class descriptions
Youth Programs
Ballet
VSC Dance's ballet program creates dancers with a strong, clean, classical ballet technique focused on artistry, musicality, and purity of line. We develop dancers who have solid technical and artistic sensibility, who are versatile, self-disciplined, and self-confident. Our faculty addresses the needs of individual students based on sound anatomical principles and current professional standards. For the more recreational student to the pre-professional student, VSC Dance is pleased to offer ballet exams.Youth and Teens
VSC Dance’s junior ballet program gives careful attention to the individual needs and development of the younger dancer. We encourage creative thinking, artistic expression, self-discipline, and musicality while fostering a solid foundation and technique born from the natural joy of movement found in every child.Pre-professional
These classes are designed for the serious student, age 12 and up, and are a continuation from the junior ballet program. Students are challenged to gain a deeper and more thoughtful understanding of the art form of ballet, both artistically and technically. Careful attention is given to develop dancers who are self-directed, versatile, open-minded, physically confident, and who have a solid understanding of functional anatomy and creative expression. Exams are also offered at this level.Pointe
Students work on strengthening exercises to develop the muscles of the feet required to support the dancer while on Pointe. Exercises will include floor, barre, and centre work. More advanced students will also learn classical variations and repertoire including some partnering work.Modern/Contemporary
A rich, diverse, and unique movement form that supports individual expression while developing a solid technical base. Classes focus on alignment, kinetic awareness and placement of the body, encouraging freedom of movement, coordination, and inner creativity. Skills of improvisation, partnering work, and creative process are developed in these classes.Modern/Contemporary (youth and teens)
This program encourages individual expression and creativity. While developing solid modern technique, these classes promote coordination, freedom in movement, confidence, and overall body awareness. Improvisation, creative process and an introduction to partnering are explored in this program. These liberating classes will let your joyful dancer shine!Modern/Contemporary (pre-professional)
Dancers will develop a solid technical base to support individual expression. Classes focus on healthy body imagery and alignment while encouraging freedom of movement, authenticity, and qualitative movement choices. All classes include release work, core conditioning and technique. Movement combinations, improvisation, partnering work and creative process skills are honed in these classes.Conditioning / PYC Training
Want to take it to the next level? Whether you are a seasoned dancer or just looking for an effective way to condition your entire body, PYC is for you. Pilates/Yoga/Conditioning combines a series of different fitness- and dance-based techniques and fuses them together (yoga, pilates, core work, strength and endurance training). This is a guaranteed effective way to lengthen muscles and increase overall flexibility and range of motion in the joints. Strengthen your entire body and improve your overall endurance! Come give it a try. All levels welcome.Performance Companies
VSC Dance is home to three Performing Repertory Companies. Acceptance into the companies is by invitation or audition. All companies work with a variety of renowned guest choreographers and VSC Dance faculty throughout the year. Guest choreographers have included Shay Kuebler, Ron Stewart Clinton Draper and Resident choreographer Jung-Ah Chung. This season we are pleased to have Josh Beamish & Robert Halley working with the companies. While the focus of these companies is on repertoire and performance opportunities, all members will also participate in dance for camera projects, dance history seminars, performance laboratories, dance funding and grant writing seminars, and more. Company members will also be encouraged to create their own work for KINECT our annual student choreographic performance. The Companies have their own show every year at the lovely Metro Theatre.Adult Programs
Adult Modern/Contemporary
These classes focus on wholesome body imagery, good alignment and artistic expression. They encourage freedom of movement, and overall body awareness. All classes include a general warm-up, release work, core conditioning, technique, movement combinations and choreography. A great way to stay in shape and express yourself at the same time. Classes for beginners to advanced dancers. Come prepared to sweat, laugh, and experience the joy and delight of being in your body!Adult Ballet
This class is designed specifically for adults wishing to experience the joy, benefits, and discipline of ballet. All classes include barre work, centre practice and variations. These classes foster and celebrate body awareness, movement, and the creative expression and experience of the individual. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the music and enter another world. The classes are non-competitive, friendly and a great way to maintain a healthy, happy body.Conditioning/PYC Training
Want to take it to the next level? Whether you are a seasoned dancer or just looking for an effective way to condition your entire body, PYC is for you. Pilates/Yoga/Conditioning combines a series of different fitness- and dance-based techniques and fuses them together (yoga, pilates, core work, strength and endurance training). This is a guaranteed effective way to lengthen muscles and increase overall flexibility and range of motion in the joints. Strengthen your entire body and improve your overall endurance! Come give it a try. All levels welcome.New Programs
IMPROV: In, On, Over, Under, Around and Through
An improv class that takes it to the street! Develop skills in the studio to observe, create, and transform your viewpoint, drawing inspiration from your environment. Take and transform information from both animate and inanimate partners, enhance physical connectivity, core support, and activity through all limbs, for an embodied physical understanding of movement. We'll take the ideas we've played with in the studio outside, to hang upside down, climb over, jump on, roll through, stand in, fly into, what we find. Why should kids have all the fun?!Yoga for Dancers
Draw on the principles of Vijnana Yoga to wake up energetic lines of connection, and expand your dance possibilities. We'll work mostly with the first three of the Seven Vital Principles, Rooting, Connecting, and Awareness of Breath, to bring ease to balance, grace and fluidity to dance combinations. Find a clearer connection to your core, and bring breath awareness into your performance, calming nerves, making dancing even more joyful.