Simply put, inspiring tomorrows leaders through excellence in dance. Though we have many students who pursue dance, our focus is the development of the individual.
There are 5 main points:
1. Social fairness: To treat others with the respect you wish to receive, both in the classroom and outside it. To recognize the strengths in both yourself and in others.
2. Positive Work Ethic: To maintain a good standing in both dance and school efforts and to make a lifelong commitment to learning.
3. Healthy Living: To encourage the habits of healthy eating and physical activity, and to understand the assets of maintaining a strong, healthy body and mind.
4. Community Living: To understand how to become a role model in who you are to both your peers and younger community members. To understand the importance of giving back and respecting your community and environment.
5. Confidence and Good Self Esteem: To recognize that though not everything is easy, to look to yourself for the drive and the determination to succeed in what you do. "Nothing that is worth doing is ever easy."

This is a need-to-know list about comparing studios. Since you cannot test-drive a studio, keep this in mind when making a selection that is right for you.
a) Sprung floors are a necessity - no exceptions. This is a universally accepted rule among dance studios. Tile dance surfaces and laminate floors hurt dancing joints, even when on the second floor. Be cautious that the facility is safe for all dancers.
b) Mirrors are required in all rooms. The mirrors should be on the long wall of the studio and have no separations between them. This is to ensure that all dancers know what the proper placement looks like. "Feeling it" is not enough and results in injury.
c) Is the entire staff accredited to teach, or are only some of the teachers qualified to teach? Talk to the teacher, he/she should be able to produce their credentials. They should each have a degree in dance, education or a teaching accreditation by a recognized dance syllabus.
d) Are the dancers properly attired? Proper attire allows for proper training and prevents injury. Ensure that the studio has a well-established dress code (hair up, clean tights and shoes, no baggy or outside clothes - except for hip-hop) and that the dancers are asked to stick to it.
e) What is the philosophy of the studio? Do they teach your kids or just put them in a room? Dance lessons are paid time, is your child learning or just playing? Look for a class that has both a fun aspect and learning challenges. Classes should be balanced between student-centered learning and teacher-centered learning.
f) A strong competitive team is the mark of an excellent studio. This means that both the fundamentals and advanced work are being taught correctly.
g) Is there a complete examination program? Many studios will only allow students to be examined in ballet. Ensure that the studio is interested in maintaining the standards of a syllabus in the other dance areas as well. In any program, swimming, martial arts, gymnastics, skating, there are levels required to ensure that students are learning and your investment is put to good use. This is fundamental.
h) Is proper terminology being used in the classes? Are the students able to communicate what they have learned effectively? A student should always know the names of the steps they are performing and understand the ways to execute them properly.
i) Is the teacher demonstrating what he/she requires from the students? If a teacher simply instructs without the ability to demonstrate, then the student never learns what the step or movement should look like. Most classes should be beneath the level of what the teachers themselves are capable of performing and thus the teacher should be able to perform the steps taught.
j) Is the teacher staying up-to-date with the latest teaching and learning techniques and strategies? You would not trust a surgeon who is using only old techniques and materials; the same applies to teaching dance. A teacher should always be updating and increasing their dance knowledge.
k) Lastly, does the teacher have a good rapport with the students inside the classroom? Like in school, there is a time for learning and a time for fun. A good teacher can manage that and still hold the respect of the students.

Here are just a few things. We are the only studio in Oxford County to offer all this. Feel free to look around, we know you'll be back.
- All of our teachers are fully qualified - an award winning faculty
- Individual attention - small student/teacher ratio
- Family oriented scheduling - great for busy families
- Permanent faculty - our teachers are here all year
- HOME OF THE CHAMPIONS - Team Elite is the Showstopper North American Champion 2010!
- State of the art facility - sprung floors in all rooms, mirrors in all rooms, adjustable barres, complete sound systems - we ensure the proper experience
- Flexible payment schedules
- Family discounts, referral discounts, multiple class discounts
- Boys dance at 1/2 price
- Arabesque Dance Supply located onsite
- Organized schedules
- Ample parking, steps from our front door!
- Professional, family atmosphere
- Locally owned and operated
- Clean, safe, bright facility
- Friendly knowledgeable staff, ready to help you
- Fantastic year end show, lights, costumes, the works!
...and much more!

Dance is a not only a wonderful art form, but also gives both a direct and indirect skill set for children and teens. Directly, it promotes the mental and physical development of the child, indirectly it forms lifelong friendships, promotes healthy living, encourages confidence and good self-esteem, a drive to succeed and the sets the foundation for a productive and fulfilling adult life.

For younger dancers, it prepares them for school. With the advent of full-day kindergarten on the horizon, the Pre-Dance program is specifically structured to ease the transition through educational initiatives in dance.

Most classes are scheduled such that dancers can have their classes in one to two days a week. Due to our large facility and award winning staff, you can have a great dance experience with Woodstock's premier dance studio without disrupting your busy schedule.

We focus on maintaining a 1:6 ratio of students to teachers. Pre-Dance Classes have a limit of 12 students, with which there is a teacher and an assistant teacher in at all times. Other classes have a limit of 18 students, with a teacher and two assistant teachers.

Although we are the premier studio in Oxford County and offer the best dance education experience, our prices are intermediate. We are not the least expensive nor most expensive. At Elite, you get the most for your investment in your child. You don't have to spend the most to get the best. 

Many people look for the least expensive classes, without comparing the quality of the programs. There is a difference. Since many people don't always know how to rate a extracurricular activity their children are involved in, they often don't know there is a difference between studios.

Think of it this way. Only someone who speaks another language well can pick out someone who doesn’t speak it so well. Observe a class and compare classes between studios in order to educate yourself to dance before registering or re-registering. The difference between a stronger studio and a weaker one is usually clear in the first few minutes.

In order to find out what you should look for in a studio - please refer to "How do I know what to look for in a dance studio?"

See our 2010-2011 Class Fees & Information.

The studio is open for registration Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in July and August from 5-7 pm. Drop in anytime!

Classes at Elite cost between $30-$47.50 + HST/month for a weekly class. Boys dance at 1/2 price. There are family discounts, referral discounts, multiple class discounts and much more - inquire at the front desk.

Classes are billed as a full year cost divided into monthly payments. They are not based on the number of classes in any given month and are not prorated for missed classes. Classes are rescheduled if the class must be cancelled by the studio (ex/ snow days etc.)

Monthly tuition is payable by Cheque or pre-authorized payment (Debit, Visa, MasterCard etc.). Tuition at Elite Dance Centre is eligible for the Child Activity Tax Credit.

Really, that is up to you! Some students love structure and focus best in a ballet class. Some dancers love the upbeat movements of jazz and hip hop. Others love the excitement of tap; others love the fun of acrobatic dance. Whatever your type, we can accommodate!

There is an attire list for all levels and classes listed under the Register heading on the main website. You can make an appointment with Ms. Christine at Arabesque Dance Apparel for your fitting for your dance uniform.

Regular classes begin Saturday, September 11. Please arrange your appointment with Ms. Christine at Arabesque Dance Supply at registration so that your child is properly dressed for class.

There is a transfer-free period from September to November 30, dancers can add or remove classes without penalty during this time as long as the minimum class registration is met.

After this period, students are expected to complete the year in the class in which they are registered. This is to maintain the integrity of the class; after all, it is unfair to the remaining students if the class is disrupted. There are no refunds on tuition paid - it is suggested that you follow the monthly fee schedule. If you must withdraw from the program, your post-dated cheques for future months are returned to you; however, a prorated penalty is applied to your account depending on the time of the withdrawal. Details available at the studio.

This is the most frequently asked question. If your child is between 2 1/2  and 4, we recommend starting with Pre-Dance. This sets a strong foundation for your child and instills a love of dance and movement.

If your child is 4-6 years of age, we recommend a class list that includes the classics, jazz, tap or ballet. Since many of the steps learned in these classes are basic steps, they have "parallels" or similar steps in the other classes that will help in their understanding of the work they are doing.

If your child is looking to continue with dance into their tweens and teens, ballet training is required for most of the intermediate and advanced level classes. Ballet is the basis of all dance forms and so it is important to have a strong background in it. Dancers should begin structured ballet classes no later than age 7 in order to allow them to keep their options open for classes that they wish to take in the future.

Our pre-dance program is for students 2 1/2 to 4. Pre-Dance I is for children 2 1/2 to 3. Pre-Dance II is for students 3 1/2 to 4 or who have completed Pre-Dance I. Children must be potty-trained by the time of registration. We begin with the fundamentals of a classroom, which is that the teacher is main focus of attention and that we respect our other dance mates (that in itself takes time). The rest of the program has been designed by both Early Childhood Educators and qualified Ontario teachers to prepare students for the rest of their dance and school education. This program is unique to Elite Dance Centre.

Classes at Elite follow the school year, from September to June, with similar breaks for Winter Holiday and March Break. The studio is CLOSED on statutory holidays (Victoria Day, Family Day, Labour Day etc.), and Halloween, however, classes are rescheduled for religious/social holidays (Easter, Thanksgiving).

Musical Theatre is a genre of theatre that includes acting, singing, dancing and staged numbers whilst telling a story. Musical Theatre at Elite is different from anywhere else. Dancers in the Musical Theatre program create a production that combines acting, singing and stagework into a fun production for students to introduce them to the musical theatre genre or to assist in furthering the experiences of those who have a background in it. This program is also great for singers and actors who are looking for training to help gain experience for high school and post-secondary programs.

The class is structured from the time that the students walk in to the time that they leave. Students begin by finding out what the focus of the class will be on that day and then continue with warm up and conditioning. They may focus on learning a new step, movement or exercise, or continue with the development of a step or movement learned earlier. They perhaps learn a bit of choreography to allow their performing skills to develop. During this time, they are taught the proper form, terminology and corrections to give them the tools to self-correct when they are away from the classroom. At Elite, we alternate between teacher-centered and student-based learning. After all, if they are able to understand what to do in order to correct their own steps and movements, the learning never stops!

In most cases, the classes remain the same time and length all year. However, in the case of Musical Theatre, once the basic pieces are learned for each group, the classes are combined in order to allow the classes to work as one unit. For this reason, the Musical Theatre classes are separated in the Sept-Dec part of the class year and combined in the Jan-June session.

In the remaining classes, though the class time does not change, there are requirements throughout the year that must be met. The same way that a class at school is divided into units, dance is divided into sessions. Each session has a different focus and is set up in advance in combination with the faculty and their governing body to ensure that dancers are receiving the proper training. The sessional focus could be conditioning, choreography or repertoire however; each class focus usually culminates with the training for dance examinations and year-end recital preparation.

For younger dancers, the teacher may verbally assign a single step or movement for practice - which is possible since the students were given the tools to self-correct in the classroom.

For older dancers, it is often required that they practice both steps learned in the classroom and choreography for their exams or recital dances. In which case, music for rehearsal can be arranged for pickup from the studio. Details at the desk.

Take care that they are practicing all their work. Dancers tend to practice only the steps and movement at which they excel. They should be practicing the steps and movements they find difficult as well and furthering the steps and exercises that they find easy.

We are here to help you. The hours are as follows:
Summer: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5-7 pm
Fall: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays from 5-7 pm and Saturdays from 9 am - 11:30 am

Please check the website "This Just In..." section or the phone message at (519) 537-2105 for inclement weather cancellations. A cancellation of the school board or school bus service does not necessary mean that the studio is closed. However, if the 401 corridor is closed between London and Kitchener after 3 pm due to inclement winter weather, the studio may close for safety reasons. Please check the website or phone message in either case. Due to the number of students at Elite, individual calls are not made to homes.

We strive to keep both parents and students well informed throughout the dance season. We send out emails regarding important and upcoming notices, and we update the studio website on a regular basis. We encourage parents to check for new information often as we do not rely on notices given in class (they have a tendency to be forgotten or misplaced!). If you do not have access to a computer with internet connection, we encourage you to take some time each week to see if any new information is available in the studio lobby. The bulletin boards contain all important information that has recently been sent out.

Arabesque Dance Supply has all your shoes, bodysuits, tights, skirts and accessories for unbeatable prices. ADS is located in Elite Dance Centre for your convenience and since we are located within the building, we pass the savings on to you! Make an appointment with Ms. Christine at ADS for all your dance attire needs!

We ask that parents do not stand in the doorway and watch the class. This is for three reasons.
1. Sometimes students need time to master a step or movement. Naturally, it is difficult to maintain confidence while being watched.
2. It also allows the teacher to maintain proper classroom management with the class and allows the teacher to adequately manage his/her class.
3. Finally, your son/daughter knows you, in many cases the other students do not. Though the classroom doors are often left open, we ask that you wait for the faculty member to call the parents in to allow for observation of the class once all the students are ready. This happens occasionally throughout the year in the last 5 minutes of class. We also have parent observation days where observation is open throughout the class and the lesson plan is structured to best accommodate visitors.

As any teacher will tell you, a student learns best when they can draw from more than one source. This is why a school education is not comprised entirely of mathematics, even though it is fundamental, it is not the only subject a student learns. Many subjects work in concert to create a well-rounded individual who has a larger skill set to draw from. A student who takes more than one class, finds themselves understanding more about what they do. In short, a better learning experience for your investment.

The IntroDance for Boys class is a popular class for boys only, taught by a male teacher. All other classes are suitable for boys and girls. For all classes, however, boys dance at 50% tuition regardless of the number of classes taken!

The Year End Recital or "Dance Extravaganza" is the yearly concert of talent here at Elite. It is held at the end of the dance year in mid-June and allows each dancer to "strut their stuff". It is a way not only to showcase the fantastic talent we have here in Woodstock, but also give the students a boost of self-confidence, self-worth and the willingness to work toward a goal with their peers.

Costumes for the year-end recital are $75 + HST. In addition, dancers in multiple classes receive substantial discounts.
There are no costumes for Hip Hop and Acro classes. More details at the studio.

We are here to help you. The office hours are as follows: Summer: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5-7 pm Fall: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays from 5-7pm and Saturdays from 11am-1pm We can also be reached by email at info@elitedance.ca or by phone at (519) 537-2105.

Welcome to the HOME OF THE CHAMPIONS! Team Elite is the 2010 Showstopper North American Champion! "Team work makes the dream work." For dancers who want more out of their dance experience or who are looking for a focus for their time to grow with them into their teen years, competitive dance is a way to spread their wings and soar. Classes are structured for the focused dancer. We have an award-winning competitive team. Many competitive dancers go on to earn scholarships for the university/college program of their choice or to become performers and teachers themselves. Competitive Dancers: Ask about what's new for Team Elite 2010-2011! ."Why be average...when you can be Elite?"

Elite Lite is our recreational competitive team, for dancers who are new to dance, but would like the extra structure and focus of a competitive setting. This is a very popular program and we are looking forward a wonderful year. It is open to dancers with 1-3 years experience and dancers are eligible to join up until classes begin in September.

Dancers who are registered at Elite who show promise in their classes are placed internally by the faculty on the Dancer-To-Watch program. This is to see how they are progressing and what their strengths and weaknesses are. Dancers who have shown promise all year and would benefit from a challenge are asked to join the Petite Elite program, Team Elite or Elite Lite depending on their age and ability.

Dancers who are interested in joining the team should be practicing regularly, maintaining focus in their classes and ensuring that they are following the focus set out by the studio. They must fulfill their obligations at school, with their peers and in their community. Each year there are auditions for Team Elite and Elite Lite in June and July, dancers who are interested are encouraged to participate. Dancers who are between the ages of 4-5 are asked to join the Petite Elite squad to begin training for pre-competitive dance.