Ballet
North London Dance Centre’s ballet program is highly respected within the City of London and beyond. We follow the esteemed Royal Academy of Dance ballet syllabus, and our classes are taught in accordance with the high standards of The Royal Academy of Dance. We have three ballet teachers on staff with Registered Teacher Status (RTS) with the Royal Academy of Dance. Class enrollment for all of our ballet classes is limited to a maximum of 12 dancers to ensure adequate individual attention is provided to each dancer.
Descended from the court spectacles of Italy and France, ballet is a theatrical dance form consisting of systematized movements and a training system designed to produce specific aesthetic lines. Two defining characteristics, which require years of highly specialized training, are the use of turn-out of the legs from the hip so that the knees and feet point outwards and work “en pointe” through which the ballerina rises onto the tips of her toes. Ballet develops strength, posture, flexibility, coordination and focus. It is the foundation and core of many dance forms. Examination preparation is offered for students from Level 1 and upwards, for students taking a minimum of two ballet classes per week. Students are invited to take RAD exams or class awards at the discretion of the instructor. Pointe classes are offered at Level 6 and upwards, for students who take a minimum of two ballet classes per week, and who pass our pointe readiness assessment. All ballet students perform in both our December and June performances. Successful completion of examinations or class awards at any level is not a pre-requisite to progress forward with their class at North London Dance Centre.
Tap
Tap Dance is a form of dance characterized by using the sound of one’s tap shoes hitting the floor as a percussive instrument. As such, it is also commonly considered to be a form of music. Two major variations on tap dance exist: rhythm (Jazz) tap and Broadway tap. Broadway tap focuses more on the ‘dance’ and is widely performed as a part of musical theatre. Rhythm tap focuses more on musicality, and practitioners consider themselves to be a part of the jazz tradition.
North London Dance Centre staff teach a blend of these two traditions, emphasizing rhythm, coordination, musicality and technique. Our tap program incorporates work from the Canadian Dance Teacher’s Association (CDTA) and the Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (ADAPT) syllabi. CDTA examination preparation is offered for students from Level 1 and upwards, and students are invited to take their CDTA exams at the discretion of the instructor. Students who wish to be considered for tap examination entry must also take at least one ballet class per week. We do not enter students who we believe would be unsuccessful with an examination. Examinations are not mandatory, but offer an exciting goal for many students and are a nationally recognized standard.
Successful completion of examinations at any grade level is not a pre-requisite to progress forward with their class at North London Dance Centre. Class enrollment for all of our tap classes is limited to a maximum of 12 dancers to ensure adequate individual attention is provided to each dancer. All tap students perform in both our December and June performances.
Have a pre-teen or teen who would love to take tap? It’s never too late! We have open level classes for pre-teens and teens who would like to join a tap class, but don’t have the previous dance experience to fit into one of standard program levels. All ability levels are welcome in these fun, recreational classes. No previous experience required.
Jazz
North London Dance Centre’s progressive jazz levels have been developed to blend solid technique with enjoyment, musicality, coordination, rhythm, a sense of movement, energy and performance style. The classes are energetic, up tempo and an excellent body conditioner. Students will learn dynamic, age appropriate combinations. All jazz students are strongly encouraged to include ballet in their studies to strengthen their technical foundation.
Various jazz styles will be introduced, however our program incorporates work from the Canadian Dance Teacher’s Association (CDTA) and the Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (ADAPT) syllabi. CDTA examination preparation is offered for students from Level 1 and upwards, and students are invited to take their CDTA exams at the discretion of the instructor. Students who wish to be considered for jazz examination entry must also take at least one ballet class per week. We do not enter students who we believe would be unsuccessful with an examination. Examinations are not mandatory, but offer an exciting goal for many students and are a nationally recognized standard.
Successful completion of examinations at any level is not a pre-requisite to progress forward with their class at North London Dance Centre. Class enrollment for all of our jazz classes is limited to a maximum of 12 dancers to ensure adequate individual attention is provided to each dancer. All jazz students perform in both our December and June performances.
Starting at Level 5, lyrical is bundled with our jazz classes, where the students have a one-hour jazz class, with 15 minutes of lyrical immediately following. To register for Level 6+ jazz at our school, students must also be registered in ballet. Lyrical dance combines the many technical elements of classical ballet with the freedom, fluidity, expressiveness and airier aspects of jazz, contemporary and modern dance. Lyrical is typically considered a sub-category of jazz, and is expressive, simultaneously subtle and dynamic, focused on conveying musicality and emotion through movement.
Have a pre-teen or teen who would love to start jazz? It’s never too late! We have open level classes for pre-teens and teens who would like to join a jazz class, but don’t have the previous dance experience to fit into one of standard program levels. All ability levels are welcome in these fun, recreational classes. No previous experience required.
Commercial Hip Hop
Join in on the fun in our hip hop-inspired classes which are choreography focused, and occasionally draw influence from popping, locking and jazz funk. Primary to Level 12 students perform in both our December and June performances.
AcroDance
AcroDance is a style of dance that combines classical dance technique with precision acrobatic elements. It is defined by its athletic character and its unique choreography, which seamlessly blends dance and acrobatics, and its use of acrobatics in a dance context. Our school follows the professional curriculum for acrobatic dance by Acrobatic Arts, and we have three faculty members who have completed a teaching certification with this organization.
The Acrobatic Arts syllabus is a program based on safe and effective progressions in the five divisions of AcroDance: Flexibility, Strength, Balancing, Limbering and Tumbling. The flexibility, conditioning, co-ordination and balance in the AcroDance classes is a wonderful compliment to the classes we already offer at the studio and will only enhance our dancer’s technique and ability in their existing dance classes.
Contemporary
North London Dance Centre offers contemporary dance classes for students starting at 9 years old/Level 3. Our staff teach a blend of various modern styles based on their personal background, drawing from the Canadian Dance Teacher’s Association syllabus, Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) syllabus, Limon, Graham, Horton, Cunningham, Freestyle, Contemporary and Lyrical. Contemporary offers a freedom of movement exploring themes, shapes, rhythms, energy, & space.
Contemporary dance is characterized by the use of the floor and working with gravity, thus dancing in bare feet is important to retain the sense of contact and feel energy from the floor. Ballet and contemporary training complement each other beautifully, so we encourage our students to study both. Class enrolment for all of our contemporary classes is limited to a maximum of 12 dancers to ensure adequate individual attention is provided to each dancer. All contemporary students perform in both our December and June performances.
Progressing Ballet Technique
Our Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) program at NLDC launched in Fall 2020 and we are lucky enough to have THREE PBT certified faculty members. We have PBT classes available for ages 8 to adult.
Progressing Ballet Technique is a program developed by Marie Walton-Mahon to help students advance in all dance forms by training muscle memory. PBT focuses on core stability, weight placement and alignment and is practiced internationally. The easiest way to describe it, is to share a few videos for you to watch:
- Welcome to Progressing Ballet Technique! Play Video
- PBT Advanced Level Program Play Video
- PBT Junior Program Play Video
- Become Ballet Fit with PBT’s Adult Program – For adult dancers and athletes Play Video
Toddler Time
This caregiver-and-tot style, movement-based class offers numerous benefits to both you and your little mover and groover! Not only is the class a great bonding activity for you and your child, it can also help your child to further develop cognitive, social, and gross motor skills. Toddler Time will introduce your little one to the fun and wonderful world of movement through song, dance, and games, all with a caregiver present to encourage their child along the way! The class helps to develop healthy muscles while tapping into children’s innate love of all things music.
Toddler Time is for children who have already turned 2 years old, until they are 3 years old by October 31st (and can join our ballet program).
Musical Theatre
Have fun singing, acting and dancing in Musical Theatre! Students will participate in drama games/activities, as well as sing and dance to various On Broadway and Off Broadway tunes. Students will create full musical theatre numbers to perform in the December and June showcases.
The Young Company
Passionate about dance & looking for more performance opportunities?
The Young Company has established itself as an organization which provides an innovative environment where talented young dancers can further expand their technical dance training with performance-oriented training and experience given by some of the most respected teachers and choreographers in our community.
