If you want your kids to learn about dedication, discipline, poise and team work, sign them up for a dance class! There are dance studios all over the Lower Mainland (with three on Fraser St. alone) offering classes for toddlers, adults and everyone in between. You’ll be able to find whatever you’re looking for, whether it’s a year-long competitive program or a three-month introductory class.
The Happening
The Happening is in a word, happening! This bustling Fraser St studio is the real deal. Their mission is to invest in kids and young adults as people first and as dancers second (hear hear!). They will nurture your child’s joy in movement while helping them develop their technical skills. With classes and programs for the little ones to high school students, The Happening has activities for adults too (ask about adult hip hop!). They also have creative dance, tap, jazz, contemporary and tap.
5460 Fraser Street
Dance Co
Dance Co has grown from one location with two studios in 1992 to two locations with thousands of square footage of dancing space in 2016. Dance Co trains over 800 beginner to professional level dancers each year. The studio believes students learn best through positive reinforcement and mutual respect. Dance Co offers recreational, competitive and even half day professional training programs.They offer the full gamut of dance specialties from ballet, tap and jazz to musical theatre, hip hop and competitive dance programs.
In the Arbutus Village Shopping Centre and 5780 Fraser Street
Spotlight Dance Centre
Spotlight Dance Centre has been training dancers at their Burnaby studio for almost 30 years. There is a real sense of family and camaraderie within the school (many of the teachers at Spotlight grew up dancing at the studio!). Spotlight is known for its professionalism and training highly talented dancers and performers. They offer a comprehensive curriculum in the performing arts, meeting the needs of preschoolers to young adults, beginners to professionals. The offer most dance styles (and then some!) from ballet, modern, jazz and tap to hip hop, musical theatre contemporary/lyrical, competitive classes.
6637 Hastings Street, Burnaby
Vancouver Performing Stars
Vancouver Performing Stars is a performing arts training program that offers a variety of music, theatre and movement classes for kids ages 2 to 16. They offer classes at local community centres and also at their home studio on Fraser Street. Vancouver Performing Stars’ programs are continually growing with their students (hello Improv classes!) and their goal is to teach technique and confidence through song and play to encourage a love for the arts. Classes offered include ballet, jazz, hip hop, glee and musical theatre.
3994 Fraser St
Arts Umbrella
This well established dance program on Granville Island offers classes and programs for kids as young as two all the way through a two-year university diploma program. Home to the Arts Umbrella Dance Company, they have a strong program that caters to boys and young men (with boys only classes and recitals) as well as girls. From creative dance to their general, and professional streams, there are lots of programs for all manner of dancer.
Banner Image Credit: Arts Umbrella
