Education

14 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2019 DANCE PROGRAMS STEPPING INTO DANCE By Jennifer McFee for the Free Press When you jump into a dance program, it's an effective way to put a spring in your step. Celebrating its 80th anniversary season, Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet offers a ballet academic program, a post-graduate aspirant program and a teacher-training program through its professional division. "The ballet academic program basically coincides with grades 6 to 12. That's our Level 1 to 7 in the ballet form," said school director Stéphane Léonard. "Then our post-graduate program is a two-year program that works alongside the company. It's training and finalizing dancers, giving them experience to work very closely with the company. We prepare them to enter the market with a portfolio, resumé and audition video." About 70 per cent of the company is formed by dancers who have been through the school, he added. "That is quite phenomenal. There are not a lot of schools and companies that work so closely," Léonard said. "We have the residence here that can house up to 60 students from age 11 up to their graduation. We have a few locals from Winnipeg, as well as (students) from neighbouring provinces and internationally. This is really a dance- intensive program that trains the dancers towards a professional career." In the recreational division, there are options for dancers of all ages with classes in ballet, jazz, hip hop and much more. "We welcome everyone," he said. "We have programming for adults with performances. We also have an intensive program, which is part of the recreational division." Whether you're involved at a professional level or a recreational level, the value of dance is clear to see. "The benefits are not just co-ordination but also assembling your body, mind and soul. It provides health benefits but also mental benefits — and it's enjoyable," Léonard said. "There's also a social and community aspect to it. This is very much a family. If you come in the building, it's bustling with energy and there's a great community atmosphere." At the School of Contemporary Dancers, Faye Thomson and Odette Heyn co-direct the Senior Professional Program. They were appointed as members of the Order of Canada in 2016 for their contributions to contemporary dance in Canada. The school is considered a national centre of training and it's funded by the federal government's Department of Canadian Heritage. "The program draws students from across Canada and internationally. The Professional Program is affiliated with the University of Winnipeg. Through that affiliation, the work in the program receives up to 13 credits in dance towards a B.A. honours in dance," Thomson said. "Virtually all our graduates from this program attain professional work as dancers in the contemporary dance area and are working across Canada and internationally." The Professional Program presents several performances throughout the year, including a series for public school tours as well as national and international tours. The Junior Professional Program, directed by Gaile Petursson-Hiley, also features several performances throughout the year. "The Junior Professional Program focuses on excellence and on individual achievement in a nurturing and supportive environment," Thomson said. "All Junior Professional Program students have the opportunity to be cast in featured solos and duets. They're all given equal opportunity to succeed in a supportive environment." The General Program is open to students aged two and up, with classes that include contemporary dance, ballet, contemporary African, jazz, tap, hip hop and breakdance. In addition, the school offers an adult intensive program for students at an intermediate or advanced level. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, there are bountiful benefits to getting involved in dance. "No matter whether it's somebody who's coming once a week or somebody that's training 20 to 30 hours a week, the dancer is given the opportunity to experience participation in the arts," she said. "For young people or adults in the General Program, it's an opportunity for conditioning and physical fitness. They get to develop musicality and artistry and to discover the artist within." For more information, visit rwb.org/school or schoolofcontemporarydancers.ca. ❚ Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, dance education can benefit you in many ways. Photo credits: Rodney Braun (top right), Kristen Sawatzky

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