Contemporary Intermediate 12-15yrs

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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.

The class is fast-paced and athletic and designed for dancers with a background in dance. It is intended for movers looking for a more complex and challenging class, physically and mentally.
For dancers who want to try a drop-in, please email for details. office@slavadancefusion.com

The term runs from May 22nd – June 19th 2026. 

The fee is $99 + GST.

Ballet Focus 14yrs+

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This intermediate-level technique class teaches classical ballet foundations with healthy movement principles.Beginning with 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.

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.

Spring Term: May 22nd – June 19th 2026.

The fee is $99 + 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 completed her Bachelor of Education.

HipHop Intermediate Level 12-15yrs

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NEW CLASS AND LEVEL!

Intermediate for dancers who are ready for finesse, speed, complexity and freestyle. It is aimed at students who have been doing Hip-Hop for 3+ years, who understand the FUNdamentals, and who already can foundational moves with confidence and who are ready to focus on a more fast-paced and complex class.

This HipHop class will integrate party dances of the 80s and 90s to the present day, as well as choreography, across the floor grooves, and the latest dance moves that make this dance unique. It includes a wide range of styles. Class will include conversations about Hip-Hop Culture, and its history. This class will be fun and uplifting with upbeat popular music.

Term runs May 20th – June 17th 2026.

Fee is $99 + GST

Originally from Toronto, Sammy Jade is a teacher, multi-disciplinary healing artist and performer. She was introduced to the love of Hip Hop, watching her older cousins groove to breaks & beats. Growing up, Hip Hop wasn’t taught in formal classes yet. Music videos were her instructors, basement floors were her studio space, and cyphers were just another way to hang out with friends. In school, organically, Sammy’s dance crew and step team made choreographies to perform for her peers at lunch, in the hallways and onstage. As a young adult she continued to street dance as a form of self-expression, sharing this love for Hip Hop culture, naturally learning party moves at underground events. Sammy Jade’s credits include Luminato Festival, Kultura, Hysteria Festival, LadyFest Toronto, as well as venues such as the Roy Thompson Hall and The Rogers Centre, in Toronto. She has toured across Quebec, performing at venues like L’impérial, Le Cercle, in Québec City, as well as Club Soda in Montreal for POP Montréal. In 2008, Sammy Jade participated in Pierre Maraval’s photo exhibition, Toronto’s Mille Femme, a tribute to 1,000 artistic, creative, and inspiring women from Toronto and their protégés, who embody the passion and heritage of the city. Sammy Jade is honoured to share her love of street dance styles with Slava’s DanceFusion Studio.

HipHop 9-12 yrs

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This class will explore Hip Hop along with other street dance styles, to express yourself through music and movement.

Slava will bring a playful, creative perspective to help guide students in their exploration of the foundations of Hip-Hop grooves, footwork, floorwork, and more. The class will include conversations about Hip-Hop Culture and its history and roots.

No prior experience is needed, just an openness to learn, move and create.

Spring Term runs from May 25th – June 22nd 2026

Cost is $90 + GST.

Contemporary Intermediate 13+

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This class weaves release technique, floorwork, modern dance techniques, and more into a rich class that explores a variety of movement styles. The classes vary from fluid lyrical movements to athletic leaps and jumps, fancy footwork, and intricate hand and arm movements. The aim is to create an adventurous dance experience incorporating a down-to-earth aesthetic with a contemporary outlook.

The class is fast-paced and athletic and designed for dancers with a background in dance. It is intended for movers looking for a more complex and challenging class, physically and mentally.
Spring Term – May 19 – June 16th 2026

$99 + GST

Contemporary Ballet Intermediate

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We are so lucky Acacia will be a guest teacher at the studio for a few weeks this Spring: May 28th – June 18th 2026 (note the different start date from the other classes)

Cost: $95 + GST

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.

HipHop Intermediate – 15yrs+

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This HipHop class will integrate party dances of the 80′s and 90′s to the present day, as well as choreography, and across-the-floor moves.
This class is for students who have done HipHop before,  have a solid foundation and are confident and ready to push themselves with faster-paced and complex choreography.

Ready to challenge your confidence with freestyle, and work on more complex choreography at faster speed? This is for you 🙂

Appropriate for dancers with several years of training and who want a challenge.

For students that are enrolled in at least 2+ classes a week! Email for exceptions.

Spring Term runs from May 19th – June 16th.  $99+ GST

Levels of HipHop at DF:

Foundation – Monday 5:45 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! – Monday 6:45 pm (15yrs+)/ These classes are for various levels. 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. It’s time to step ya game up and get into more complexity.

HipHop Intermediate – Tuesday 7 pm / This class is for more experienced dancers, wanting to improve their HipHop skills.

Afro House Open Level – Tuesday 8 pm / This is a new class with a new teacher – more information coming soon!

Popping 13+ – Wednesday 6 pm / This is a new class for adults – more information coming soon!

House Open Level – Wednesday 7 pm/ 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, can be tricky for a total beginner to pick up. Cardio!

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 🙂

Acro Intermediate 12-15yrs

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Acrobatic training teaches flexibility, balance, strength, discipline, and concentration. Through safe and progressive training, a dancer will gain more flexibility and strength to achieve skills. Dancers learn musicality, and various dance techniques to develop their skills. Acrobatic movements can include handstands, somersaults, headstands, cartwheels, bridges, walkovers, and more! The goal is to incorporate acro skills into a dance routine, therefore blending artistry with athleticism.

This is an intermediate class, not a beginner/open-level class, geared toward dancers with prior dance (2+ years twice a week) For this level, dancers need to be enrolled in at least one other class a week in Contemporary, Ballet or Jazz.

Please email if you are unsure about the level.

Spring term runs from May 20th – June 17th 2026

The cost is $99 + GST.

Skills required:

  • Go from standing down to a bridge on their own, hold bridge for at least 10 sec with heels down.
  • Working on kick over, can do it on their own, ok if leg is not super straight.
  • Do a forward roll (no heading touching the mat)
  • Handstand with good form.
  • Leg straight cartwheel on one side
  • Hold plank for 60 seconds.

We will work safely from this base of skills.

DanceFusion is an Acrobatic Arts Certified Studio.