Classes and Streams Offered at Northern Beat Dance Academy (Lac La Biche Dance Society)

Northern Beat Dance Academy is pleased to offer the community a few options in dance. Whether you
want to dance as part of a fun community recreational group while exploring other creative options in
life, or whether you want to live and breathe and fully commit yourself to a high commitment style of
dance, the Lac La Biche Dance Society has something to fit your needs. Please read the following
policies and categories carefully before committing yourself to a steam of dance. Due to the level of
group commitment needed for certain streams of dance, you must carefully weigh the options before
choosing your stream of dance for the given year.

Please note that whether you choose a highly committed competitive route or a more relaxed
recreational route, you will be in the same technical classes as other dancers in your category. This
ensures that if you choose a different stream than some of your friends, you will still have the
opportunity to dance with them in our technical classes.

➢ Classes Offered

Ballet
ESB junior grades is a newer syllabus designed by the Edmonton School of Ballet, and is Alberta based.
It is for dancers with some dance experience and early development in ballet. However, it prepares
them for the transfer to Cecchetti grade work once strong enough. We offer exams in Primary to
Junior 5.

Cecchetti Grades are a more vigorous dance syllabus developed by Enrico Cecchetti for more advanced
dancers who have the fundamentals and strength to execute the material. It's a very common and
highly respected form of dance known worldwide for many years.

Prima Ballerina *New*

For the serious 5-6yr old; In this class dancers will focus on ballet technique and learn to understand
the exam process early. This class is for any young dancer who is very committed and has a strong
passion for tutus and technique. Attendance is very important in this class.

Broadway
Broadway is a form of theatre that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The story and
emotional content of the piece – humor, love, anger – are communicated through the words, music,
movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an integrated whole. In this class, the
students will be learning a Broadway style dance and routines and they mouth the words and there is
acting involved. They will not be receiving vocal lessons.

Combo (Ballet/Jazz) or (Jazz/Tap *NEW*)

Combo classes will be an introduction of both ballet and jazz to the dancer.

Contemporary
Contemporary dance is a form of expression, which incorporates modern and post-modern aspects of
dance, as well as classical dance styles such as ballet. As opposed to many forms of dance,
contemporary dance is choreographed and dancers follow compositional philosophies.
Creative Movement
These classes introduce children to a wide variety of skills and experiences. In a group setting, they
learn to follow instructions and interact with other students under the guidance of a teacher. Children
are exposed to movements designed to help develop awareness of their bodies and to control their
motions through space. They are encouraged to explore different qualities of movement (e.g., walking
like an elephant or scurrying like a mouse). They work in rhythm using different levels (high, medium,
low) and learn to follow patterns (lines and circles). The basic movements of dance are introduced in
these classes: bending, stretching, rising, jumping, turning, and running. Musical awareness grows as
each child learns to hear and respond to different musical selections.

Hip Hop
Hip hop dance refers to dance styles, mainly street dance styles, primarily danced to hip hop music, or
that have evolved as a part of the hip hop culture.

Pre-school hip hop introduces dancers to the important fundamentals to hip hop dance, much like pre-
school prepares children for kindergarten. Exploring basic steps, learning to groove and understanding
rhythms.

Jazz
Jazz is an informal type of dance developed in the 20th century representing our popular culture. It has
roots from European music with Afro modifications emphasizing rhythm, syncopation, and swing.
Character, the ability to make changes, and original dance moves are the mode in which dancers
express and experience the feeling and fusion of the music and movement.

Lyrical
Lyrical is a stylized form of jazz with the enhancement ballet technique. Students must take a ballet
class as a co-requisite. Lyrical dance portrays a story or set of emotions while dancing. Students will be
expected to draw from within themselves; they are not simply demonstrating movements.

Mini and Me *NEW*

A Fun class that allows that allows for a parent/guardian to dance with their child! Learn a dance piece
that will attend competition in a variety of styles. No experience necessary. Meant to be a bonding
class for family and to gain exercise while learning the basic fundamental skills of dance.

Performance Group
A class that is purely choreography based. Aimed to include the strongest and most dedicated dancers
in the school. Dancers in this class are challenged with several routines and dance styles within one
year. All pieces are submitted to every NBDA event and competition.

➢ Recreational Stream

Each of our students has their own special interest in learning the art of dance. Some students dance
for the sheer joy it brings to move with expression to music. Our recreational classes focus on fun and
are geared towards current styles in music and dance. Classes are offered for boys and girls aged 3
through adult. Programs include Jazz, Hip Hop, Broadway, Lyrical, Tap and Ballet.

Our teachers encourage dancers of all ages and levels to be inspired and develop their passion as they
reach for their personal best. The experience of training in dance improves posture, rhythm,
coordination, strength and flexibility as well as enhancing life skills such as confidence, discipline and
teamwork. Recreational classes are organized by age and dance experience. Students have the
opportunity to take one class or several in any number of dance disciplines. Recreational students are
featured in our local showcasing events as planned and one competition within the year as well as our
Year-end showcase.

➢ Competitive Stream

At Northern Beat Dance Academy we strive for excellence. We believe that ordinary children can
achieve the extraordinary if they are encouraged, supported and provided with the right training. If
your child enjoys dance and is prepared to work hard in a fun but firm atmosphere then our
competitive program has a lot to offer.

The benefits of competitive dance are numerous. Dance in any form teaches proper posture, rhythm,
co-ordination, strength, flexibility, classroom etiquette, commitment, discipline and teamwork. These
qualities are all magnified within the competitive program especially commitment, discipline and
teamwork. Each dancer has a responsibility to the competitive team. Goals are set, results are
achieved and team spirit is promoted. Pride, accomplishment, loyalty and teamwork are rewards that
are far more important than the medals and trophies won. This intensive level of training enables each
dancer to reach their full potential. Whether teaching or performing is in your child’s future, the joy,
excitement, friendships, and experiences are worthwhile.

Anyone is welcome to audition for the competitive program. All competitive students are accepted
based on evaluation. Dance experience is usually necessary to be eligible for placement. The amount
of experience depends on the level and age of the company for which your child is being
considered. Competitive classes will not perform in the local showcases (with the exception of
performance group) but will be required to commit to 3 out of town competitions. Competitive dance
classes also will perform at the Year End showcase.

➢ Class Requirements

1 All Dancers in recreational and competitive programs must take Ballet Tech - EXCEPT Hip Hop,
Broadway or Jazz Recreational.
2 Contemporary dancers must have minimum of 2 years of ballet. Junior Rec: Working on Junior
one exam or higher, Junior Comp: One year of ballet and has past their on Junior 3 exam
Senior: One year of ballet must have been in Junior 5 ballet and over. All must be over 9 years
of age.
3 Lyrical Recreational is open to anyone over 8 years of age who is currently in Ballet Technique.
No previous experience is required.
4 Lyrical Competitive dancers must be in both Ballet and Jazz Technique and have minimum 2
years of Ballet.
5 Recreational dancers may still take Technique classes for Jazz if they would like. This would help
the transition easily to competitive classes in the future.

The chart below shows the requirements for each class.

Class Stream Age Requirement 1 Requirement 2 Requirement 3
Ballet Choreo - Rec Rec 7+ 1 current Ballet n/a n/a
Tech class
Ballet Choreo - Comp Comp 7+ 1 current Ballet Comp 1: Required n/a
(1, 2, 3, 4) Tech class to attend at least
2 competitions
and year end
recitals

Comp 2-4:
Required to
attend 3
competitions and
year end recitals.
Ballet Tech n/a 5- n/a n/a n/a
• Primary (5-6 yr 18yrs
exam prep)
• Junior 1-5
• Cecchetti
• Pre-pointe/pointe
Broadway Rec 7+ Attends Required to n/a
community attend at least 1
performance and competition may
year end recital be asked to
attend 2.
Combo (ballet/jazz) Rec 5-6 Attends n/a n/a
community
performances and
year end recital.
Combo (jazz/tap) Rec 5-7 Attends n/a n/a
community
performances and
year end recital.
Contemporary - Comp 9-12 1 current Ballet Required to n/a
Junior Tech class (Rec- attend 3
junior 1 exam or competitions and
higher, Comp: year end recitals.
Junior three exam
passed)
Contemporary - Comp 13+ Must have 2 years 1 current Ballet Required to
Senior ballet experience, Tech class attend 3
with 1 year in competitions and
Junior 5 and year end recitals.
above for senior,
junior 3 and
above for junior
Creative Movement Rec 3-4 Attends n/a n/a
 community
performances and
year end recital.
Hip Hop (Pre-school) Rec 4-6 Attends n/a n/a
community
performances and
year end recital.
Hip Hop 1 - Comp Comp 7-9 Attends 3 n/a n/a
competitions and
year end recitals
Hip Hop 2 - Comp Comp 10+ Attends 3 n/a n/a
competitions and
year end recitals
Hip Hop (Boys) Rec 7+ Attends at least 1, n/a n/a
could be asked to
attend 2
competitions,
community
performances,
and year end
recital.
Hip Hop Crew Comp 10+ By audition only Attends 3 n/a
competitions and
year end recitals
Hip Hop - Adult Rec 18+ Attends at least 2 n/a n/a
competitions,
community
performances and
year end recital.
Jazz Choreo - Rec Rec 7+ n/a n/a n/a
Jazz Choreo - Comp Comp 7+ 1 current Ballet 1 Jazz Tech class Choreography
(1, 2, 3) Tech classes class. Must attend
current Jazz and
Ballet Technique
class. Required to
attend 3
competitions and
year end recitals.
Placement at
instructor’s
discretion.
Lyrical - Rec Rec 8+ Must have 1 year 1 current Ballet Attends one
previous ballet Tech Class. festival,
experience community
performances,
and year end
recital.
Lyrical - Comp Comp 8+ Must have 2 years 1 current Ballet Attends 3
Junior/Intermediate ballet experience and 1 Jazz competitions and
Technique class. year end recitals.
Lyrical - Comp - Comp 12+ Must have 2 years 1 current Ballet Attends 3
Senior ballet experience and 1 Jazz competitions and
Technique class year end recitals.
Mini and Me Rec 9+ Attends n/a n/a
community
performances and
year end recital,
at least 1
competition, may
be asked to
attend others
Performance Group Comp 8+ By audition only Currently Attends
registered in 2 community
different performances, 3
disciplines competitions and
year end recitals
* Recreational dancers may still take Technique classes for Jazz if they would like. This would help
the transition easily to competitive classes in the future.

Updated August 14, 2018