Professional Education Program
The Dance Institute strives to provide dance education that supports artists now and well into their future careers. To us, this means ensuring we are using the best evidence, dance science research with traditional pedagogical approaches along side wellness practices to customize our unique programming.
The half day program for students 10+ years, seeking intensive professional training and career preparation in dance will find a program that supports both physical and mental aspects of dance. The program runs 10 months of the year, Monday through Friday with an additional summer intensive requirement. Acceptance into the program is by audition.
Students attend dance programming in the morning and academic schooling in the afternoon. Within the professional environment students are given the educational tools to assist them in becoming their own artist. Students are supported in their goals and directions through education, performance and creative projects throughout the year. Training is open to all dancers of excellence regardless of background.
We currently run our programming out of the studios at
Halifax Dance, but the best way to reach us is via email or phone.
Curriculum
A combination of both technical and theatrical classes make up the dance programming, utilizing science-based evidence and traditional pedagogy theories, providing students with skill and knowledge of the dance industry.
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-Ballet Technique
-Pointe Technique
-VariationsBallet focused programming with examinations held in the Cecchetti Method. Students can expect daily technique and pointe classes alongside repertoire class, studying romantic, classical and contemporary styles.
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Our contemporary dance classes are based on the foundations of classical ballet and modern dance styles. Contemporary dance explores freedom of movement, choreographic development and the joy of self expression. Students will study complex body coordinations, alignment, changes in rhythm, speed & direction, transfer of weight, creative improvisation and floorwork.
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Jazz dance is an African American art form. Within studies students will explore, and pay homage to the Black roots of this art form, and work to gain an understanding of the history, and complexities of Jazz dance. We will celebrate and learn about American vernacular social dances (such as Swing dance), and find ways to propel the style of dance forward, while honouring the past. Improvisation, individuality, musicality, and rhythm are all integral to this style of dance.
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Knowledge and exploration is the focus of all workshop programming. Students will be exposed to a variety of professional artists, health specialists, and academics experts providing both knowledge and expertise in their area of study.
Workshops Include:
-Nutrition
-High-Performance Mindset Coaching
-Career planning
-Anatomy
-Composition
-Studio to Stage presentation
-Choreography
-Character Development
-Musicality and Rhythm
-Dance History
Academics
We recognize traditional academic scheduling is difficult to fit into the optimum training hours for young bodies. In an effort to meet the individual academic needs of students enrolled in the full time professional education program, students are presented with academic options. The Dance Institute has formed a positive connection with the following institutions to give each student and family academic options:
Homeschooling
Accommodation—Out of town students 19 years or younger who will require accomodation can be arranged through TDI Artistic Director, Diana Rutherford.
Uniforms
We encourage applicants of all gender expressions to train in what makes them feel best. We believe individuality and self-expression is important for student growth and development—That’s why we’ve partnered with our Costume Manager Kate Mitchell, owner of Kala Dynamicwear, to create custom uniforms to allow our students to express themselves.
Students participating in the Professional Education Program will have the opportunity to customize one personalized uniform, as well as a standard version based on their level.