COMPETITIVE CLASSES

Our competitive program offers comprehensive and dynamic training with an emphasis on technique and teamwork. The competitive program is designed for students looking for a more challenging class environment, or students who are training to prepare for future advancements within the performing arts. Our team of educated instructors integrates their expertise with the Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA), Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), and Acrobatic Arts syllabi to offer innovative instruction and choreography, alongside associated technical examinations. Students attend class on a weekly basis, participate in three local dance competitions, and perform in our year-end recital in June. Additional highlights include performances in our annual Christmas Cheer Week, as well as participation in a variety of studio-wide events throughout the year. Competitive students are also eligible to perform competitive solos, duos, or trios in the style of dance class(es) they are enrolled in, and/or sign-up for our studio’s Production, a large-scale competitive musical theatre number including members of SaskExpress, current students, teachers, and alumni!

Please Note: An attendance policy is in effect within our competitive program. Please see our Studio Policies and Procedures for more information.

CLASS LEVELAGE GUIDELINE
Preliminary5 - 7 years old
Beginner8 - 11 years old
Novice11 - 13 years old
Intermediate13 - 15 years old
Senior14 - 17 years old
Advanced 15+ years old

*Ages are approximate; placement is based on technical level and the discretion of the studio director(s).

Please click here for detailed information about our 2022-2023 season, including the weekly class schedule, fees, and important dates. To register, click the Register button next to your selected class below. If you are wanting to register in multiple classes (yay!), you will be prompted to do so after selecting the first one. You will also be given the option to add a student if you are registering multiple dancers.

Regina Classes - Competitive

Musical Theatre

Choreography Classes (all levels): One 45-minute class per week (September - June)

Triple Threat Technical Classes (Novice, Intermediate, Senior): One 60-minute class per week (September – June)

Inspired by broadway and classic theatre, our musical theatre classes combine the fundamentals of character development, acting and vocal technique, and stylized dance, providing young performers with a dynamic introduction to the performing arts. Our class strategy for younger students integrates singing and dancing with creative exercises that foster imagination, motor skill development, confidence, and musicality. Older classes experience comprehensive triple threat training by learning vocal theory, more challenging dance progressions and styles as well as acting techniques.

Class Requirements:

  • All Novice, Intermediate and Senior competitive musical theatre students must register for the associated Triple Threat technique class. 
    • Please note: Preliminary and Beginner students are not required to take a technique class. 
  • An attendance policy is in effect within our competitive program. For more information, please see our Studio Policies and Procedures.

Attire (Female-identifying):

  • Tan jazz shoes, fitted dance clothes
  • Hair pulled neatly off the face

Attire (Male-identifying):

  • Black jazz shoes, fitted dance clothes

For detailed attire requirements, please see our Studio Attire Requirements.

 

Acro

Preliminary/Beginner/Intermediate/Senior: One 45-minute class per week (September - June)

Novice: One 60-minute class per week (September - June)

Based on the Acrobatic Arts syllabus, these classes prepare students with the strength and flexibility necessary to develop an acrobatics skillset, including tumbling, balancing, and limbering. Our team of instructors emphasizes safe practices, an understanding of the body, and the importance of spotting during the teaching of these new skills. Students in these class will have the opportunity to pursue Acrobatic Arts exams and pending instructor approval.

Attire (Female-identifying):

  • Bare feet, leotard, and tights
  • Hair pulled neatly off the face

Attire (Male-identifying):

  • Bare feet, fitted dance clothes

For detailed attire requirements, please see our Studio Attire Requirements.

**Please note: These are the acro classes designed for our competitive students; however, the acro classes themselves do not participate in our spring competitions (with the exception of Stars of Tomorrow pending Instructor approval). They perform for Christmas Cheer Week and in the year-end recital. 

Ballet

Preliminary, Beginner, Novice, Intermediate, and Senior: varying times, one class per week (September - June)

A classical style of dance that focuses on poise, technique, fluidity, and form, providing the foundation for most styles of dance. Students develop more advanced technical skills through barre work, centre exercises, and stretch.

Class Requirements:

  • All competitive ballet students must register for the associated ballet exam classes. Please contact studio@saskexpress.com for placement.
    • Please note: Preliminary and Beginner students are not required to take the associated exam class(es).
    • New this year! Exam preparation is integrated into all levels of choreography class(es).
    • An attendance policy is in effect within our competitive program. For more information, please see our Studio Policies and Procedures.

    Attire (Female-identifying): 

    • Ballet shoes, leotard, tights, and skirt (optional)
    • Hair in a bun

    Attire (Male-identifying):

    • Black ballet shoes and fitted dance clothes

    For detailed attire requirements, please see our Studio Attire Requirements.

Exams

One 45 minute class per week (September – June)

Please contact studio@saskexpress.com for class placement.

Exam classes are mandatory for competitive students. Our jazz and tap exam classes teach the Canadian Dance Teachers’ Association (CDTA) syllabus, and our ballet exam classes teach the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus. Students learn an examination grade from the syllabus to provide technique and skill development; taking the exam is optional. In addition to syllabus work, exam classes include strengthening and flexibility exercises, progressions, and other class work that complements the associated competitive dance style.

For detailed attire requirements, please see our Studio Attire Requirements.

 

Hip Hop

Preliminary, Beginner, Novice/Intermediate, Intermediate/Senior: One 45-minute class per week (September - June)

Experience a fun and active class environment with our competitive hip hop classes. Students develop coordination and musicality by learning different styles of choreography to today’s most popular Rap, R&B, and Pop. 

Class Requirements:

Attire (Female-identifying):

  • Indoor runners, fitted dance clothes
  • Hair pulled neatly off the face

Attire (Male-identifying):

  • Indoor runners, fitted dance clothes

For detailed attire requirements, please see our Studio Attire Requirements.

Jazz

Preliminary: One (shared) 60 minute class per week (September to June)                                                                         

Beginner: One 45 minute class per week (September - June)

Novice, Intermediate, Senior: One 60 minute class per week (September – June)

These classes provide training in jazz technique and terminology in an energetic and dynamic class setting. Our instructors develop creative class plans that incorporate the fundamentals of ballet with an emphasis on performance, stretching, stamina, and interpretation of music.

Class Requirements:

  • All competitive jazz students must register for the associated competitive ballet, ballet exam, and jazz exam classes. Please contact studio@saskexpress.com for placement.
    • Please note: Pre-Preliminary and Preliminary students are not required to take the associated exam class(es). Exam preparation is integrated into their competitive class(es).
  • An attendance policy is in effect within our competitive program. For more information, please see our Studio Policies and Procedures.

Attire (Female-identifying):

  • Tan jazz shoes, fitted dance clothes; older students may need black jazz shoes
  • Hair pulled neatly off the face

Attire (Male-identifying):

  • Black jazz shoes, fitted dance clothes

For detailed attire requirements, please see our Studio Attire Requirements.

Lyrical/Contemporary

Novice: One 45 minute class per week (September - June)

Intermediate/Senior: One 60 minute class per week (September - June)

Lyrical combines both ballet and jazz fundamentals with an emphasis on emotive storytelling and fluid movement, enabling students to discover more advanced patterns of movement. This style of dance shapes movement quality and musicality through an increased emphasis on body awareness, use of space, and breath. 

Class Requirements:

  • Must have completed at least 2 years of prior competitive jazz and ballet training.
  • All competitive lyrical students must register for the associated competitive ballet, ballet exam, competitive jazz, and jazz exam classes. Please contact studio@saskexpress.com for placement.
  • An attendance policy is in effect within our competitive program. For more information, please see our Studio Policies and Procedures.

Attire (Girls): 

  • Tan jazz shoes, fitted dance clothes
  • Hair pulled neatly off the face

Attire (Boys):

  • Black jazz shoes, fitted dance clothes

For detailed attire requirements, please see our Studio Attire Requirements.

Tap

Preliminary, Beginner, Novice, Intermediate/Senior: One 45-minute class per week (September - June)

A percussive form of dance, teaching tap technique and terminology in a captivating class setting. Students explore musicality through an understanding of beats and counting, and different elements of rhythm and syncopation.

Class Requirements:

  • All competitive tap students must register for the associated competitive ballet, ballet exam, and tap exam classes. Please contact studio@saskexpress.com for placement.
    • Please note: Preliminary students are not required to take the associated exam class(es). Exam preparation is integrated into their competitive class(es).
  • An attendance policy is in effect within our competitive program. For more information, please see our Studio Policies and Procedures.

Attire (Female-identifying):

  • Tap shoes, fitted dance clothes
  • Hair pulled neatly off the face

Attire (Male-identifying):

  • Black laced tap shoes, fitted dance clothes

For detailed attire requirements, please see our Studio Attire Requirements.

Triple Threat Technique (formerly Vocal Tech)

Novice, Intermediate, Senior: One 60 minute class per week (September - June)

Triple Threat Tech is a required class for all students enrolled in competitive musical theatre or the Mini Express & The Expressions. Students learn proper character development, acting and singing technique and foundation of dance in addition to basic music theory, performance skills, and self-confidence.

  • Preliminary and Beginner students are not required to take a Triple Threat technique class. 

For detailed attire requirements, please see our Studio Attire Requirements.

**Please Note: Vocal technique is a technical class focused on developing singing skills, musicality, and basic theory. The classes sing in the year-end recital, but do not participate in other studio performances. As such, costume deposits and picture fees are not charged. For performance-based options, check out our musical theatre classes!