Classes Offered

PSB & INTERPLAY offers Dance Training to Ages 3 and Up

Visit our Registration webpage for each PSB & INTERPLAY location class schedule and forms.

Creative Movement

Our Parent & Tot program is designed for toddlers between the ages of one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half years. A parent or guardian helps to orient their child to a dance studio environment. The dance instructor works with the parent or guardian to develop the child's motor skills and natural creative movement through music and dance.

Creative Movement is offered to children between the ages of two-and-a-half to four years of age. The program is designed to develop musicality and coordination, and introduces the very basic ballet steps.

Classical Ballet

Classical ballet focuses on teaching ballet to students from 5 years of age to adult in both the Royal Academy of Dance and Cecchetti methods. Classes are offered to prepare students for examinations in both methods, but examinations are not mandatory. To be considered for examinations, students must be enrolled in a minimum of two ballet classes of the same level per week.

Pointe & Repertoire is a central part of a ballet dancer's training and repertory. Steps from ballet technique are performed on the tips of the toes using hard toed pointe shoes. Pointe demands considerable strength and flexibility in the student's foot, as well as strength in ballet technique. Teaching staff evaluate a student's ability and strength in order to determine if a ballet student is ready for pointe work.

Teen/Adult Ballet is offered to students from 12 years to adult. This class is an introduction to basic ballet with an emphasis on terminology, body alignment, weight placement and use of the ballet barre. The focus is on the enjoyment of dance and the development of basic ballet technique, flexibility and strength. If you have no ballet experience or you are unfamiliar with ballet terminology, then Teen/Adult Ballet is for you.

 

 

 

Contemporary and Modern

Contemporary Dance, offered to students ages 7 and up, is a dance form that incorporates elements from many styles of dance. Contemporary Dance utilizes both the strong and controlled legwork of ballet and modern dance's stress on the torso.

Modern Dance, offered to students ages 9 and up, is a serious theatrical form that is distinct from the rigid formalism of classical ballet and the show dancing of the musical comedy or variety stage, and has developed through an intimate understanding of the body as an expressive instrument moving in space. Modern is characterized by the use of the floor, working with gravity, and contemporary movement. Dancing in bare feet is important to retain the sense of contact and 'groundedness.'  Modern Dance favours movement deriving from the expression of inner feeling. Students are introduced to Graham and Limon styles.

 

 

 

Jazz, Hip-Hop, Tap and Acro

Classes in Jazz, Hip-Hop, Tap & Acro are offered to ages 7 & up.

Jazz Dance is a smooth, modern Broadway style of dance. Like Jazz music, Jazz Dance relies strongly on rhythm. A major element in music theatre and motion pictures, this dance is energetic with dancers using different parts of their body, such as shoulders, pelvis and head in isolated movements. It has its foundation in ballet and therefore all jazz students are strongly encouraged to enroll in ballet class. Students will learn a variety of styles from 'Broadway' to contemporary.

Hip-Hop classes incorporate the latest 'street style' dance forms. This is the high energy, upbeat style of dance seen in many music videos. It is highly recommended that students also enroll in jazz or ballet. Hip-Hop is a cultural movement; its dance form has taken on a life of its own, derived from four elements: rapping, breakdancing, Djing and graffiti.

Tap Dancing relies almost totally on footwork. The feet become musical instruments, marking out complex rhythms with heels and toes. Tap dancing was born around the time of the mid-1800s 'Minstrel Shows'. In the 20th Century, Vaudeville, Broadway and motion pictures all helped to make Tap Dancing one of the most fun and popular dance forms. The focus here is on performance technique and includes styles from Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers right up to today's Savion Glover. In Tap Dance, special shoes with metal taps are worn. The performer taps out lively rhythms and patterns with his or her heels and toes and the dancer becomes a percussive musician!

Acro combines modern, jazz and acrobatics movements. This art form improves flexibility, strength, agility and control.