Classes

Here is a breakdown of the classes offered here
at The Bisland Dance Centre:

Pre-Dance (for ages 3-4):

This high-energy 30-minute class focuses on creative movement as a precursor to dance, and is based in basic ballet and jazz technique fundamentals using imagery, song and story to develop movement skills at a cognitive level suitable to children at this age.

Ballet (for ages 5 and up):

Based on the Vaganova ballet syllabus, this program teaches students how to focus on their body and how each muscle works first individually and then as a whole to support movement.  Ballet is the foundation of all dance disciplines and not only is a beautiful discipline on its own, but also helps students to reach full potential in all other styles of dance.  Ballet forms a solid understanding in how to utilize muscles in the legs, arms, back and centre in order to create clean fluid technique. Ballet fosters the creation of strong yet graceful dancers who understand how their body works together to support the application of proper technique. The Bisland Dance Centre offers Ballet Examination through the Society of Russian Ballet.

Jazz (for ages 5 and up, taught as a combination class with tap):

Originated as an extension of ballet, jazz blends barre work, centre stretch, travelling and centre combinations to develop body awareness and movement confidence, as well as to increase flexibility and build core strength. Working with contemporary, upbeat music, this course takes a more stylized approach to movement quality. Jazz is taught in combination with tap at The Bisland Dance Centre at for all recreational students at every level. This provides an opportunity for students to experience and succeed at two complimentary dance disciplines for the price of one class. A performance piece in both jazz and tap will be learned and performed at the annual recital. The Bisland Dance Centre offers Jazz examination through the ADAPT Syllabus.

Tap (for ages 5 and up, taught as a combination class with jazz):

Designed to develop co-ordination, musicality, strength and rhythm, Tap is based in counting and recreating beats found in music. Tap uses specialized counting exercises to help students learn to create tones, accents and eventually make music using their feet! Tap is taught in combination with jazz at The Bisland Dance Centre at for all recreational students at every level. This provides an opportunity for students to experience and succeed at two complimentary dance disciplines for the price of one class. A performance piece in both tap and jazz will be learned and performed at the annual recital. The Bisland Dance Centre offers Tap examination through the ADAPT Syllabus.

Contemporary (for ages 7 and up):

Contemporary is the fusion of jazz, modern and ballet into an exciting dance discipline that encourages an understanding of intent in movement, thus enhancing performance quality within each student.  Unique movement phrases based in jazz, modern and ballet fundamentals form the foundation of this class with unique choreographic twists to inspire the mind and the dancer.  Barre, improvisation and partnering exercises are all incorporated into the contemporary classroom experience.

Hip Hop (for ages 6 and up):

Hip Hop is an upbeat, fast-paced class based in development of strength and co-ordination between upper and lower body movement.  Detail oriented choreography fosters an understanding of how to perform cleanly and sharply, promoting a strong sense of stage presence in each student.  Hip Hop at The Bisland Dance Centre fuses break dancing, step, lyrical and traditional movement/technique to create confident students with swagger.  Each class focuses on choreography performed to current hip hop, urban and R & B music.

Musical Theatre (for ages 7 and up):

Musical Theatre blends dance with performance enhancing skills to help students become self-aware and promote self esteem and stage presence.  Based in jazz and drama, musical theatre utilizes drama games and music from Broadway musicals to help develop inspiration within its students.   It combines the physical interpretation of lyrics with facial expression, emotional intent and movement to create strong confident performers.

Stretch and Conditioning (open ages):

This course is designed for students to complement their current dance training by increasing their range of motion.  Its aim is to develop strength and increased flexibility, which are necessary components to achieve and support the technique demonstrated by dancers at more advanced levels.  This course will provide the tools to understand how to achieve increased flexibility and to promote body awareness and better fluidity of their movements.  There is no performance piece in the year-end recital and, thus, no costume requirement for this class

Adult Classes:

The Bisland Dance Centre’s adult programs consist of 45-minute classes offered in hip hop, ballet & tap depending on enrollment and interest. Our adult program is offered during term 2 (January to March) during the dance year to better suit the adult's busy schedule. For specific term dates, classes offered and pricing, please refer to the “news” icon on the left hand side of each page in late December.