Dance Technique

The Classic Program focuses on technical and stylistic mastery in the disciplines of classical ballet and modern dance equally.  Candidates for the Classic Program have a strong technical foundation already for our grade 9 entry point. 

Recognizing our dancers in the Classic Program train in different studios across the city, we instruct our own exigent syllabi influenced by the Russian Vaganova style and RAD in ballet and by modern dance pioneers such as Martha Graham, José Limón and Lester Horton.  The technical demands of the program become increasingly technically challenging, complex and sophisticated throughout the four years.

Dance Composition

Students build their choreographic abilities through the studying the elements of dance; varied composition exercises; and the creation of individual and small group choreographic works.  Students learn to combine the elements of dance in original sequences and explore how to develop rich ideas and themes through structured tasks with increasing freedom throughout the grades.  Complemented with open discussion, guided improvisation and ongoing performance feedback, students begin to develop an aesthetic consciousness and the ability to express themselves accurately while effectively projecting their ideas to an audience.

Performance

A variety of performance opportunities in school and in the community provide students with experience in front of an audience.  Dance students perform in class, school assemblies, other schools, community events and evening public performances.  Importantly, guest artists are brought into the program to lead workshops and deliver novel choreography to expose students to a variety of ideas and dance genres.

At the senior levels, the program offers students the opportunity to work in the grade 12 Canterbury Dance "Company". The Company course is designed to allow students to explore choreography in great depth and offers multiple opportunities to perform for public audiences, building on their technical abilities and sense of presentation.  Students learn how to create a professional dance production, including stage and lighting design; marketing and promotion; as well as backstage and front-of-house organization.

Our Holistic Approach to Dance Education

Dancers study dance history and culture, including the origins and evolution of these dance forms as well as the terminology associated with them.  Students have multiple opportunities to review professional dance performances in a variety of dance styles.  Faculty help students develop the ability to think critically about their experiences and present their analysis proficiently.

Importantly, we believe that a healthy and happy dancer will reach their fullest potential.  Our caring faculty places high value on encouraging proper healthy nutrition and wellness.  We also work with parents/ guardians and guidance counselors to ensure dancers take the appropriate time to recover from injury or illness.  We also discuss and promote positive coping strategies for our dancers’ busy lifestyles as they strive to maintain their academic progress while in our rigorous program.  

We make it a priority to offer workshops, led by ourselves or experts in the community, to support our dancers’ ongoing learning and well-being. Most recently, these workshops have included musculoskeletal anatomy; concussion management; nutrition; as well as dancer wellness, meditation and gratitude, among others.

We welcome candidates for positions in our Classic Program for grades 9-12.

1. Appy between Nov 15th - Dec 7th, 2023. 

2. Auditions will take place in person in Studio B at Canterbury High School. Once candidates have successfully applied online, they will receive a confirmation letter with the date and time of their first large group audition class to take place between in February 2024.  At the end of this audition class, candidates will be given the date and time of their second small group audition class to take place 1-3 business days later. Candidates must attend both classes for their application to be considered.

3. Long-distance candidates should contact our Arts Coordinator (liz.hanson@ocdsb.ca) to obtain permission to submit a video audition according to our specific requirements. This opportunity is reserved for candidates temporarily living out of the province or country or temporarily living more than 4 hours away from Ottawa. Click here for long-distance audition instructions. Incomplete video submissions will not be processed.

Candidates will be greeted warmly by our faculty and will notice our CHS dance classes taking place concurrently.  We will have a male and female change room allotted for our candidates; some seating will be available for parents/ guardians who wish to wait in the hallway during the audition class. The studio doors will be closed. 

The audition will proceed much like a typical ballet class: an approximate 35- minute barre followed by a 40-minute center practice. If you receive feedback from the teacher, try your best to implement the correction. There will also be a modern improvisation exercise during which candidates can demonstrate movement outside the ballet genre. 

There will be two audition panelists taking notes during the audition.  

At the end of the first audition class, candidates will be given an invitation to return for a second audition in a smaller group.  The ballet class will be very similar to the first audition so dancers can demonstrate their growth.  There will also be a stretching segment. Following the dancing portion, each candidate will have a private opportunity to share with the panel why they would like a spot in the Classic Program. They should speak honestly and from the heart.

Candidates for the Classic Program are encouraged to wear tight-fitted clothing such as: 

• a black bodysuit and pink or skin-coloured tights with ballet shoes

or

• a fitted dance tee and black dance tights with ballet shoes

All dancers should secure their hair neatly, such as in a bun, with bangs off the face, fastened with a headband or hair clips.