Pro Half-Day Program
~ Auditions for the 2013/14 Pro Half-Day Program >> Sunday January 27th, 2013.
~ Please see our homepage for more Audition & Program information.
Dance Co's impeccable faculty provides a highly competitive Half-Day Dance/Academic Program to gifted young dancers. In additions to advanced dance ability and natural talent, individuals participating in this extensive, all-embracing training program must possess a passion for, and dedication to, dance. This intense and demanding program requires full commitment from both the students, and also their families. All classes demand high levels of physical strength technique and discipline.
The Half-Day training program is eligible to grade 8-12 students, with a minimum B grade average, who are looking for a highly challenging educational training program that will allow for the balance of both dance instruction, and fulfillment of scholastic requirements, concurrently. All students must either be part of the Magee Senior Secondary SPARTS program or obtain permission from their home school (the home school must have a non-rotating block schedule). This intense program allows dancers to allocate additional hours during the school day to dance, and yet still meet their academic requirements.
Half-Day Program dancers must have a tremendous desire to excel; as they will train 5 days a week, Monday to Friday with minor weekend involvement from time to time. Classes begin mid-day and are finished by early evening most days of the week. Dancers will train in all disciplines; and study all aspects of dance, including anatomy, bodywork, conditioning, choreography and dance history. Additionally, dancers are required to participate in Dance Co's Teacher-Training Program.
The demands of the Half-Day Program require dangers to train rigorously at an extremely high level. A strong work ethic is a necessity. Students who are chosen to train at this level, without exception, are all high achieving, hard working individuals who must retain a B grade average to ensure their continued status in this program.
Dance Co offers the Half-Day Program as an option to those dancers seriously considering a long term path in the creative world of dance. Dancers will be taught the foundation and tools to succeed in professional dance careers; but more importantly, dancers will be encouraged and inspired to learn, grow and flourish.
Applications for this program begin in January of each year. For more details on this program and requirement please contact the Dance Co Office.
"I am currently in my first year of the half day program and I really can't imagine going back to normal school. Not only has the program helped me to become a better dancer, it has also helped me to become less shy and more outgoing. Going to dance in the afternoons instead of the evenings has meant that I am able to focus more at dance. With the half day program, I am also able to finish all of my schoolwork more effectively. I have also really enjoyed taking classes with all of the guest teachers. I also enjoyed being introduced to more types of dance then I would have been had I not joined the program as I understand that you need to be a well-rounded dancer if you wish to create a career out of dance. For me dance is a way to make it through everyday with excitement for what's to come tomorrow."
2011/12 Grade 10 student - RT
"Being in the half day program gives me the tools to be able to progress with my dancing and take it to the next level. Just having the extra hours to come and take classes makes me extremely happy and gives me a good mindset. I also feel a lot of support and mentoring with doing this program, not only from the teachers, but the other students too. Another thing that I think really benefits me is all the extra opportunities that it gives me. Besides the extra training and strengthening I receive with it, I also get exposed to choreography, anatomy, performing and career options that I would not have otherwise experienced. I feel as though it is preparing and giving me the tools I need to make it in the dance world. The last big benefit the program gives me is all the time to do my school work and study. It allows me to have a quality education, which my parents and I view as very important."
2011/12 Grade 10 student - LL
"I have been training for 9 years in dance. I love dance and hope that it will be a major part of my future. I have noticed that the extra hours of training have made my body stronger, which allows me to improve. Learning so many new routines has sharpened my ability to pick up choreography. Also the opportunity to create my own routine has forced me to grow creatively. I have appreciated the chance to be able to learn different aspects of dance - teacher training, choreographing, music selection, costume designing and history. Being in half day has given me more time to focus on my schoolwork and improve my grades. I have been able to spend more time on my core academic subjects without staying up late, like I was before entering the program. I like being able to spend my time on my passion, dance instead."
2011/12 Grade 10 student - AR
"This year I had such a great experience in Sparts and I really enjoyed all the dancing we got to do. I like having more free time over the weekends to spend with my friends, family, and relaxing. Additionally I have made many new friends at Magee who are also in Sparts and I really like having friends who do lots of out of school activities like me! Another benefit of Sparts is that we end dance earlier. This is very nice for me because I can have dinner with my family and sometimes on Thursdays I can even watch TV! I loved Sparts this year and I can't wait until next year!!! Thank you Dance Co for providing this awesome program!!"
2011/12 Grade 9 students - MM
"All the opportunities in the Sparts program were really fun and made me think more about dance. I look forward to doing the projects and learning more about dance history, as I find it really interesting. I appreciate that we got to do all the different types of dance as part of the Sparts program. I think it is good fit us to get as much experience in every genre of dance as we can, so if we are in an audition we are prepared to do whatever is asked of us. I hope to do the program all through high school."
2011/12 Grade 8 student - JM
"Dance to me does not simply mean to dance. dance has become so much more then just movement to me; it is a part of me. It is so important I couldn't imagine my life whiteout it. When I came into the program I didn't know what to expect. I wondered if I was making the right decision. Now I know I definitely made the right decision. After just a few months I have noticed a great amount of improvement with myself. I have learned to set goals for myself in each class and always focus on specific things to improve on. Now I know that in many cases you get out what you put in and there is something new to discover in every situation. I feel like one of the luckiest people in the world sometimes because I am privileged enough to dance, and so many people do not even get the chance. I am proud to say that I am a dancer."
2011/12 Grade 11 student - KH
2011/12 Grade 10 student - RT
"Being in the half day program gives me the tools to be able to progress with my dancing and take it to the next level. Just having the extra hours to come and take classes makes me extremely happy and gives me a good mindset. I also feel a lot of support and mentoring with doing this program, not only from the teachers, but the other students too. Another thing that I think really benefits me is all the extra opportunities that it gives me. Besides the extra training and strengthening I receive with it, I also get exposed to choreography, anatomy, performing and career options that I would not have otherwise experienced. I feel as though it is preparing and giving me the tools I need to make it in the dance world. The last big benefit the program gives me is all the time to do my school work and study. It allows me to have a quality education, which my parents and I view as very important."
2011/12 Grade 10 student - LL
"I have been training for 9 years in dance. I love dance and hope that it will be a major part of my future. I have noticed that the extra hours of training have made my body stronger, which allows me to improve. Learning so many new routines has sharpened my ability to pick up choreography. Also the opportunity to create my own routine has forced me to grow creatively. I have appreciated the chance to be able to learn different aspects of dance - teacher training, choreographing, music selection, costume designing and history. Being in half day has given me more time to focus on my schoolwork and improve my grades. I have been able to spend more time on my core academic subjects without staying up late, like I was before entering the program. I like being able to spend my time on my passion, dance instead."
2011/12 Grade 10 student - AR
"This year I had such a great experience in Sparts and I really enjoyed all the dancing we got to do. I like having more free time over the weekends to spend with my friends, family, and relaxing. Additionally I have made many new friends at Magee who are also in Sparts and I really like having friends who do lots of out of school activities like me! Another benefit of Sparts is that we end dance earlier. This is very nice for me because I can have dinner with my family and sometimes on Thursdays I can even watch TV! I loved Sparts this year and I can't wait until next year!!! Thank you Dance Co for providing this awesome program!!"
2011/12 Grade 9 students - MM
"All the opportunities in the Sparts program were really fun and made me think more about dance. I look forward to doing the projects and learning more about dance history, as I find it really interesting. I appreciate that we got to do all the different types of dance as part of the Sparts program. I think it is good fit us to get as much experience in every genre of dance as we can, so if we are in an audition we are prepared to do whatever is asked of us. I hope to do the program all through high school."
2011/12 Grade 8 student - JM
"Dance to me does not simply mean to dance. dance has become so much more then just movement to me; it is a part of me. It is so important I couldn't imagine my life whiteout it. When I came into the program I didn't know what to expect. I wondered if I was making the right decision. Now I know I definitely made the right decision. After just a few months I have noticed a great amount of improvement with myself. I have learned to set goals for myself in each class and always focus on specific things to improve on. Now I know that in many cases you get out what you put in and there is something new to discover in every situation. I feel like one of the luckiest people in the world sometimes because I am privileged enough to dance, and so many people do not even get the chance. I am proud to say that I am a dancer."
2011/12 Grade 11 student - KH