Hello DWK families,

We’re getting into our busy season as we prepare for spring performances. Here’s a reminder of some of the important details and dates to make sure you have marked down on your calendars.

Performance Costumes

Your dancer might have mentioned trying on costumes at the studio. We are in the final stages of getting all of the costumes organized and ready for each dancer. When they are ready we’ll send an email with a few more details and to let you know to expect them to be sent home with your dancer. Reminder: Costume rental is included in your tuition fees. Costumes will be the responsibility of families until after Recital when they will be returned to the studio.

Picture Day – Saturday, February 21

Please mark your calendars for our studio picture day on Saturday, February 21. We are working with Stafford Studios again this year to take group photos of each class as well as individual photos of each dancer. We will have the schedule and order information ready in early February. Each class typically needs to be at the studio for approximately 45 minutes. If you know your dancer has another event that day we can often accommodate for conflicts when creating the schedule. Please notify Ms. Erin of any scheduling requests by Wednesday, January 28 and we will do our best to factor that in when creating the schedule (once sent out the schedule is final).

Performance Events – Kenora Festival & 2026 Recital

Our two main performance events will be happening in the spring. Adjudicated performances at the Kenora District Festival of the Arts happen on April 11 and include all Dance Foundations, Primary, Junior, Inter, Senior, and Ensemble classes. The DanceWorks Kenora 2026 Recital will be on May 9 (with dress rehearsal the day before) and will include all Creative Movement, Dance Foundations, Primary, Junior, Inter, Senior, and Ensemble classes.

We have already begun preparing our routines for these performances. In group performances a missing dancer has an impact on the entire routine. If you know your dancer has a conflict for either of these dates please let the studio know ASAP so that the teacher and the class can plan accordingly.

Volunteer Criminal Record Checks

We will be looking for volunteers to help at our performance events this spring. We require all of our backstage volunteers to provide a vulnerable sector criminal record check. These record checks can take quite a while to receive so we’d like to get this process started now. If you think that you might be available to volunteer at Festival or at Recital please get in touch so that we can provide you with a letter requesting the check.

Student Choreography Routines

Student choreography is an opportunity for dancers to explore their own creative voices and to present their original work at Festival (with the potential to also be invited to perform at Recital). If your dancer is interested please review this document outlining the process and requirements for student choreography routines for 2026. The first deadline is coming up quickly with the studio form due by February 5.

Mark Your Calendars!

February 15 & 16 – No Classes – Family Day Weekend
Saturday, February 21 – Studio Picture Day
March 14 to 21 – No Classes – March Break
Saturday, April 11 – Kenora Festival of the Arts Dance Performances
Sunday, April 12 – KDFA Workshop Classes
Friday, May 8 & Saturday, May 9 – Dress Rehearsal & 2026 Recital
Sunday, May 10 – No Classes – End of Winter Session Creative Movement
June 19 – Full Year Classes End

You can check the studio calendar, including holidays and closures, anytime at the Class Schedule page.

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