focusing on rhythm and musicality, this active class uses upbeat music and visual cues to develop hand – eye coordination and keep learning fun. A great opportunity for bonding between you and your little one, and to make new social connections in your community!
This class is 30 minutes long. Children must be 18 months at start of first class. 6 week sessions.
Tiny Stars 1 Does your child love to dance and have fun? Tiny Stars 1 will provide a strong base of formal dance technique along with plenty of creative opportunities to help cultivate each child’s unique movement style. Your child will also learn social interactive and listening skills through dance story telling. They will learn to identify different types of music, develop performance skills, and most importantly build a strong sense self-esteem and confidence. This class is 45 minutes long.
*Children enrolling for Tiny Stars 1 must be 3 years of age by the first class day of the current dance season. It is recommended that each student complete at least 3 sessions at this level before progressing, as age allows.
Tiny Stars 2 The older children are given more advanced dance technique as well as choreography and improvisational exercises. Tiny Stars 2 classes are a fun combination of dance technique and choreography. Students learn all the basic technical steps of their chosen style. Parents cannot believe the growth in dancers knowledge and understanding of technique and terminology by the end of the season! This class is 60 minutes long.
*Children enrolling for Tiny Stars 2 must be 5.5 years of age by the first class day of the current dance season. It is recommended that each student complete at least 2 sessions at this level before progressing, as age allows.
Little Monkeys Calling all PRESCHOOLERS! Little Monkeys Circus classes are here! Watch your little one gain confidence and learn new skills in this super fun class.🤸Includes: Basic tumbling, interactive circuits, balance beams, silks, juggling, hula hoops and more all under the supervision of our fully qualified teachers.
Junior Ballet In this class level the students study all the basic principles of classical ballet. This marks the first year of formal ballet training. The students work on the proper body placement, proper turnout, developing ballet skills (ballet conditioning), and terminology is emphasized. The class is more equally divided between parterre, barre and center work. Classical ballet training is supplemented with curated PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) conditioning exercises. Attendance is very important because every class the students learn a new skill. The class emphasizes the repetition of exercises which is essential for advancing skill levels. This will allow the students to create a foundation of strength and to understand how their body works with the ballet vocabulary. Control is gained over shapes and body form with rhythmical exercises and traveling across the floor. This class is 60 minutes long.
*Children enrolling for Junior Ballet must be 7 years of age by the first class day of the current dance season. Students should complete at least 2 full dance years at this level before progressing.
Pre-Intermediate Ballet Students in this level are encouraged to take ballet twice a week.* This helps ensure that proper strength is maintained to lower the risk of injury. This class will include pointe prep work, as well as curated PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) conditioning exercises. Regular attendance is very important! This class is for 12+ year old students that have taken the Jr. Ballet level for at least 2 years. At this level students will continue to build concepts introduced in Jr Ballet; strengthening the foundation from which to grow. As the ballet vocabulary increases so does the student’s ability to process combinations of steps. A greater emphasis will be placed on proper body placement and skill level development. Note, meeting age group requirements alone is not sufficient for enrolment into this level.
*For students wanting to progress to Intermediate/Advanced level ballet, taking Pre-Intermediate Ballet twice per week with is a requirement. This class is 75 min long, twice per week.
**When the dancer is of age and ready to progress, pointe work will be introduced through this class. Students must attend lessons twice per week regularly to work en pointe for the safety of the dancer.
***Pointe work is completely optional. For students who do not wish to progress en pointe (or defer a year or two), they may stay at this level without the additional pointe work as a requirement.
Intermediate Ballet This class is for advanced students that have an understanding of proper body placement, alignment, and turnout. This class also includes pointe work. Students must take this class twice per week continuously. This helps ensure that proper strength is maintained to lessen the risk of injury .During this stage of training students increase their understanding of how their body works in the ballet technique. More detailed emphasis is placed on the expansion of their ballet vocabulary, proper execution of the steps and coordination of the use of arms, rotation of the legs and head collectively. Students must be able to execute steps cleanly and with accuracy. Students must also display the ability to combine steps together with overall coordination and ease. This class meets twice per week.
*Please, contact us if you have any questions about this class. Students will be notified by the Instructor if they are ready to attend this class, or the student can schedule an audition (if they are not a current DSA Dancer).
Advanced Ballet This class for the most advanced students in the academy, who have been studying ballet for a minimum of three to four years intensively. Allegro takes more time in comparison of the previous levels. More pointe work and repertory are going to be learned. Students must consistently take this class twice a week. The students who are new to the academy must have auditions. This class is 90 minutes long and meets twice per week.
Pointe Prep This is an invitation only class. The instructor will invite those from the Pre-Intermediate level who demonstrate the required aptitude, strength and maturity to prepare for learning pointe. Pointe Conditioning is a pre-pointe level class that will focus on proper alignment, technique and strength to prepare the students for future pointe technique training.
Progressing Ballet Technique Progressing Ballet Technique is an innovative program developed for students to understand the depth of training muscle memory in achieving their personal best in classical ballet.
Using yoga fit balls, mats, and resistance bands, this low-impact lesson strengthens and lengthens the dancer as they find their proper alignment for ballet movement.
This cross-training lesson is designed to assist students in their ballet learning while providing important ‘pre-hab’ to greatly lower the risk of injury during movement, focusing on developing important ‘muscle memory’ and proper use of strength for any movement style.
Junior Jazz In this class students will learn basic Jazz Technique & Choreography, combinations, and routines. These classes focus on foundational skills, combination learning, directional change, and sharp, quick movements. Technique is demonstrated across the floor as students perform sequences of jumps and turns. The students will be introduced to traditional Broadway Style Jazz as well as Commercial Jazz. This class is for 60 min long once per week.
*Children enrolling for Jr. Jazz must be 7.5 years of age by the first class day of the current dance season.
Pre-Intermediate Jazz This class is a continuation of the discipline studied in Jr. Jazz for those students who have achieved a good level of proficiency with Jr. Jazz syllabus and are ready for more advanced techniques. Students enrolling for Pre-Intermediate Jazz must achieve good level of proficiency within Jr. Jazz levels, or by invitation. This class is 60 min long once per week. Note, meeting age group requirements alone is not sufficient for enrolment into this level.
Intermediate/Advanced Jazz This class for the most advanced students in the academy, who have been studying jazz for several years. More advanced barre work and center combinations will be given, with emphasis on self-correction techniques. Students who are new to the academy must provide previous experience from ADAPT or other certified jazz syllabus. This class is 60 minutes long.
Lyrical/Contemporary This class is geared to the development of strength, flexibility, mobility and kinaesthetic awareness, and emphasize the integration of thinking, feeling, sensing, and doing in the performance of movement. Lyrical movements are based on ballet technique with use of strong emotion of choreography and fluid movement.
Students will learn the fundamentals of basic movement, as well as how to develop their own ‘voice’ through shapes and gesture. This class includes a choreography component, where students will be encouraged to use their knowledge to create their own short pieces as well as learn given choreography. This class is 60 minutes long.
Hip Hop As one of the most popular forms of music out right now, hip hop is fun, exciting, and can lead to some dynamic dance routines. What’s also special about hip hop is that it often spawns its own dances that spread through the culture before hitting the mainstream at full force.
Your child can learn to “bust a move” with our skilled instructors, who will teach your children the same moves they’ve seen dancers perform in their favourite hip hop and R&B videos. Our hip hop dance classes are perfect to keep your child active while allowing them to express their creativity.
This class teaches the fundamentals of hip hop movement which includes rhythm, musicality, coordination, and age-appropriate hip hop choreography with no suggestive music/movement. This is an excellent class for high-energy kids who want to take a fast and fun dance class.
Junior Tap This class will teach students basic percussive theory, as well as rhythm and more in-depth musicality. With focus on Broadway style, students will receive well-rounded knowledge of all types of tap (including rhythm, hoofing, funk, and more). This class is 60 minutes long.
*Children enrolling in Jr. Tap must be 7.5 yrs of age by the first class day of the current dance season.
Acro AcroDance is a style of Acrobatics used specifically for dancers. It is a genre of dance which seamlessly fuses elements of lyrical gymnastics tricks, balancing, tumbling, and jazz. Students learn Acrobatic tricks such as handstands, cartwheels, chest stands, elbow stands, walkovers, side and front aerials and tumbling lines. Trick movements are usually executed slowly to emphasize gracefulness, body lines and picturesque extension. Acro Dance offers more depth and variety to your choreography and creates a much more versatile dancer. To master an AcroDance trick, students must develop a good foundation of strength and flexibility, thus emphasis is placed on extensive conditioning and stretch and strength training. When students are learning new tricks, the instructor utilizes professional spotting techniques; which is necessary to ensure safety and build confidence.
A beginner Acrobat generally takes about two years to develop a strong foundation before they start to really see the results of their hard work. Once a solid foundation is achieved though, it is surprising to see how quickly students achieve their Acro Dance tricks. With a steady and patient approach, students will achieve their AcroDance goals safely and effectively.
**NEW!** Baton Baton Arts, or baton twirling as it is commonly referred to by twirlers and “spinning” professionals, is the beautiful fusion of the dance arts “theatrics” combined with the precision and athleticism of baton manipulation. Often defined by dazzling “tricks”, Baton Arts twirlers seamlessly blend musicality, emotional expression, line and extension with Baton Arts skills within a dance performance context.
The Baton Arts are gaining popularity with multi-media displays from cirque related shows, to Tiktok challenges and sports show broadcastings of twirling competitions. It is also predicted to grow in demand in amateur competitive dance and studio settings.
Baton Twirling is an especially challenging artform to master, as training in dance, theater and baton manipulation are required to produce the most well-rounded twirlers. Baton Arts technique includes: Contact-Full Hand; Contact-Flips and Fingers; Rolls; Aerials; Body; Multiple Baton Manipulation; Team or Group Skills; Dance and related skill development.
