From Creative Dance to Company: A Dancer’s Journey at GYD

When a dancer first comes to our studio at age three to take a Creative Dance or Pre-Ballet class at Guelph Youth Dance, they are probably not yet dreaming of becoming a professional dancer. This is, however, a fundamental time in their dance education; a time when their love of dance can begin to flourish, when they discover the joy of learning how their bodies move and express themselves, and when they experience the magic of moving together with others.

At Guelph Youth Dance, we do not take the responsibility of introducing dance to young children lightly. We have developed specialized early-years dance curriculums and are fortunate to have professional dance teachers, some with decades of teaching experience, sharing their knowledge and passion with our youngest dancers. Our goal is to create a positive first experience with dance while giving young dancers the physical, creative and social foundations they will carry with them as they grow.

Learn more about what happens in an early-years dance class here.

Exploring Dance and Finding Their Passion

A dancer in a Pre-Ballet class will often progress into our Ballet 6–8 program and continue through our ballet classes as they grow. Others may discover a passion for Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, or another style.

At this age, we do not believe dancers need to commit to one particular style. Instead, we encourage them to explore different genres, discover what makes them happiest, and find the styles and teachers that inspire them to dedicate their time and energy to dance each week.

At Guelph Youth Dance, we specialize in contemporary dance, with ballet serving as an important foundation that supports and complements contemporary training. For this reason, we do not offer RAD ballet examinations or pointe classes. Dancers whose primary goal is to pursue professional ballet training may be better suited to a school with a dedicated ballet examination and pointe program.

That said, we have had GYD graduates go on to train at institutions such as the National Ballet School, with the strong foundation they developed at Guelph Youth Dance helping them successfully pursue further ballet training.

Our goal is not to decide at age three what kind of dancer a child will become. It is to give them the skills, confidence, curiosity and love of movement that allow them to discover that for themselves.

Discovering Contemporary Dance

Contemporary dance classes begin at age six at Guelph Youth Dance. One of the things that makes our contemporary program unique is that every class is accompanied by live percussionist Jeff Wilson.

Having a live percussionist in the studio gives dancers a unique opportunity to develop musicality and artistry through live music. It creates an immediate relationship between movement and rhythm and adds a dynamic element to the dancers’ experience that is difficult to replicate with recorded music.

Our contemporary classes combine technical development with improvisation, composition, musicality and creative exploration. Dancers develop strength, coordination, flexibility and physical confidence while also learning how to communicate and express themselves through movement.

Contemporary training becomes an increasingly important part of a dancer’s development at GYD, and all company dancers are required to take contemporary classes.

Taking the Next Step: Apprentice Company

Around age nine, dancers who wish to dedicate more time to their dance training can audition for our Apprentice Company, designed for dancers ages 9–11.

While most dancers who wish to make this commitment are accepted, the audition process itself is an important experience. It gives young dancers the opportunity to develop audition skills, demonstrate their preparation and understand the additional commitment that comes with being part of a company.

Being selected for Apprentice Company means taking on a greater level of responsibility and training. Apprentice Company members take a weekly ballet class, contemporary class and company rehearsal. Many will also add on additional non mandatory classes such as Jazz, Hip Hop or Conditioning. They also have opportunities to work with a variety of guest teachers and perform approximately three to five times throughout the season in special performances in Guelph and surrounding communities.

For many dancers, this is the point where dance begins to become more than simply an after-school activity. They begin to understand what it means to work together as an ensemble, take direction from different choreographers, prepare for performances and be accountable to themselves and one another.

Young Company: Developing as Artists

At age 12, dancers can progress into our Young Company. Dancers do not need to have previously been members of Apprentice Company to audition for Young Company, but they do need at least two years of contemporary dance training before auditioning.

The Young Company provides dancers with an opportunity to deepen both their technical training and their artistic development. As dancers mature, they are challenged to become more independent, adaptable and expressive performers while continuing to build technique, strength and confidence.

Guelph Youth Dance Company: Taking Dance to the Next Level

At approximately age 14, dancers can audition for the Guelph Youth Dance Company our most advanced level of youth training.

At this stage, the commitment to dance increases significantly. Company dancers take mandatory contemporary classes twice a week, company rehearsals twice a week with guest choreographers, as well as ballet and conditioning classes.

This is when you truly begin to see the results of years of consistent training.

Dancers become stronger, more flexible and more confident. Their ability to learn choreography quickly develops significantly, and they become increasingly comfortable working with different teachers, choreographers and movement styles.

Company members also have opportunities to perform locally, regionally, nationally and, on occasion, internationally. Some GYD dancers have travelled across Canada as part of Experience Canada tours and have even travelled to China and Spain to perform.

International tours are special opportunities and do not happen often, however, we are incredibly proud when we are able to provide dancers with these experiences. Performing in different communities and cultures gives young artists a broader understanding of what it means to be a dancer and to share their work with others.

Visit our Company page to learn more about where Guelph Youth Dance Company dancers have performed.

Preparing for Life After GYD

When dancers graduate from high school and head off to university, they also graduate from Guelph Youth Dance. For many, this is an exciting, and sometimes scary, transition.

They have spent years surrounded by a strong social and artistic community and finding opportunities to continue dancing after graduation can sometimes be challenging. We want to help our graduating dancers make this transition with confidence.

During their final year at GYD, dancers have opportunities to take on paid teaching-assistant and choreography roles with our younger companies. These experiences provide valuable work experience, references and an opportunity to begin giving back to the community that helped shape them.

Graduating dancers also participate in a special graduation dance performed at our Spring Shows in May. This performance is professionally photographed and filmed, giving dancers high-quality documentation that they can use in future grant applications, auditions or applications to pre-professional programs.

Building Connections That Last Beyond GYD

Over the years, our dancers work with many professional teachers and guest choreographers. These relationships can become incredibly valuable as dancers move into the wider dance community.

One of the wonderful things we hear from our graduates is that they often recognize teachers and choreographers when they encounter them again at other schools, companies, auditions and professional training programs.

These connections matter.

The professional dance world is built not only on technical ability, but also on relationships, reputation, collaboration and community. The connections dancers make during their years at Guelph Youth Dance can become part of their professional network long after they leave our studios.

Where Does the GYD Journey Lead?

When a three-year-old walks into their first Creative Dance or Pre-Ballet class, we certainly do not expect them to become a professional dancer.

And not every dancer will want to.

Over the years, we have been proud to watch GYD graduates and company members pursue many different paths. Some have continued into pre-professional dance schools and contemporary dance companies. Others have pursued programs such as the National Ballet School’s Teacher Training Program. Many have gone on to study fields such as kinesiology and physiotherapy, taking the knowledge of movement, anatomy and physical awareness they developed through dance into their future careers.

The path our dancers choose after Guelph Youth Dance is ultimately theirs.

Our hope is to give every dancer the tools to pursue professional dance if that is what they want—but, even more importantly, to give them the skills to become confident, healthy and happy people who know how to work hard, collaborate with others, take critical feedback creative risks and contribute to a community.

They leave GYD with more than dance training. They leave with relationships, experiences, memories and a community of people who have supported, and will continue to support them along the way.

Look out for our upcoming blog posts featuring GYD graduates and the incredible things they have gone on to do in the world of dance and beyond. Their stories are inspiring reminders of just how many different paths can begin with that very first dance class.