Contemporary Dance Ensemble

The Victoria School Contemporary Dance Ensemble (CDE) is an auditioned performance group open to Victoria dance students in grades 7-9. Auditions for CDE are held in September. CDE allows junior high dancers an opportunity to learn, create and perform a variety of contemporary and modern dance styles. Students work with staff, professional artists and alumni to improve their dance technique through the art of performance. CDE dancers are also given the chance to work on their leadership skills through community/school workshops and performances. CDE has performed at school events such as Affair of the Art, Leaps & Bounds and Dance Collective, and community events such as Community Spirit, Stars of Hope, and Caravan of Colours.

Dance X-treme

Dance Xtreme is Victoria School of Performing and Visual Arts' auditioned dance performing group. The company class is open to students from grades 7 to 12 who successfully complete an audition. Auditions for Dance Xtreme are held during audition week, which occurs every September.

The focus of the Dance Performance Class, Dance X-treme, is developing performance skills in dance. This dynamic group of dancers represents Victoria School by making guest appearances at school events and within the community. The objectives of the ensemble are as follows:

• to perform in a non-competitive environment
• to provide students with dance instruction from a variety of professional artists
• to provide students with the opportunity to appreciate the role of dance within the community
• to help students develop self-motivation and enhance self-esteem through participation
• to help students acquire skills and attitudes for life-long involvement in dance (career, recreation)
• to help students develop qualities of co-operation and respect for others through participation and leadership roles
• to communicate information and ideas to students about dance and the dance industry
• to help students appreciate the aesthetics inherent in dance

Dance X-treme has performed at several local and international events including; the National High School Dance Festival in Miami, Florida, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at charitable events such as Stars of Hope and Community Spirit, The Royal Alexandra Hospital, The Festival of Trees, The YOU CAN International Youth Conference on Peace building and Conflict Resolution, and the Canadian National Men's Basketball Championships.

Hip Hop Club

The Hip Hop Club is offered to children in grades two, three, four, five, and six at Vic. The club is open to all who are willing to participate and dedicate one lunch hour a week during the months of September, October, November, and December (there are no auditions or cuts). Through a variety of warm up activities, movement combinations, and performance opportunities, the children are able to develop a sense of the fundamentals of hip hop dance and jazz. The kids are also encouraged to stay active through dance and to continue to develop their love of dance and performing.

Leaps and Bounds

Leaps and Bounds (Dance Performance Ensemble) is an auditioned performance group open to Victoria dance students in grades 7-12. Auditions for Leaps and Bounds are held every September. The Leaps and Bounds program allows junior high and senior high dancers an opportunity to experience a full dance rehearsal process from auditioning to performance. Students work with dance staff and student choreographers from the Composition 35 class to improve their dance technique through the art of performance.

Students will perform in Victoria School's annual student choreographed showcase entitled Leaps and Bounds and they have also had the opportunity to perform at school and community events such as Affair of the Art, Community Spirit, and Stars of Hope.

National High School Dance Festival Field Trip

Victoria School dance students have the unique opportunity to participate on a field trip to the National High School Dance Festival. This very prestigious festival occurs every two years and alternates between the cities of Miami, Florida and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Only a maximum of 25 students may participate in this festival, therefore the top priority goes to students in the Dance IB and Dance Xtreme programs.

At the festival, students will participate in dance master classes (over 200 classes available to choose from) taught by top professionals from around the world. Students will attend classes and lectures taught by master instructors as well as network with dance artists from other Performing Arts schools, which is uncommon for our students. Select students will also have the opportunity to audition for world-wide summer study scholarships and/or post-secondary institutions such as Juilliard, Joffrey Ballet, Jacob's Pillow, and The University of the Arts. Several of our Victoria students have received scholarships for summer study and post-secondary programs. One Victoria School Alumni is currently attending the Boston Conservatory on a full four year scholarship he received at the festival! Students will also view professional and student dance performances. Victoria School has been selected to perform at three National High School Dance Festivals. At the most recent festival in March of 2008, Victoria dance students on the trip were very excited to perform "Slow Dance" in one of the festival showcases.