Dance

Extra-Curricular Activities

• Want to dance even more? Students are encouraged to participate within the dance program beyond their class, by signing up for performance opportunities and extra curricular dance collectives that perform in Dance Showcase.

  • 1. • Students and alumni participate in our dance collectives as choreographers, dancers or both! Our dance collectives rehearsal once per week from March to May and perform in Dance Showcase.

       • Join or start a dance club! Clubs have included a hip hop collective, Chinese dance troupe, Bhangra dance troupe and K-pop collective. Dance clubs have been known to perform at McNally events and create special sets for Dance Showcase. 

Top Ten Reasons to Take Dance!

1. Movement - Dancing is a fun way to be active with friends! Scientific evidence supports that moving makes you feel good. In the studio we share many smiles, laughs and memorable moments through movement. 

2. Creativity - No matter the style, dance encourages creative expression in many ways. Developing your creativity will help you learn to build trust, effective relationships and how to think critically. Creative problem solving skills developed through dance will serve you for life. 

3. Self Expression -  Dance gives you a creative outlet for ideas and feelings. In the dance program you get opportunities to express yourself as both a dancer and a choreographer.

4. Stress Relief - Movement relieves stress and provides a balance with academic course load. 

5. Belonging - The dance program is a safe haven for many students and can be for you too. All dancers move differently and this originality in movement encourages acceptance and respect for one another that spreads beyond the dance studio. 

6. Friendship - The non-competitive environment allows you to form lasting friendships and a network of support. 

7. Performance - Dance Showcase and Fine Arts Showcases are two major performance opportunities to push outside of your comfort zone. These experiences give you the chance to gain confidence in front of an audience.  

8. Field Trips & Guest Artists - See Alberta Ballet up close and personal on one of our field trips or work with talented guest artists from a variety of dance styles in the studio.  

9. Personal Growth - Dance will help you expand your comfort zone and increase your confidence and ability to take personal developmental risks now, and well into the future!

10. Academics - Dance 35 counts as an academic course and can be used as one of 5 courses to calculate admission for post secondary and scholarship applications. 

Alumni Testimonials

“I am so glad that I chose to take dance as my option at McNally. One of the reasons I loved it so much was because of the supportive network when I was there. It really felt like a community and it was really great to be a part of that and also experience that. Everyday I would walk into the studio and learn something new or be challenged in a different way. Now as an alumni dancer I have been able to come back and help with dance showcase rehearsals and attend dance showcase myself. I am so grateful and thankful to still be welcomed to these events. My experience at Dance McNally was wonderful, it helped me both physically and mentally and was definitely one of the best parts of my high school experience.” 

- K.P. 2018 Graduate

“Going to dance class was the highlight of my day, everyday I was so excited to go. It was a great way to break up sitting at a desk all day. My favourite part of dance was all the friends that I made. The best part of Dance McNally is showcase day. As a studio dancer it is really eye opening to see how we can take dancing on stage for granted and Dance McNally showed me how special it really is. I am so thankful that I was a part of the program. I have been back as an alumni choreographer for three years simply because Dance McNally has a special place in my heart and I just love it. I will come back as long as they will let me.” 

- M.C. 2018 Graduate