Class Descriptions
CLASS OFFERINGS VARY EACH SEASON. PLEASE REFER TO OUR SCHEDULE PAGE FOR CURRENT OFFERINGS.
Other than our Adult & Tot class, children must be able to attend class(es) alone.
Adult & Tot (18 months – 3 years old)
Adult participation is required in this class. Students follow a set program of songs, exercises, and primary technique. Focus is on movement, rhythm, and confidence building. Students in this 6 week program do not perform in the year-end showcase.
Mini Dance / Kinder Dance (3-6 years old)
Students follow a set program of songs, exercises and primary technique. Focus is on movement, rhythm, and building confidence. Students perform a piece of choreography in the year-end showcase.
Mini Ballet (3-4 years old)
Introduce your child to the world of ballet. These classes develop coordination, musicality and fluidity of movement while having fun. Increased ballet technique is expected at each progressive level. Students perform a piece of choreography in the year-end showcase.
Kinder Tap (4-6 years old)
This class is where your feet make the music! Students are introduced to primary tap technique and movements, while focusing on rhythm, musicality, and confidence building. Tap shoes may be available on loan from our inventory, depending on size. Students perform a piece of choreography in the year-end showcase.
Hip Hop (4-6 years old)
Hip Hop is a popular, high energy dance style that teaches freestyle movements. Students will learn basic movements and musicality and be encouraged to develop their own sense of style. They will be supported to build self-esteem and confidence in the process. Students perform a piece of choreography in the year-end showcase.
Kinder Acro (4-6 years old)
This class is a combination of primary acrobatic and jazz technique with age and body development appropriate movements. Focus is on safe and correct movement, rhythm, and confidence building. Students in the full year program perform a piece of choreography in the year-end showcase; those in the 6 week program do not.
Intro to Dance (5-8 years old)
Students will be introduced to several dance forms, including jazz, ballet, hip hop and tap, learning fundamentals in technique, style, and movements. Students will perform a piece of choreography in the year-end showcase.
Hip Hop Grooves (6-10 years old)
Hip Hop is a popular, high energy dance style that teaches freestyle movements. It is an expressive dance form in which students are encouraged to develop their own sense of style. Students will learn hip hop basics while building self-esteem and confidence. Students perform a piece of choreography in the year-end showcase.
Dance Fusion (7+ years old)
Students will be introduced to jazz, ballet and hip hop dance forms, learning technique, style, and movements. Students will perform a piece of choreography in the year-end showcase.
Ballet
These classes focus on developing musicality, balance, correct muscle use, alignment and flexibility. Students learn the terminology of classical ballet through barre and centre work. CDTA examinations are available to serious students. Ballet Choreography students of all ages perform in the year-end showcase. Our Ballet Technique class is a great add-on for students who want to further develop technique, flexibility and strength.
Pointe (Ages 10+ with pre and co requisites)
Students with a strong technical foundation in Ballet will be slowly introduced to pointe work if desired. These classes are designed to develop strength and build confidence and poise in classical repertoire. Dancers begin with pre-pointe at age 10 and work toward developing the strength and skills necessary to start pointe work. Once they are 12 years old, and provided they meet all instructor and studio requirements, they will begin their pointe work. Our Pre-Pointe and Pointe dancers perform in our year-end showcase.
Contemporary
Contemporary is a dance style that combines elements of ballet, jazz and modern dance forms. It is an expressive movement class that’s commonly set to popular music with or without vocals. It is a departure from classical dance techniques and their structured form and movement, and instead draws on modern dance techniques and newer philosophies of movement, while focusing extensively on the expressive and emotional side of dance. Contemporary students perform in our year-end showcase.
Lyrical
A beautiful dance style that implements ballet, modern and jazz elements to express song lyrics; graceful, flowing, and inspirational. Students develop strength and flexibility while acquiring solid dance technique. Our Lyrical students perform in the year-end showcase.
Jazz
A fast moving, action packed class that focuses on developing technique, style and flexibility. Classes begin with a warm-up and strength exercises and continues on to turns, jumps and stylized choreographed progressions. CDTA examinations are available to serious students. Jazz Choreography students perform in the year-end showcase. Our Jazz Technique class is a great add-on for students who want to further develop technique, style, flexibility and strength.
Jazz Fusion
Our Jazz Fusion class is a fun, fast moving class that includes Jazz, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre elements. The focus is on developing technique, style, performance, and flexibility. Students will build confidence in dance, performance and life. Jazz Fusion students perform in the year-end showcase.
Tap
A high energy class that combines rhythm, musicality and co-ordination. This class is where your feet make the music! CDTA examinations are available to serious students. Our Tap Technique class is a great add-on for students who want to further develop technique, rhythm, clarity of sounds, and endurance.
Hip Hop
Hip Hop is a popular, high energy dance style that teaches freestyle movements. It can include elements of locking, popping and breaking. It is a very expressive dance form where dancers are encouraged to develop their self-esteem, confidence and their own sense of style.
Hip Hop Progressions
Our Hip Hop Progressions class focuses on learning and breaking down various hip hop elements including grooves, isolations, popping, locking, and break dancing. It is designed to enhance skills and technique as well as stylization and self-expression. Students will build confidence and self-esteem. This is a great class on its own or as an add-on to our other Hip Hop classes.
Breakdance
Breakdance is original Hip Hop dance. The focus of this class is to teach styles created back in the day by the first B-boys and B-girls along with freestyle hip hop moves. Depending upon student progression, they will learn popping, gliding, floor work, rocking, locking and more. No previous dance experience is required for the class but dancers must be ready to challenge themselves to develop the strength and attitude required to successfully execute this dance style. Students will perform in our year-end showcase.
Acro Dance
Classes work towards improving flexibility, strength, and control. Dancers will learn how to properly execute Acro tricks similar to the mat component of gymnastics. Routines are comprised of a combination of Acro tricks and Jazz movements; therefore we strongly recommend that dancers register for a Jazz or Hip Hop class in order to complement their Acro training. Dancers require approval from Silver-Hope Dance Academy Faculty for enrolment in specific levels. Acrobatique exams are available to serious students.
- ACRO Level 1: Beginners who are working on the basic skills including back bridge and recovery, cartwheels on both legs, and balances such as head-stands, elbow-stands, and hand-stands.
- ACRO Level 2: Intermediates who are working on right and left front walk-overs, back walk-overs, cartwheels on both legs, one-handed cartwheels, presses, and balances such as head-stands, elbow-stands, and hand-stands. Dancers may learn and practice hand-walks, aerials (no-hand cartwheels), doubles-tricks, and other advanced Acro tricks.
- ACRO Level 3: Advanced dancers who can execute front and back walk-overs, hand-walks, balances, aerials, doubles-tricks, tumbling and all areas of Acro with proper technique. Level 3 Acrobats are expected to combine their mastered Acro tricks with jazz or lyrical routines.
Musical Theatre (Ages 6+)
Musical Theatre is a theatrical based class in which students learn stage presence, combining dancing, acting and sometimes singing or lip-syncing. Dancers will also learn Jazz elements and technique. Think Broadway Musicals and big personalities when taking this class. Students will perform at our year end recital.
Dance Technique (Ages 6+ with co requisite)
This class is designed to help dancers improve their technique and, if interested, to prepare and evaluate dancers who may want to audition for our competition team in the future. This class focuses on developing musicality, strength, balance, alignment and flexibility, introducing dancers to basic technique in various dance styles. Dancers in this class are required to participate in another dance class of their choice to put the technique they learn into action. This class DOES NOT perform in the year-end showcase.
Competition Prep Technique (Ages 5+ with pre and co requisites)
Students must have previous dance experience and be approved for participation in this class, which is intended to prepare and evaluate dancers who may want to audition for our competition team in the future. Classes will focus on developing musicality, balance, correct muscle use, alignment and flexibility in ballet, jazz and tap. This class will introduce dancers to basic technique required for our competition dancers. Students will learn the terminology of ballet, jazz and tap. Dancers in this class are required to participate in our Competition Prep Choreography class. This class DOES NOT perform in the year-end showcase.
Competition Prep Choreography (Ages 5+ with pre and co requisites)
Students Students must have previous dance experience and be approved for participation in this class, which is intended to prepare and evaluate dancers who may want to audition for our competition team in the future. Classes will focus on choreography, musicality, and performance quality in ballet, jazz and tap. Dancers will experience a choreography class similar to that of our first year competition dancers. Dancers in this class are required to participate in our Competition Prep Technique class. Students will perform in the year-end showcase.
Strength & Stretch (Ages 10+ and Adult)
Our Strength & Stretch classes focus on developing strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance, not only for dancers, but for athletes and non-athletes from ages 10 to adult.
- Ages 10-17: In this class, students warm up and then go through a series of strength, flexibility, balance and cardio exercises before cooling down and stretching. This class is excellent for athletes from all types of sports, from ballet and gymnastics, to hockey and soccer, and everything in between. This class is designed to ensure that muscles, ligaments, and balance are developed alongside the skills they develop in their sport.
- Adult (Age 18+): Our adult class is designed to develop strength, flexibility, balance, and mobility. It follows much the same format as our age 10-17 class (warm up, stretch, strength building, cool down stretch), modified for adults of varying ages and fitness levels. Adults choose the intensity at which the complete the various components of this class to meet their fitness level and goals. Strength training has been proven to reduce, and even reverse, the effects of Osteoporosis.
Belly Dance (Middle Eastern Dance) Age 18+
A fun, joyful way to build strength, core, skills, confidence, and fitness.
- Beginner Belly Dance: This is where all beginner level dancers start and learn the basics of Middle Eastern Dance. Students will gain a basic understanding of belly dance technique, posturing, language, and move execution. Find alignment in your body, connect it to your mind, and discover muscles you never knew you had
- Intermediate Belly Dance: Students must have a working knowledge of the material in the beginner class, as well as instructor and studio approval, to move to the intermediate level. This class will build on what was learned in the beginner class, adding new movements, layering and an original choreographed dance. Lighting more fire in the belly and joy through dance.
Salsa (Age 18+)
Salsa has experienced a surge in popularity and has emerged as the most popular of the Latin Dances. This fast, fun, and sizzling dance style will help build skills, fitness, confidence, and connections! We will start with the basics and take it from there. Bring your positive attitude and be open to learn and have fun… we’ll handle the rest. No partner or experience required.
Ballroom Dance (Age 18+)
Ballroom Dance is a set of partner dances that are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world. Ballroom dance may refer to almost any type of partner dancing as recreation.
The five most popular Ballroom dances in the world are Foxtrot, Waltz, Rumba, Cha Cha, and Swing. Dancers skilled in these five dances can dance with partners from any part of the world.
Our Ballroom dance classes include a combination of Social and International dance styles: Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Tango, and Viennese Waltz, as well as Latin Dances: Rumba, Samba, Argentine Tango, Cha-Cha-Cha, and Jive.
The five standard dances will be taught over the course of the year (September – June), depending upon student skills and based on instructor’s judgment. No experience necessary. Partner may be required depending on the class taken (will be outlined in class description).
Class Attire
Dance Attire = Uniform. All of our attire requirements are necessary and apply to dancers of all ages, unless otherwise specified. We arrange pop-up dance shops in both of our locations early in the season (and part way through the season for late joiners) to make purchasing the required attire items easy for our dance families.
Adult & Tot
Tots:
Feet: Bare Feet
Body: Form-Fitting White T-shirt, Black bottoms (leggings, sweatpants, shorts). No jeans.
Hair: Neatly tied back and off of face if long, neat and off of face if short
Adults:
Feet: Bare
Body: Form-Fitting Athletic top, comfortable bottoms (leggings, sweatpants, shorts). No Jeans.
Hair: Neatly tied back and off of face if long, neat and off of face if short
Mini Steps / Kinder Dance / Mini Dance
Females:
- Feet: Pink Canvas or Leather Ballet Slippers
- Body: Black Leotard, Pink Ballet Tights
- Mini Dance Option – Body: Form-Fitting White T-shirt, Black Leggings, Sweatpants, or shorts. No jeans.
Males:
- Feet: White or Black Canvas Ballet Slippers or Slip on Jazz Shoes
- Body: Fitted White T-shirt, Black Shorts or Sweatpants, White Ballet Socks
Kinder Acro
Females:
- Feet: Bare Feet
- Body: Fitted White T-shirt, Black Sweatpants/Shorts/Leggings
Males:
- Feet: Bare Feet
- Fitted White T-shirt, Black Sweatpants/Shorts
Intro to Dance
Females:
- Feet: Black Slip On Jazz Shoes
- Body – Option 1: Black Leotard, Pink Convertible Tights
- Body – Option 2: Black Yoga Pants/Leggings/Bike Shorts, White T-shirt
Boys:
- Feet: Black Slip On Jazz Shoes
- Body: White T-shirt, Black Sweatpants/Shorts
Dance Fusion
Females:
- Feet: Black Slip On Jazz Shoes
- Body: Black Yoga Pants/Leggings/Bike Shorts, White T-shirt
Males:
- Feet: Black Slip On Jazz Shoes
- Body: White T-shirt, Black Sweatpants/Shorts
Jazz / Jazz Fusion/Musical Theatre: For our Jazz and Musical Theatre programs, students will require the following:
Females:
- Feet: Black Slip On Jazz Shoes
- Body: Black Yoga Pants/Leggings/Bike Shorts, White T-shirt
- Hair: Must be worn up and tied back neatly, or worn in a bun
Males:
- Feet: Black Slip On Jazz Shoes
- Body: Black Sweatpants/Shorts, White T-shirt
Tap: For our tap program, students will require the following:
Females:
- Feet: 4-6 year olds: Black Mary Jane Style Velcro Close Tap Shoes
- Feet 7+ year olds: Black Oxford Style Lace Up Tap Shoes
- Body: Black Yoga Pants/Bike Shorts, White T-shirt
Males:
- Feet: Black Oxford Style Tap Shoes
- Body: Black Sweatpants/Shorts, White T-shirt
Hip-Hop: For our hip-hop program, students (all ages) will require the following:
Females:
- Feet: Clean, All-Black, Indoor Sneakers with non-marking soles (Air-Walks or Similar)
- Body: Comfortable Clothing (no jeans)
Males:
- Feet: Clean, All-Black Indoor Sneakers with non-marking soles (Air-Walks or Similar)
- Body: Comfortable Clothing (no jeans)
Acro Dance: For our acro dance program, students will require the following:
Females:
- Feet: Nude Foot Undeez or Bare Feet
- Body: Black Sweatpants/Leggings, White T-shirt
- Hair: Hair must be worn up and tied back neatly
Males:
- Feet: Nude Foot Undeez or Bare Feet
- Body: Black Sweatpants/Shorts, White T-shirt
- Hair, if long, must be tied back neatly
Ballet/Pre-Pointe: For our ballet/pre-pointe dance programs, students will require the following: Dancers are expected to be in uniform every class. Uniform includes long hair being pulled back off of the face in a bun (or ponytail if very short). If you need a tutorial on how to make a Classical Ballet Bun, ask your instructor.
Females:
- Feet: Pink Canvas or Leather Ballet Slippers
- Body: Black Leotard, Pink Ballet Tights, may be convertible
- Pre-Pointe: Pointe Shoes with Studio & Instructor’s Permission ONLY
- ADULTS ONLY Option 2: Black form-fitting t-shirt, black leggings or capris (snug leg, no flare), pink canvas or leather ballet slippers
Males:
- Feet: White or Black Canvas Ballet Slippers
- Body: Fitted White T-Shirt, Black Shorts or Tights, White Ballet Socks
- Hair, if long, must be tied back neatly
Contemporary/Lyrical: For our contemporary/lyrical dance programs, students will require the following:
Females:
- Feet: Nude Foot Undeez
- Body: Black Leotard, Black Leggings/Bike Shorts
Males:
- Feet: Nude Foot Undeez
- Body: Black Sweatpants/Tights, White T-shirt
Strength & Stretch
- Wear comfortable clothing that is easy to move in; ensure top is fitted so that it stays in place during class activities.
- Clean athletic shoes with non-marking soles (not to be used outdoors)
- Hair tied back neatly
- Bring lots of water.
Belly Dance (Middle Eastern Dance)
- Wear comfortable clothing and a coin belt if you have one. Be sure to bring water.
- Coin Belts are available for a reasonable price on amazon or ask your teacher/fellow students if they have one to sell you.
Salsa and Ballroom Dance
- Clean, indoor only running shoes (dance shoes will be discussed with the instructor during class)
- Wear comfortable clothing that you can move easily in
- Be sure to bring water
Studio Rules
-No food or drinks in the studios; we are a water only studio.
We have a Lunch Room for students/staff who are here for long periods of time. Students are not permitted to leave the studio on breaks without signed parental/guardian consent. Students under age 13 are not permitted to leave the studio during breaks unless signed out by a parent/guardian; they must be signed in when they return.
No gum.
No hanging on the ballet barres.
Do not touch the mirrors with your hands or bodies.
No street shoes on studio floors. Students must wear indoor-only shoes in dance classes. All others walking on studio floors are to remove their shoes and place them in the storage cubbies provided.
No cell phones – please turn ringers off.
Giving up and/or sitting down is not permitted.
Students must keep their hands to themselves. Aggressive behaviour toward fellow students, pushing, and/or bullying is NOT permitted.
There is zero tolerance for these behaviours.
Please limit conversations when an instructor is speaking or helping another student.
Students are expected to be respectful and attentive in class to both instructors and their fellow classmates.
Polite behaviour and good manners should be displayed throughout the class and waiting area.
Foul language or actions are not permitted.
Students should not gossip or form cliques, and should work in unison as a class/team toward a common goal.
Good attitude, good grooming, good attendance, and practice at home are expected from each student.
We reserve the right to dismiss any student who disregards studio policy, shows inappropriate behaviour, or upsets the harmony of the dance academy.