Intensive Training Program (ITP)

Admission to Maritime Dance Academy ITP is by audition or a teacher's recommendation ONLY. Generally, dancers from our children's program feed into ITP 1, after completing their P2 Ballet Badge.

We run classes from September until June, with a break in Dec/Jan. Summer dance camp is available for those interested. We have two main showcases a year: a parent viewing showcase in Jan/Feb and our year end recital at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in June.

Course Descriptions

Ballet

Students take classes of styles of ballet such as Russian, Cecchetti and Canadian Dance Teacher's Association (CDTA). Classes develop strength, proper form, flexibility and coordination. A student who is strong enough to study En Pointe will be advised. Generally, this is not until ITP 5 or 6.

Jazz/Technique

Jazz is an energetic, physical and up-tempo dance form. Classes are a combination of current dance trends and stage dance. The emphasis is on polish and technique, while improving flexibility. Students are examined by CDTA when ready.

Modern

Modern dance draws from many forms of dance, but emphasizes exploring the full range of movements the body can make. It uses the body as an expressive instrument moving in space.

Tap

The emphasis in tap classes is correct rhythms and clarity of sound. Students are examined by CDTA when ready.

Body Conditioning

This class focuses on stretching and strengthening the body, as well as improving cardiovascular fitness.

Class Levels

ITP runs on a nine level system, but most of the upper levels (5-9) take more than one year to complete. Numerical information below is approximate.

ITP 1-3

These students are generally between 8-11 years old, with between 2 and 6 years of dance experience. Students in these levels are dancing between 3 and 4 hours a week, taking classes in jazz, technique, ballet and tap.

ITP 4-5

These students are generally between 10-14 years old, with between 4 and 8 years of dance experience. Students in these levels are dancing about 5 hours a week, taking classes in jazz, modern, ballet and tap.

ITP 6-9

These students are generally between 13-22 years old, with between 8 or 9 years of dance experience. Students in these levels are dancing between 6 and 8.25 hours a week, taking classes in jazz, modern, body conditioning, ballet and tap.

TEACHING ASSISTANTS

ITP 4 + may assist in the children's program as a teaching assistant. Please see the office if you are interested. The opportunity to take your teacher's exam in ITP 9 exists if you have taken all of your dance exams and have sufficient teaching experience.

PERFORMANCE GROUP

Maritime Dance Performance Group holds auditions in September of each year if you are a student in ITP 6+ who would like more performing opportunities. Maritime Dance Performance Group.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

Girls Proper black tank style bodysuits and ballerina pink tights are required for dance exams. You may also need black tights as a costume base and/or for exams. Ballet slippers are needed for all ballet classes and may be worn to jazz/technique class until the student has jazz shoes. Dancers need jazz shoes by ITP 3. Tap shoes are required for all tap classes. ITP 2+ needs TelTone taps. No t-shirts are permitted in technical classes and hair MUST be pulled back off the face (in a bun for ballet).

Boys

Boys require a fitted white t-shirt, black tights and black slippers. Other footwear requirements are the same as girls.

POLICY FOR MISSED CLASSES

Students are entitled to do a make up class for any missed classes, with the exception of those classes which have already been taken into consideration when pro-rating the payments. Please see the office for make up class times.

PAYMENT OF FEES

Students enrolled in full ITP receive a discounted tuition rate. ITP students pay a pro-rated amount, due the first of every month, based on the total number of hours they will dance during the year. Most people find it easiest to leave post-dated cheques at the office to avoid the $10 charge on overdue payments. Call any of our three studios today to register or for more information.