Click here for our tentative 2011-12 Dance Schedule. Class times and availability can be confirmed through the MCPA office @ 902.423.6995 or admin@maritimeconservatory.com.
Levels/Age Requirements – for dance classes @ MCPA
- Creative Movement 1 (14 wks) – must be 3 years old to register
- Creative Movement 2 (14 wks) – must be 4 years old to register
- Pre-Ballet (14 wks) – must be 5 years old to register
- Pre-Primary Ballet (full year course) – must be 6 years or older to register
- Primary Ballet (full year course) – 7+ years old
- Grade 1 Ballet (full year course) – 8+ years old
- Grade 2 and higher Ballet (full year courses) – by recommendation
- Pre-Pointe* (full year course) – beginner to Intermediate level pointe – class covers RAD Intermediate Foundation pointe work
- Pointe 1* (full year course) – Intermediate level ballet and higher – class covers RAD Intermediate level pointe work
- Pointe 2* (full year course) – Advanced 1 level ballet and higher – class covers RAD Advanced 1 and 2 pointe work
* NOTE: Pointe students must be taking two ballet technique classes (not including a pointe class) to enroll in pointe classes.
Creative Movement and Pre-Ballet: The MCPA School of Dance is pleased to offer Creative Movement and Pre-Ballet programming for boys and girls aged three to five. Though not prepared for the rigors of formal dance classes, children in this age group are more than ready to embark on a dance journey with our experienced and qualified staff. Our Creative Movement/Pre-Ballet program introduces young children to the basic movement concepts, allowing them to develop as moving beings until they have the physical, mental and social skills necessary for the discipline of classes such as ballet, modern, jazz and national dance.
Creative Movement
Our creative movement classes are an introduction to non-technical movement, use of space and dynamics. Boys and girls will be introduced to a variety of dance elements (time, space, direction and weight) through directed play, story telling and improvisation. Our teachers encourage children to experience dance/drama as an art form and to delight in self-expression. Our aim is to improve the self-image, discipline, listening skills and concentration of our young students.
Creative Movement I – Specifically for three-year-old students with a focus on allowing children to experience the joy of moving and being. This course begins the exploration of the kinetic world of young children and aims to fine tune muscle coordination. Developing good listening skills (the beginning of musicality) is also a key focus. Students will learn about specific body parts, locomotive skills, (running, jumping, crawling, marching), and directions in space. Storytelling, singing and play are incorporated into classes.
Creative Movement 2 – Four-year-olds continue to develop the concepts in Creative Movement 1. Children are encouraged to expand their dancing vocabulary and to explore new movement possibilities through physical challenges. Body awareness continues to be a focus at this level, with age-appropriate exercises designed to stimulate your child’s development. This course continues the focus on directional awareness, and explores opposites, musical rhythms, floor patterning and spatial awareness. Developing concentration skills, self-expression and exploring the creative process are also key elements of this course.
Pre-Ballet
Designed for five-year-olds, the Pre-Ballet dance curriculum continues to capture and nurture young children’s instinctive joy of movement and freedom of expression. Specifically at this level we develop the ability to move with increased control and co-ordination, travel in any direction using skipping, galloping, running and walking. Some basic ballet technique and terminology are now introduced.
Boys Dance (not offered every year)
Movement, Rhythm and Expression, ages 5 to 9, boys only.
Explore various styles such as tap, jazz, hip-hop, ballet, rhythm and creative dance. Fun, musical and active. Boys will discover a new love for dancing! Boys will need black sweat pants, white T-shirt and clean indoor sneakers.
Ballet
The School of Dance offers ballet classes at a variety of levels. Ballet techniques are taught to facilitate training required to pursue both a professional career and/or enjoyment of the art form.
Pre-Ballet – for five year olds; to explore the more classical elements of dance as well as continue to develop general dance and movement skills.
Graded Ballet Levels – based on the syllabus of The Royal Academy of Dance, Pre-Primary through Grade 8, Intermediate Foundation through Advanced 2. Cecchetti and Russian classes also available for more advanced students.
Beginner Ballet – classes available for children, teens, and adults.
Senior Ballet (age 50+) – no experience necessary.
Classical Variations – learning both classical repertoire and original choreography. For Intermediate – Advanced 2 level students.
Pointe -
- Pre-Pointe – beginner to Intermediate level pointe – class covers RAD Intermediate Foundation pointe work
- Pointe 1 – Intermediate level ballet and higher – class covers RAD Intermediate level pointe work
- Pointe 2 – Advanced 1 level ballet and higher – class covers RAD Advanced 1 and 2 pointe work
NOTE: Pointe students must be taking two ballet technique classes (not including a pointe class) to enroll in pointe classes.
To develop strength and versatility, all ballet students are encouraged to take Character, Modern and Jazz classes.
Stage (Jazz and Tap)
Children’s Jazz – variety of levels for children aged 6-11 – these classes of contemporary movement for children form a good basis for jazz, hip-hop, tap, etc.
Jazz Technique 1 and 2 – for more advanced jazz students, these classes include a full warm up and across the floor syllabus.
Adult Jazz – contemporary dance style geared for the adult student.
Tap – basic rhythms and technique are introduced to children in a fun, focused setting.
Advanced Tap – Elementary level or equivalent; for the advanced tapper.
Student Diploma Programs
The School of Dance offers an opportunity for students to challenge themselves to realize their potential in the art of dance. The Junior and Senior Diploma Porgrams provide a rich experience allowing students to both intensify their ballet training and broaden their dance education. It recognizes throught the awarding of a diploma the accomplishments of developing artists.
All classes required for the Diploma Programs are listed in the MCPA Academic Calendar with tuition fees.
Admission to the programs is by audition only. Any student enrolled in the Diploma Program will receive a 20% discount on class tuition.
Professional Program/Diploma
This program is open to students 10 years and older, by audition only. Students will be accepted on suitability to full time dance training geared towards a professional career in dance. The focus will be on ballet, but may include some or all of the following: conditioning, modern, character, jazz, composition, repertoire, history and music, dependent on the program determined and level of study.
Dance students interested in the Professional Program from Grade 7 to 12 may be interested in combining their academic and dance program through a Performing Arts School Collaboration. Admitted by audition and recommendation, these students study their academic subjects and their performing arts subjects as part of their school days as well as after school and weekend hours.
Post Secondary Program – The Professional Program is also available as a post secondary professional program designed to boost and expand the technical and artistic level of serious students who are hoping to pursue a dance career. Entrance into this program is by audition and interview. The applying student must have successfully completed high school.
All students must be prepared to take daily classes Monday to Friday with extra classes, master classes and rehearsals on the weekends. The student’s schedule will be set by the Head of the School of Dance in consultation with the parent and/or student.
Teacher Training Program
At the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts (MCPA) School of Dance we hold the art of teaching in the highest regard. We believe it can be nurtured by providing information and experience. The Conservatory program has been developed to help provide the tools for those individuals who are inspired to share their joy of dance with others through the privileged position of “teacher”. This program is under the direction of Barbara Dearborn.
Students taking a full roster of credits per year may expect to complete the course in two years. However; there is no time restriction, within reason, to complete the requirements for receipt of the Dance Teaching Diploma.
Students in the program will required to assist School of Dance classes in classes and be assessed on this as part of their pedagogy course. There is also a Summer Intensive in August 2009. Students registered in the ballet major or double major are required to participate in the August Dance Intensive.
FOUNDATION YEAR
Students requiring more dance background may be offered a foundation year in advance of the full program. This extends the program to three years total.
HONOURS DIPLOMA
Students who have completed the program may continue to study and be awarded an honours diploma. This extends the program to three years (four years if foundation year required).
Entrance Requirements
- High School Diploma
- Background in Dance
- Successful Interview and Audition
- 2 Letters of reference
Arrangements for payment of tuition must be made upon acceptance to the program. Contact Barbara Dearborn to apply.
