Every BODY moves!
And we all move differently.

Escape the cookie-cutter approach to learning dance. Learn how to harness your technical abilities and your individual style so you can shine on stage! NO outrageous costume fees! Flexibility and versatility are the keys to our creative and vibrant dance classes!

BROADWAY/MUSICAL THEATRE JAZZ! Technique & Repertoire

~ beginner to intermediate level dancers focus on Broadway/musical theatre style jazz featuring some favourite broadway-style repertoire!

• Course Instructor: Kate Knox
• This class focuses on developing the technique and style of show jazz including works by world-renowned dancer and choreographer Bob Fosse and his Broadway contemporaries. Fosse Style ~ Bob Fosse was an innovative and ground-breaking choreographer. Some of his most notable works include: All That Jazz, Liza with A Z, Chicago, The Little Prince, Sweet Charity, and Cabaret. Fosse style is known for isolation, creativity, humour and detail.
• Kate’s old-meets-new approach will help you master the core elements of Broadway Jazz – elegance, dynamics, and precision. Jazz is a necessary component of the audition for any post-secondary or professional dance program. And Broadway jazz is challenging…..explosive….show-stopping!
• This class is offered in 6-week sessions ~ each session learns a distinct piece of iconic musical theatre choreography 2-3 minutes in length, for performance in-studio!
• Season Course Schedule - this course runs on Tuesday nights for 75-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
• *Performances: in-studio performances only (the option is open if participants wish to perform in our mid-season showcase or our year-end Get STAGEstruck show at Markham Theatre)
• **Course Fees: please inquire. Thanks!

CHOREOGRAPHY: Creating the Dance

~ Just because you know how to dance, doesn’t mean you know how to choreograph. This is your chance to spread your creative wings and create the dance!

• Course Instructor: Cynthia Croker is a co-Artistic Director of MOTUS O dance theatre (www.motuso.com ), one of Canada’s most successful dance companies. Cynthia is a dancer, director and prolific choreographer, who has been touring across Canada and around the world for 20 years. She’s currently on faculty at the world-renowned Banff Centre for the Arts and is a lead instructor with the prestigious Royal Conservatory of Music’s “Learning Through the Arts” program. In addition to creating and performing, Cynthia leads classes and workshops that focus on a variety of components of performance, with a special focus on drawing the most out of every performer.
• Using her 20+ years of experience, Cynthia explores the elements of choreography via Doris Humphrey’s ground-breaking methodology outlined in her book, “The Art of Making Dances”. Humphrey was a dancer/choreographer in the early 20th century and her book captured and categorized the elements needed to make dance interesting to watch. Her methods and ideas are still considered the gold standard in the practice of choreography. This course focuses on the elements of how to choreograph a new work with a professional understanding of physical, musical and visual design and composition. As dancers, it is imperative to understand stagecraft, and the various components of the art of making dances. Each lesson consists of developing the inspiration with which to create dance, and then exploring those ideas through form and function. Ultimately dance is for an audience. This program looks at elements that are interesting to the human eye and heart, and endeavours to create dance that thrills the audience!
• TENTATIVE FOR SEASON 2012-13 - LOGISTICS ARE BEING WORKED OUT!
• *Performances: there will be a showcase piece created for the year-end Get STAGEstruck show at Markham Theatre. There may also be opportunities to choreograph for the Ovation! flash-mob dances in the community.
• Additional rehearsal and production hours will be required when mounting the show in May and when working on the flash-mobs.
• **Course Fees: please inquire. Thanks!

Just Dance! – Mixed Medley ~ For TRUE BEGINNERS

FLASH-MOB Dance SIZZLE!

~ for all-ages, all-levels of dancers ~ no experience required!

• An innovative program that encourages families to come and dance together! Inspired by Ovation’s! Flash-Mob dances, this unique class brings all generations of the family together – kids, parents and grandparents. For people 6 yrs and up to learn together, move together, and laugh together!
• The course is tentative for 2012-2013 - please inquire if interested and we'll do our best to schedule it again this season! It’s usually a 90-minute class for a 4 or 6-week session in the spring (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
• *Performances: Last season we did 6 community flash-mob performances from July into September. We anticipate the same for spring/summer 2012!
• Additional rehearsal hours may be required for the flash-mob performances as scheduled.
• **Course Fees: please inquire. Thanks!

The Acting/Drama program

The ADULT DRAMA program at Ovation! moves students through the full arsenal of acting techniques and dynamics. The classes move at a steady pace beginning by introducing or strengthening the basic foundation elements of dynamics, movement and trust, and then focusing more intently on specific subjects, depending on the make-up of the class.

ADULT Acting Program & Theatre Club

PRIVATE ACTING/AUDITION PREP CLASSES

~ Private classes (45-60 minutes) for training or audition preparation can be scheduled by speaking with Bonnie Craig, Academy Director. Contact us.

Every voice is unique.  Learn how to develop yours and let it shine and be heard to its potential

Ovation! vocal students learn an arsenal of vocal techniques, styles and dynamics, always with the goal of singing well and singing safely.  Each level is unique in its approach to learning or building on existing skill and comfort level.  Engaging, energetic and exciting, these courses are aimed at vocalists who wish to work and develop their voice and presentation skills in a variety of styles.  Classes are in a group format, and all students train and sing each class, which works towards controlling performance anxiety.    

ADULT Versatile Vocals: Learn to Sing

~ Come Sing with Us! ~ Develop your voice for more than just shower or car singing!

• Are you the next Susan Boyle? Let dynamic vocal instructor Daniel Abrahamson help develop your unique voice through song choices, personal style, and on-stage delivery/stage presence. You’ll work on technique, building confidence in your voice and capabilities, and managing performance anxiety. And we promise……..NO SIMON COWELL! Only 6 spots available.
• This program focuses on individual development, working in an informal and supportive group performance setting. You’ll prepare and work through the songs in class, finding the nuances of each piece, interpreting the meaning and intent of the material, and polishing your performance skills. In-studio videotaping and performance analysis will also assist in identifying and developing consistent technique and presentation skills
• Level: beginner to advanced – learn at your own pace.
• Season Course Schedule - this course runs in two half-season sessions (Sept to Jan and Feb to May) on Wednesdays for 75-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
• *Performances: OPTIONAL: The class will decide if they wish to perform. The opportunity exists for a mid-season showcase in January; and a separate showcase for the year-end Get STAGEstruck show at Markham Theatre.
• Additional rehearsal and production hours will be required when mounting the show in May.
• **Course Fees: please inquire. Thanks!

Vocal Ensemble - "Glee-inspired" Show Group

PRIVATE VOCAL CLASSES

~ Private classes (45 minutes or 60 minutes) can be scheduled by speaking with Bonnie Craig, Academy Director. Contact us.  

•     Each weekly lesson is tailored specifically to each students' level of ability, taking into account their desired specialties. Focus is on developing the natural voice, with a strong foundation of proper technique while allowing for personal style. Students are given a solid warm-up, and then work on repertoire chosen with the teacher.  Private classes are booked directly through the Ovation! office to match student with instructor and the most suitable day/time of the week.