Westcoast Academy's junior classes are created to inspire and promote creativity while still learning the fundamentals of dance in order to put their best foot forward. All classes are imagery based allowing the students to be a part of the magic of dance. Each class below will work towards set outcomes which include a piece for our year end show in June.
Tots Ballet : age 2
This is a great way to start! Students discover movement and musicality while imagining themselves as animals, toys and much, much more.
Junior Ballet : ages 3 & 4
Taking the next step these students include basic steps into their magical world of dance. Skipping turns into little red riding hood, galloping becomes pony's jumping, and running makes us butterflies. How could anyone not be excited to learn dance!
Pre-Primary Ballet : age 5
Here we incorporate the learning outcomes and fundamentals required of the RAD Pre-Primary syllabus into a fun, creative class. Students will feel like every exercise is a game while parents and teachers see the fundamentals of dance growing month to month.
Primary Ballet : ages 6-7
Our Primary ballet class builds upon the skills learned in Pre-Primary, continuing the process as set out by the RAD. Still fun and creative, students start working through more details and come to enjoy focusing on their movement. Any student who is 7 and has never danced should participate in this class first to establish a learning base.
Primary Modern : ages 5-7
Has your child ever enjoyed catching butterflies or dipping their toes in a pond? This is the class for them! Modern is a mix of dance fundamentals like stretched legs and pointed feet with natural movement. Each exercise put forth by the ISTD program is centered around an idea or storyline. Modern is a great match for ballet in that it encourages fundamentals yet allows the body more freedoms. Any student really wanting to try Jazz should start in the Modern program to create a skill set.
Gr 1 Modern: ages 7-8
Continuing with the fun exercises from Primary, students explore being a puppet, having magic feet and being a lion! This is a great first class for an older student wanting to get ready to take either ballet or jazz.
Beginner Tap & Jazz: ages 4-6
Has your child ever wanted to make noise with their feet or dance to the beat? Here is your chance! Sign up your child for Beginner Tap & Jazz and they will learn the basics of dance technique while rocking out to energetic music and starting to make music with their feet. This fun skills oriented class will move at the pace of the students.
Our graded program consists of two facets Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) (Ballet) and Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) (Modern and Tap). Westcoast Academy prides itself on working individually with each student and holding their best interest in dance and self esteem at heart. All students in the graded program will need to complete an exam or presentation (with the exception of jazz) before continuing on to the next level. Westcoast Academy believes in preparing each student for the real world by giving them each opportunity to work at their pace, that is why our classes are not based on age as much as on skill level. Below is the programs suggested for students looking forward to taking an exam or presentation that season:
Grades 1-5 Ballet:
two classes per week
Grades 6-8 Ballet:
one class at graded level and another class either in the vocational or open section.
Grades 2-6 Modern:
one class per week
Grades 1-6 Tap:
one class per week
Students in the Vocational Program have the opportunity to work at a preprofessional level. Students are expected to be committed and focused allowing maximum growth in their dancing. Each student will be chosen for exams as an individual and not as a class. Some students could spend one year at a level and others could spend up to four years depending on their work ethic, understanding of their body and commitment. This level of dance can lead to may different options such as teachers certificates, company work, university degrees and high school graduation credits. Below is the suggested classes to be considered for an exam:
Intermediate Ballet:
Three classes per week: Intermediate Ballet and Pointe, Intermediate Open Ballet and Advanced 1 ballet.
Advanced 1 Ballet:
Three classes per week: Advanced 1, Advanced 2 and Advanced Open ballet.
Advanced 2 Ballet:
Four classes per week: Advanced 1 on pointe, Advanced 2, Solo Seal and Advanced Open Ballet.
Solo Seal Ballet:
Four classes per week: Solo Seal, Advanced 1 on pointe, Advanced 2 on pointe, Advanced Open Ballet.
Advanced Open Ballet:
Offered once a week for students in Adv 1 or 2 who are preparing for exams and need specialized time to perfect and better understand movements. This is also practice for the free enchainement work required in the exams. ( There is no exam for the open ballet class ).
Open Modern classes:
Students will be assigned one or two open classes based on their individual needs. Students must have completed or be completing the ISTD Graded syllabus' to enter the open classes in order to have a strong knowledge base for the open classes. Teachers will be constantly assessing the student to be sure they are in the right place for their individual journeys. (there are no exams in the open modern section).
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