Primary Dance Programs
(Ages 3-6)

3 years old

Dance Adventures (creative movement) - New young dancers are given a chance to learn to move and use their imaginations. Each week will be a new imagination adventure, along the way they will learn new dance moves and even create some of their own!

4-5 years old

Pre-School Dance – This is a 45 minute combination ballet and Tap class. Dancers will learn basics in a fun and creative atmosphere.

6 years old

Primary Ballet - A more concentrated introduction into the world of classical ballet. Students will learn the foundation technique for further dance training in any genre.

Primary Tap and Jazz Combination - This class will teach the basic steps and techniques of tap and jazz as well as teach the fundamental elements of dance such as counting, rhythm and co-ordination that will be used in all forms of dance.

Primary Hip Hop- This class will teach basic fundamentals of hip Hop, including strength, co-ordination and rhythm to upbeat, age appropriate music.

Primary Acro- This class introduces acrobatic elements in a safe and fun environment. Students will gain strength and co-ordination needed to enter our Acro Program. 

Recreational Dance Programs
(Ages 7 and up)

Jazz - Jazz is an athletic style of dance that uses many kinds of music. Each class begins with a warm-up that teaches student's proper body alignment and promotes, strength and flexibility. This is followed by focus on specific elements or steps and class is finished with work on a dance or combination of steps.

Tap -  Tap is a style of dance that teaches student musicality and rhythm. Class begins at the barre working on basic movements as well as leg and ankle strength. Class then progresses to steps executed in the center of the room and class is finished with work on a dance or combination of steps.

Classical Ballet - Our classical ballet program is for students who have a serious interest in dance. We follow the Cecchetti Ballet method, the same method taught at many professional training schools. This is a graded syllabus and students are required to pass examinations to progress to the next level.

Contemporary (students in Gr. 6 at school and up) - Contemporary dance is for the more mature dancer who wishes to explore the artistic side of dance. Class will consist of a warm-up in which students will learn fundamentals of contemporary dance, this will be followed by steps travelling across the floor and the class will finish with work on a piece of choreography

Hip Hop - Hip Hop classes teach rhythm, coordination, and strength through the use of age-appropriate hip hop music and choreography. Each class consists of a warm-up that includes strength-building exercises and works on a combination of steps or a performance piece of choreography. This class is high-energy and great for physical fitness.

Acro - 

Intensive Study Programs

We offer intensive Training in Tap Jazz, Contemporary and Acro. Our Intensive Study Courses have prerequisite classes and require an audition to be admitted. These classes are for serious dancers but do not require you to participate in competitions. These students must be studying exclusively at Great Lakes Dance Academy.

Click here for more detailed descriptions of the Intensive Study Dance program.

Dance Company

Part-Time Company

Part-time Company will attend 1 competition in the spring. Rehearsals will begin after Christmas break. The style and number of routines will vary from year to year. Prerequisite: You must be enrolled in 1 class in the style of the routine (i.e.- 1 jazz class for a jazz routine at the appropriate level) and you must be available for the duration of the rehearsal period.

No audition required, a letter of invitation would be sent home in December. No Solos, duets or extra small groups will be offered to part time company members.

Full-Time Company

Students who are in our Intensive Study Program are invited to join our Company. Our Full-time Company runs from October to Mid –April. We attend 2 competitions and one dance convention (which includes a competition). The purpose of this company is to develop dance artists through learning, perfecting and performing a variety of dance pieces. The goal is not to win competitions, but to gain experience as a performer and dance artist. Competitions are a great way to validate our hard work and have a chance to perform for dance industry professionals, but the goal each season is to improve our skills and build confidence as dancers.

Junior Company is divided into a Tap Company and Jazz Company. Senior Company is divided into Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Acro and Ballet Companies.

Click here to read more about the Dance Company.

GLDA Theatre (Ages 8 and up)

The GLDA Theatre program is a skills-building program designed to introduce youth to musical theatre. Students receive training throughout the year in singing, theatre and dance developing skills they need to perform in front of a live audience. 

During each session students receive approximately 45 minutes of instruction in each discipline. The program culminates in a final presentation at the end of the year for family and friends. 

The final presentation is developed in physical/ensemble style theatre that involves total participation of all actors at all times. There is minimal use of set and props. All participants remain involved and must always remain inter-connected to the group. 

Click here to read more about the GLDA Theatre Program.