Hello dance families,

As everyone is probably aware, Ontario announced new COVID-19 restrictions that take effect on January 5th. These latest restrictions mean that the studio will be closed for in-person classes until the end of January. Classes were set to begin the week of January 9th and while we can’t be together in-person we will continue with online classes using a modified schedule.

We know that online classes aren’t for everyone and that some households have a hard time connecting which is why we have modified the schedule to combine a few classes and provide more flexibility in the schedule for dancers and their families. 

NOTE: Dancers are welcome to attend any class at their level while we are online, ie: Dance Foundations level can attend any one or all three of the scheduled Dance Foundations classes OR a Primary Tap dancer can choose to also attend Primary Ballet and/or Primary Jazz. Any dancers in the Primary to Senior levels can also attend Dance Conditioning during this time.

We hope to see as many of you as possible online so that we can keep moving together and are ready to shift back to our in-person classes when we are permitted to re-open.

The modified schedule below will be in effect from January 10 to January 28. Zoom links will be available within your DWK portal account under the class details. 

Monday
4:00 pm to 4:30 pm – Creative Movement
4:45 pm to 5:30 pm – Dance Foundations Ballet
5:45 pm to 7:00 pm – Senior Tap
7:15 pm to 8:30 pm – Dance Conditioning

Tuesday
4:00 pm to 4:45 pm – Dance Foundations Jazz
5:00 pm to 6:15 pm – Primary/Junior Jazz
6:30 pm to 7:15 pm – Pointe & Pre-Pointe
7:30 pm to 9:00 pm – Senior Jazz

Wednesday
4:00 pm to 4:45 pm – Creative Movement & Tap
5:00 pm to 5:45 pm – Dance Foundations Tap
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm – Primary/Junior Ballet
7:15 pm to 8:45 pm – Intermediate/Senior Ballet

Thursday
4:00 pm to 4:30 pm – Creative Movement
4:45 pm to 5:45 pm – Primary/Junior Tap
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm – Intermediate/Senior Ballet
7:45 pm to 9:00 pm – Senior Modern

Friday
6:00 pm to 7:15 pm – Junior/Senior Hip Hop

We hope to return to our regular in-person schedule in late January but will provide updates as soon as possible based on any changes or extensions to the provincial restrictions. If you’re eligible for an initial, second, or booster dose of vaccine please use this time to get vaccinated before we gather in-person again.

As always, please reach out to Ms. Erin with any questions or concerns. Text or email is the preferred method of communication.

Hi DWK dance families,

A few quick updates as we head into our final week of classes before the holiday break.

Last Day of Classes is Monday, December 20

We wrap up the Fall session and take a break in our Full Year classes beginning on Tuesday, December 21, 2021. Full Year classes and Winter session classes resume on Sunday, January 9, 2022.

50% Off DanceWorks Kenora Merchandise

Looking for gift ideas? Want to show your studio support? All of our in-stock DanceWorks Kenora merchandise is 50% off. No code required. Shop online and pick-up at the studio. DWK Online Store – https://danceworkskenora.square.site/ 

Updates to Proof of Vaccination Requirements

The updated proof of vaccination measures for Ontario will remove the current exemption for youth age 12+ in sports and recreation. Effective December 20, anyone age 12+ participating in dance classes at the studio will need to provide proof of vaccination. Our holiday break runs Dec 21 to Jan 8 so for most this change will take effect when classes resume on January 9.

We also strongly recommend that anyone age 5 to 11 be vaccinated (or in the process) if they are participating in dance classes. Please also be aware that there may be additional vaccination requirements in order for dancers to participate in spring performances. Any updates on that will be communicated as soon as possible.

Winter Session Registration Open

If your dancer was enrolled in Creative Movement, Creative Movement + Tap, Dance Foundations, Dance Conditioning, or Junior/Senior Hip Hop and wants to continue dancing please don’t forget to register for the Winter session through your portal account.

We also have a few new class options for Winter including Dance Foundations Hip Hop + Jazz, Primary Combo Ballet + Tap, and Teen Dance Combo. Know someone that is interested in dance? Please share our Winter class information with them. Class details and online registration at danceworkskenora.com

Happy Holidays

We are thankful for all of our dance families and your continued support. We hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday season and we look forward to getting back into the studio together in the New Year.

Hi DWK dance families,

A few updates as we approach the halfway point of our Fall session of dance classes.

Fall Break

The studio is closed and there are no classes from Wednesday, October 27 through Monday, November 1. Enjoy this week off from classes and have a happy Halloween!

(PS. For anyone that marked this on your calendar at the start of the year, the dates are adjusted slightly from the original plan in order to better match with the school PD Day on November 1st as well as an adjustment for Tuesday classes that are impacted by a cancelled class due to a scheduled power outage today.)

Mini-Session Classes

The current set of mini-session classes come to an end this week. The Fall 2 mini-session will begin the week of November 9. This includes Parent & Tot classes as well as Gentle Jazz & Tap. Register online today for the Fall 2 mini-session at danceworkskenora.com

Winter Session Priority Registration

For classes that run as separate Fall and Winter sessions (Creative Movement, Creative Movement & Tap, and Dance Foundations) we will have Winter session registration opening in November. All current dance families will be given priority access to register before classes open to the public. Details on priority registration will be sent directly to families in the session-based classes. Stay tuned.

Thank you as well to everyone for continuing to follow all of the studio’s COVID-19 protocols including the screening and masking. Your efforts continue to help keep our studio community safe and healthy. 

Hi dance families,
We are looking forward to getting the dance season started this week! Your class schedule is below along with some important information on policies, procedures, etc. Please review and reach out ASAP if you have any questions or concerns.

Screening Required Before Class

Dancers and staff must pass the DWK Health Check screening survey before attending class in-person. We request that you complete this 12 to 24 hours before your scheduled class so that Ms. Erin has time to review responses and send reminders to those that have not completed it before classes start each day. If anything changes between filling out the screening and the time of class you are required to notify the studio. The screening survey can also be accessed from the homepage at danceworkskenora.com Note: This active screening is a requirement for facilities like the dance studio but the ongoing tracking of this for every student each day can take up a lot of time. We greatly appreciate your efforts in completing it in a timely manner before each class.

Dance Class Checklist:

• Proper dance attire and hairstyle
• Dance shoes
• Mask
• Water bottle

(Double check your class requirements in our Dress Code. If you don’t have the correct attire or shoes yet please wear anything that allows full range of movement and have your dancer bring a thin pair of socks.)

Absences & Make-up Classes

Dancers that cannot attend class in-person are encouraged to attend class online. This allows dancers to participate from home while continuing to learn with their regular class. Please notify the studio as soon as possible of any absences. This gives us time to set up the hybrid class technology if they are attending online and also opens up the option of in-person make-up classes for other students.

If dancers have missed a class and were not able to attend online they can attend a make-up class in another style or level (this may be done online or in-person depending on class sizes). Due to our ongoing COVID-19 procedures each make-up class must be approved first. Please contact Ms. Erin at info@danceworkskenora.com to arrange make-up classes.

The wait is over! Our digital show includes performances from all of our Spring Session classes and includes a variety of more typical recital routines as well as our ballet production of “Peter & the Wolf”. We hope you enjoy the show!

The 2021 Year-End Recital is available for streaming and/or download as of 4:00pm Friday, August 27th and will remain online for viewing until Saturday, September 11 at midnight. Get your ticket and watch online at https://23131.recitalticketing.com/. Don’t forget to share with your family and friends as well.

Reminder: All participating families have prepaid for one on-demand streaming ticket with your spring session tuition. If you didn’t receive your unique code via e-mail please reach out to Ms. Erin.

In addition to the on-demand streaming option there is also the option to purchase a copy for download. This gives you access to download a copy of the performance to keep on your device. Access to download will also be available until September 11, 2021 at midnight but once downloaded you will have permanent access to the file (whereas the on-demand access will end when the performance streaming closes on September 11).

Come dance with us in our 2021-2022 and Fall 2021 dance classes.

• Priority registration open now for returning students. Registration will open to new students at 12 noon on Saturday, August 21.
• View the class schedule, class descriptions, and dress code information on the website at danceworkskenora.com
• Our COVID-19 procedures will continue and will be updated as necessary as the situation continues to evolve. Dancers and staff will continue to wear masks for the foreseeable future, including while dancing, as most of our students are not yet eligible for vaccines. If you are eligible and able to receive a vaccine it is strongly recommended that you are fully vaccinated to attend dance class as indoor physical activity poses a higher risk for COVID-19 transmission.
• If you are unsure of the correct class or level to register your dancer for please reach out to Erin at info@danceworkskenora.com or by texting 807-464-3666.

We look forward to dancing together again this year!

With Ontario’s move into Stage 3 of re-opening we are excited to announce our programming for Summer 2021.

We are very excited to get back into the studio! Whether you have a dancer looking to continue their training, a previous dancer looking to jump back in, or an “I like dancing at home” dancer looking to try something new we have a summer camp that will work.   We’re also working on our Fall schedule, stay tuned at the end of July or early August for that information.

Restrictions around distancing during sport and activity are reducing, but we will still aim to maintain distance as much as possible during dance class. In recognition of the fact that many of our students are not yet eligible for vaccines all dancers and instructors will continue to wear face masks while indoors, including while dancing.

Multi-class discounts of 10% apply to any students or families enrolled in more than one summer program.

You can view the summer camp details and register online at danceworkskenora.com/summer-camps/

• Mini Dance Camp – FULL
• Art & Dance Camp (for ages 7 to 12) – 4 spots left!
• Dance Combo Camp (for ages 7 to 10)
• Teen Dance Basics (for ages 11+)
• Dance Conditioning & Stretch (for ages 10+)
• Technique Intensives (for ages 12+, dance experience required)

NOTE: Registration is limited. Some camps are already full. Please join the waitlist and depending on interest we may be able to offer additional programming.

Registration is open for our 10 week spring session! Classes start April 17 and will begin online and transition to in-person when we can return to the studio. Register online at danceworkskenora.com/registration

Spring session is going to be all about preparing for our DanceWorks Kenora 2021 Digital Recital.

Each class will be focused on learning choreography and preparing for filming at the end of June. Primary Ballet through Senior Ballet will be preparing a story ballet, Peter & the Wolf, while all other classes will be preparing more typical recital style dance routines. We’re excited to have a performance focus again, even in this modified format!

Please note, dancers need to be committed to attending online as we will start learning choreography immediately. Performance and digital streaming dates TBD.

If you have any questions on the appropriate class or level for your dancer get in touch with Erin at info@danceworkskenora.com. Registrations may be adjusted in order to accommodate class size limits and ensure the best match of levels within classes.

Let’s dance our way through Ontario’s latest “Stay at Home” restrictions.

Join us for a 4 week online mini-session with online dance classes running from January 18 to February 12, 2021.

Registration is now open for new and returning students. Our multi-class discounts of 10% off a second class and 15% off any additional classes will apply. Minimum registration required for classes to run, register ASAP!

DanceWorks Kenora Merchandise

Show your studio pride with some DanceWorks Kenora gear, from t-shirts and tanks, to sweatpants and hoodies. View all of the sizes and options and shop anytime at the DWK Online Store.

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Buy Streaming Access to a Dance Performance

COVID-19 and the related closures have been especially hard on performing arts companies. The holiday season is typically a busy one for ballet companies as they present their versions of Nutcracker or other holiday performances. While we can’t attend live shows at the moment you can still experience the magic of a professional dance performance and enjoy it right from your own home! Make it a family night experience and as a bonus feel good about supporting the arts! A few of the Canadian options for streaming are highlighted below but you could also watch productions from world class companies such as NYCB, Royal Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, or Pacific Northwest Ballet.

• Royal Winnipeg Ballet – Nutcracker Suite
• National Ballet of Canada – Nutcracker on Screen
• Arts Umbrella – Mixed Nuts

Online Training Options

Have a dancer that wants to try more classes or just can’t stop dancing at home? DanceWorks Kenora is a studio partner of CLI Studios and can give your dancer access to a student account with unlimited access to a variety of classes by top choreographers and dance professionals. Read more at clistudios.com This training program is available for current dancers at the Junior or Senior level at DanceWorks Kenora. Cost for access until the end of September 2021 is $50+HST. Contact Erin at info@danceworkskenora.com for more information or to sign-up.

Progressing Ballet Technique is a training and conditioning program that can be done at home! PBT is an innovative body-conditioning and strengthening program that has been designed to enhance students’ technique by focussing on training the muscle memory required in each exercise in all forms of dance. It is a unique training system using ballet-technique specific exercises to train skill acquisition in a graded and progressive manner from junior through to advanced levels. Sign up with the DanceWorks Kenora referral link and receive 50% off a student account!

Dancewear & Accessories

A dancer can always use another pair of tights, a new bodysuit/leotard, or even a dance bag to hellp them keep their dance gear organized. Not sure what exactly your dancer might need? Give them a gift certificate and let them choose.

• Winnipeg Stores
  • Harlequin – The Dance Store
  • Mallabar Dancewear
  • Dance Plus
• Canadian Retailers
  • inspirationsdancewear.com
  • theshoeroom.ca
  • dancewearcentre.com
• Other Retailers
  • Apolla Compression Dance Socks

Books

Gifts we do not recommend you give your dancer…

• Pointe Shoes
  Dancers must be given approval by their teacher before buying pointe shoes and must go for a personal fitting. Pointe shoes can be damaging if dancers are too young, have not trained properly and do not have the strength and technique required for proper use.
• Foot Stretcher
  Not necessary to use a foot stretcher to achieve the classical line. Using a foot stretcher can overly stretch ligaments and lead to instability and does nothing to help dancers gain the strength and control to maintain the pointe range.
• Leg Stretch Bands / Flexistretcher
  Static stretching and forcing your body into a stretch are often the least effective methods of increasing flexibility and can encourage dancers to push past their safe stretch. These can be useful for some but their utility is often limited and dancers can achieve this range and line without this tool as well.