ABOUT THE INTENSIVE​

SunDance offers an annual summer intensive dance experience geared towards the cultivation of technique, artistry, creativity, and performance skills. All participants train in RAD Ballet, Limón Modern, Improvisation, Repertoire, and dance-specific Conditioning. Intermediate and Elementary Programs additionally include Character and Jazz, while Advanced participants engage in Contemporary Techniques and Pointe (optional). All dancers participate in interactive workshops led by a series of guest experts from Healthy Dancer Canada, covering topics such as injury prevention, nutrition, and mental health. Weekly "Surprise Wednesdays" include special guest workshops in a variety of dance styles. Culminating the three weeks, all dancers participate in a Digital Showcase for friends and family.

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Program A - Advanced | July  5-23, 2021

Ages 14-19*

Prerequisites: Minimum 3 years modern and/or RAD Gr. 8 / Intermediate or equivalent.*
Advanced dancers may also consider applying for Ignite!, a one-week, pre-professional summer program for dancers between the ages of 15 and 22 with a focus on the creative process. Ignite! will directly follow SunDance from July 25-31, 2021, with both in-studio and online program options.

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Program B - Intermediate | July  5-23, 2021

Ages 11-13*

Prerequisites: Minimum 2 years modern and/or RAD Gr. 7 / Intermediate Foundation or equivalent.*

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Program C - Elementary | July  5-23, 2021

Ages 8-10*

Prerequisites: Minimum 1 year modern and/or RAD Gr. 2 or equivalent.*

8-year-olds with no previous dance training should consider The School of CCDT's Summer Arts program.

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Program C Intro: One-Week Introductory Program | July 5-9, 2021

A one-week course combined with Program C, designed to introduce young dancers (ages 8-10) to intensive training. Program C Intro culminates with a virtual open house on Friday July 9th, inviting family and friends to observe Intro dancers' final day of classes.

8-year-olds with no previous dance training should consider The School of CCDT's Summer Arts program.

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*Program placement is determined by audition, taking into consideration the dancer's skill level, experience, and ability alongside age. A dancer's Program level may change within the first two days of the intensive, at the discretion of the instructors.

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NEW! SUNDANCE 2021 - PROGRAM INFORMATION

Updated April 15, 2021

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Please Note: While we aspire to offer SunDance 2021 as detailed below, all aspects of the program are subject to change in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and corresponding Toronto Health regulations.

 

HYBRID PROGRAM FORMAT

SunDance 2021 is intended to be offered in person at The School of CCDT’s 509 DANCE studios in downtown Toronto. At this time, we are planning a comprehensive and engaging hybrid summer intensive, which will combine both online and in-studio training with some of Canada’s foremost dance artists and educators from across the country. 

 

Dancers will participate in a rotating schedule, alternating between a full day of in-studio training with live musical accompaniment, and a shorter day of online training in an exciting variety of dance techniques and classes. This hybrid format will allow us to keep in-studio class sizes within government restrictions to ensure the health and safety of all SunDance participants and staff. Online classes will be shortened in length to minimize Zoom fatigue, while offering sophisticated and varied training tailored for safe at-home practice.

 

The final intensive format and schedule will be shaped and adjusted in the coming weeks to comply with all government COVID-19 regulations and restrictions, keeping health and safety at the fore of our decision-making. We intend to confirm the final SunDance 2021 program schedule and details by early June 2021.

 

ONLINE-ONLY OPTION

Dancers may opt to register for the online portion of the program only, participating in 3-4 daily classes on Zoom from home. Online-only dancers will follow the same schedule of classes every day and are expected to register for the full 3-week intensive. 

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Note: All members of CCDT’s 2021/22 Company and Apprentice Programs are required to participate in the full hybrid intensive of both in-studio and online training.

 

SURPRISE CLASSES

All SunDance participants will experience a series of “Surprise Classes” at intervals throughout the intensive. These may include classes with international guest teachers on Zoom, special workshops in different dance styles, and more!

 

DANCE DISCUSSIONS

Dance Discussions will welcome a team of established dance educators, researchers, and health professionals from Healthy Dancer Canada to lead stimulating, informative, and age-appropriate virtual workshops. Sample topics include: Psychological Skills for Performance and Optimal Nutrition for Dancers.

 

SHOWCASE & AWARDS

Culminating SunDance 2021, we invite all participants and their families to join us on Zoom for a special closing reception and digital showcase of select class and repertoire work captured on camera. At this time, two $1,500 scholarships will be awarded to dancers who have shown outstanding merit, dedication, and improvement during the intensive. Scholarships are funded by the Royal Academy of Dance and The School of CCDT.

 

SAMPLE CLASS SCHEDULES

All daily schedules include 15-min breaks between classes and one 30-min lunch break. Please note that this is a SAMPLE ONLY; all classes and schedules are subject to change and revision leading up to the intensive.

 

PROGRAM A - ADVANCED Sample Schedule

A: In-Studio Classes (1.5-1.75 hrs each)

• Ballet Technique

• Modern Technique

• Classical Repertoire (optional pointework)

• Modern Repertoire

A: Online Classes (1 hr each)

• Conditioning (Progressing Ballet Technique or Conditioning-with-Imagery)

• Contemporary Technique

• Floorwork

• Improvisation

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PROGRAM B - INTERMEDIATE Sample Schedule

B: In-Studio Classes (1.5 hrs each)

• Ballet Technique

• Modern Technique

• Character Dance

• Modern Repertoire

B: Online Classes (1 hr each)

• Conditioning (Progressing Ballet Technique or Conditioning-with-Imagery)

• Contemporary Technique

• Jazz

• Improvisation

 

PROGRAM C - ELEMENTARY* Sample Schedule

C: In-Studio Classes (1.25-1.5 hrs each)

• Ballet Technique

• Modern Technique

• Character Dance

• Modern Repertoire

C: Online Classes (1 hr each)

• Conditioning (Progressing Ballet Technique or Conditioning-with-Imagery)

• Jazz

• Improvisation

*Program C Intro is combined with Program C for one week from July 5-9, 2021.

 

TUITION

Full 3-Week Hybrid Program A/B/C: $1,500

Full 3-Week Online-Only Program A/B/C: $1,250

One-Week Introductory Program C: $620

 

A deposit of $200 (or $75 for One-Week Intro) must be submitted with your completed registration form to secure your place in the program. Dancers applying during the extended audition period (April 19 - June 2) will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, until all spots in the program are filled; subsequent applicants may be placed on a Waitlist. Full payment info is detailed on the SunDance 2021 Registration Form, sent out at the time of acceptance.

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HOW TO APPLY - AUDITION INSTRUCTIONS

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Acceptance to SunDance 2021 is by video audition only (see details below). Auditioning dancers, ages 8-19, may also apply for acceptance to Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre's Company and Apprentice Programs for the 2021/22 Season beginning in September.

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Prerequisites: Due to the intensive nature of these programs, applicants are expected to have previous training in ballet and/or modern dance techniques. See below for guidelines, and please read the program descriptions above for detailed prerequisites expected for each SunDance level.

Ages 8-10: Minimum of 1 year of experience

Ages 11-13: Minimum of 2 years of experience

Ages 14-19: Minimum of 3 years of experience