Class Descriptions
WEE FOLK Sessional Dance classes (2-4 years old)
Wee Folk sessions are 6 week long sessions that are specially created for the tiniest dancers. Classes are teacher-guided and filled with child-inspired imaginary play with a focus on physical exploration. Wee-Folk sessions are NOT full-year classes like most other FadaDance classes.
One session is offered in the fall and one session is offered in the spring.
Fall 2023
Oct.14, 21, 28; Nov. 4, 18, 25
Spring 2024
Mar.16, 23; Apr.6, 13, 20 (Dance Share Apr. 27)
The ages are as follows:
Wee Folk: 2 & 3 years old (Accompanied by a parent / caregiver)
"It is a happy talent to know how to play." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
This 6 week session is a teacher-guided, child-inspired imaginary play with a focus on physical exploration. Using seasonal songs, stories, rhythm and rhyme, the session is a gentle reminder about the pleasure of creative play.
3 & 4 years old (Able to attend class without parent / caregiver)
"Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning." - Mr. Rogers
This 6 week session is a teacher-guided, child-inspired imaginary play with a focus on physical exploration. Using seasonal songs, storytelling, rhythm and rhyme, the session is a gentle transition for those still learning how to navigate in a bigger creative world.
***NEW CLASS***
GOLDEN WEE FOLK Sessional Dance classes
(2-4 years old)
Golden Wee Folk: 2 to 4 years old (Accompanied by a grandparent / caregiver)
"Everything in the universe has a rhythm; everything dances." -Maya Angelou
An accessible, easygoing, joyful dance connection between our youngest dancers and their special older ones.
A four-week "dance date" for a young one (ages 2-4) finding their footing in this big world alongside a grandparent who is remembering their own. Calling all kokums, opas, abuelas, and even older aunties or uncles!
Here is your weekly chance to move, sing and share this valuable time with your grandchild.
Winter 2024
Jan.27; Feb 3, 10, 24
Saturdays, 9:30am to 10am*
*our "easy out" (10am-10:15am) allows for a smoother transition for leaving; even a last lap or chance to make new friends.
CREATIVE DANCE (4-7 years old)
Young movers begin to discover dance within themselves through exploration of their natural, inherent movement.
In these creative dance classes tailored for children, dancers will become aware of basic dance concepts including levels, pathways, directions, tempo, rhythm, shape, balance, and dynamics. The dancers will build movement vocabulary whilst developing an understanding of body alignment and awareness. Dancers explore contemporary/creative dance through the context of stories, composition, rhythm, music, and art.
FadaDance’s creative dance program is designed for young dancers 4-7 years in age.
Dance 4, 5, 5B, 6, 6B, 7, Contemporary 1, 1B, 2, 2-3, Kids Tech 1 & 2 will run from mid-Sept and culminate at The Little Big Show on Saturday, May 11, 2024.
Creative Dance for 4-year-olds
Children develop skills of body awareness, locomotor movement, cooperating with others, and following directions. The material is presented in a fun-filled constructive atmosphere.
These classes will begin in Mid-September and run until May 4, 2024.
(Please note that children must be toilet trained to enter these classes.)
DANCE 5, 5B, 6, 6B, 7
Young dancers continue to discover, experiment and solve movement problems while deepening an understanding of themselves as dancers. Children will explore creating dances and combining movements. These classes develop basic dance concepts and increase skills through autonomous and collective dance.
The “levels” of these creative dance classes correspond with a dancer’s age.
For example: Dance 6 & Dance 6B are for 6 year olds. Dancers must be the correct age by October 31st of each year to be eligible for the class.
CONTEMPORARY DANCE FOR YOUTH (8-18 years old)
Contemporary dance is an art form reflective of today's ever changing world. The creation process in these classes draws on contemporary dance techniques as well as an array of endlessly developing philosophies of movement based on the study of human body/mind relationships.
These classes are designed for dancers 8 years old and up. Students are challenged in their own dance making by expanding their repertoire through learning compositions and choreography. Improvisation is used as a technique in creating new, innovative, student driven dance and is key to the dancer's development and learning. Technique is encouraged and refined through the creative process of dance making.
CONTEMPORARY DANCE FOR MASCULINE MOVERS (OR BOYS) - Cont 10 Boys (Wild Things)
This class is conducive to teens who identify with a more masculine way of moving. High in energy and delving into a robust and rugged style of working, dancers will explore improvisation and choreography, which will provide adventurous experiences in dance. Though this series of classes was originally geared towards boys specifically, we encourage any dancers who identify as masculine to participate.
TECHNIQUE FOR THE YOUNG DANCER
Youth Technique classes emphasize strength, flexibility, coordination, good posture, muscle toning, and musicality. Barre, floor barre, center work, and movement combinations are used to develop a strong foundation in contemporary dance technique. Technique class incorporates various approaches to dance conditioning to improve strength, flexibility, and alignment.
Classes are offered in a relaxed and supportive learning environment, nurturing a personal sense of well-being.
For ages 8-10 Technique is strongly advised and completely encouraged.
For ages 11 and older Technique is mandatory in addition to a dancers’ contemporary class (unless you have permission from the teacher or AD of school).
Current students are informed of their level of Technique Class to take. For new students, please contact Misty at misty@fadadance.ca or Heather heather@fadadance.ca to discuss what level of Technique Class is appropriate for your child.
ADULT CLASSES (18 +)
YOUNG ADULT - Advanced (Misty)
A class for students transitioning from Youth Contemporary to Adult classes and other young adults interested in dance. Focus is placed on fine-tuning dance technique, exploration of quality and style of movement and pushing the development of phrasing and combinations. Students are encouraged to contribute to the creative process and must feel comfortable in a performing atmosphere. A strong commitment to attending class regularly is a must.
ADULT BEGINNER CONTEMPORARY - Beginner (Isabella)
This is a high-energy contemporary dance class for adults who may not have previous dance experience, but have an itch to move and perform. Each class will begin with a combination of guided improvisation, cardio and floor work to warm up and explore movement. Dancers will then be challenged to learn beginner contemporary dance phrases and to work in groups to improvise and create their own movement phrases. As phrasing is developed, this will evolve as choreography to develop a piece for the year-end FadaDance performance. A commitment to regular attendance and a desire to perform is required.
The instructor for this class is Isabella Wishlow.
UNO - Beginner/Intermediate (Heather)
This class explores contemporary dance technique, exploration of movement quality and style, dance improvisation and the development of phrasing and combinations. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves by contributing to the creative process and engaging in performance opportunities. A strong commitment to attending class regularly is a must.
ADULT ADVANCED CONTEMPORARY- Advanced (Misty)
This is a fast-paced class where students are expected to pick up warm-up combinations and complex movement phrases rapidly. Technical strength and experience are necessary. Dancers will delve into established dance repertoire as well as create new work for performance. Dancers should be passionate in taking their work to the stage. A strong commitment to attending class regularly is a must.
FADAMASC - All Levels (Fran & Heather)
FadaMasc is a contemporary dance sessional for adults who identify with a more masculine way of moving in the world. The class combines strength training, basic contemporary dance technique, improvisation and collaborative choreography. There are 2 sessions, one in the fall and one in the spring, each culminating in a performance. A strong commitment to attending class regularly is a must.
BLANK LAB - Intermediate/Advanced (Fran)
Formerly Adult Tech, Blank Lab is a class that draws from a myriad of physical practices. Every semester is a new bag of exploration. Training has included everything from sprinting and skipping to weight training and yoga. The conditioning is complimented with contemporary dance phrasing. Students must be prepared for a highly physical class and quick-moving repertoire.
INTRODUCTION TO KATHAK - Intermediate/Advanced (Misty)
These sessional classes will offer a comprehensive introduction into all the facets of the Kathak form. These include basic knowledge of the north Indian rhythmic systems (taal), body vocabulary (ang), spoken language (bol) and recitation (padhant). Traditional compositions, introduction to Sanksrit Sloka, poetics such as Kavita, and songs rendered in narrative gesture are also explored. Work will be rooted within the kathak form, as well as be infused with Misty’s evolving body of kathak infused contemporary dance. This class is for students with intermediate to advanced dance experience and that are new to Kathak.
The Instructor for this class is Misty Wensel. Misty is a student of Joanna de Souza of M-Do Toronto. (www.kathaktoronto.com)
Fall 2023 Sessional:
Oct: 4, 11 18, 25
Nov: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Spring 2024 Sessional:
Mar: 6, 13, 20, 27
Apr: 10, 17, 24
May: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Jun: 5
This class will culminate in the year end performance.