Intensive Dance Programs for 2023-2024

The Harbour Dance Studios intensive dance program is entering it’s fourteenth year for the 2023/2024 season!  As one of the first and longest running programs in the province, we are very excited for this season!  Our dancers have gone on to professional schools including the National Ballet, Royal Winnipeg BalletSchool of Contemporary Dancers, the Joffrey Ballet, Arts Umbrella, and others.

Our intensive dance classes run in both the afternoons and evenings so that students from bricks and mortar schools in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District (SD68) can attend during specific school blocks depending on their grades.  Students who wish to register with one of the distributed learning schools in BC like Navigate/NIDES (SD71), ConnectED (SD68), EBus (SD91), etc… can register with these schools and attend dance classes during the same blocks.  If you would like more information on the distributed learning school available in BC, please do not hesitate to ask.  We have experience with many of these schools.

Intensive Dance Classes

The students work with our certified dance teachers to improve their skills in ballet, pointe, modern, contemporary, jazz, lyrical jazz, acro and progressions. Given the rapid skills progression in this program, there is an active competitive element and the students attend multiple competitions throughout the year for both group and individual work.  The students form a close social group that is supportive and makes this program a great place to learn and grow as a dancer.

There are five groupings in the program that are based on a combination of age and skill level.  These groupings help to ensure that everyone progresses at a fast but sustainable pace.  Following are some examples of the accomplishments / grades needed for entry into each group, but other factor enter into the decision as well.

Aspiring Program – 11yrs+

  • Ballet – RAD Grade 4
  • Jazz – CDTA Grade 3
  • Tap CDTA Grade 3

Mandatory Classes = 3.5hrs of dance per week

  • Ballet – 2.5 hrs per week
  • Ballet Choreography .75 hr per week
  • Jazz – 1.25hrs
  • Additional class options are available

Emerging Program – ages 11yrs +

  • Ballet – RAD Grade 5
  • Jazz – CDTA Grade 4
  • Tap – CDTA Grade 4

Mandatory Classes = 5hrs of dance per week

  • Ballet/Pointe – 3 hrs per week
  • Ballet Choreography .75 hr per week
  • Jazz – 1.25hrs
  • Additional class options are available

Striving Program – Ages 13yrs + 

  • Ballet – RAD Grade 7
  • Jazz – CDTA Elementary/Intermediate
  • Tap – CDTA Elementary/Intermediate

Mandatory Classes = 4.5hrs of dance per week

  • Ballet – 2.75 hrs per week
  • Pointe -.5 hrs per week
  • Jazz – 1.25hrs
  • Additional class options are available

Intensive Half Day Program – Ages 11yrs +

  • Ballet – RAD Intermediate
  • Jazz – CDTA Elementary
  • Tap – CDTA Elementary

Mandatory Classes = 11 hrs of dance per week

  • Ballet Classes – 5 hrs per week
  • Pointe Classes – .75 hrs per week
  • Ballet Choreography – 1 hr per week
  • Contemporary – 1.25 hr per week
  • Jazz – 1.25 hrs per week
  • Jazz Technique – 1 hr per week
  • PBT/Stretch – .75 hrs per week
  • Additional class options are available

Pre-Professional Half Day Program – Ages 13yrs +

  • Ballet – RAD Advanced 1 and 2
  • Jazz – CDTA Intermediate / Advanced 
  • Tap – CDTA Elementary / Intermediate / Advanced

Mandatory Classes = 16.25 hrs of dance per week

  • Ballet Classes – 6.5 hrs per week
  • Pointe Classes – 3 hrs per week
  • Pointe Choreography – 1 hr per week
  • Contemporary Technique – 1.25 hrs per week
  • Contemporary Choreography – 1 hr per week
  • Jumps & Turns – 1 hr per week
  • Jazz – 1.25 hrs per week
  • Jazz Technique – 1 hr per week
  • PBT/Stretch – .75 hrs per week
  • Additional class options are available

Entrance into Half Day Programs

Entrance to the dance portion program is by audition.  Dancers must exhibit an appropriate degree of skill for their age, be interested in dancing at a higher more intense level, and work well with others.

Auditions

Our auditions have already taken place, but please contact us if you are interested in any of these programs.  Space is still available.