| | KIDS' COURSES ~ 3 TO 12 yrs
|
Our courses in dance, drama, voice and musical theatre are a unique educational and social experience. The curriculum for each course is progressive in nature including concrete goals and milestones. Consistent and punctual attendance is necessary to foster student learning and achievement throughout each season. Our goal is to help children become life-long learners, practitioners, and appreciators of the performing arts, which in turn infuses their lives with imagination, artistry, and creativity. Through the arts, students of all ages learn to think and work creatively, both independently and collaboratively, in a supportive and forward-thinking environment.
|
| EXECUTIVE FUNCTION - focus for children's programming In addition to the pure technique learning, at this stage in a child’s development, we also focus on the capabilities the neuro-scientists now call *“Executive Function”*, which are the naturally-occurring skills developed through experiences in the arts (both as practitioner and audience). We look at and foster: - Attention ~ focusing it, sustaining it, and shifting it when you need to
- Impulse Control ~ the ability to not always do or say the first thing that comes to mind
- Working Memory ~ the ability to hold and use multiple thoughts in your mind
- Planning ~ being able to plan and carry out a sequence of actions to achieve a goal or solve a problem, and adjusting plans if the situation changes.
- *Studies have shown that executive function skills are more important for school readiness and academic and personal success than a child’s IQ. * <> *Source: Today’s Parent Magazine, Aug 2010
| |
| |
 Every BODY moves! And we all move differently.  ~ for true beginner through to intermediate level dancers: 3-12 yrs
Learn how to harness your technical abilities and your individual style so you can shine on stage! Flexibility and versatility are the keys to our creative and vibrant dance classes!
Learn, practice and perform the foundational elements of these fundamental dance styles. In general, classes consist of a warm up, center work and floor barre, traveling, learning a piece of choreography, and a cool down to finish. But at Ovation!, you never know what else might sneak into your class each week! New ideas, new teaching techniques, and stuff ‘outside the box’ are highly encouraged! |
|  Just Dance! Level 1 ~ Creative Movement ~ for beginner dancers ~ full season- Course Instructor: Alison Epstein
- A fun and lovely program teaching the introductory elements of Creative Movement, including rhythm and beat, keeping time, memorizing simple patterns of movement. Goals include: learning to listen to a teacher in a class environment; learning how to follow directions and take turns; enhancing basic motor skill development and co-ordination to build strength, increase flexibility and develop proper body alignment; learning rhythmic exercises, and learning about balance, grace, body isolations, and control. This class will work on learning 1 or 2 simple patterns of movement/choreography for performance during the season.
- Season Course Schedule - this course runs on Thursdays for 30-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
- *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase; and a separate showcase piece created for the year-end Get STAGEstruck show at Markham Theatre.
- **Course Fees: please inquire. Thanks!
| |
|  Just Dance! Level 2 ~ Creative Movement + Intro Ballet/Jazz ~ for beginner dancers ~ full-season- Course Instructor: Alison Epstein
- Intro to Dance class that continues to build on the components introduced in the Level 1 program (or from other previous dance programs). Working with young dancers through Creative Movement on the foundational elements of ballet and jazz, through rhythm, beat and beginner technique. Goals include: building strength, increasing flexibility, developing body alignment, working on isolations, rhythmic exercises, and gaining balance, grace and control. This class learns and performs 2 distinct pieces of movement/choreography, each one approximately 2 minutes in length, during the season.
- Season Course Schedule - this course runs on Thursdays for 45-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
- *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase; and a separate showcase piece created 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!
| |
|  Intro to Tap ~ for true beginners ~ full-season- Course Instructor: Kate Knox
- Learn the beginner foundational techniques of tap dancing! We’ll bring the basics into play here utilizing progressions and a variety of tap styles and forms to begin to develop musicality for creating one of the most ‘entertaining’ styles of dance. This class learns and performs 2 distinct pieces of choreography, each one approximately 2 minutes in length, during the season.
- Season Course Schedule - this course runs on Thursdays for 45-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
- *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase; and a separate showcase piece created 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!
| |
|  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 this season - 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!
|
|  Junior Ballet/Jazz Combo ~ for beginner to intermediate level dancers ~ full-season- Course Instructor: Alison Epstein
- Junior Ballet/Jazz class that continues to build on the components introduced in the Level 1 and Level 2 programs (or from other previous dance programs), but now focusing solely on the specific core elements of ballet technique and jazz technique - including positioning, flow, style and choreography. Goals include: building strength, increasing flexibility, further developing body alignment, isolations, precision, poise, posture, and gaining balance, grace, speed and control. This class learns and performs 2 distinct pieces of choreography, each one approximately 2-3 minutes in length, during the season.
- Season Course Schedule - this course runs on Thursdays for 60-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
- *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase; and a separate showcase piece created 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!
| |
|  Junior Tap ~ for beginner to intermediate dancers ~ full-season- Course Instructor: Alison Epstein
- Continued learning and building on the techniques of the dancer/musician developed in our Intro to Tap program (or other similar programs)! Because of the percussive nature of tap, tappers are considered dancers and musicians. We’ll build on skills developed in the INTRO TO TAP program (or other similar programs). Utilizing progressions and a variety of tap styles and forms, students will continue to develop strong musicality and learn to create one of the most ‘entertaining’ styles of dance. This class learns and performs 2 distinct pieces of choreography, each one approximately 2-3 minutes in length, during the season.
- Season Course Schedule - this course runs on Thursdays for 45-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
- *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase; and a separate showcase piece created 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!
| |
|  Intermediate Ballet/Jazz Combo ~ for intermediate dancers
- Course Instructor: Kate Knox
- A great combination course building on the skills developed in our Junior Ballet/Jazz program (or other similar programs). The program focuses on the core elements of both ballet and jazz, working from a contemporary viewpoint in terms of style and choreography. Goals include: building strength, increasing flexibility, improving body alignment and technique, working on isolations, rhythmic exercises and improvisations, creating confidence in your movement, and learning grace and control. This class learns and performs 2 distinct pieces of choreography, each one approximately 3-4 minutes in length, during the season.
- Season Course Schedule - this course runs on Tuesday nights for 75-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
- *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase; and a separate showcase piece created 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!
| |
 Intermediate Tap ~ for intermediate level dancers
- Course Instructor: Kate Knox
- Building on the skills developed in our Junior Tap Program (or other similar programs). Further develop the techniques of the dancer/musician! Because of the percussive nature of tap, tappers are considered dancers and musicians. We’ll bring the next steps into play here utilizing progressions and a variety of tap styles and forms to develop strong musicality and create one of the most ‘entertaining’ styles of dance. This class learns and performs 2 distinct pieces of choreography, each one approximately 3-4 minutes in length, during the season.
- Season Course Schedule - this course runs on Tuesday nights for 45-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
- *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase; and a separate showcase piece created 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!
|
|   So you wanna be an actor, eh?! The Acting/Drama program at Ovation! moves students through the full arsenal of acting techniques and dynamics. Each level moves at a steady pace that begins by introducing or strengthening the basic foundation elements of dynamics, movement and trust, and then streamlines to focus more intently on specific subjects, depending on the class. |
|  Intro to Drama Course ~ For beginner students, wishing to learn and practice drama skills in a demanding training environment.
- Course Instructor: Jeff Young
- Introductory level acting class that excites and challenges young students in the world of plays and make-believe! This is a fun and busy program where students engage in structured and unstructured activities that focus on spatial awareness, collaboration, listening and responding. Students begin to explore drama at a preliminary level through Dynamics, Movement, and Trust, using scripted works to develop character and voice.
- Season Course Schedule - this course runs on Thursday nights for 45-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
- *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase; and a separate showcase piece created 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!
|
 Junior Drama ~ For beginner to intermediate level students, wishing to learn and practice drama skills in a demanding training environment.
- Course Instructor: Jeff Young
- This program builds on the foundational elements taught in the introductory program. It focuses on all the fundamentals of acting. Students engage in activities that include spatial awareness, collaboration, listening and responding. Students begin to explore drama through Dynamics, Movement, and Trust, including Mime and Mechanics. Some text work is also involved, and the goals of the course include: using the whole body to create movement, tension and place without the use of props; developing a means of artistic communication through body language exploration; and, encouraging an awareness of observation and recall.
- Season Course Schedule - this course runs on Monday nights for 60-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
- *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase; and a separate showcase piece created 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!
|
 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. |
| |
|  "KidsPlay" ~ Intro to the Performing Arts ~ this is an early fundamental skill-development program geared to children wishing to learn the basics of singing, musical-theatre dance, and acting.
- Course Instructor: Cheryl Cline
- This is a beautiful program for younger children to experience the fun of learning how to sing and dance and act and really PLAY! Fundamental elements are taught through a series of 'theatre-style' games, rhythms and rhymes, story creation, and movement exploration. Primary focus is on vocal development (true beginner technique) working alongside movement and 'character'. Children work with written materials (lyric sheets, short scenes/scripts), and learn the co-ordination required to put all 3 'triple-sensation' elements together! This is a perfect way and time to introduce energetic and imaginative children to the wonderful and creative world of the performing arts!
- Season Course Schedule - this course runs on Saturdays for 45-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
- *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase; and a separate showcase piece created 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!
| |
 Junior Voice & Musical Theatre ~ this is a fundamental skill-development program geared to children wishing to learn and develop further in all 3 musical theatre disciplines: voice, drama, and dance.
- Course Instructor: Cheryl Cline
- This program builds on the skills developed in the KidsPlay program (or other similar programs) and is a combination of singing, musical-theatre style dance, and acting, taught through role-playing, vocal 'games' and exercises, physical awareness, and movement, all rolled into one exuberant and energetic class. Even at this age, versatility and strong performance skills are keys to a student's personal success and progress. Using scripts/scenes for character work and messaging/communication, and sheet music, this class focuses on solid vocal technique(for both singing and acting), performance style and individuality. A wide variety of performance elements are covered, from the basics of a proper vocal warm-up, to discussions on vocal health, placement, breathing and posture. Students have fun while building the necessary foundations of good technique, combined with the versatility of performance and music styles.
- Season Course Schedule - this course runs on Saturdays for 60-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
- *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase; and a separate showcase piece created 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!
|
 Versatile Vocals - Intermediate ~ this is an intermediate skill-development program geared to students wishing to further develop their voice through technique, ear training, and performance in a variety of vocal genres.
- Course Instructor: Daniel Abrahamson
- Aiming for the concert hall, studio or the radio as a vocalist? Then versatility and strong performance skills are keys to your success. With this program, you’ll train and gain performance experience in a wide variety of vocal genres (jazz, rock, pop, theatre, classical, folk). You’ll refine vocal technique required for each genre, and develop a critical ear and eye. Solo, ensemble, and harmony work is included. A solid vocal warm-up and work on technique is a feature of every class. The students change music genres every 5 or 6 weeks and each of these mini-sessions culminates with an in-studio 'performance'. We videotape these performances and class-work regularly in order to provide feedback on both the audio and visual components of students' performances. Your voice is unique. This program will teach you how to let it shine and be heard to its potential.
- Season Course Schedule - this course runs on Wednesday nights for 75-90-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
- *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase; and a separate showcase piece created 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!
~ Suggested concurrent programs in other disciplines beneficial to singers (program choices are dependent on student age and previous training/experience level):
|
 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.
|
Who doesn’t love a good musical?
What’s better than Singing…Dancing…and Acting…all at the same time? Nothing! The Musical Theatre Programs at Ovation! offer students a chance to delve into this highly creative field by developing and honing skills in all 3 disciplines for the musical theatre performer. We highly recommend that SERIOUS MUSICAL THEATRE STUDENTS augment their overall training with specific targeted training (as needed) within the 3 core elements as well. Triple sensation performers must have strong technique and performance qualities in each of the dedicated disciplines: VOICE, DANCE, DRAMA. |
- In all of levels of our Musical Theatre Program students work towards creating a variety of songs, scenes, dances and monologues from both the traditional and contemporary musical theatre repertoire. Classes run the gamut across the core disciplines, and the weeks vary in content and structure.
- Flexibility allows for specific classes focused on key foundation elements of all disciplines, from movement style and choreography, to character vocalization, script analysis and character development.
|
 "KidsPlay" ~ Intro to the Performing Arts ~ this is an early fundamental skill-development program geared to children wishing to learn the basics of singing, musical-theatre dance, and acting.
- Course Instructor: Cheryl Cline
- This is a beautiful program for younger children to experience the fun of learning how to sing and dance and act and really PLAY! Fundamental elements are taught through a series of 'theatre-style' games, rhythms and rhymes, story creation, and movement exploration. Primary focus is on vocal development (true beginner technique) working alongside movement and 'character'. Children work with written materials (lyric sheets, short scenes/scripts), and learn the co-ordination required to put all 3 'triple-sensation' elements together! This is a perfect way and time to introduce energetic and imaginative children to the wonderful and creative world of the performing arts!
- Season Course Schedule - this course runs on Saturdays for 45-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
- *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase; and a separate showcase piece created 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!
|
 Junior Voice & Musical Theatre ~ this is a fundamental skill-development program geared to children wishing to learn and develop further in all 3 musical theatre disciplines: voice, drama, and dance.
- Course Instructor: Cheryl Cline
- This program builds on the skills developed in the KidsPlay program (or other similar programs) and is a combination of singing, musical-theatre style dance, and acting, taught through role-playing, vocal 'games' and exercises, physical awareness, and movement, all rolled into one exuberant and energetic class. Even at this age, versatility and strong performance skills are keys to a student's personal success and progress. Using scripts/scenes for character work and messaging/communication, and sheet music, this class focuses on solid vocal technique(for both singing and acting), performance style and individuality. A wide variety of performance elements are covered, from the basics of a proper vocal warm-up, to discussions on vocal health, placement, breathing and posture. Students have fun while building the necessary foundations of good technique, combined with the versatility of performance and music styles.
- Season Course Schedule - this course runs on Saturdays for 60-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
- *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase; and a separate showcase piece created 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!
|
 Musical Theatre - Intermediate ~ this is an intermediate skill-development program geared to students wishing to further develop their ‘triple sensation’ skills in singing, dancing, and acting for the musical theatre performer.
- Course Instructor: Daniel Abrahamson
- This class builds on the skills developed in our Junior Voice & Musical Theatre Program (or other similar programs). It's focused, but fun and exuberant and features material from a variety of musicals and styles/genres (shows like Cabaret, Into the Woods, Godspell, Legally Blonde, for example). All 3 'triple sensation' elements are included in this program, with instruction given in each area.
- The students from this level are also integrated into the senior musical theatre production program every 2 or 3 weeks throughout the season. They do their own class plus they stay for an additional 75-90 minutes longer to do skills development and show rehearsal with the senior class for the musical production called Ovation's! SHOW OF SHOWS!. They participate in the show doing some solo and ensemble/chorus work. (The extra time/rehearsal schedule is announced in the winter.)
- Season Course Schedule - this course runs on Wednesdays for 90-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
- *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase in early January; a performance of the SHOW OF SHOWS! in late March; and a separate showcase piece created for the year-end Get STAGEstruck show at Markham Theatre.
- **Course Fees: please inquire. Thanks!
~ Suggested concurrent programs to focus on dedicated skills required in other disciplines (program choices are dependent on student age and previous training/experience level):
|
|
|
| | |
“Some people seem to think that good dancers are born, but all the good dancers I have known are taught or trained.” ~ Fred Astaire
| |
|
