Helps to build a strong base, clean technique and proper alignment, all of which are essential for any kind of dance. This is a foundation for a dancer. Barre exercises, combinations across the floor and Adagio are taught to develop musicality, strength, grace, and precision and focus.

Ballet 12-15yrs

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This class will be in the recital.

This class is designed to infuse the grace of ballet with a sense of freedom and fun. While we honour the essential techniques, students will develop technique through centre work and across-the-floor exercises and port de bras. Working on honing in on musicality, precision and focus while fostering the grace and strength this form has to offer. Ballet is a rich and varied form, and Hilary will offer a class that will integrate healthy alignment, challenge muscle memory, and develop musicality. Get strong, flexible and graceful. This class is open to a variety of levels.

The term runs from Jan 8th – April 26th 2026.

The fee is $275 + GST.

This term is longer than the fall one, and culminates in the 15th Annual DanceFusion Showcase (Dress Rehearsal on Thursday April 23rd, with shows on Friday April 24th 7pm, Saturday April 25th 2 pm and 7pm and Sunday 26th at 2 pm). Double check you do have any date conflicts.

There will be a costume fee that will need to be paid and strong attendance through the term is required.

Only 2 absences allowed for this term, email for any exceptions. Attendance at stage rehearsals and showcase is required as well.

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!

Ballet 8-10yrs

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This class will be in the recital.

This class is designed to infuse the grace of ballet with a sense of freedom and fun. While we honour the essential techniques, students will develop technique through centre work and across-the-floor exercises and port de bras. Working on honing in on musicality, precision and focus while fostering the grace and strength this form has to offer. Ballet is a rich and varied form, and Hilary will offer a class that will integrate healthy alignment, challenge muscle memory, and develop musicality. Get strong, flexible and graceful. This class is open to a variety of levels.

The term runs from Jan 8th – April 26th 2026.

The fee is $275 + GST.

This term is longer than the fall one, and culminates in the 15th Annual DanceFusion Showcase (Dress Rehearsal on Thursday April 23rd, with shows on Friday April 24th 7pm, Saturday April 25th 2 pm and 7pm and Sunday 26th at 2 pm). Double check you do have any date conflicts.

There will be a costume fee that will need to be paid and strong attendance through the term is required.

Only 2 absences allowed for this term, email for any exceptions. Attendance at stage rehearsals and showcase is required as well.

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!

Ballet 6-8yrs

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This class will be in the Showcase, dancers will learn a routine to perform onstage.

A fun and engaging class to introduce the foundation of Ballet technique. The class will use center 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.

Winter Term runs from Jan 6th – April 26th 2026

Cost is $262 + GST

This term is longer than the fall one, and culminates in the 15th Annual DanceFusion Showcase (Dress Rehearsal on Thursday April 23rd, with shows on Friday April 24th 7pm, Saturday April 25th 2 pm and 7pm and Sunday 26th at 2 pm). Double-check you don’t have any date conflicts.

There will be a costume fee that will need to be paid and strong attendance through the term is required.  Attendance at stage rehearsals and showcase is required as well.

We are so excited to have Ava Jinjoe on the teaching team. Trained in classical ballet from a young age, Ava is a dedicated instructor, bringing a unique blend of technical precision and artistic flair to class and fostering a love for dance while nurturing each student’s potential. She has attended and been accepted to numerous dance programs, from Kootenay Dance Works in Rossland, where she started, to prestigious schools such as Arts Umbrella, Houston Ballet, Alberta Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, and Ballet Jorgen. With a career marked by passion, dedication, and a profound love for the art of dance.

Contemporary Ballet Technique (14yrs+)

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SPECIAL 3-week series!  We are so lucky Acacia will be a guest teacher at the studio for a few weeks this winter. Janurary 25th-Feb 8th, 2026.

This intermediate-level technique class blends classical ballet foundations with contemporary movement principles. Using a centred barre, the class progresses through turns, extensions, and jumps, supporting strength, clarity, and dynamic range. Emphasis is placed on coordination, musicality, and efficiency of movement, encouraging dancers to develop versatility, control, and expressive freedom within a strong technical framework.

The class will focus on building technique with a ballet base and a contemporary lens. It will strengthen classical lines, turns, jumps, dynamics and different qualities in the body, helping to build versatility within the dancer, so they have more tools when approaching choreography. Geared for experienced dancers who want to push their skills to the next level.

Acacia’s Bio

Acacia Schachte is a dynamic and creative force in the world of dance, known for her deep curiosity, spiritual exploration, and commitment to artistic development. Raised in Vancouver, Acacia’s journey began at Arts Umbrella under the mentorship of Artemis Gordon, where she quickly became immersed in the foundations of her craft.

In 1999, she joined Ballet BC, where she danced for seven years in productions by iconic choreographers including Jiří Kylián, William Forsythe, and Twyla Tharp. Her talent and versatility led her to New York in 2006, where she danced with Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet. Over the next eight seasons, Acacia worked alongside some of the most influential voices in contemporary dance, including Crystal Pite, Ohad Naharin, Hofesh Shechter, Jacopo Godani, and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui.

Acacia’s career continued to evolve across Europe, where she collaborated with Stuttgart Ballet as an assistant choreographer for The Firebird by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, she performed at the Munich Opera Festival and with Eastman. In 2016, she was invited to join the Royal Ballet of Flanders under the directorship of Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, further expanding her repertoire with works by Akram Khan, Pina Bausch, Martha Graham, and as an assistant choreographer for Sidi Larbi. As a rehearsal assistant and stager, Acacia has brought the works of Cherkaoui to companies across the globe, including the National Ballet of Portugal, Geneva Ballet, and Teatro dell’Opera di Roma.

A respected voice in the dance community, Acacia has also contributed to various film and video projects, including Emily Blunt’s dance double for The Adjustment Bureau, appearing in Anton Corbijn’s music video for Depeche Mode’s In Your Room, and collaborating with brands like Givenchy and Elle Korea.

In addition to her performance career, Acacia remains passionate about choreography and mentorship. She continues to explore her own creative vision, while sharing her knowledge and experience through workshops and masterclasses at prestigious institutions such as Royal Ballet of Flanders, Korea National University, NYC Dance Alliance, Jacob’s Pillow, Ballet Kelowna and Arts Umbrella.

Always eager to explore new artistic frontiers, Acacia’s practice is guided by a deep sense of curiosity, both within her craft and in her spiritual journey, allowing her to constantly evolve as an artist and human being.

Ballet Open level 12yrs+

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This class will be in the Showcase.

This class is designed to infuse the grace of ballet with a sense of freedom and fun. While we honour the essential techniques, we break away from the conventional by incorporating diverse music, ensuring that classical compositions share the stage with an eclectic mix. Join us in this innovative ballet experience where joy, fluidity, and the thrill of movement take centre stage, creating a class that celebrates the beauty of ballet without being bound by tradition. Students will develop technique through barre, centre work and across-the-floor exercises. Working on honing in on musicality, precision and focus while fostering the grace and strength this form has to offer. Ballet is a rich and varied form, and Hilary will offer a class that will integrate healthy alignment, challenge muscle memory, and develop musicality. Get strong, flexible and graceful. This class is open to a variety of levels. This will be a dance technique class to hone your skills and technique.

Winter Term: Jan 9th – April 26th 2026. 

The fee is $275 + GST.

This term is longer than the fall one, and culminates in the 15th Annual DanceFusion Showcase (Dress Rehearsal on Thursday April 23rd, with shows on Friday April 24th 7pm, Saturday April 25th 2 pm and 7pm and Sunday 26th at 2 pm). Double check you do have any date conflicts.

There will be a costume fee that will need to be paid and strong attendance through the term is required.

Only 2 absences allowed for this term, email for any exceptions. Attendance at stage rehearsals and showcase is required as well.

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!

Ballet 4-5yrs

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This class will be in the Showcase. Dancers will learn a routine to perform onstage at once of the four shows.

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.

Winter Term runs from Jan 6th – April 26th 2026

Cost is $262 + GST

This term is longer than the fall one, and culminates in the 15th Annual DanceFusion Showcase (Dress Rehearsal on Thursday April 23rd, with shows on Friday April 24th 7pm, Saturday April 25th 2 pm and 7pm and Sunday 26th at 2 pm). Double-check you don’t have any date conflicts.

There will be a costume fee that will need to be paid and strong attendance through the term is required. Attendance at stage rehearsals and showcase is required as well.

We are so excited to have Ava Jinjoe in the teaching team. Trained in classical ballet from a young age, Ava is a dedicated instructor, bringing a unique blend of technical precision and artistic flair to class and fostering a love for dance while nurturing each student’s potential. She has attended and been accepted to numerous dance programs, from Kootenay Dance Works in Rossland, where she started, to prestigious schools such as Arts Umbrella, Houston Ballet, Alberta Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, and Ballet Jorgen. With a career marked by passion, dedication, and a profound love for the art of dance.