Contemporary dance class combines concepts of modern dance with ballet and popular dance styles. It employs contact-release, floor work, fall and recovery, and improvisational tasks meant to engage the creative side of the dancer. Using structured and specific sequences dancers will sharpen their bodies and minds, while dancing low and with athletic flow. Level 2 requires dancers to be in additional classes weekly including ballet.

Contemporary 7-9yrs

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NEW TEACHER and CLASS and AGE!!

Contemporary is a style of dance that combines elements of several genres, including modern, release, classical technique, and more. Often, in terms of the focus of its technique, contemporary dance can combine floorwork and modern dance’s stress on the torso, but it is not confined to these techniques.

Contemporary at DanceFusion employs modern technique, release, floor work, emotive qualities, and improvisation.

We look to be adventurous, curious, relevant, and inspiring, and we want to express emotion through music!
Dancers develop coordination, musicality and artistry.

Fall Session runs from Sept 18th-Dec 11th, 2026

Cost is $250 + GST

See Info page for multi-class discount structure.

Emily is a ballet and contemporary dance instructor who grew up dancing at Kootenay DanceWorks in Rossland, BC. During her years at the studio Emily participated in the pre-professional training program and danced in leading roles. Now she is being mentored by Renee Salsiccioli, the studio director of KDW and a graduate of the Palucca University of Dance Dresden Master Dance Teacher program, while continuing to pursue professional development opportunities to further her training. Through this mentorship, Emily has explored new pedagogical approaches through hands-on teaching, choreography, anatomy, and injury prevention.

She is currently enrolled in a Dance Science and Dance Medicine course through the Austrian Academy of Dance Medicine and Pedagogy, under the direction of Dr.
Judith-Elisa Kaufman.

Alongside academic work, Emily has assisted with the choreography and production of KDW’s Charlotte’s Web and many other similar projects. She is
passionate about creating a safe and supportive environment where every student feels
valued, connected, and supported. Emily is excited to share her love for ballet technique and creative expression, while guiding dancers to discover their own artistic voice.

 

Contemporary Open 12-14yrs

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This class has been so popular we have added another class to accommodate a wider range of ages. See Civic Performing Arts Studio for Contemporary 14-18yrs.

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.

Emily is a ballet and contemporary dance instructor who grew up dancing at Kootenay DanceWorks in Rossland, BC. During her years at the studio Emily participated in the pre-professional training program and danced in leading roles. Now she is being mentored by Renee Salsiccioli, the studio director of KDW and a graduate of the Palucca University of Dance Dresden Master Dance Teacher program, while continuing to pursue professional development opportunities to further her training. Through this mentorship, Emily has explored new pedagogical approaches through hands-on teaching, choreography, anatomy, and injury prevention.

She is currently enrolled in a Dance Science and Dance Medicine course through the Austrian Academy of Dance Medicine and Pedagogy, under the direction of Dr.
Judith-Elisa Kaufman.

Alongside academic work, Emily has assisted with the choreography and production of KDW’s Charlotte’s Web and many other similar projects. She is
passionate about creating a safe and supportive environment where every student feels
valued, connected, and supported. Emily is excited to share her love for ballet technique and creative expression, while guiding dancers to discover their own artistic voice.

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

Fusion Evolve 14-17yrs

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This is a special class offered for intermediate students who are dedicated to pushing themselves in their dance training. This is not an open class and is by placement or auditon in the first week of classes.

Email for information about placement.

Dancers must be enrolled in Ballet and at least 2 other classes a week.

Appropriate for dancers with 3+ years of continuous prior dance experience in 3+ classes a week. 

The class will cover Contemporary and Ballet techniques and allow dancers to push their artistry and skill.

Commitment runs Sept– April 26th 2026.

Fall term runs Sept 17th-Dec 10th

Fall Fee is $285 + GST.

Performances: 

  • Day of the Dead: Sunday November 1st, 2027 (Nelson)
  • Kootenay Festival of the Arts: tentatively set for the first week of March 2027 (Trail)
  • Studio Showcase: April 23/24/25, 2027.
  • Additional performance opportunities may arise throughout the season.
  • Some additional rehearsals may be scheduled leading up to performance dates.

Fusion Ignite 12-14yrs

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Placement for this class happened in the spring term; late additions may be considered, please email.

Dancers must be enrolled in Ballet 2 imeediatly after this class and at leaast one ther class.

Appropriate for dancers with 3+ years of continuous prior dance experience in 2+ classes a week. 

The class will cover Contemporary and Ballet techniques and allow dancers to push their artistry and skill.

Commitment runs Sept– April 26th 2026.

Fall term runs Sept 17th-Dec 10th

Fall Fee is $262 + GST.

Performances: 

  • Day of the Dead: Sunday November 1st, 2027 (Nelson)
  • Kootenay Festival of the Arts: tentatively set for the first week of March 2027 (Trail)
  • Studio Showcase: April 23/24/25, 2027.
  • Additional performance opportunities may arise throughout the season.
  • Some additional rehearsals may be scheduled leading up to performance dates.

Jazz Open 13yrs+

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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 dancers of all levels of experience.

The Autumn term runs from Sept 17th-Dec 10th, 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 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!

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!

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

DanceFusion 11-13yrs

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We are excited to offer this fun, upbeat class combining elements of several genres, including contemporary, lyrical jazz, ballet, and more.  Dancers listen to a wide variety of music, including current popular music and develop musicality thru movement. 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, choreography and technique as well.

Autumn Term runs Sept 17th-Dec 10th, 2026

$262 + GST.