Devon School of Dance
 
Recreational Program - ages 6 and older This program has a focus on fun. Dancers who are looking for a less serious side of dance should choose this option. Dancers will be a part of the following: - Christmas Show (younger dancers only) - Strawberry Tea (ballet students only) Year End Recital In each discipline these dancers will learn technique as well as work on a routine for the upcoming performances. There are no festivals/competitions involved with this program. Dancers will be encouraged to have regular attendance and work to the best of their ability, but the program will be less strict and more encouraging. We will do our best to place dancers with the same amount of training together, but families must be aware that should a dancer who has less training register into the recreational program there is a possibility that they will be dancing with dancers who have several years of experience. There are no requirements to any of the disciplines, meaning if a dancer chooses to be in jazz they will not be required to also be in ballet. This program will not allow any dancer(s) to take part in extra groups (lyrical, large jazz, large tap, travel groups etc) or in solos or duets.
Competitive Program - ages 6 and older This option of dance is more serious and will focus on giving the dancers strong dance education. Before choosing this option the family should consider the following guidelines of the program: - dancers must be in ballet - stretch and turns & jumps (from a Junior II level and higher) - dancers will only be allowed to miss a total of 3 classes per season in each discipline (after this they may be moved to the recreational program) - dancers must attend a 1 week summer camp at the middle of August at our school (as some group choreography may be started at this time) - families are asked to please not to take vacation time from February – May so that there are no conflicts with our peak season - all groups will attend 2-3 festivals a year as well as 1 competition this program allows dancers to perform in extra groups, travel groups as well as solos and duets shoul they choose - these dancers must have the outlined festival makeup and any hair accessories that the instructor requests - Christmas Show (for younger dancers) - Strawberry Tea (ballet department) - Year End Recital (all dancers) Please note the following conditions to the disciplines: - lyrical (must be in both jazz and ballet) - musical theatre (must be in jazz as well as musical theatre) contemporary (must be in ballet as well as jazz) Dancers of the competitive division will be expected to work to the best of their ability each and every class. The tone of the classes will be more serious with a focus on improvement and advancement to the next level. Dancers of this division must choose dance as a priority and should another activity conflict with a dance schedule, our dance program must come first. Dancers will be placed together based on their ability more than age and body type.
Class Descriptions In order to have a high quality of dance training we strongly suggest that students first register in ballet, then add other disciplines if desired. Ballet is the foundation of all other dance forms and is needed for posture, turnout and most of all, strength. Ballet The younger dancers (classes I/II/III) will follow the world recognized syllabus of the Royal Academy of Dancing (R.A.D.). Founded in 1920 and now operating in some 50 countries it has grown to be the largest most influenced public examining body for classical ballet in the world. The balance of the ballet department will follow the Vaganova Tehnique, this method is a Russian Style of ballet. In the Vaganova method, the dancers bring attention to their hands, and upper body – giving the dancer more of a full body work out. In the Vaganova method the exercises for each level are not set like they are for the RAD system, each teacher choreographs his or her own class according to guidelines given to them and the students dance that class in their examinations. It is the Vaganova method that forms the core of the program at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. Tap These classes will follow the Al Gilbert Syllabus, a leading authority on graded tap techniques for over 40 years. His techniques begin with basic, preparatory steps and then progresses by easy stages to more complex variations. Each grade (1-9) includes exercises at the barre and at centre floor, combinations as well as complete dances. The rhythm and break down of tap technique throughout this syllabus is second to none. Tap dancing techniques are a great way to help dancers acquire confidence. Jazz These classes do not follow a set syllabus as styles and techniques are forever changing. Our instructors attend workshops and conventions on a regular basis in order to offer students the current trends and knowledge of the discipline. All classes will consist of a warm up, stretching (to work on flexibility), across the floor movements as well as a dance routine for festival. It is suggested that those students who have studied jazz for a few years also take stretch and turns & jumps to help advance their technique. Turns & Jumps This class gives dancers an opportunity to work on their jazz technique all year. As we move closer into festivals the majority of jazz class is spent working on a dance routine therefore Turns & Jumps provides the dancer with the chance to perfect old steps as well as learn new ones. There are no festivals or costume costs with this class it is strictly a technique class. Once a dancer reaches the intermediate level Turns & Jumps is essential for continued growth in their jazz technique. Stretch & Strength Flexibility as a dancer is a must. This class allows the dancer a chance to work on just that. The majority of the class will be spent at centre floor working on improving the dancer’s flexibility. This class is open to everyone, including parents!! This class is offered at a discounted rate. Lyrical Combining the techniques of jazz and the strength of ballet lyrical allows the dancer to express themselves through fluid movement. This discipline teaches dancers to sustain movements and begin to feel dance through music. In the past this discipline has been taught though an extra festival routine, with a one time fee. In order to register for this class the student must be taking ballet (a minimum of 2 years of dance training) and jazz (a minimum of 2 year of dance training), the dancer must also be a minimum of 10 years of age. This class will be done outside of the regular weekly schedule. Musical Theatre This discipline is a combination of singing, acting and dance – a triple threat. Dancers of all ages and levels will work together as a group to prepare a routine. This is an excellent opportunity for the dancers to let loose and have fun on stage. Most themes/songs for these routines are pulled from movies or Broadway Musicals. Demi-Pointe & Pointe This ballet technique class will focus on strength of the ankles. Dancers will work primarily at the barre working to build ankle strength with the goal of one dance being strong enough to go up onto pointe. Dancers must be a minimum of 10 years of age for this class and once the instructor feels they are strong enough she will move them onto pointe. updated August 3rd, 2011
Future Stars Program - Ages 3, 4, 5 This program is for our very youngest dancers. This program has a focus on learning basic dance techniques and having FUN. Dancers will be a part of the following: - Christmas Show Strawberry Tea 1 festival - Year End Recital Jelly Beans (3yrs) $33.60/month Ballet & Creative Movement Length: 30 minutes Jelly Beans is an introduction to dance. During this 30 minute class our young dancers will learn the very basics of ballet. Instruction is done through creative movement exercises and games. Dancers also learn basic transition steps (skips and gallops are examples). At this very young age this is a great opportunity for students to learn to interact with children their own age. Munchkins (4yrs) $44.10/month Tap & Ballet Length: 45 minutes This class gives the dancer the opportunity to learn tap as well as ballet. At this age dancers will learn basic tap techniques and will follow a set syllabus. (including work at the barre and in the centre). The other half of the class will focus on ballet. Students will begin to learn ballet technique and terminology through creative movement exercises. KinderKool (5yrs) (must be in Kindergarten) $44.10/month Tap, Jazz & Ballet Length 45 minutes This is an exciting year for dancers as they will be exposed to all three disciplines: tap, jazz and ballet. During the first half of the year dancers will study tap and ballet. The tap work will continue to follow a set syllabus. Exercises will be instructed at the barre, in the center and across the floor. In ballet the students will learn the basic technique as well as basic terminology. For the second half of the season dancers will continue working on tap and will now study jazz in place of ballet. They will learn the basic jazz technique including exercises at centre floor and across the floor. This is a great way for dancers to be exposed to different types of music and movement. We hope it will also aid in deciding which classes to register in at the age of six.