KIDS'  COURSES ~ 3 TO 12 yrs

Every BODY moves! And we all move differently.

~ for true beginner through to intermediate level dancers:  2-12 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!

Toddler Two-Step! Intro to Dance/Movement

Just Dance! Level 1

Just Dance! Level 2

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 2011-2012 - 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

Junior Jazz

Junior Tap

Ballet/Jazz Combo

~ for intermediate dancers

• Course Instructor: Kate Knox
• A great combination course teaching the core elements of both ballet and jazz. Goals include: building strength, increasing flexibility, improving body alignment, working on isolations, rhythmic exercises and improvisations, creating confidence in your movement, and learning grace and control.
• Season 2011-2012 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 at the Ovation! studio; 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
• 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.
• Season 2011-2012 Course Schedule - this course runs on Tuesday nights for 60-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
• *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase at the Ovation! studio; 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!

Mixed Medley: Ballet/Jazz/Contemporary

~ for intermediate to senior level dancers

• Course Instructor: Kate Knox
• In today’s dance world, the lines between genres, disciplines and styles are blurring every day. This class celebrates that cross-over by blending ballet with jazz and contemporary styles, working on technique, strength, flexibility, and repertoire/choreography. Extra time is spent on pure ballet technique and strength-building.
• Season 2011-2012 Course Schedule - this course runs on Tuesday nights for 90-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
• *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase at the Ovation! studio; 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 2011-2012 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 at the Ovation! studio; 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 2011-2012 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 at the Ovation! studio; 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) can be scheduled on Thursday evenings, by speaking with Bonnie Craig, Academy Director. Contact us!.

"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. 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 2011-2012 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 at the Ovation! studio; 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 is a combination of singing, dancing, 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 2011-2012 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 at the Ovation! studio; 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 2011-2012 Course Schedule - this course runs on Wednesday nights for 90-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
• *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase at the Ovation! studio; 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 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?

"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. 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 2011-2012 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 at the Ovation! studio; 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 is a combination of singing, dancing, 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 2011-2012 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 at the Ovation! studio; 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 is 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. They participate in the show doing some solo and ensemble/chorus work. (The extra time/rehearsal schedule is announced in the winter.) The senior production for 2011-2012 is OVATION'S 'SHOW OF SHOWS'!
• Season 2011-2012 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 (location/specs to be announced); a performance of the SHOW OF SHOWS! in late March (location and final specs to be announced); and a separate showcase piece created for the year-end Get STAGEstruck show at Markham Theatre.
• **Course Fees: please inquire. Thanks!