The Guelph Youth Dance Company was formed in 2008, by Janet Johnson and Catrina von Radecki as a means of further celebrating, enhancing and training young dancers. The GYD Company only hires professional, established Canadian dance choreographers with great skill and artistry as well as experience with youth education.
For aspiring dancers 14 – 19 years (by audition)
Performance Opportunities
In addition to the December Open House and the Spring Show at the River Run Centre, company members will have several other performance opportunities throughout the year.
Over the past five years the company has performed at DanceOntario Weekend, Harbourfront Centre, Art Harvest, Guelph Dance Festival, and have participated in a summer residency with Tara Luz Danse in Ottawa, a week long exchange in Moncton New Brunswick, a 10-day tour throughout China, a 12-day tour in Spain, an exchange with the Halifax Young Company through Experiences Canada, Linamar for the performing arts performances at the River Run Centre just to name a few opportunities!
Company members have worked with highly acclaimed guest choreographers including: Anik Bouvrette (Ottawa), Lina Cruz and Suzanne Miller from Montreal, and Karen Kaeja, Kate Hilliard, Jordana Deveau all from Toronto, Lacey Smith from London, and Dancetheatre David Earle from Guelph. In order to build relationships with other creative youth in our community, we have built regular partnerships with the Suzuki String School, Season Singers and Swansea School of Dance.
The Guelph Youth Dance Company and rehearsals run from September – May. If accepted in to the Company, members would be required to attend every company rehearsal and attend every performance. Attending the Summer Intensive is also mandatory for all members joining the company as they will begin work on a piece they will continue to develop during the year.
GYD Company weekly training
Mandatory for all company members:
Company Ballet and Rehearsal
Contemporary Technique and Composition
Company Mandatory Technique and Company Rehearsal
Conditioning
Additional Classes highly recommended
Extra Ballet 14 and up
Optional
Jazz 14 and up
Hip Hop 12 and up
Company Member Registration Process
This year registration will open for company members only between June 7-10th to ensure company members can get into all their mandatory classes as many classes will fill up quickly.
Following this brief pre-registration period for company members only, registration will open on June 11th for all those currently registered in the 2023-2024 season and will open on June 18th for all new families.
Please note that after June 10th we cannot guarantee your spot in your mandatory company classes.
Payment plans: We accept three and 7-month instalment plans.
For payment plans:
1) Select your classes on the portal (starting June 7th)
2) E-transfer your company deposit and registration fee including taxes to catrina@guelphyouthdance.ca
Non–refundable Deposit: $200 plus taxes: $226 and
Non -Refundable Registration Fee: $40 plus taxes: $45.20
Total: $271.20
3) Once your e-transfer of $271.20 has been received and processed your classes will be reserved. Please note that your classes are not reserved until this time.
4) Instalments are due by e-transfer on the 1st of the month starting September 1st and going until March 1st. Families are responsible for ensuring their total is divided into 7 equal payments and submitted on the 1st of each month.
For more information on being in the Company email Tara at companydirector@guelphyouthdance.ca
Questions about the registration process? Please email Catrina at Catrina@guelphyouthdance.ca