Programs
Interplay offers a full range of recreational and pre-professional dance classes for Children, Teens and Adults in the following dance disciplines:
Children's Ballet (ages 3-6)
Creative Movement, Basic Primary, Pre-Primary. Interplay's philosophy for teaching young children to dance is simple--let each child find a way to enjoy movement. Through structured and free movement our teachers guide the students, allowing each to discover his or her body's capabilities and potential. By stimulating mental and physical creativity (musically, spatially and rhythmically) children discover the magical world of dance, how their bodies react to the music and how much fun they can have trying to master it.
Classical Ballet (ages 6 & up)
Interplay offers ballet training following both the Royal Academy of Dance and Cecchetti syllabi. Students wishing to be considered for examination must be enrolled in a minimum of two ballet classes of the same level per week. This is to enable students to be thoroughly prepared. Examinations are not compulsory.
Senior Ballet/Intensive Programs
Our senior division is designed for the more serious dancer. Students attend both technique and pointe classes. Intermediate and Advanced students have the opportunity to learn and perform various classical repertoire. Even though pointe work is incorporated at these levels students should not purchase pointe shoes until their ballet teacher advises them that they are ready for the challenge both physically and technically.
Intensive Dance Programs are offered to talented students who wish to pursue a career in dance. Entry into this program is by audition and appointment only. Please contact our office for an application form or for more information.
Enhanced Intensive Program
The Enhanced Program focuses more on classical training in ballet, pointe, repertoire, pas de deux, and conditioning. All other dance forms will be in the regular intensive stream. These students can also choose any intensive classes. Therefore, each student will have an individual schedule. This program is offered by audition only to students in Grade 7 to Grade 12.
Interplay Dance Company and Competitive Division
IDC and Competitive Division programs offer performance and competition opportunities to students in Intensive 4 and up. Entry into these programs is by audition only and participation requires serious commitment. Please contact our office for an application form or for more information
Pointe and Repertoire
Pointe and Repertoire are a central part of a 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 student is ready for pointe work.
Modern Dance (ages 9 & up)
Modern dance is a serious theatrical dance 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'. At Interplay students are introduced to Graham and Limon styles. Modern dance favors movement deriving from the expression of inner feeling.
Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Acro Dance (ages 7 & up)
Jazz dance, like jazz music, 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 (Justin Timberlake and Outkast). It is highly recommended that students also enroll in jazz or ballet.
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.
Acro combines modern, jazz and acrobatics movements. This art form improves flexibility, strength, agility and control.
Lyrical (ages 7 & up)
Lyrical Dance explores self-expression through ballet, jazz and modern technique. Lyrical is danced to modern music, with dance moves that emphasize the lyrics.
Teen Ballet (ages 12 & up)
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 are unfamiliar with ballet terminology then Teen Ballet is for you.
