Dance Classes

What are the different forms of dance at Harbour Dancentre? At Harbour Dancentre we follow a structured approach to dance using registered and certified instructors on an approved curriculum wherever possible. We offer instruction in the following disciplines.

Ballet – Ballet is the foundation of all dance and the best place to start. One of the classic forms of dance, it teaches posture, creative movement, balance, and grace. Classes start at 3 years old and progress through the entire Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus.

Pointe – Pointe is the difficult art of dancing on your tip-toes and is featured in our upper level RAD ballet instruction and in separate classes to improve technique.

Modern – Modern is a constantly evolving field of dance that draws from ballet, jazz, free-movement, and off-the-wall creativity. We begin Modern with the Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA) syllabus and then go wherever our imaginations take us.

Tap – Tap is all about using your feet to turn the studio into a drum, and the more the merrier. The footwork is fast, complicated, and hypnotic. Tap is taught using the Canadian Dance Teachers Association syllabus.

Jazz – Jazz is a high energy form of dance that showcases a dancer’s style and originality. It is quick, energetic, and features big jumps and unique moves. Jazz is taught using the Canadian Dance Teachers Association syllabus.

Lyrical Jazz – Lyrical jazz is a combination of ballet and jazz and uses work from both the CDTA and RAD syllabus to create a dynamic yet graceful form of dance.

Hip-Hop – Hip-Hop is all about entertainment. From basic rhythms and robotic moves, to popping and locking, nothing evolves faster than Hip-Hop. No syllabus here, we go straight to the clubs and music videos where this field unfolds.

Musical Theatre – The age old art of singing and dancing at the same time. Nowhere near as easy as some people make it look, it’s a strenuous art that takes practice and dedication to shine through on the stage.

Modern Stage – Modern Stage is a combination of musical theatre and jazz that we offer for our three and four year old students.

Stretch, Strength, and Balance – To take our competitive dancers to the next level we have classes dedicated to the development of flexibility, functional strength, explosive power, and rock steady balance. This class is designed and taught by our kinesiologist, Carl Butterworth.

Pilates – A more adult oriented exercise class, Pilates focuses on core conditioning and muscle toning. It is taught by our British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) certified fitness instructor.

Nia – A holistic and strenuous form of exercise that focuses the connection between the mind and the body. Always a well attended class by our adult students. www.nianow.com.

Flamenco – One of our most popular adult classes, this dramatic Spanish form of dance combines quick footwork with graceful hand movements to create a flowing work of art.

Belly Dancing – One of the oldest forms of dance featured at Harbour Dancentre, this swaying adult dance class will challenge your flexibility, rhythm, and modesty! Learn more about Belly Dancing.



What should I take?

For our 3-5 years old dancers we suggest starting with ballet and possibly tap, or modern stage (or all three!) It’s a great way to start building a lifelong love of dance and solid foundation for any dance forms they may choose.

For those starting in the 5-10 year old range we still recommend ballet to help develop the technique and musculature needed for all forms of dance. They can also choose from jazz, tap, musical theatre, and hip-hop.

For those starting at 10 years old and up we have ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre, and hip-hop and suggest they start wherever they have an interest. Students are welcome to come out and try a class or two to see if they like it without committing to it.

Click Here for our Registration Form - 3-18 Year Olds(.doc)

Click Here for our Registration Form - Adults(.doc)

 

What do I wear?

The type of clothing varies with the different types of dance. Please take a look at our dress code to determine what you will need. The dress code requirements are part tradition but are also chosen for instructional and safety reasons. Generally, clothing is form fitting so that the instructor can see the student’s movements. Close fitting clothing also helps to avoid trips and snags.