We do not offer a recreational program. We have 3 parts to our programming:

• Community programming (Intro to Dance for 3 yrs and Adults)

• Pre-competitive programming (4-8 yrs)

• Competitive programming (6-18 yrs by audition)

Our community offerings include an Intro to Dance (aged 3yrs) and Adult classes.

Intro to Dance is run in 6-8week sessions throughout the season. These fun classes are designed to introduce dance to your young mover. Find out more about our program offerings here!

Adult classes are offered in 8-10week sessions throughout the season and genres vary each season based on interest and include tap, ballet/contemporary and fitness/stretch. Find out more about our program offerings here!

Our Pre-competitive program runs from ages 4-8yrs. It is an opportunity to introduce young children to the art of dance and train dancers who may want to transition to our competitive program. These are combo classes including ballet and tap, and later jazz for older dancers. The pre-competitive program requires fewer hours of commitment/training than our full competitive program, which starts at age 6yrs. There is also an opportunity for some pre-competitive classes to compete.

Find out more about our program offering here!

Our Competitive program runs from 6-18yrs and all dancers take the core genres of ballet, tap, and jazz. This program is by audition. Find out more about our program offerings here!

Yes! We love seeing the adults in our community join us here on the dance floor. Adult classes are delivered in 8-10 week sessions throughout the season and genres vary each season based on interest and include tap, ballet/contemporary, and fitness/stretch. Find out more about our program offerings here!

Yes! Find out more about your Summer program offerings here!

Summer at Strive continues to evolve each season with additional offerings and camps run by guest instructors.

At the end of the camp week, parents are welcomed to an entertaining showcase of everything their child has learned. Truly an exciting dance experience for the young student!

Our Pre-Competitive Program is offered for children ages 4-8 and no dance experience is required. Your child is placed according to age.

Our Competitive Program is by audition, for more information click here!

Strive Dance Academy Society is a non-profit organization which utilizes its funds to operate the Academy. Any profit, which may be realized, is put back into the Academy for the benefit of the organization and its members. Strive is owned by the collective membership and operated/administered by the Board of Directors. While the Board of Directors is responsible for the Governance and Operation of the Society and Academy; the Artistic Director is responsible for the Dance Programming. The Artistic Director, Teaching Staff and the Board of Directors work collaboratively to address concerns, as well as, to nurture innovation and accountability in the operations of the Academy. The Office Administrator is the link of communication to the parent/dancer membership and takes direction from the Board of Directors and Artistic Director as appropriate in the day-to-day operations of Strive.

As a part of a non-profit dance society our competitive members are expected to volunteer in order to keep the studio running smoothly. To become a member the first year you are required to pay a membership fee of $250.00/dancer and then $75.00 + GST/dancer each year after.

Additionally, each competitive family must take part in the following to keep your membership current:

• Fundraising Gala (June each year) - Each member is required to contribute to the Strive Gala each year. This is Strive Dance Academy’s main fundraiser to offset the costs of running a business.

• Committee Participation (Yearly commitment) - As a member, you must sit on at least one of the 10 committees. This is your contribution to help ensure the studio can operate effectively and efficiently. Information about committees and how to sign up will be provided to you by the office administrator.

Strive has an attire list pre-selected. All students are required to wear the correct attire for each of their classes as outlined in the attire Schedule provided at the start of the dance season.

All attire is available from Fantasy costumes in Red Deer (they also have a copy of the required attire for each class). As a Strive member, you receive 10% off.

Hair must be back off of the face to prevent injury and promote good technique.

Wearing the required dance attire ensures that the body is being held correctly, therefore allowing teachers to make safe and precise corrections. It shows respect to the teacher and to the art of dance. It demonstrates that the dancer is focused on the style of that class and cares about their presentation. Having hair back off of the face ensures safe training and assists in proper technique.

Yes. Each competitive dancer is required to take the mandatory classes in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Stretch/Strength. The number of hours of each discipline per week will increase as the dancer progresses in level.

Each season all competitive dancers participate in additional exam preparation classes, 3-4 competitions, 2 year-end shows, and the Strive Annual Gala. The schedule and calendar are provided early in the season with the dates for extra classes and events. There may also be extra classes scheduled to prepare for the competition.

Competitions take place in April and May; therefore, the studio schedule will be adjusted in these months. We keep families informed to ensure they can plan accordingly.

Strive Dance Academy believes in dance exams as a great teaching tool, not only in developing dance technique but also in developing confident individuals. We believe exams:

• Encourage strong work ethic

• Encourage setting and achieving goals

• Provide an opportunity to demonstrate the work learned in a new setting

• Provide an opportunity to be evaluated by professional examiners

• Provide a sense of accomplishment

• Provide an opportunity to develop life skills, such as handling pressure and challenging situations

Along with the above, each dancer receives a certificate to show accreditation for their hard work and dance training. Examinations are a worldwide standard, therefore, exam results are a great addition to applications and resumes.

Check out our Importance of Exams document.

A.D.A.P.T. stands for Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers.

This is the certified dance syllabus for Tap and Jazz, which we follow at Strive Dance Academy. Students at Strive work towards examinations in the ADAPT syllabus. We feel this syllabus allows our teachers to maintain the highest standard of dance training excellence.

R.A.D. stands for Royal Academy of Dance.

This is the certified dance syllabus for Ballet, which we follow at Strive Dance Academy. "The Royal Academy of Dance is one of the largest and most influential dance education and training organizations in the world." Students at Strive work towards examinations in the RAD syllabus and our teachers follow the continuing professional development scheme in place at the RAD, ensuring that teachers are always up to date with current teaching methods.

Acro is the short name for Acrobatic Dance. Acro is the combination of dance techniques with acrobatic skills. It differs from gymnastics as the acrobatic skills are taught to fuse seamlessly with dance skills and combine musicality, expression, line, and acrobatic skills with smooth transitions. Acro demands and teaches flexibility and strength and the technique includes balancing, limbering, tumbling, contortion and partnering. At Strive, our teachers are certified in the Acrobatic Arts syllabus.

At Strive we emphasize the importance and value of being involved in our community. We believe in the importance of assisting in the development of kind and caring citizens. Strive Dance Academy participates in many different local community events and encourages all of our dancers to take an active role in supporting their community.

We hold auditions to assess potential students’ technical strengths and areas for growth. This allows us to ensure the dancer will be placed at the appropriate level for the start of the upcoming season. Understanding the current level of applicants, coupled with knowledge of returning dancers allows us to customize our enrichment and regular programming for the season.

Due to our small class sizes and commitment to providing our students with the highest quality dance education in Central Alberta, spots are limited at each level. Auditions allow us to assess each potential student individually to determine their best placement at the academy.

There are 3 ways to audition for Strive Dance Academy’s Competitive Program

• Open Audition - No Charge - Open auditions are held in June and August

• Private Audition - $40.00

• Video Audition - $40.00

For more information regarding Auditions Click Here

Students will be asked to attend a sampler class including 20 minutes of ballet, 20 minutes of jazz, and 20 minutes of tap. They are accompanied by some of Strive’s current dancers.

• We understand that dancers may not always have experience in all 3 genres and we encourage dancers to try the style and enjoy the class.

In a private audition, our instructors will take you through a short ballet, tap, and jazz class, as well as, teach a short combo. We will also be happy to see a piece of choreography from the dancer in any genre, although this is not required. Please note there is a $40 fee per dancer for private assessments.

We will accept video auditions of potential students dancing in class or dancing on stage (groups or solo). If you study ballet, tap and jazz we would love to see all three disciplines. We are trying to get a sense of both your technical and performance ability and your current level. A short ballet barre and tap combination is appreciated.

There is a $40 fee per dancer for video assessments.

To increase your chance of successful placement, we encourage video applicants to apply early.

No, however, dancers and families need to display dedication and commitment to the academy to return the following year. The placement of students in classes may be adjusted during the season or from one season to the next. This is at the discretion of the Artistic Director and teaching staff.

Strive Dance Academy requires all dancers to participate in the 3 core genres of Ballet, Tap, and Jazz, as well as, weekly Stretch/Strength Classes.

We do have an option for Grade 12 dancers joining us without experience in all genres to complete a ‘genre exemption form’. This form allows you to apply to reduce your programming. Your application will be assessed by the Artistic Director and Principal Teachers to determine if we are able to modify your dance program requirements and what stipulations will apply.

Note: Reduction of core programming may impact Extra Work opportunities. If the request is based on injury we ask for an attached doctor’s note or recommendation.

Our office will contact you by email/phone within two weeks of your audition to advise if your child’s audition led to successful placement with Strive.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us at 403-346-0004 or info@strivedanceacademy.ca if you have further questions during the process.

If offered a spot at Strive, your dancer will be required to attend a placement class to determine their level of dance. Strive instructors determine a dancer’s level based on a number of factors including: previous exams, experience, technique, age, and spots available per level.

Placement of students in dance levels may be adjusted during the dance season if it is deemed necessary by teaching staff.

We have programming for various levels and ages. We encourage you to contact us to find out what Strive can offer your dancer!

Yes. However, if they have limited or no training in one of these styles, we will set up classes to support your dancer’s growth and help them build their technical skills and confidence in areas they need development. This may be done prior to the season start or as supplementary classes during the season.

Yes. We recognize that dancers will mature, gain skill, and strengthen at different rates. We welcome all dedicated students to audition every spring.