Adult Ballet Classes - Canada

[myfeethurt]

I'm thinking about moving to Ontario, and was wondering where I could find some good adult ballet classes. I'm not sure where I'd be moving to yet--it depends on work, and where I can find classes--but I'm hoping for somewhere between Windsor and Toronto. Any ideas?

[Clara 76]

Welcome to Ballet Talk for Dancers, painful feet!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE your screen name- so apt.

 

I want to point you in the direction of the large population of adult students here- you'll find many friends amongst us!!

 

I don't have an answer for you, but I'm sure someone will soon enough!

[rgzannie]

The distance between Windsor and Toronto is around 400 kilometers, and about 4 hours driving time (with no traffic problems) The GTA (Greater Toronto Area - from approx Burlington to Whitby) can easily take 90 min to 2 hours to travel depending on traffic.

Certainly within the GTA there are at least several very good studios that offer adult classes. I am not at all familiar with Windsor, but I do know in London, ON, there are one or two studios.

So it would be best for you to first decide where to live, and then people would be better able to advise you.

[myfeethurt]

Thanks for the welcome!

[myfeethurt]

Where I'm going to live depends mainly on where I can find good classes. That's why I left it pretty wide open. Can you give me the names of the studios you're familiar with, that have good adult programs? I'm considering the National Ballet School's adult program in Toronto. But I don't really want to live right in the middle of a big city. And I'm trying to avoid a long commute. Thanks.

[tangerinetwist]

I have attended NBS's teacher's summer program- it is about a four hour drive from where I live in MI. I found Toronto to be a very pleasant and friendly city. Having lived in Chicago for a time, Toronto has a wonderful public transportation system of buses, trains and trolly-type cable cars. The school itself is in a nice area and there are lots of shops and restaurants within walking distance. The new studios were in progress when I was there in 2005, and every bit of info I receive from them makes it very appealing to return(with two small children now, I have difficulty devoting a whole week to study there). The staff is top-rate, though I am not familiar with the adult program, I would expect the same so as not to tarnish their reputation. The Shoe Room is another hot draw and quite a sight unto itself.

 

PS- I am on the other side of the river from Windsor. The teacher with whom I study would be about an hour drive from the tunnel or bridge on the MI side. She is former ballerina with a very good adult following- she doesn't work with children at all. Let me know if you want more information.

[myfeethurt]

PS- I am on the other side of the river from Windsor. The teacher with whom I study would be about an hour drive from the tunnel or bridge on the MI side. She is former ballerina with a very good adult following- she doesn't work with children at all. Let me know if you want more information.

 

Are you talking about Christina in Keego Harbor? I've taken her classes before, and I loved them. I just couldn't do the 45 minute drive on a regular basis

[mom2]

In Toronto there are adult classes at the National Ballet School, Dance Teq (which uses NBOC company facilities), and Metro Movement. There are also open modern classes - I would have to check the name of the group that runs these. I'm sure there are more, this is just what I am familiar with.

 

At danceteq, the Advanced classes are in the middle of the day - so if you are an adult who works a typical day this can be a challenge. The evening classes at dance teq are lower level, and a wide variety of dance forms is offered - depending on client response. My daughters have told me that the Int. classes are often very close to Adv. level.

 

However, if you don't want to live IN the city this will mean a commute to the places I just mentioned. I think bigger studios like Sean Boutilier may have adult classes; not sure.

 

Hope this helps. All the places I mention above are pretty easy to get to via public transit. We live outside the city, so often GO train it in.

 

all the best,

 

m2

[rgzannie]

At the north edge of Toronto, in Thornhill (ie Yonge St & Steeles), Stepanova Ballet Academy has adult ballet class almost every evening. (vaganova).

[tangerinetwist]

PS- I am on the other side of the river from Windsor. The teacher with whom I study would be about an hour drive from the tunnel or bridge on the MI side. She is former ballerina with a very good adult following- she doesn't work with children at all. Let me know if you want more information.

 

Are you talking about Christina in Keego Harbor? I've taken her classes before, and I loved them. I just couldn't do the 45 minute drive on a regular basis

 

Yes, I take her classes on a regular basis. She is a fantastic teacher and a true inspiration to all her students. I feel blessed to have the good fortune of being able to make a 45 minute drive on Sundays to get to her class(and to have found a babysitter one morning a week this summer to boot!).

[gav]

There are also open modern classes - I would have to check the name of the group that runs these.

 

509 Dance collective, maybe? These are also during the day. They're at the CCDT studios, which are near the NBS. I've never been, personally, since I dance nearly no modern.

 

I don't know how familiar you are with Toronto. If you aren't particularly familiar, I'd suggest coming up to spend some time here before making a decision to live or not to live in the middle of the big city. There are lots of lovely residential neighbourhoods (with parks and trees and the like) in the City of Toronto proper, even in what many would consider the "downtown". If you have questions about where these might be, just ask.

[mom2]

gav - that's what I was thinking of (509 collective), thanks!

 

You're also right about living in the city I suspect!

 

m2

[tigger]

509 collective is geared towards professional level modern dancers:

http://www.ccdt.org/files/other/collective.htm

 

Just around the corner from CCDT, there are adult modern classes at TDT:

http://www.schooloftdt.org/gs-program.html

It's a friendly atmosphere, and the classes are in the evening.

 

There are also a few good studios in Hamilton - plus it's not as big a city as Toronto. It's only about an hour away by train.

[myfeethurt]

In Toronto there are adult classes at the National Ballet School, Dance Teq (which uses NBOC company facilities), and Metro Movement. There are also open modern classes - I would have to check the name of the group that runs these. I'm sure there are more, this is just what I am familiar with.

 

At danceteq, the Advanced classes are in the middle of the day - so if you are an adult who works a typical day this can be a challenge. The evening classes at dance teq are lower level, and a wide variety of dance forms is offered - depending on client response. My daughters have told me that the Int. classes are often very close to Adv. level.

 

However, if you don't want to live IN the city this will mean a commute to the places I just mentioned. I think bigger studios like Sean Boutilier may have adult classes; not sure.

 

Hope this helps. All the places I mention above are pretty easy to get to via public transit. We live outside the city, so often GO train it in.

 

all the best,

 

m2

 

Thanks M2,

 

I wasn't considering public transportation--I'm not used to having it as an option. So maybe taking classes in Toronto, while living just outside wouldn't be so bad. Time might still be a problem, but at least I wouldn't have to do the driving myself.

 

 

At the north edge of Toronto, in Thornhill (ie Yonge St & Steeles), Stepanova Ballet Academy has adult ballet class almost every evening. (vaganova).

 

Stepanova looks interesting. And do you remember the names of the studios in London? Thanks!

 

PS- I am on the other side of the river from Windsor. The teacher with whom I study would be about an hour drive from the tunnel or bridge on the MI side. She is former ballerina with a very good adult following- she doesn't work with children at all. Let me know if you want more information.

 

Are you talking about Christina in Keego Harbor? I've taken her classes before, and I loved them. I just couldn't do the 45 minute drive on a regular basis

 

Yes, I take her classes on a regular basis. She is a fantastic teacher and a true inspiration to all her students. I feel blessed to have the good fortune of being able to make a 45 minute drive on Sundays to get to her class(and to have found a babysitter one morning a week this summer to boot!).

 

I wish I had unlimited time, and a good dogsitter. Then I wouldn't mind an occasional drive. How long have you been taking class with her? It's been at least 6 or 7 years since I've been there.

[myfeethurt]

There are also open modern classes - I would have to check the name of the group that runs these.

 

509 Dance collective, maybe? These are also during the day. They're at the CCDT studios, which are near the NBS. I've never been, personally, since I dance nearly no modern.

 

I don't know how familiar you are with Toronto. If you aren't particularly familiar, I'd suggest coming up to spend some time here before making a decision to live or not to live in the middle of the big city. There are lots of lovely residential neighbourhoods (with parks and trees and the like) in the City of Toronto proper, even in what many would consider the "downtown". If you have questions about where these might be, just ask.

 

I've only been to Toronto a couple times. Once when I was in college, and the other time was a few years ago to see Jesus Christ Superstar. So I'm not real familiar with the area. I plan to make a couple trips once I find out where all the studios are. So I'm sure I'll have lots of questions about the neighborhoods. Thanks!

 

509 collective is geared towards professional level modern dancers:

http://www.ccdt.org/files/other/collective.htm

 

Just around the corner from CCDT, there are adult modern classes at TDT:

http://www.schooloftdt.org/gs-program.html

It's a friendly atmosphere, and the classes are in the evening.

 

There are also a few good studios in Hamilton - plus it's not as big a city as Toronto. It's only about an hour away by train.

 

Do you know the names of the studios in Hamilton? I read a little about the area, and it looks like a nice place with all the waterfalls.