COURSE DESCRIPTIONS and REQUIRED DRESS
Note: Required dress is mandatory for each discipline in dance. Bodysuits are mandatory for ALL Ballet classes and Beginner – Level 3 Jazz and Tap classes. They are recommended for Level 4 and Senior jazz and tap students; however, not mandatory. The body suit must be worn so the instructor can see rib, abdominal or hip placement more clearly. Tights are also required for these classes. Tights keep the dancer’s muscles warm to prevent injury. Please review below and ensure your dancer has all required attire and footwear packed in their dance bag.
The first infraction of the dress requirements will involve a verbal warning to dancer and parent (if available). The second infraction will involve an email or text to parents reminding them of the requirement. The third infraction will involve the student sitting out from the class.
** It is recommended that students have a package of elastics in their bag to always have their hair up**
A. LEAPS AND GIGGLES – Must be 3 or 4 by Dec 31/23 – Full Year Class
This class is an introductory program for new dancers to learn basic dance steps. This class is designed to encourage movement and skills such as coordination, flexibility, musicality and rhythm. Above learning just dance steps, students will gain confidence, independence and self-awareness.
What to Wear:
- Footwear: pink ballet slippers
- Attire: body suit and may wear sheer skirt (no other attire is accepted)
- Tights: ballerina pink
- Hair: pulled back away from face
- Boys: black ballet slippers, black shorts, white tank top or t-shirt
B. BALLET – starting at Beginner – Full Year Class
Ballet is the basis for all dance forms offered by the Wynyard School of Dance and ALL CHILDREN ENTERING DANCE ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN THEIR TRAINING IN THIS PROGRAM. Ballet is one of the most challenging and beautiful art forms. Ballet can help children develop coordination of mind and body. It can improve and correct posture as well as strengthen and tone the entire body. Learning ballet is a great confidence builder and promotes self-discipline. It also gives children a sense of movement rhythm and an appreciation of music.
**NO EXCEPTIONS** ONLY ballet students will be allowed to enter solo/duet/trio/small group work in competitions with the exception of hip hop.
It is mandatory that all students interested in taking exams in any discipline be taking ballet.
What To Wear:
- Footwear:
- Up to Level 1 – pink ballet slipper
- Level 2 & up – canvas style split sole
- Attire: body suit
- Boys Attire: black shorts or black pants and a white t-shirt
- Tights: ballerina pink or saumon
- Hair: pulled back away from face
THE IMPORTANCE OF BALLET
Many people don’t understand the importance of ballet. Some people think ‘It’s just another activity that I don’t need to put my child into’ or ‘I know my child isn’t going to go anywhere in dance so they don’t need ballet’. Below are reasons why ballet is the most important part of a dancer’s life.
Ballet is the foundation of all genres of dance. Without it, we wouldn’t be capable of performing steps properly in jazz, lyrical, contemporary or modern. Ballet helps dancers grow – it gives them what they need to excel in all other styles of dance. Not only that but it teaches work ethic, perseverance, motivation, dedication, stamina, flexibility, balance and strength.
Ballet training gives children the coordination and focus for all other sports or activities as well. It can improve and correct posture and give students bodies the strength that it needs to prevent injuries in classes.
Practicing ballet and participating in exams are a huge confidence builder for young girls and boys. They focus on direct technique; musicality and they make children more aware of the errors they make. In the end, they are goals for kids to work toward.
Most kids don’t want to take part in ballet because it’s boring and it’s not fun. However, this isn’t true. Ballet is a challenge and that’s what makes it fun! Within each ballet class, children strive to be better than they were the day before. This also applies in their other classes. It gives them the self-discipline and the concentration to want to do better than they did yesterday.
C. ACRO – starting at Primary – Full Year Class
Acro is a form of dance which uses the combination of ballet technique and precise acrobatic elements. Acro uses the graceful movements of dance and the strength and flexibility of gymnastics. Students must be taking ballet or jazz to participate in Acro.
What to Wear
- Footwear: bare feet
- Attire: bodysuit OR fitness sports bra with tight shorts (optional – tee or tank top)
- All optional items must be worn over a body suit or fitness sports bra – no baggy clothing
- Tights: capri or convertible – tights are optional if you wear sports bra and shorts or leggings
- Hair: pulled back away from face
D. HIP HOP – starting at Beginner – Full Year Class
This program will introduce students to the Hip Hop culture which will include choreography in such trends as street funk, video and breakdancing.
What to Wear
- Footwear: clean non-grip hip hop shoes ( up to level 3 white shoes, Senior are black and white Nike/black boot runners) No outdoor shoes allowed in the studio.
- Attire: tee, tank with sweats, baggy pants or shorts. No jeans.
- Tights: n/a
- Hair: pulled back away from face
E. JAZZ – starting at Beginner – Full Year Class
Jazz is a high energy exciting dance form and offers a variety of movements set to the latest music. The class consists of warm up, jazz technique and dance combinations. Emphasis in the younger classes is on developing body awareness, coordination, flexibility, and strength (using jazz techniques suitable for this age group). Students will use upbeat music and a combination of jazz steps including leaps, jumps, runs and structured choreography.
It is mandatory that all students interested in taking exams be taking ballet.
What to Wear
- Footwear: split sole, beige color for ALL levels
- Attire: body suit (Beginner – Level 3) fitness clothing ie. leggings, tank tops, sports bra (Senior)
- Boys Attire: black shorts or black pants and a white t-shirt
- Tights: beige
- Hair: pulled back away from face
F. LYRICAL- Age 10+ (as of Dec. 31/23) – Half Year Class
Requirements – open to ages 10 and up; students must also be taking ballet. Acceptance into this class is at the discretion of the instructor. Only those students that show a positive attitude in other classes, have excellent attendance in other classes, and consistently work to their best ability in other classes will be accepted into this class.
What to Wear
- Footwear: turning shoes (SR) or foot undeez (JR)
- Attire: bodysuit and tights OR fitness clothing ie. Leggings, tank tops, sports bras
- Tights: beige – capri style optional
- Hair: pulled back away from face
G. MODERN – Level 4+ – Half Year Class
This class is open to those in Level 4+ and must have at least 5 years of ballet or jazz experience. Acceptance into this class is at the discretion of the instructor. Only those students that show a positive attitude in other classes, have excellent attendance in other classes, and consistently work to their best ability in other classes will be accepted into this class.
What to Wear
- Footwear: bare feet or foot undeez
- Attire: body suit and tights OR fitness clothing ie. Leggings, tank tops, sports bras
- Tights: beige
- Hair: pulled back away from face
H. MUSICAL THEATRE – starting at Level 2 – Half Year Class
Students wishing to take this class must be enrolled in at least one core dance genre (ballet, jazz, tap). Acceptance into this class is at the discretion of the instructor. Only those students that show a positive attitude in other classes, have excellent attendance in other classes, and consistently work to their best ability in other classes will be accepted into this class.
What to Wear
- Footwear: Jazz shoes
- Attire: body suit and tights OR fitness clothing ie. Leggings, tank tops, sports bras
- Tights: pink or beige
- Hair: pulled back away from face
I. TAP – starting at Beginner – Full Year Classes
With upbeat music, this class gives a child an appreciation of rhythm and body coordination. The emphasis is on fun, group participation, and Broadway style expression. The Canadian Dance Teacher’s Association syllabus is used and students may be entered in examinations at the teacher’s discretion.
It is mandatory that all students interested in taking exams be taking ballet.
What to Wear
- Footwear:
- Beginner to Level 2– BLOCH Beige (boys – black) tap shoes with a LOW HEAL (mary jane style with elastics, shoe clasps or velcro *no ribbons*)
- Level 3 & up: BLOCH beige (boys – black) Oxford lace up tap shoe
- Attire: body suit (beginner – Level 3) fitness clothing ie. Leggings, tank tops, sports bra (Level 5+)
- Boys Attire: black shorts or black pants and a white t-shirt
- Tights: beige
- Hair: pulled back away from face
J. POINTE – Level 4+ – Full Year Class
Pointe is offered to dancers who have an understanding for the knowledge and technique of ballet. They also MUST have the required strength to dance en pointe. This class will be broken up into two parts; A) Pre -pointe – strengthening and conditioning of the feet and ankles with various exercises and drills and B.) Pointe. Most students can expect to be in pre- pointe for one year before being allowed in pointe shoes.
Note: advancing to pointe shoes is at the discretion of the teacher and depends on the students progress and development. Pre-pointe is a prerequisite for all dancers in order to take part in pointe. This class may or may not be attending any competitions depending on the year’s progressions.
What to Wear
- Footwear: Pre-pointe: bare feet Pointe: Bloch, Capezio, Sansha or Gaynor Minden – please talk to instructor on which brand will suit the dancer best.
- Attire: tights, bodysuit
RECREATIONAL DANCE – Grade 1 and up
This class is open to any skill level. The class is just for movement and FUN. Students will not participate in competitions but will have a chance to showcase at recital.
STRETCH AND CONDITIONING – Grade 2 and up
This class is a combination of deep stretching and body conditioning. A heavy cardio focus to increase endurance for the dancers. This class is highly recommended for any dancer wanting to level up their technique and performance.