Tiny Tots

Ages 3-4

First-year is a special introduction to dance, which includes simple ballet, tap and jazz steps, floor work, music and mime with emphasis on coordination and imagination.

Pre-Dance

Ages 4-5

Is designed to introduce the language and style of ballet, tap and jazz. We take wonderful advantage of their great flexibility at this age to have them learn the concepts of pointing toes, standing tall, enjoying music, rhythm and developing motor skills. This will include simple ballet, tap and jazz steps, combinations, floor work, music interpretation and basic ballet technique.

Tap / Jazz Combo

Ages 4-7

This is a wonderful class meant for students to get 20 minutes of tap training and 20 minutes of jazz.

Classical Ballet

Ages 5+

It is a classical dance form with specific terminology, technique and choreography. The benefits gained by Ballet is alignment, posture, placement, the discipline of the mind and body, coordination, grace, poise and muscle toning.

It is an essential element in building future dancers, eventually affecting all other aspects of their training. It is the on-going development of technique and strength to build strong bodies both mentally and physically through discipline. It’s the core of all dance disciplines and develops balance, strength, control and co-ordination.

Pointe

Ages 12+

Classical ballet class is required prior to enrolling in Pointe class.

The physique of the dancer, the strength of technique, alignment of the body, structure of feet; are all assets for Pointe resulting from slow gradual training of the whole body, back, hips, thighs, legs, feet with straight knees and perfect balance. Students must have at least 3 years of consistent study, at least 11 years of age and the required technical strength to be eligible.

Students are invited to take Pointe when their strength and technical achievements reach a level where the challenge would benefit their classical ballet training.

Tap

Ages 5+

Tap dancing uses various music types and counting technique. Students gain knowledge and understanding of music, rhythm and physical coordination. Training enhances rhythmic dynamics, speed and agility. Tap instils in the dancer an awareness of the music; its timing, rhythm and changes in energy. It focuses on total body movement, technical correctness, performance quality, important history steps, progressions and rhythm technique.

Hip Hop

Ages 4+

Hip hop uses sharp, energetic, multi-layered isolations, and facilitates the range of motion and dynamics of jazz isolations and movement.

In today's generation, it is highly stylized, fast-paced, athletic and an expressive form of jazz dance. Our classes stress jazz techniques and discipline; yet encourage individual style, energy and interpretation. It’s a fun, funky, energetic dance workout. 

All Boyz Hip Hop

Ages 4+

This brand new class is designed to teach boys the basics of hip hop rhythm, discipline and coordination in a fun and friendly environment. This class is great for nurturing and promoting self-confidence whilst providing the appropriate technical aspects respective to the boys’ age and ability. This is our opportunity to show how important and beneficial dance is for boys by giving them a space just for them.

Musical Theatre

Ages 8+

Is a dance that utilizes all forms of dance that depends on time, place and script needs. It is not only “dance” but also “acting”. This is an extremely fun class that allows students to really “ham it up”

Acrobatics

Ages 5+

Acro is a style of dance that combines classical dance techniques with precision acrobatic elements. It’s defined by its athletic character, its unique choreography which seamlessly blends dance and acrobatics. It is most popular in such circus productions as those by Cirque du Soleil. Acro focuses on flexibility, endurance and strength. A perfect add-on to build a well-rounded dancer. 

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Beginner Acro offers young children an introduction to acrobatic dance and will provide them with the necessary building blocks for their potential dance development and overall fitness. By learning the benefits of flexibility, balance, strength, and body control inherent in all aspects of Acro, your child will be better equipped to safely enjoy and excel in all of his or her future athletic endeavours.

Junior Acro offers the next step to becoming an acrobatic dancer providing them with professional and safe instruction while learning new skills and tricks. These students will continue their fitness journey to prepare for the next step with a focus on flexibility, balance, strength and body control. 

Intermediate Acro offers experienced students new skills and tricks as they work towards their best self. Variations and in-depth guidance help create an advanced acrobatic dancer. 

Acro VS. Gymnastics 

This is the most asked question parents have when we mention that we offer acrobatics, not gymnastics. While the two are very similar, it’s the execution that makes them different. Both require the performance of extraordinary physical feats such as balance, agility, flexibility and mastered motor coordination.

Gymnastics is a sport practised on a spring floor, a mat with actual springs built into it, which allow gymnasts to get the most height in their tricks with the most forgiving surface possible to prevent injury while performing these extreme tricks. In gymnastics, you will typically train with a multitude of different apparatuses, such as beams, a vaulting horse, horizontal and parallel bars, rings and a pommel horse. While gymnastics is a sport with its own competitions, it is most generally incorporated in cheerleading, which requires more stiff, hard-hitting motions and hard-hitting, advanced gymnastic tricks.

Acrobatics also referred to acro in short, is thought to be a subdivision of gymnastics. Unlike gymnastics, acro is practised and performed on a stage. Acro requires dancers to train their bodies to withstand the impact safely. Acro is a softer, more graceful line movement with a more fluid prep and landing as it gets seamlessly integrated within the dance choreography. Acro also focuses more on body contortion and tricks that defy the centre of gravity, whereas gymnastics tricks are meant to be executed in straight lines. These advance tricks require a strong dance and acro foundation that is achieved with proper training and discipline.

In short, both sports will strengthen the body, motor coordination, flexibility and self-confidence, but the major difference is the approach, landing and which form of creative movement they're incorporated with when not performed alone. Both will be similar, some tricks will overlap and then each has their own tricks. If the end goal for your dancer is to have a well-rounded dancer who can handle advanced and exciting choreography, acro will condition a dancer for just that.

To register for an Acro class, email pauladaveydance@gmail.com