Ballet 2 12yrs+

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NEW TEACHER//LEVEL!!!  This Ballet 2 ( Intermediate).

This Ballet 2 class is designed for dancers who have been taking ballet and have solid, foundational dance experience. It is assumed that dancers know foundational ballet terminology (positions of the arms and feet, and names of classical movements) and can demonstrate a solid technical understanding. This class will build on foundational skills, expand dancers’ ballet movement vocabulary, and increase the focus on technique and artistry. 

This Ballet 2 class will run September through April. Because of the progressive nature of this class, it will require consistent attendance, commitment, and dedication throughout the year. Students should be prepared to build on their skills week-to-week and come ready to work and progress as a group. Dancers who don’t feel like this level of focus and commitment are for them are still welcome to enrol in Ballet 1 (ages 12+) regardless of experience. 

We may use the first couple of weeks of the season to make adjustments and move students between levels where needed. Our goal is to make sure each dancer is in the class where they can feel challenged and supported, while creating a group.

Why September–April? For some of our higher-level classes, we’ve chosen to run the full September–April season so dancers can progress together as a group, begin showcase choreography sooner, and build skills sequentially throughout the year. As dancers take on more complex movements, consistent training is important for developing strength, flexibility, alignment, and technique in a safe and healthy way. It also allows dancers to build strong connections with their classmates and learn to work together as a team.  While our goal is to maintain consistent groups throughout the season, there may be opportunities for dancers to move up a level during the year if they demonstrate significant progress and are ready for the next level. At registration, students will be committing to the full September–April season, including both the fall and winter terms. Payment will still be split between the two terms as usual.

Katie Thiessen grew up in Canmore, Alberta, and moved to Kelowna at 15, where she continued pursuing her passion for dance, which began at age three. She completed her ballet training up to Advanced 2 in the RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) syllabus, trained and performed as a member of the Canadian School of Ballet’s pre-professional company, and spent seven years teaching ballet and jazz at a local studio in Kelowna while attending university. Katie moved to Nelson in 2023, works as a school teacher by day, and is excited to share her love of dance with the Nelson community.

Jazz Intermediate 1 (13yrs+)

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Turns & Jumps is a pre-req for Jazz Intermediate 1.

Jazz dance paralleled the birth and spread of jazz itself from its roots in Black American culture and was popularized in ballrooms by the big bands of the swing era (1930s and 40s). It radically altered the style of American and European stage and social dance in the 20th century. The term is sometimes used to describe popular stage dance and jazz-derived or jazz-influenced modern dance forms.

Hilary will share her extensive training to hone the dancers’ alignment, extensions, and musicality. Classes will focus on strength, balancing, flexibility, and rhythm. Students will learn kicks, turns, and jumps with proper technique. Develop flexibility and strength alongside solid dance technique with across-the-floor skills and fun combos.

This class is geared for Intermediate students experienced in Jazz already and  enrolled in various classes a week with good technical ability and musicality.

This Jazz – Intermediate 1 class will run from September through April. Because of the longer season and progressive nature of this class, it will require consistent attendance, commitment, and dedication throughout the year. Students should be prepared to build on their skills week-to-week and come ready to work and progress as a group. All students enrolling in this level of jazz are required to take Jumps & Turns as well. If this level of commitment doesn’t feel like a good fit, you are welcome to choose an open level class instead.

Please note that your level in Jumps & Turns may be different from your level in Jazz. For example, a student may be at one level in Jazz and another in Jumps & Turns depending on their experience and strengths. Be sure to check your emails carefully for any other class invitations you may have received! 

Levels of Jazz:

Jazz Open level- mix of experience, moves will be layered.

Jazz Intermediate 1- For dancers with prior experience and a strong grasp of the technical skills involved as well as strong musicality.

Jazz Intermediate 2- for dancers confident with added speed, complexity, flexibility, and strength.

Class is by placement; inquire via to see if this is your level.

We may use the first couple of weeks of the season to make adjustments and move students between levels where needed. Our goal is to make sure each dancer is in the class where they can feel challenged and supported, while creating a group.

Fall Term: Sept.15th-Dec 8th.

Cost: $262 + GST

Hilary Shanklin received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance Dance from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). She’s had the opportunity to work with incredible teachers & choreographers from The National Ballet of Canada, Kaeja d’Dance, and Toronto Dance Theatre and choreographer Hanna Kiel of “Human Body Expressions.” Hilary had the honour of performing at the Paralympic Games opening ceremony, numerous works at Dance Ontario’s Dance Weekend, and on Disney channel’s “The Next Step” pilot episode. Hilary’s passions have always been in dance, movement, and teaching.  She has just completed her Bachelor of Education, congrats!

Turns & Jumps 2 (13yrs+)

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Sharpen your skills with jazz and ballet technique.  The class includes a dance warm-up that conditions and stretches, then drill centre exercises and across-the-floor combos. Work on skills like pirouettes, Chaîné turns, Piques, Battements, Jetés, Switch Splits, Stag jumps, Attitude Turns and more. This is an excellent technique class that complements Contemporary, Ballet, Jazz, and Acro well.

This Jumps & Turns class will run from September through April. If Jumps & Turns is a requirement for another full season class you are registering for (ex. Jazz Inter. 1 or 2), you must sign up for Jumps & Turns for the full season (September through April). However, if it is not required for another full season class you are taking, you may sign up for the fall and winter sessions independently if so desired. Because of the longer season and progressive nature of this class, it will require consistent attendance, commitment, and dedication throughout the year. Students should be prepared to build on their skills week-to-week and come ready to work and progress as a group. If this level of commitment doesn’t feel like a good fit, you are welcome to choose an open level class instead.

Please note that if you’re also registering for Jazz, your level in Jumps & Turns may be different than your level in Jazz (Jumps & Turns can be taken without Jazz, though they do pair well together). For example, a student may be at one level in Jazz and another in Jumps & Turns depending on their experience and strengths. Be sure to check your emails carefully for any other class invitations you may have received!

We may use the first couple of weeks of the season to make adjustments and move students between levels where needed. Our goal is to make sure each dancer is in the class where they can feel challenged and supported, while creating a group. 

This class is a pre-req for Jazz Intermediate.

Fall Term: Sept.15th-Dec 8th.

Cost: $235 + GST

Ballet 3 14yrs+

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This Ballet 3 class is designed for dancers who have considerable ballet experience. It is assumed that dancers know a broad range of ballet terminology and can demonstrate a more developed technical understanding when performing classical sequences. This class will build on foundational skills, expand dancers’ ballet movement vocabulary, and increase the focus on technique and artistry. 

This Ballet 3 class will run September through April. Because of the progressive nature of this class, it will require consistent attendance, commitment, and dedication throughout the year. Students should be prepared to build on their skills week-to-week and come ready to work and progress as a group. Dancers who don’t feel like this level of focus and commitment is for them are still welcome to enrol in Ballet 1 (ages 12+) regardless of experience. 

We may use the first couple of weeks of the season to make adjustments and move students between levels where needed. Our goal is to make sure each dancer is in the class where they can feel challenged and supported, while creating a group.

AutumnTerm: Sept 18th-Dec 11th

Hilary Shanklin received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance Dance from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). She’s had the opportunity to work with incredible teachers & choreographers from The National Ballet of Canada, Kaeja d’Dance, and Toronto Dance Theatre and choreographer Hanna Kiel of “Human Body Expressions.” Hilary’s had the honour of performing at the Paralympic Games opening ceremony, numerous works at Dance Ontario’s Dance Weekend, and on Disney channel’s “The Next Step” pilot episode. Hilary’s passions have always been in dance and movement, as well as teaching.  She has completed her Bachelor of Education.

Contemporary Open 14-18yrs

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This class has been so popular we have added another class to accommodate a wider range of ages. See Studio A for Contemporary 12-14yrs.

Contemporary is a style of dance that combines elements of several genres, including modern, release, classical technique, and more, depending on the instructor and choreography. Often, in terms of the focus of its technique, contemporary dance can combine floorwork and modern dance’s stress on the torso but is not confined to these techniques. Contemporary at DanceFusion also employs contact-release, floor work, and good tunes. We look to be adventurous, curious, relevant and inspiring.
Dancers develop coordination, musicality and artistry.

Open-level, no prior experience needed.

The term runs from Sept 18th-Dec 11th 2026. 

The fee is $262 + GST.

Hilary Shanklin received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance Dance from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). She’s had the opportunity to work with incredible teachers & choreographers from The National Ballet of Canada, Kaeja d’Dance, and Toronto Dance Theatre and choreographer Hanna Kiel of “Human Body Expressions.” Hilary’s had the honour of performing at the Paralympic Games opening ceremony, numerous works at Dance Ontario’s Dance Weekend, and on Disney channel’s “The Next Step” pilot episode. Hilary’s passions have always been in dance and movement, as well as teaching.  She has just completed her Bachelor of Education, congrats!

HipHop Level UP! 15+

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This HipHop class will integrate party dances of the 80′s and 90′s to the present day. It includes a wide range of styles and will be a funky GOOD TIME. Prepare to move, get groovy, and work your brain-body connection. This class will make you bounce, sweat and feel freaky, funky fine.

Sammy adds complexity progressively to keep it fresh for those who have been there a minute. Not a beginner class. Appropriate for those who have the swag and flavour of Hip Hop and the footwork coordination and are ready for more freestyle and harder choreo; it’s time to step ya game up and get into more complexity and freestyle.

Three Session Options:

Full Session runs Sept 14th-Dec 7th     $255  +gst

First Session runs Sept 14th-Oct 26th  $135  +gst

Second session runs Nov 2nd-Dec 8th   $135 +gst

Levels of HipHop at DF:

Foundation w. Sammy Jade – Monday 6:30 pm (15yrs+)/ This class will break down the basics. You’ll still sweat and work hard, with emphasis on learning the foundation of this style. You can stay at this level for several years and keep building your foundation; this will stay fresh.

Level UP!  w. Sammy Jade- Monday 7:30 pm (15yrs+)/ We start to add more layers to each foundational coordination. We add progressively to keep it fresh for those who have been there a minute. This is not a beginner class. It is appropriate for those with a couple of prior dance experience or those who are quick with trickier coordination, and who can do dances like the Roger Rabbit, Party Machine, Running Man, Wop, and more with swag and confidence. It’s time to step ya game up and get into more complexity.

HipHop Inter/ADv. – Tuesday 8:15 pm/Weds 6pm / This class is for more experienced dancers, who are ready to work on performance layers, complexity and choreo.

90’s Hip Hop w. Slava- Thursdays 5:30 pm (Adult/Older Youth 15yrs+) Love the music and moves of the Golden Age of Hip Hop? Then this is more for you. Expect to sweat. Open level

Afro House Open Level – Exact Dates/Times TBA

House Open Level – Tues  6pm/ If you love good beats, moving your feet and whole being, and are ready to sweat and get down, this is for YOU! This class will cover the foundation and will be open to a variety of levels, so there will be more basic coordination that will be layered on more complexity as well as the weeks progress. House involves lots of footwork and weight transfer. Cardio!

House Intermediate Level – Tues 7 pm- already have your jack, farmer, chase step, loose legs, latin swirl, pas de bourre, etc  locked in? Ready to add speed and complexity to your footwork and get super loose? This is your class for it.

If you are unsure, email us and let’s chat!

If you are between levels…TAKE TWO classes and bump up your confidence with your muscle memory. Bring Clean, non-marking shoes, water and maybe a sweat towel 🙂

Contemporary Open level Adult 16+

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This Contemporary class combines elements of several genres including modern, release, and more. It employs contact-release, floor work, all set to diverse and hype music with fun drills to develop musicality. This class will hone and challenge your dance patterns, and will include floor work and jumps and turns, and is designed for dancers of all levels.
Students will learn combos,  technique and across the floor sequences as well. The class will include floor work, and is geared towards movement quality and fluidity within new patterns.
It is open level, so movements will be layered for a range of experience levels.

Spring Term: May 21st – June 18th Cost $105 + GST

HipHop Foundation 15yrs+

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Have you been wanting to get back into dance or try something fresh and new? This class is an intro to Hip-Hop culture through street dance. Improve your coordination and build confidence as we build community. In this welcoming environment, we will teach you the fundamentals of Hip-Hop in a supportive and fun way. Let’s go!

This HipHop class will integrate party dances of the 80′s and 90′s to the present day, as well as choreography, across-the-floor grooves, and the latest dance moves that make this dance unique. It includes many styles and will be a funky GOOD TIME. Prepare to move, get groovy, and work your brain-body connection.
This class will make you bounce, sweat and feel freaky, funky fine.

NO previous experience is needed; it is just the desire to learn and grow new neural pathways.
This class will focus on the foundational moves of Hip-Hop and build your confidence, even if you are new to taking a class. If you know the basis, you will get variations to play with and added layers. We will add layers of speed and complexity as the weeks go by. Sammy will dive into the groove and help you feel it in your bones.

Three Session Options:

Full Session runs Sept 14th-Dec 7th     $255  +gst

First Session runs Sept 14th-Oct 26th  $135  +gst

Second session runs Nov 2nd-Dec 8th   $135 +gst

Levels of HipHop at DF:

Foundation w. Sammy Jade – Monday 6:30 pm (15yrs+)/ This class will break down the basics. You’ll still sweat and work hard, with emphasis on learning the foundation of this style. You can stay at this level for several years and keep building your foundation; this will stay fresh.

Level UP!  w. Sammy Jade- Monday 7:30 pm (15yrs+)/ We start to add more layers to each foundational coordination. We add progressively to keep it fresh for those who have been there a minute. This is not a beginner class. It is appropriate for those with a couple of prior dance experience or those who are quick with trickier coordination, and who can do dances like the Roger Rabbit, Party Machine, Running Man, Wop, and more with swag and confidence. It’s time to step ya game up and get into more complexity.

HipHop Inter/ADv. – Tuesday 8:15 pm/Weds 6pm / This class is for more experienced dancers, who are ready to work on performance layers, complexity and choreo.

90’s Hip Hop w. Slava- Thursdays 5:30 pm (Adult/Older Youth 15yrs+) Love the music and moves of the Golden Age of Hip Hop? Then this is more for you. Expect to sweat. Open level

Afro House Open Level – Exact Dates/Times TBA

House Open Level – Tues  6pm/ If you love good beats, moving your feet and whole being, and are ready to sweat and get down, this is for YOU! This class will cover the foundation and will be open to a variety of levels, so there will be more basic coordination that will be layered on more complexity as well as the weeks progress. House involves lots of footwork and weight transfer. Cardio!

House Intermediate Level – Tues 7 pm- already have your jack, farmer, chase step, loose legs, latin swirl, pas de bourre, etc  locked in? Ready to add speed and complexity to your footwork and get super loose? This is your class for it.

If you are unsure, email us and let’s chat!

If you are between levels…TAKE TWO classes and bump up your confidence with your muscle memory. Bring Clean, non-marking shoes, water and maybe a sweat towel 🙂

Ballet 5-6yrs

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NEW TEACHER//CLASS!!!  A fun and engaging class to introduce the foundation of Ballet technique. The class will use centre exercises, movements across the floor, fun games and stretching/strengthening to increase body awareness, alignment, flexibility, and coordination. Students will learn ballet positions and vocabulary and develop creative movement skills in a fun and inclusive atmosphere. This is a very popular class and is an excellent intro to dance.

Katie Thiessen grew up in Canmore, Alberta, and moved to Kelowna at 15, where she continued pursuing her passion for dance, which began at age three. She completed her ballet training up to Advanced 2 in the RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) syllabus, trained and performed as a member of the Canadian School of Ballet’s pre-professional company, and spent seven years teaching ballet and jazz at a local studio in Kelowna while attending university. Katie moved to Nelson in 2023, works as a school teacher by day, and is excited to share her love of dance with the Nelson community.

 

 

Dance Aerobics

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NEW CLASS ALERT!!  This class is going to be so much fun!! Dance Aerobics is a high-energy, cardio-focused class that includes strength, mobility, stretching, and upbeat aerobic-style combos. Rooted in old school style aerobics, laced with some Hip Hop, Jazz, House, & combined with “Shine” Dance Fitness training, this class style is inclusive, upbeat, positive, and passionate. Expect to leave sweaty, energized, and pumped for the day.

Bio
Cindy’s passion is rooted in health & wellness, active living, and supporting others in living a thriving life. She has been dancing since 5yrs of age, with a love that continues to grow for an ever evolving variety of styles. With a strong background in competitive gymnastics, dance, fitness, and aerobics, she is a lover of cardio, energetic movement, and strong health in mind and body. Cindy’s teaching style infuses high-energy cardio dance, strength, core work, and stretching, and aims to provide a positive and supportive atmosphere for dancers. She has recently received training certification in “Shine” Dance Fitness and is excited to share some new training style & inspiration.
5 week session // Sept 17th-Oct 15th, 2026  $95 +GST
More sessions to follow 🙂