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2 B A C K T O S C H O O L , M U S I C & D A N C E … A N D M O R E ! - S U P P L E M E N T T O T H E W I N N I P E G F R E E P R E S S - T H U R S D A Y, A U G U S T 8 , 2 0 1 9 Register For Music Lessons Today. Music lessons for all ages, stages, and styles. Professional instructors make learning fun. Convenient lesson times for busy families. No registration fees. Affordable instrument rentals. Why Choose Long & McQuade? Piano • Guitar • Drums • Strings • Brass • & more! 1074 Henderson Highway Email winnipegnelessons@long-mcquade.com for lesson inquiries. 1845 Pembina Highway (204) 284-5180 winnipeglessons@long-mcquade.com NEW LOCATION FALL 2019 CALL, TEXT OR EMAIL! 1 9 2 0 S E A S O N 80 Years R W B S C H O O L S T U D E N T, P H O T O B Y K R I S T E N S AWAT Z K Y tap jazz lyrical pointe R W B . O R G / R E G I S T E R Dance with me! ballet jazz modern modern lyrical lyrical 1 9 2 0 S E A S O N 80 Years R W B S C H O O L S T U D E N T, P H O T O B Y K R I S T E N S AWAT Z K Y tap jazz lyrical pointe R W B . O R G / R E G I S T E R Dance with me! ballet jazz modern modern lyrical lyrical 1 9 2 0 S E A S O N 80 Years R W B S C H O O L S T U D E N T, P H O T O B Y K R I S T E N S AWAT Z K Y tap jazz lyrical pointe R W B . O R G / R E G I S T E R Dance with me! ballet jazz modern modern lyrical lyrical An interactive program that aims to inspire the next generation of engineers is now available in Winnipeg. Engineering for Kids launched locally in October as the first program of its kind in the province. The franchise operates in more than 170 other locations around the world, including seven other cities in Canada. Geared for kids aged four to 14, Engineering for Kids offers extracurricular activities that focus on the STEM concepts of science, technology, engineering and math. Through classes, camps and workshops, participants engage in project-based learning that hinges on the engineering design process. Local director Pranjal Adurkar said she is pleased and grateful with the response from families, childcare centres and schools throughout the city. "We have hands-on engineering programs so kids build contraptions and learn engineering concepts along the way," said Adurkar, who has a background in physics and electrical engineering. "We also have programs in coding as well as a robotics stream, which brings programming and hardware together. We use Lego robotics, and kids learn to tackle different challenges using their robots such as unique rescue operations." Other popular options teach the basics of 3D printing, chemical engineering, aerospace engineering and much more — all in an engaging atmosphere. "We have a very low child-to-instructor ratio and we promote an inclusive environment," she said. "We try to make it fun so kids can really experience the excitement of engineering and being creative." The program aims to complement what's being offered through schools, and it can even be offered on site as an after- school program. "We can bring our programs right to schools in the 3 to 5 p.m. window when kids are done classes. That way, parents can pick them up at 5 p.m. from school, so it's a win- win for everybody," Adurkar said. "We have brought our programs to centres including University of Winnipeg, River East Transcona Continuing Education, school-age childcare centres and schools across the city." In addition, Engineering for Kids operates in community centres around Winnipeg based on demand from families in the area. "We like to call it disguised learning. It's a very novel way for kids to have fun in their free time," Adurkar said. "At the same time, they're picking up skills that they might not necessarily get the chance to explore in their free play time or academic environments." The Engineering for Kids program might even give kids a leg up when it comes to future career aspirations. "We're raising our kids for a world in the future and we don't know what it's going to look like," Adurkar said. "So by introducing engineering design concepts, maybe we'll give kids a bit of a head start for explorations of engineering as a potential career." It's also ideal to foster an interest in STEM topics from a young age, she noted. "By middle school, kids can already have a positive or a negative approach towards science and math, so it can be harder to get older kids to be interested. That's why our age group is a wonderful timeframe in which to introduce engineering as a potential career choice," Adurkar said. "They also get to make a lot of friends, so they like to come back for more courses. They have so much fun and they get to create something that they can share with their friends." Looking ahead, Adurkar hopes to see the program expand even further. "We are a locally owned franchise, so we cater our programs to what families here in Winnipeg are asking for," she said. "We would like to have programs for older and younger kids running at the same time so that siblings can attend together. We welcome requests from the community and youth organizations for bringing our programs to them." ❚ EVOLUTION DANCE COMPANY Located in Selkirk, Evolution Dance Company provides quality dance instruction in a professional studio space. Home to dancers from Winnipeg, Selkirk and the entire Interlake area, the new 6,200-plus-square-foot location features three large professional dance studios, a modern and comfortable lobby and a large change room. For dancers from ages two up to adult, classes are offered in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, creative movement, pre-dance and adult dance. ISTD Ballet program and exams are available. For more information, call 204-785- 1285 or visit EvolutionDance.ca or 200-366 Main St. in Selkirk. DESAUTELS FACULTY OF MUSIC PREPARATORY STUDIES DIVISION Have you ever longed to play the piano or wished your secret singing in the shower could transform into participation in a choir? If so, you might want to look into these opportunities at the Prep Studies Division or if not for yourself, for your children. The Preparatory Studies Division at the Desautels Faculty of Music at the University of Manitoba, celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, provides music education to the general public through a wide array of private and group programming. Students of all ages and levels are welcome. All teachers are highly qualified with performance and pedagogical experience, and lessons are available at the U of M as well as throughout the city. In addition to private lessons, Prep Studies also offers instruction in jazz, East Indian music, theory, composition, Feldenkrais technique as well as musical theatre and early childhood classes. There are six recitals a year that are open to all students who wish to participate and we also host a number of masterclasses with guest clinicians for personal performance instruction and feedback. L.A. DANCE ACADEMY The L.A. Dance Academy is celebrating its 16th year anniversary. Lucy Reveco, director of the L.A. Dance Academy, has over 100 classes per week with a wide variety of dancing disciplines, including recreational and competitive programs. Our studio features different genres for all ages: preschool combo, ballet, hip hop, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre, acro and aerial. Registration is now open! Our Open House is on Wednesday, Aug. 21 from 6 to 9 p.m., offering free classes from ages three to 17 years in various dance styles. Summer dance camps are in August both for Recreational and Competitive students. The studio is located at 2405 Main St. in a 4,800-square-foot space featuring three large studios equipped with non-slip Marley professional dance floors, 25 dance instructors and front desk reception area, which is open to serve seven days a week during class-time. We also have an ample amount of parking spaces and large observation windows in our lobby. For more information, please contact us at 204-334-0080 or visit our website at www.ladanceacademy.com LEARNING DISCOVERY PERSONALIZED COACHING TUTOR Cheryl Nicholson , M.A. Educational Sociologist Call: 204-612-3959, Email: learningdiscovery@hotmail.com, www.learningdiscovery.ca We focus on providing students with what they need to succeed! We provide students with individualized programming that builds on student strengths in a positive learning environment to promote: Learning style and study skill awareness Effective self-esteem and self-confidence Assistance to develop academic skills for better school grades Reading and writing intervention and development at all educational levels New understanding of learning strategies for academic success! MAPLES ACADEMY OF DANCE Maples Academy of Dance believes in working hard, having fun and shining like stars! With programs dedicated to bringing out the best in each dancer, their award-winning instructors conduct classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, musical theatre, acro and pointe. Their competitive and recreational programs provide fun dance opportunities for dancers age three and up, both boys and girls. Maples Academy of Dance is proud to share the art and joy of dance with all their superstar students and can't wait to celebrate 10 years of superstar dancing with you! ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET SCHOOL For 80 years, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School has been inspiring young artists and supporting them in pursuit of their goals. The RWB School is well-known for providing excellence in dance education. It is located in downtown Winnipeg and is home to approximately 1,500 students. Recreational Division classes are available in all disciplines such as tap, jazz, modern, hip hop, ballet and musical theatre for preschoolers, children and adults. Intensive Training Programs and Dance Ensembles are by audition only. Studying in the Professional Division Program is by audition only and Winnipeg auditions will be held Jan. 24, 2020. For more information, visit rwb.org/school THE SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCERS Nationally renowned, The School of Contemporary Dancers offers a diverse general program open to students of all ages in an exciting and nurturing environment. The program promotes a rich interconnectedness with the professional dance community. The directors view this as an integral part of providing a vibrant and stimulating environment for the training of students. Committed to fostering creativity within all individuals, the general program of The School of Contemporary Dancers offers a variety of classes for all ages and levels. We invite you to experience the benefits and joy of dance. THEATRE DANCE CENTRE Theatre Dance Centre is a unique dance and acting school that produces children's theatre and has regular classes. It is located off Portage Avenue on Wall Street, with plenty of parking. Our class sizes are small to ensure individual attention. Theatre Dance Centre is dedicated to promoting young people's individuality and fostering excellence while offering the best classes and exciting performance opportunities. Our Open House on Aug.17 has free classes and a preview of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Please email kathleen@theatredance.ctr.com for details and to hold a spot. For class info and to register or audition, visit www.theatredancectr.com By Jennifer McFee | Winnipeg Free Press Kids can learn STEM concepts while having fun through the Engineering for Kids program. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ENGINEERING FOR KIDS

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