Classes

The Drewitz School of Dance offers qualified professional instruction in the following classes:

TINY TOTS/ADVANCED TINY TOTS
PRE-PRIMARY
BALLET
POINTE CLASS
TAP AND JAZZ
HIGHLAND DANCING
MUSICAL THEATRE
STRETCH CLASS
HIP HOP
SPECIAL COURSES

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This course is designed for the 3 and 4 year old.  A 40 minute combination class of Ballet and Tap disciplines. The curriculum involves an introduction to dance with emphasis on posture, poise, rhythm, mime, and expression. A routine is taught in each discipline
through song and dance.
a) Ballet - Basic positions of the feet and body are introduced through a theme or rhyme. Students learn traveling steps, basic pre-school combinations and a full routine. Emphasis on the "joy of dancing”.
b) Tap - Basic terminology and tap combinations are introduced.
Students learn beginning rhythms and emphasis is put on correct timing, co-ordination, and stance. Footwork is compared and taught as a basic rhythm instrument. Students learn a full dance routine.

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A pre-school program designed for the 5 year olds. A 40 minute combination class of ballet and tap is introduced to the kindergarten age.
a) Ballet - The Royal Academy of Dance Pre-Primary curriculum is taught. Emphasis at this age is a good foundation of the basic ballet technique, posture, musicality, and presentation. Students learn floor work exercises, steps in a circle to help generate the sheer joy of movement used in dance, and steps. Mime is also taught to help the progression of children’s creativity at this age. A full dance routine is taught in the ballet discipline.
b) Tap - The Canadian Dance Teachers’ Tap Preliminary Grade is taught. This curriculum gives the basic terminology, co-ordination and rhythm sections, as well as, beginning tap combinations. Students learn that their feet “can talk” through the sounds made by technique. Emphasis on balance and correct stance is put forth through this course. A full dance
routine is taught in this discipline.

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The Royal Academy of Dance Syllabus is taught from Grades Primary through to Grade Eight, the Vocational Grades (Major Syllabus) and Teachers’ Certificate Program. 

a) Graded Examinations:  The Grades Syllabus is designed to meet the needs of young people ages 6 and up who attend ballet class once or twice a week. The syllabus has been carefully structured beginning with Pre-Primary and followed by nine levels of Primary through to Grade 8. These touch on the full spectrum of qualities a youngster may gain from the study of ballet such as: awareness of one’s own body and its capabilities for movement; expression and sensitivity; the sense of achievement which comes from mastering a goal and moving on to the next challenge - all within the framework of commensurate with a growing child’s physical, emotional and artistic development. Above all, the Grades Syllabus is designed to be enjoyed. It should bring pleasure as well as sense of achievement of the student who progresses from one grade to the next. The natural delight in dancing is combined with the knowledge and self-discipline gained by the study of classical ballet. Annual examinations are not compulsory. Nevertheless, they are an invaluable yardstick by which parents and teachers can measure the student’s progress and level of achievement. Students also receive instruction in Character and Free Movement as it is part of the curriculum from grades 1-8.

Young people may move into other areas of interest as often happens in growing up, but will have gained much pleasure and physical benefit from the ballet experience. However, for the student who wishes to go on to more advanced ballet, the Grades Syllabus provides an excellent foundation for more career-orientated training.

b) Vocational (Major) Examinations -
These are designed to measure the progress of students 11 years of age and older who wish to become professional dancers or teachers, and a very high standard of execution is required. The examinations fall into five levels: Intermediate Foundation - formerly Pre-Elementary
Intermediate - formerly Elementary
Advanced Foundation- formerly Pre-Intermediate
Advanced 1 - formerly Intermediate
Advanced 2 - formerly Advanced
each with separate exercises and syllabi for girls and boys. It is upon passing the Intermediate Foundation Examination that one becomes eligible for Student Membership; the passing of the Advanced 1 confers the Full Membership status. Holders of the Advanced 2 certificate may apply to the Executive Committee (London, England) for permission to become an Associate and to use the letters A.R.A.D.

c) Teaching Examinations -
Students completing the Intermediate Examination may apply to enter the Teaching Certificate Program through a professional Audition.

The Royal Academy recognizes the need for teaching qualifications. There is a Teaching Certificate and Teaching Diploma as well as University Programs and Degrees through the University of Durham in England. The Teaching Certificate is a three year program where students attend seminars and courses throughout. Candidates must have teaching experience and are expected to demonstrate their knowledge of the syllabi while apprenticing at an R.A.D. studio or other; they must show their ability to teach both children and Major students. In addition, they must have entered candidates for examinations, with satisfactory results, for a period of time. At the completion of the course, they are examined by a Royal Academy Examiner.

Students learn choreography and routines which are performed at the annual year-end recital.

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Tap and Jazz are offered to students from the age of 6 and up. Graded exams are now offered once students enter the Junior Program. Levels are as follows:

• Junior 1, 2, 3
• Pre-Intermediate 1, 2, 3
• Intermediate 1, 2, 3
• Pre-Advanced
• Advanced
• Associate Teachers Accreditation
• Teachers Training Seminar

Students are trained in the A.D.A.P.T. Syllabus. They are prepared for examinations and festivals at the teachers’ discretion. Students may progress from beginner to professional through the guidance of a professional teacher. Students learn the quickness and speed of demonstrating unseen work which trains them for an audition situation. Through performance and examinations, students grow in their own personal benefits and goals. Students learn choreography and routines which are performed at the annual year-end recital.

Tap

Students are guided step-by-step in the art of Tap Dancing. Students are taught posture, co-ordination, style, and showmanship along with their Graded Examination Curriculum.
The class is made up of the following elements:

1. Terminology - the basic steps in which tap dancing is derived
   
2. Amalgamated Terminology - terminology combined
   
3. Traveling steps - teaches the element and importance of movement
4. Combinations and rhythm steps - time signatures and various dance styles and rhythms are learned
5. Unseen work - Trains students to learn quickly

Not only does tap teach compare to playing an instrument with your feet the course benefits students in many other ways.

Jazz

The class is made up of the following elements:

1. Barre Work - which gives progress to the technical work
2. Flexibility - Exercises - helps condition the student through the levels of jazz.
3. Traveling Steps - introduces the importance of travel and movement in jazz.
4. Combinations - the beginning elements of choreography and routines. The basic terminology linked together.
5. Rhythm - students learn to understand time signatures and their relation to dance.

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This class is for ages 6 and up. The Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing Syllabus is taught. Students learn the authentic dances of Scottish Origin through their training. Medal tests consist of the following:

-Highland Medals

• Highland Fling
• Sword Dance
• Seann Triubhas
• Strathespeys and Reels

-Highland Nationals - the National Dances of Scotland

• Scottish Lilt
• Flora MacDonald’s Fancy
• Dusty Miller
• Wilt Thou Go To Barracks Johnny
• Blue Bonnets
• Highland Laddie
• Scotch Measure
• Earl of Errol
• Tribute to J.MacKenzie
• Heberdeen Laddie
• Village Maid

-Irish Jigs
-Sailor’s Hornpipe
-Theory Examinations

Students learn choreography in the Scottish origin. Dance-outs,
Robbie Burns Night, and year-end recital are all highlights of this class.

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Students from ages 6 and up are offered this class.
The class consists of the following elements:

• Singing
• Acting/Drama
• Dancing

Students study selected musicals and their background. Students learn the audition process to be part in Musical Productions, Theatres, and Cruise Ships. This is an excellent training for musical theatre productions and stage. The importance of the balance of all three elements is stressed; singing techniques, acting warm up and study of expression/mime, and related dancing to that specific Musical is stressed. Performances take place at the Music Festival and the year-end recital.

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This class is offered to students in the Junior 2 or Grade 2 dance levels. It is a class that is very important to all dance disciplines. Students focus on improving their flexibility, strengthening their muscles and toning their body.

Each student works for their own personal goals here as every candidate works to their abilities. Self-improvement is the focus; not comparison, as every student has a unique build.

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This class if offered to Ballet students who have completed their level of training at Grade 5 or Intermediate Foundation. Students must be the age of 11 to insure safety and that the posture, placement and technique are at the required standard. Young foot bones must be developed to the correct stage of training.

Students learn the basics of demi-pointe, foot conditioning and strengthening, as well as how to care for their feet. Royal Academy of Dance and Canadian Dance Teachers Association Major syllabi are taught jointly to reap the benefits that both offer.

This area of training is for the serious ballet student and every child advances at different stages.

Students at the teachers discretion, participate in the Pointe Production at the year-end recital.

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Students must be at a Junior 3 Jazz level to participate in this class. Hip Hop derives from the early form of Break Dancing. Students train in Street Style and Urban Style. Warm up, traveling steps and isolations build up to the combinations. Locking, Popping and Breaking with floor-work are incorporated into the moves. Students perform in dance-outs and year end recital.

1. C.D.T.A. Classes - (Classes are held each season for 3 terms)
   Classes in the Canadian Dance Teachers’ Association are offered in the disciplines of Ballet, Tap, and Jazz. Students are prepared for examinations in the Spring each year. The specifics of C.D.T.A. is to train students from age 6 and up, through their Graded System to have the opportunity to become a qualified Dance Teacher. Students improve their own dance abilities as well. It is a well- rounded syllabus that develops dancers skills to a professional level.
2. Ladies Tap Class - (Classes are held each season for 2 terms)
   A Tap Class that gives the basics in the art of tap. A great way to get in shape. Works on basic footwork, rhythms, and movement. Combinations and a routine are taught.