Performance Group

Students with a flare for performance and who show motivated dance skills are specially invited to join the London Dance Ensemble or the London Dance Centre Performance Group. The group must be compatible in regard to age, dance level, height, and ability.

The mandate of the group is to "provide both amateur and future professional dancers, theatrical performance experience and skills that are outside the range of the technical studio training program. Classwork training cannot duplicate many skills that are experienced in live performance. It is hoped, both amateur and future professional members, will graduate form the group taking forward to the community, the ability to work with others and to achieve a common goal, not merely as competitors but as colleagues, dedicated to a common goal of creating beauty and pleasure for others, while building self confidence and personal skills for their own futures." Further details upon request. 519-434-0612

We have two major performances, one at Christmas and one in June.
Concert pieces will be taught to be done at various community events and locations in the city.

All costumes and specialty footwear will be supplied at no charge (there will be a charge for damage or loss due to carelessness). Dancers must supply their own dance shoes and pink tights in suitable condition. Members will be expected to purchase a track suit with the group's logo and individual make-up performance kit.

The rehearsal timetable will vary each week as to time and duration. Rehearsals will include workshops in stage craft skills, for example, stage locations and terminology, entrances/ exits, taking curtain calls, movement on stage, mime and hair and makeup instruction. Guest teachers will be arranged by the group when possible. Students and parents are expected to participate in pre and post production jobs, help at the performances and participate in special fundraising events for the group.

Members of the London Dance Centre Performance Group are prohibited for taking dance instruction classes at any other facility except for their academic school. Guest teacher events in the city and summer programs should be attended with the knowledge of the artistic director. We feel this is not an unreasonable request since Victoria Carter London Dance Centre will be providing free instruction, services and use of costumes from the general school.

Members must be registered for the following classes. A special financial package for Performance Group students is available through the Victoria Carter London Dance Centre

Junior Apprentices ~8 - 9 years of age

- 1 ballet class per week	- 1 tap class per week
- 1 jazz class per week	- 1 gymnastics class per week

Apprentices ~10 - 12 years of age

- 2 ballet classes per week	- 1 tap class per week
- 1 jazz class per week	- 1 pointe class per week
- 1 gymnastics class per week

Members 13 years of age and over*

- 3 ballet classes per week	- 1 tap class per week
- 1 jazz class per week	- 1 pointe class per week
- 1 gymnastics/endurance class per week

*This is not the professional training program. Students who do take the professional training program in the general school, are more likely to be prominent in the group's productions due to increased technical skills and experience.

For application information and audition dates, call 519-434-0612

Costume Service

The school feels performing experience is both a joy and a necessity for all students.

The London Dance Centre does a full school recital every year. Using a professionally equipped theatre with lighting, design, and stage management, to expose all students both amateur and professional, to the demands and rewards of striving for a well polished production.

Many students perform with our performance group either as full-time members or as guests in our Christmas show production in December. Beginner classes are also given the opportunity to perform in their first year, to introduce them to the pleasure of working to master skills necessary to perform on stage. Low cost costume rental service ensures all students can afford to participate in outstanding, but age-appropriate costumes.

Costumes can be costly. We offer costume rentals (the rental covers laundry, and defrays to a small extent from the original cost of the costume). Most costumes can cost up to $150.00 each to produce. The school's 40-year wardrobe ensures costume rentals for the school recitals are between $30.00 - $40.00 to ensure all children can perform in a number of dances without financial hardship - yet still have the thrill of feeling like a "real" dancer.

Many studios require the student's parents to absorb the full cost of costumes and specialty footwear that are of no further use to students after just one performance. After a few months the costume no longer fits and ceases to be a novelty for dress up.

The studio takes pride in providing costumes that are not only cost effective, but high quality and age appropriate. We feel a costume should compliment the existing charm of each student and not give students an air of sophistication beyond their years. Maturity must develop through dance training, in the course of time and be superimposed by the "packaging" when it comes to the younger members of recitals.