Dance Stars Academy offers internationally recognized and accredited syllabi for all movement styles such as Jazz, Tap, Lyrical/Contemporary, Ballet, PBT, Acro, Baton and Dance Cirque.
Understanding the art of movement in dance and building the foundation through dance exercises makes a compelling difference and adds beauty into performance of movement.
Following a professional and established syllabus is the foundation to safe dance training that complements the development needs of your dancer.
Ballet - Vaganova
We follow the Vaganova (sometimes referred to as “Russian ballet”) method and philosophy teaching classical ballet to our students. The success of the Vaganova system lies in scientifically created development of the whole learning process giving it liveness and unstoppable growth. Following strictly the induct method of transitions from easier to more complicated movements, from cellular to integrity – this is the principle of development of an artist’s consciousness and the dance technique of the student.
The Vaganova method is the most popular ballet teaching method in Russia and Eastern-Europe and dancers trained in a good Vaganova-style school are valued all over the world.
Tap and Jazz - (ADAPT) Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers
ADAPT is a certified dance syllabus that represents an elite group of dance teachers who follow the ADAPT Syllabus. ADAPT dance teachers are leaders in quality dance training. They teach the love of dance and movement not only to the elite student, but to the recreational dancer as well.
ADAPT and the ADAPT Syllabus System is taught by over 175 Canadian Dance Studios from coast to coast.
Acro - Acrobatique Certification Teacher Levels, Acrobatic Arts Certified
This program is based on safe and effective progressions with proven results in five divisions of AcroDance: Flexibility, Strength, Balancing, Limbering and Tumbling. Developed with input from professionals and experts in ballet, modern dance, jazz, contortion, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, sport acrobatics, yoga, acro yoga, pilates, physiotherapy, hand balancing and more, you will not find a more comprehensive program. Simple thoughtful progressions take the beginner preschool level dancer from log rolls and somersaults to the advanced dancer tumbling effortlessly across the stage!
PBT - Progressing Ballet Technique
Progressing Ballet Technique is an innovative program developed by Marie Walton-Mahon for students to understand the depth of training muscle memory in achieving their personal best in classical ballet.
Safe Dance training has been a passion of Marie’s as an educator for over 40 years. It is difficult for students to feel what muscles initiate the correct alignment in ballet training, however, as the fit ball is continually mobile under the students’ body, it gives the students a sense of posture and weight–placement whilst feeling each correct muscle group.
Each exercise has been developed with care and guidance with a team of physiotherapists.
Baton - Baton Arts
Created by successful studio owners and world renowned coaches and athletes, Baton Arts runs training and certification courses for twirling and dance teachers in the art of Baton Twirling. The program is based on safe, logical and effective progressions with proven results in the five divisions of Baton Arts: Contact-Full Hand; Contact-Flips and Fingers; Rolls; Aerials; and Body. Developed from years of successful coaching with input from professionals and experts in baton twirling, Baton Arts, AcroDance, ballet, modern dance, jazz, contortion, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, juggling, yoga, acro yoga, pilates, physiotherapy, color guard, hand balancing and more, you will not find a more comprehensive program. Simple thoughtful progressions take the beginner preschool level twirler from circle passes and wrist twirls to the advanced twirler effortlessly manipulating the baton for spectacular stage and competitive performances!
Circus Arts - Dance Cirque
Introduce your child to something new and unique. Dance Cirque Circus classes are in PEI! We have classes in Dance Cirque for children 2 years of age and up. Watch the excitement as your child looks forward to each class as they meet new friends, gain confidence and learn new skills in this super fun class. Includes: Interactive circuits, lyra, silks, trapeze, juggling, hula hoops and more all under the supervision of our fully qualified teachers.
Tumble Tots
Class Level
Children must be 18 months at start of first class.
Duration
6 week sessions
30 minute classes
For the little ones who just can’t stop moving! This caretaker-and-me class is for those children anxious to begin basic movement. Focusing on rhythm and musicality, this active class uses upbeat music and visual cues to develop hand – eye coordination and keep learning fun.
A great opportunity for bonding between you and your little one, and to make new social connections in your community!
Tiny Ballet Stars I
Class Level
Ages 3-5
Duration
45 minute classes
Tiny Ballet Stars is a whimsical introduction to Ballet technique and storytelling! Students learn all the basic ballet steps, as well as form and dance movements through technical exercises and fun dance games.
Dancers will explore movement through fun songs from their favourite movie musicals and classical instrumentals!
Tiny Ballet/Jazz Stars II
Class Level
Ages 5-7
Duration
60 minute classes
Tiny Ballet/Jazz Stars is a whimsical introduction to ballet and jazz technique and storytelling! Students learn all the basic ballet and jazz steps, as well as form and dance movements through technical exercises and fun dance games.
Dancers will explore movement through fun songs from their favourite movie musicals and classical instrumentals! Parents cannot believe the improvement at year’s end in posture, poise, and graceful athleticism.
Older children are given more advanced dance lessons technique, as well as choreography and improvisational exercises.
Tiny Jazz/Tap
Class Level
Ages 3-6
Duration
45 minute classes
Tiny Jazz/Tap Stars is a lively introduction to Broadway style jazz and tap technique. Students learn all the basic jazz and tap steps, as well as form and dance movements through technical exercises and fun dance games. Dancers will explore movement through fun songs from their favourite movies and tv shows!
Tiny Hip Hop Stars
Class Level
Ages 3-5
Duration
45 minute classes
Does your little one love to move and groove? Then this is the class for you!
Dancers will learn the basics of hip hop technique as well as body awareness, kinaesthetic movement, and group dynamics! Filled with learning and games, our Tiny Stars classes are a great chance for young dancers to prepare for school learning environments and, and make new friends!
Little Cirque (Acro/Cirque)
Class Level
Ages 3-6
Duration
45 minute class
Roll up! Roll up! Watch your little one gain confidence and learn new skills in this super fun class.
Includes: Basic tumbling, interactive circuits, balance beams, aerial silks, juggling, hula hoops and more all under the supervision of our fully qualified teachers.
Junior Ballet
Class Level
Must be 7 years of age by the first class day of the current dance season. Students should complete at least 2 full dance years at this level before progressing.
Duration
60 minute classes
In this class level the students study all the basic principles of classical ballet. This marks the first year of formal ballet training. The students work on the proper body placement, proper turnout, developing ballet skills (ballet conditioning), and terminology is emphasized. The class is more equally divided between parterre, barre and center work.
Classical ballet training is supplemented with curated PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) conditioning exercises. Attendance is very important because every class the students learn a new skill. The class emphasizes the repetition of exercises which is essential for advancing skill levels. This will allow the students to create a foundation of strength and to understand how their body works with the ballet vocabulary. Control is gained over shapes and body form with rhythmical exercises and traveling across the floor.
Pre-Intermediate Ballet
Class Level
*Note, meeting age group requirements alone is not sufficient for enrolment into this level.
Duration
75 minute classes, twice per week
Students in this level are encouraged to take ballet twice a week. This helps ensure that proper strength is maintained to lower the risk of injury. This class will include pointe prep work, as well as curated PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) conditioning exercises. Regular attendance is very important! At this level students will continue to build concepts introduced in Junior Ballet; strengthening the foundation from which to grow. As the ballet vocabulary increases so does the student’s ability to process combinations of steps. A greater emphasis will be placed on proper body placement and skill level development.
Intermediate Ballet
Class Level
Ages 10+
Duration
60 minutes (twice a week)
This class is for advanced students that have an understanding of proper body placement, alignment, and turnout. This class also includes pointe work. Students must take this class twice a week. This helps ensure that proper strength is maintained to lessen the risk of injury. During this stage of training students increase their understanding of how their body works in the ballet technique. More detailed emphasis is placed on the expansion of their ballet vocabulary, proper execution of the steps and coordination of the use of arms, rotation of the legs and head collectively. Students must be able to execute steps cleanly and with accuracy. Students must also display the ability to combine steps together with overall coordination and ease.
Pointe
Class Level
Ages 12+
Duration
30 minutes
Available to those in Intermediate Ballet by instructor evaluation only.
Junior Jazz
Class Level
Must be 7.5 years of age by the first class day of the current dance season.
Duration
60 minute classes
In this class students will learn basic Jazz Technique & Choreography, combinations, and routines. These classes focus on foundational skills, combination learning, directional change, and sharp, quick movements. Technique is demonstrated across the floor as students perform sequences of jumps and turns. The students will be introduced to traditional Broadway Style Jazz as well as Commercial Jazz.
Intermediate Jazz
Class Level
Ages 12+
Duration
60 minutes
This class is a continuation of the discipline studied in Junior Jazz for those students who achieved a good level of proficiency with Junior Jazz syllabus and are ready for more advanced techniques. Students enrolling for Intermediate Jazz must achieve a good level of proficiency with Junior Jazz level, or by invitation.
Note, as we follow international syllabus, meeting age group requirements alone is not sufficient for enrollment into this level. Students unfamiliar with ADAPT syllabus are strongly recommended to first complete Junior Jazz as a prerequisite.
Junior Hip Hop
Class Level
Ages 7-11
Duration
60 minutes
This class teaches the fundamentals of hip hop movement which includes rhythm, musicality, coordination, and age-appropriate hip hop choreography with no suggestive music/movement. This is an excellent class for high-energy kids who want to take a fast and fun dance class.
Intermediate Hip Hop
Class Level
Ages 12+
Duration
60 minutes
As one of the most popular forms of music out right now, hip hop is fun, exciting, and can lead to some dynamic dance routines. What’s also special about hip hop is that it often spawns its own dances that spread through the culture before hitting the mainstream at full force.
Your child can learn to “bust a move” with our skilled instructors, who will teach your children the same moves they’ve seen dancers perform in their favourite hip hop and R&B videos. Our hip hop dance classes are perfect to keep your child active while allowing them to express their creativity.
This class teaches the fundamentals of hip hop movement which includes rhythm, musicality, coordination, and age-appropriate hip hop choreography with no suggestive music/movement. This is an excellent class for high-energy kids who want to take a fast and fun dance class.
Junior Acro/Cirque
Class Level
Ages 7-10
Duration
60 minutes
Roll up! Roll up! Introduce your child to something new and unique. Watch the excitement as your child looks forward to each class as they meet new friends, gain confidence and learn new skills in this super fun class.
Includes: Interactive circuits, lyra, aerial silks, trapeze, juggling, hula hoops and more all under the supervision of our fully qualified teachers.
As defined by ADTA: Acro Dance is a style of Acrobatics used specifically for dancers. It is a genre of dance which seamlessly fuses elements of lyrical gymnastics tricks, balancing, tumbling, and jazz. Students learn Acrobatic tricks such as handstands, cartwheels, chest stands, elbow stands, walkovers, side and front aerials and tumbling lines. Trick movements are usually executed slowly to emphasize gracefulness, body lines and picturesque extension. Acro Dance offers more depth and variety to your choreography and creates a much more versatile dancer. To master an Acro Dance trick, students must develop a good foundation of strength and flexibility, thus emphasis is placed on extensive conditioning and stretch and strength training. When students are learning new tricks, the instructor utilizes professional spotting techniques; which is necessary to ensure safety and build confidence.
Intermediate Acro/Cirque
Class Level
Ages 11-17
Duration
60 minutes
Roll up! Roll up! Introduce your child to something new and unique. Watch the excitement as your child looks forward to each class as they meet new friends, gain confidence and learn new skills in this super fun class.
Includes: Interactive circuits, lyra, aerial silks, trapeze, juggling, hula hoops and more all under the supervision of our fully qualified teachers.
As defined by ADTA: AcroDance is a style of Acrobatics used specifically for dancers. It is a genre of dance which seamlessly fuses elements of lyrical gymnastics tricks, balancing, tumbling, and jazz. Students learn Acrobatic tricks such as handstands, cartwheels, chest stands, elbow stands, walkovers, side and front aerials and tumbling lines. Trick movements are usually executed slowly to emphasize gracefulness, body lines and picturesque extension. Acro Dance offers more depth and variety to your choreography and creates a much more versatile dancer. To master an AcroDance trick, students must develop a good foundation of strength and flexibility, thus emphasis is placed on extensive conditioning and stretch and strength training. When students are learning new tricks, the instructor utilizes professional spotting techniques; which is necessary to ensure safety and build confidence.
Contemporary - Movement Arts and Choreography
Class Level
Ages 12+
Duration
60 minutes
Movement Arts and Choreography is a chance for students to develop their artistic voice as well as increase their movement vocabulary. Classes are geared to the development of strength, flexibility, mobility and kinesthetic awareness, and emphasize the integration of thinking, feeling, sensing, and doing in the performance of movement.
Students will have the opportunity to both learn choreographed routines and create their own unique pieces throughout the semester.
Junior Tap
Class Level
Must be 7.5 yrs of age by the first class day of the current dance season.
Duration
60 minute classes
This class will teach students basic percussive theory, as well as rhythm and more in-depth musicality. With focus on Broadway style, students will receive well-rounded knowledge of all types of tap (including rhythm, hoofing, funk, and more).
Baton
Class Level
Ages 7-15
Duration
60 minutes
If your student is looking to start their baton twirling training, this is the class for them!
This class is for beginners only, and will set your student up for success with fundamental baton twirling training to get them started on the right foot (or hands!).
Dancers will be fitted with baton measurements during their first class, purchase link for baton can be given upon request. Dance Stars Academy is working to provide baton purchase in-studio, we recommend the no-bounce Super Star or Classic Star from Starline Baton (style availability subject to size requirements.
Any questions? We’re happy to help!)
Flex & Conditioning
Class Level
Ages 12+
Duration
60 minutes
This class will focus on building strength and conditioning using the PBT method. DSA is an accredited studio for this international syllabus that focuses on safe, controlled practices specifically for dancers.
*This class is available as an add on for Intermediate Jazz and Ballet students. Please contact the studio for bundle pricing.
The All Stars Dance Team’s focus is on the performance aspects and skills of dance that are outside the range of the regular dance class training. The group will have an opportunity to present dance works in a variety of styles, as part of educational presentations, public performances and community events. In addition, and when opportunity arises, the group members will be encouraged to take part in local and regional dance competition events. This class requires an additional commitment and flexibility from student and parents in terms of occasional performance time outside of studio class hours and location. Each performance is usually accompanied by extra rehearsals. There is also an added cost of performance costumes. The students are required to attend a minimum number of class styles per week, depending on the program.
Class Level
Mini: Ages 5-7
Junior: Ages 7.5-12
Intermediate/Advanced: Ages 12.5+
