CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

PRE-SCHOOL DANCE

3 years old

Pre-school is an introduction to dance for young children. The classes are taught in a fun, creative atmosphere. The classes explore rhythm, arm and foot co-ordination, imagination and creativity. Our ultimate goal is to inspire a love of dance at this level.

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PRE- DANCE

BALLET, JAZZ, TAP & HIP HOP
4 years old

Pre-dance is an extension of the pre-school program. At this level students will develop motor skills, co-ordination, rhythm, listening skills and spacial awareness through music, song and games. Pre-dance is as excellent foundation for progressing into primary ballet and beginner jazz levels.

JAZZ

We offer beginner to advanced classes for the "just for fun" recreational students and competitive classes for the more serious students. Jazz is an energetic and fun class consisting of unique moves, fancy footwork, big jumps and quick turns. Classes begin with a warm up, then technique instruction and across the floor patterns and end with combinations or choreography work on a routine.

TAP

From beginners to adults, tap will put the rhythm in your step. Tap will help to develop co-ordination and musicality in dancers. We like to think of our tap shoes as a musical instrument creating rhythm through shading and accents. Students can choose recreational or competitive classes.

HIP HOP

This is a funky and upbeat class where students explore the culture, music and dance styles of Hip Hop. Students will be introduced to the elements of poppin', lockin', uprock and breakin'. Come and learn the most recent dance styles that are seen today on film and television.

BALLET & POINTE

R.A.D. & OPEN
Pointe is only for RAD Vocational levels

* dancers must be assessed for pointe

Ballet is the basis of all dance. It is an extremely necessary part of dance training as the fundamentals of ballet are necessary to develop strong dancers. PPSD offers students the challenge of preparing for and taking ballet examinations. The school follows the curriculum and examination program of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). Graded examinations commence at the Primary level and go to Grade 8 Award. Students are required to take 2 classes per week. There are also vocational examinations and classes from Intermediate Foundation to Advanced 2. Students working at the vocational level must take 3-4 classes per week plus pointe. Our goal is to provide dancers the opportunity to learn the essential technical and artistic foundations through ballet.

LYRICAL

Lyrical blends ballet and jazz techniques with choreography that trys to interpret the story or emotions of the music. Lyrical is a passionate, expressive dance style. Students must be registered in jazz and grade 4 ballet or higher to take lyrical.

CONTEMPORARY

The name "Contemporary Dance" describes a range of techniques and styles used in classes, workshops and dance choreography. Contemporary dance was developed in the early 20th century as a reaction against the rigid techniques of ballet. Pioneers such as Isadora Duncan and Martha Graham searched for ease of movement using the body's natural lines and energy, allowing a greater range and fluidity of movement than conventional techniques.
Contemporary dance is characterized by its versatility: contemporary can be danced to almost any style of music, or united with other dance forms to create new styles of movement. Contemporary seeks to work with the natural alignment of the body, and is therefore safe and accessible for beginners. At the same time, the ease of movement promoted by contemporary dance technique allows experienced dancers to push new boundaries of body movement.

Dancers must be in ballet, jazz & lyrical to take this class.

SONG & DANCE

Song & Dance classes are available for students who would like to experience learning routines that combine singing, dancing and acting which enables them to become "triple threat" performers. Students should have a good performance ability and must be currently registered in tap, jazz and ballet. A professional voice and musical theatre instructor works with a choreographer to create a routine from a Broadway musical.

Available for Competitive dancers only. Dancers must take Competitive Ballet, Jazz & Tap to register in Song & Dance.

MUSICAL THEATRE

Musical Theatre classes are similar to Song & Dance working on characterization and lip synching rather than singing. This class can incorporates jazz, tap, and acting. The finished product is a full length routine from a well known musical.
This class is available for our Intermediate & Senior Competitive dancers and recreational dancers registered in a dance class.

ACRO

The study of acro is a very disciplined dance form. The muscles of the body must develop in strength, flexibility, co-ordination, balance and control. A derivative of gymnastics, acro is the floor technique that combines dance with gymnastics moves. Students warm up with stretching exercises and then explore walkovers, aerials, tumbling, flips, handstands and pyramids with a trained, highly certified instructor.