HipHop Open Level 11-15yrs

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This class will be in the recital.

This HipHop class will include 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 a wide range of styles. Class will include conversations about HipHop Culture and it’s the history. This class will be fun and uplifting with upbeat popular music and include a choreography to perform and is open to any level of experience. No experience needed. If students have done Hip Hop before , moves will be layered so everyone is met where they are at.

Class is held at STUDIO ALIVE in uphill Nelson.

Term runs Jan 7th – April 26th 2026.

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.

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.

Dad’s Dance

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A VERY SPECIAL time of the year, Dad’s Dance.

Fridays, two timeslots:  5:30-7 pm or  7 pm-8:30 pm.  Location: Wildflower Gym. Exact Dates TBA, likely Feb 27th or March 6th start date til Showcase, five or six rehearsals.

Dads registered for the 5:30 timeslot will perform in the Friday 24th 7 pm show and the Saturday 26th 2 pm Matinee.

Dads registered for the 7 pm slot will perform Saturday, 25th 7 pm show and Sunday 26th 2pm Matinee.  Space pending dads can do both timeslots, for the keeners.

If you are new to the studio, a quick explanation: This has become an annual highlight of our April Showcase. The dads learn a dance with their children to close the show, it is very very misty, sweet, fun and EPIC! The kids have been over age 9 in the past as it requires a good deal of focus in a crowded room, and mainly the choreography is suited to older kids and teens.
This class is a chance to bond, laugh, and have fun and learn some groovy moves. Open to dads ( stepdads, or dad like figures) and their kids. The crowd loves it (still have folks talking about it), the kids are so proud of their dads (stepdads or dad like figures), and new friendships are formed through this rite of passage. Excellent chance to bond in a new way! PS. you do NOT need dance experience!

 Registration for this will be done at the end of January. Dads need to register with their OWN account, not their dancers 🙂

Costume: TBA

Fun: To be had.

From last year’s participants:

“I coach a lot of her sports but dad dance was the best connection I had with Lilly last year. My daughter was stoked to be able to show me her dance world and it was cool to be able to switch roles with me as the student and her as the coach. Thanks for giving us that.”  – Simon Liddell ( LVR High school teacher)

“Dad’s Dance was one of the coolest, scariest, endearing things I’ve ever done. It was an experience both me and my two stepdaughters will never forget. It brought us closer, made us laugh, and created a story we’ll recall and share for many years to come.” – Mitchell Scott (editor-in-chief of Kootenay Mountain Culture Magazine)

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.

Contemporary 9-11yrs

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This class will be in the recital.

Contemporary is a style of dance that combines elements of several genres, including modern, release, ballet 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 it is not confined to these techniques. Contemporary at DanceFusion also employs contact-release, floor work, fall and recovery, 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.

Class is held at Studio Alive in uphill Nelson.

Winter term runs from Jan 6th – April 26th 2026.

Cost 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.

We are so excited to have Ava Jinjoe back 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. 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, Ballet Jorgen. With a career marked by passion, dedication, and a profound love for the art of dance, Ava is excited to join the Dance Fusion team.

HipHop Open Level 13yrs+

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This class will be in the recital.

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 combos, and the latest dance moves that make this dance unique. It includes a wide range of styles and will be a good time moving to great music.  Prepare to move, get funky, and dance hard. Open to all levels of experience, so if you are new or have danced hip hop before, this class will make you bounce and rock no matter what, layers will be offered to build complexity for those with more experience.

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.

 

 

Acro Dance 5-7 yrs

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This class will be in the Showcase.

A dance class that provides the potential for personal expression and coordination skill building. One of the goals of creative dance is to communicate through movement and use imagery and games to have fun while creating the building blocks of movement development. This class also uses traditional exercises to familiarize students with dance vocabulary, musicality, and choreography.
Acro Dance terminology and positions will be introduced in an age-appropriate way (pike, straddle, tendu, bridge, somersault, plank, handstand, candlestick, etc).
The class combines acrobatics development with dance skills. It fills quickly, and there are limited spots at this age.

Students bring their own yoga mats. Extras are available to borrow.

The Winter term runs from Jan 5th – 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 that 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.  Email for any exceptions. Attendance at stage rehearsals and showcase is required as well.

DanceFusion Adult

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This class will be in the Showcase.

Slava weaves her experience with various dance styles into a rich class that explores a variety of movement techniques, with an emphasis on Contemporary and Jazz. The classes vary from fluid lyrical movements to athletic leaps and jumps, modern release technique, fancy footwork, intricate hands and arm movements, and some funky grooving.
She aims to create an adventurous dance experience that incorporates a down-to-earth aesthetic with a contemporary flavour. The class is open-level and will also have a stretch and strengthen component.

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

Cost is $305 + 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 may 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.

Turns & Jumps

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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.

The class is open level, and there will be enough variety to inspire a variety of levels. Some dance experience required, not a total beginner class.

This Term: Jan 6th – March 10th 2026

Cost: $200 + GST

Contemporary Adult/youth 15yrs+

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This class will be in the recital.

Class is held at Studio Alive in uphill Nelson.

Winter Term runs from Jan 5th – April 26th 2026.

Cost $285 + GST

This Contemporary class combines elements of several genres, including modern, release, and more. It is set to diverse and inspiring music to develop musicality and mood. This class will hone and challenge your movement patterns, including floor work, jumps, and turns, and is designed for dancers of all levels.

No prior experience is needed!

Students will also learn combos, techniques, and across-the-floor sequences. The class 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.

Fabiola brings her passion, presence, and joy to the dance floor every class, making it an empowering and inspiring time. This class has a mix of levels, so don’t be shy to push your exploration of dance further.

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.

Jazz Intermediate Level 14yrs+

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This class will be in the recital.

NEW LEVEL!  Open Level moved to Thursdays!

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 experienced dancers enrolled in various classes a week with good technical ability and musicality. Thursday 6:30 is Open level Jazz 13yrs+.

The term runs from Jan 6th – 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 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!