Offering Training in:

BALLET

Ballet, dating back to the 15th century, is a highly structured and expressive form of dance. It is known for its precision, grace, and storytelling, with a strong emphasis on technique. Dancers must master precise footwork, turn-out, posture, and body alignment to build on the detailed vocabulary. Many of these foundational elements are the base of other dance styles such as modern, contemporary, and Lyrical.

The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) plays a significant role in promoting and preserving the traditions of ballet. The RAD is a globally recognized institution that offers comprehensive ballet training and certification. It sets high standards for ballet education, providing a structured curriculum and examinations to ensure the proper development of ballet skills. The RAD has been instrumental in shaping the training and progression of ballet dancers worldwide.

Raincity Dance offers both RAD syllabus classes as well as open ballet classes. Exams are offered at the studio twice a years for dancers to mark their achievements in ballet and at the higher levels dancers may use these accomplishments towards high school credits within the VSB.

AcroDance, Commonly known as “acro”, seamlessly merges classical dance and acrobatic precision. It’s characterized by unique choreography that combines music, emotional expression, graceful lines, and acrobatic movements within the dance context.

Originating in traditional Chinese dance and gaining popularity on the Vaudeville stage, acro has seen a resurgence thanks to contemporary circus productions like Cirque de Soleil. It’s also gained attention through TV shows like “So You Think You Can Dance,’ ‘America’s Best Dance Crew’ and ‘Dance Moms’.

Acro is a fun but demanding style requiring dancers to train in both dance and acrobatics. Techniques encompassing balancing, limbering, tumbling, and partnering, all centred on flexibility, contortion, and strength.

Acro will truly dazzle your friends.

ACRO

CONTEMPORARY

Contemporary dance, a genre that emerged in the mid-20th century and thrives today, is a highly diverse and experimental form of dance that defies traditional boundaries. It is characterized by innovation and experimentation, with choreographers and dancers pushing the limits of conventional dance forms through unconventional movements and the incorporation of various techniques. This dance style places a strong emphasis on individual expression and creativity, encouraging dancers to draw from their own emotions. Versatility is a hallmark of contemporary dance, with movements that may incorporate elements from ballet, modern dance, jazz, hip hop and everyday motions, resulting in unique and unpredictable choreography.

Contemporary dance also pays close attention to the use of space and dynamics, often involving movements across the entire stage and focusing of spatial awareness and the interplay between dancers and their surroundings. Music and sound or lack of play a crucial role to enhance emotional impact. Many contemporary dance pieces explore deep and abstract themes, emotions, and concepts, using the body to covey complex ideas and stories without the need for words. Contemporary dance works can be either narrative driven or abstract, offering a wide range of interpretations and emotional experiences.

Hip Hop, as a whole, is a culture born in The Bronx, New York in August of 1973. That first party, with DJ Kool Herc on the turn tables and Coke La Rock on the mic, was the beginning of something magical. Bboys (aka Breakers) were the first to get down to Herc’s new sound, but as the music evolved, so did the dance. Today, there are many different street styles under the banner of “Hip Hop Dance”, each with their own origin and technique.

The Bounce, Rock, and Groove make up the foundation of what we’ve come to know as Hip Hop. It can be freestyled or choreographed, and is an incredible tool to help students find their own personal flavour, confidence, creativity and rhythm.

HIP HOP

JAZZ

Jazz dance, originating in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, is a versatile and expressive dance form rooted in a blend of cultural influences. It draws inspiration from African and African American dance traditions, as well as European and Caribbean influences. This dynamic dance style encompasses a wide array of movements, rhythms, and techniques. Jazz dance is characterized by its dynamism, incorporating diverse steps, jumps, turns and isolations. Dancers often infuse their performances with syncopated rhythms, quick foot work, and expressive arms and hand gestures, requiring a strong foundation in flexibility, strength, and coordination.

Jazz dance had evolved over time to include various styles and subgenera, such as traditional jazz, contemporary jazz, lyrical jazz, and street jazz, each with its unique movements and characteristics. This dance form has found significant place in entertainment and performance, becoming a staple in musical theatre, television shows, music videos, stage performance and dance competitions. jazz routines are renowned for their lively and engaging choreography, captivating audiences with their vibrant energy. As jazz dance continues to evolve, incorporating contemporary influences and innovative movements, it remains a vital and celebrated part of the dance world, appealing to dancers of all ages and skill levels, and conveying emotions and narratives through the art of movement.

LYRICAL

Lyrical dance is a captivating and emotionally expressive style of dance that seamlessly blends elements of ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance. It is a form of artistic movement that prioritizes conveying deep emotions and storytelling.

The music is the source of inspiration and guides the emotional narrative of the dance, with particular focus on the lyrics and the mood of the music. Dancers use their bodies to convey characters, relationships, and situations, creating a visual and emotional connection with the audience. The routines often elicit strong emotional responses, as spectators become immersed in the narratives brought to life by the dancers.

Dancers aim to create a continuous and seamless flow of movement, characterizes by smooth transitions and an almost ethereal quality. This requires a high degree of technical proficiency and control over their bodies, with an underlying foundation in ballet and jazz techniques.

Creativity and personal artistry play a significant role in lyrical dance. Choreographers and dancers have the freedom to craft unique routines that reflect their individual styles and interpretations of the music allowing a rich diversity of lyrical performances.

Tap dancing is a lively and rhythmic form of dance that involves using the feet to create various sounds and patterns by striking the floor with metal plates, or “taps”, attached to the soles of the special dance shoes. This dance style has a rich history and has evolved over the years, blending elements of African, Irish, and British dance traditions to become a distinct American art form. With the help of the metal taps dancers produce distinct percussive sounds, intricate rhythmic patterns, and beats, while responding to the the rhythm, melody, and tempo of the music. Tap dancing encompasses both improvisation and choreographic routines, offering a range of styles and techniques. This art form demands technical skill, musicality, and expression.

TAP

Competitions are a fun and rewarding challenge for dancers who are looking to engage in additional performances and gain insight into their skills from adjudicators with varying backgrounds in dance. Teaching commitment and teamwork, the dancers are selected for groups dependant on compatible skill levels.

Groups will fine tune age appropriate choreography to be entered into 3 competitions for the season running February through May. Solo, Duo, and Trio competition are also an option with the possibility of selecting additional competition entries.

COMPETITIVE PROGRAM

Classes are tailored to your requirements, whether its perfecting your technique, personal artistry or training with the steps that look best with your body type. Work at your own pace! Whatever speed you prefer to progress at. You'll be paired with an instructor who is best suited to achieve your goals

Perfect for adult lessons, all genres at any level, RAD Ballet exam preparation, or creating choreography.