Handbook
About This Handbook
The Heart of Riverdale and its founders have been working with young people in our community through arts and creative programming for nearly thirty years. The Pre Professional Dance Program itself began in 2001 and has been growing ever since. This handbook is for every dancer in our Pre Professional Intensive Dance Program. It covers what we expect, how the program works, and what it means to be part of this community.
Read it. Keep it. If something in here is unclear, ask us directly. That is always the right move.
Dates and fees are subject to change. Updates will be communicated by email and posted at The Heart. When in doubt, contact us at theheartofriverdale@gmail.com.
Our Mission and Values
We are an arts-based community centre. A welcoming and inclusive space for the Whitehorse community to gather, connect, share, and learn. Through arts education, public programming, and a commitment to youth, we create multi-generational experiences that build self-confidence, citizenship, and healthy lifestyles.
Our Pre Professional Dance Program exists to guide young people toward their limitless potential as dancers, artists, and citizens. We offer a high-quality training environment that blends artistic rigour with emotional growth, ensemble collaboration, and social accountability.
Our Track Record
The Heart and its founders have been working with young people in our community for almost thirty years. The Pre Professional Dance Program began in 2001. In the years since, we have produced a meaningful number of professional dancers practicing across Canada and right here in the Yukon. Some are nationally recognized. Many are respected in the cities where they work.
We are preparing young people for careers in the arts. We are also building a learning environment where comprehensive programming prepares them to contribute to their communities through work and volunteering, whatever path they end up walking.
Our instructors are all working professional artists. Teaching teenagers carries its own challenges, and we are continuously developing our staff to hold The Heart's values through every part of the work we do here.
Communication and Contact
We deal with things directly. If you have a question or concern, contact us at The Heart. Do not reach out to staff through personal social media, direct messages, or personal cell phones except in an emergency.
The Heart of Riverdale
38A Lewes Blvd, Whitehorse, YT
867-667-6700
theheartofriverdale@gmail.com
theheartofriverdale.com
Communication Guidelines
- Direct questions and concerns to The Heart email or phone during business hours.
- Do not approach staff between or during classes with program questions. Schedule a conversation through the office.
- For urgent matters only, use The Heart phone or email marked urgent.
- We will always get back to you. Give us a business day to respond.
Direct communication is a core value here. If something is not working, tell us. Side conversations and going through other parents only make problems bigger. Talking to the source makes them smaller.
Parent Code of Conduct
When you have a concern, we want to hear it. The following keeps every conversation productive and protects the relationships that make this program possible.
- Bring it to the source. Concerns about your dancer's training, a teacher, or your dancer's experience belong with the teacher or director. Going through other parents only makes the problem harder to solve.
- Use the office, not personal channels. Reach faculty through The Heart's email or phone. Do not contact instructors on personal social media, text, or DMs. This protects every relationship.
- Bring concerns privately, not publicly. Group chats and social media are not the place to raise program issues. The office is.
- Speak respectfully, even when you disagree. Disagreement is welcome. Disrespect is not. We model the tone we want dancers to learn.
- Trust the process before challenging it. Hard moments are part of training. Sit with a situation for a few days before raising it, and consider whether it is a teaching moment or a real problem.
- Expect a response within a business day. We will respond promptly. If something is genuinely urgent, mark it urgent.
If the code is not honoured. Repeated disrespect, public criticism of the program, or contact through personal channels may lead to a meeting to discuss whether this program is the right fit for your family. Our staff are working artists who chose to be in Whitehorse. Their willingness to stay depends on the culture this community holds.
Program Philosophy
Why We Are Here
This program is not about producing the best performance or winning the most recognition. It is about developing young people who are disciplined, creative, resilient, and generous. Dance is the vehicle. The goal is citizenship.
Both of our streams are built around performance. In Studio Styles, that means moving an audience from a major stage. In Street Styles, it means commanding a cypher with skill, musicality, and presence. In both cases, the standard is high and the work is real.
We train at a level that demands full commitment. Ten or more hours per week. Monday through Friday. This is not a recreational program. Dancers who are here have chosen to be here, and that choice comes with responsibility to the group.
Arriving in the Room
Every class begins the same way. You leave whatever is happening outside the studio and arrive fully in the room. Phone away. The day's stresses put down. When you walk through the door, you are here. This is a choice you make every time.
Leave your phone. Put down the day's stresses.
When you walk into class, you are here.
A Message for Our Dancers
You earned your place in this program. That matters. We do not take just anyone. We took you because we saw something in you that is worth developing.
What you do with that is up to you. The dancers who grow the most are not always the most talented on day one. They are the ones who show up consistently, take corrections seriously, stay curious, and look out for the people around them. That is who we are trying to develop.
If something is hard, say so. If something is not working, say so. We would rather hear it directly than watch you struggle in silence.
A Message for Caregivers
Your dancer is in good hands. Your job is to support their commitment at home: cheer them on, help them get there, and trust the process even when it is hard. The most effective thing you can do is encourage them to show up, embrace corrections, and work through the difficult moments. Those are the ones that produce the most growth.
If you have concerns about your dancer's experience, we genuinely want to hear from you. Reach out directly at The Heart and we will make time to talk. Direct, respectful communication from caregivers sets the tone for dancers to do the same.
Your Training Week
The Pre Professional program runs Monday through Friday with a minimum of 10 hours of training per week. Classes begin at 4:00 PM. Both streams share Repertory on Fridays, which is where the work of the season comes together.
Ballet (x2 per week)
Contemporary and Jazz
Repertory: Fridays
RAD certified instructors
Royal Academy of Dance exams available
High school credits through RAD Canada
Included add-ons
Pointe Program (Pre-Pointe, Pointe 1, Pointe 2)
Acro and Composition
Email us to get on the list.
Breaking (x2 per week)
Hip Hop and House
Repertory: Fridays
Rooted in Hip Hop culture:
the cypher, the battle, the freestyle, the crew
Included add-ons
Short courses added seasonally as they come up:
Battle Prep, Foundation Work, Cypher Skills, Choreographic Lab, and more
Acro and Composition
Email us to get on the list. We announce new short courses as they are scheduled.
Repertory on Fridays (4:00 to 6:00 PM) is shared between both streams. This is where street and studio come together in the hybrid choreographic work that makes The Heart unlike anything else in the Yukon. Attendance is mandatory.
The Pointe Progression
The pointe program at The Heart follows a three-level progression. Each level requires approval from your instructor before moving forward. Pointe shoes must always be professionally fitted. Bring your feet to the fitter, not a pair of shoes from a store shelf.
Pre-Pointe
Pre-Pointe is open to all dancers in Focus and Fly. Pointe 2 dancers may also attend the Pre-Pointe class for additional strength and conditioning. This class focuses on strengthening the feet, ankles, core, and overall alignment to ensure a safe and successful progression. Dancers develop the foundational strength and technique required before ever going into pointe shoes.
Pointe 1
The next step for dancers who have completed Pre-Pointe and have been approved to begin pointe work. Pointe 1 is selected by audition. Dancers are introduced to proper pointe technique and develop strength and control through barre and basic centre work. Pointe 1 dancers perform in our productions.
Pointe 2
For advanced pointe dancers in Focus and Fly who demonstrate strong technique and confidence en pointe. Pointe 2 is selected by audition. This class focuses on refining artistry, building stamina, and mastering more complex choreography. Pointe 2 dancers perform in productions and are eligible for solo roles in our year-end show.
Placement in Pointe 1 and Pointe 2 is by audition only. Private lessons are available throughout the year for dancers who want additional support. Ask at The Heart for details.
Pointe Shoe Information and Requirements
Annual Pointe Shoe Timeline
- August (before the school year begins): Purchase your new pointe shoes (or pre-pointe shoes) and have ribbons and elastics sewn on before the first class.
- February (before Spring Break): Submit your new pointe shoe order for the pair that will be used for the year-end show. Pointe shoes require break-in time and cannot be worn brand new on stage.
How to Purchase Pointe Shoes (Pointe 1 and Pointe 2)
Important requirement for first-time pointe students: Students cannot receive their first pair of pointe shoes without being fitted by a professional pointe shoe fitter. There are no professional pointe fitters in the Yukon, so students must follow Option A or Option B when purchasing their first pair.
- Option A. In-Person Professional Fitting: Travel to a major city to be fitted by a professional pointe shoe fitter. Book your fitting appointment well in advance, as professional fitters often have limited availability.
- Option B. Online Fitting via The Shoe Room (Canada's National Ballet): Use the online fitting service provided by The Shoe Room. Find the "Virtual Pointe Fitting" page on The Shoe Room website and follow the instructions to submit your fitting information. Once your pointe shoes arrive, book a teacher appointment before sewing ribbons and elastics. Your teacher will confirm which pair is the safest and most suitable for you.
Buying Pre-Pointe Shoes
Pre-pointe shoes are different from pointe shoes and do not require specialized fitting.
- Choose a pair that feels comfortable with or without toe pads.
- The width should not feel tight or restrictive.
- The Shoe Room also carries pre-pointe (demi-pointe) shoes.
- When ordering, clearly state that you need "pre-pointe" or "demi-pointe" shoes.
Questions about pointe shoes? Email Sachi at sachi.kambara@theheartofriverdale.com or Michelle at michelle.fishermayr@theheartofriverdale.com. They are happy to help.
Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Exams
Studio Styles dancers train with RAD-certified instructors and have the opportunity to sit Royal Academy of Dance examinations. Exams are optional but encouraged. Preparing for an RAD exam develops consistency, attention to detail, and a standard of technique that serves dancers at every level.
How It Works
- Classes begin preparing for RAD exams at the start of the year.
- The decision to sit the exam and payment are confirmed in October. Your ballet teacher will give advance notice before that deadline.
- Official exams take place in the first two weeks of February. Exact dates are confirmed before the Christmas break.
Approximate Exam Fees
- Fly and Focus: approximately $155
- Exact fees are confirmed each year before the October decision deadline.
Exam Attire
- Black bodysuit or leotard
- Salmon pink ballet tights
- Black jazz shoes
- Character shoes (low heel; Bloch brand recommended) where required by your instructor
- A ballet shirt or fitted spandex shorts may be worn over your leotard. Fitted long-sleeved shirts and ballet sweaters are also permitted. No hoodies, loose t-shirts, or baggy clothing.
Questions about RAD exams? Email Michelle directly at michelle.fishermayr@theheartofriverdale.com
Dress Code
Coming to class dressed correctly is part of the job. It shows respect for the space, your teachers, and your teammates. It also directly affects your ability to train safely.
Studio Styles
- Ballet: Fitted leotard or bodysuit with skin-toned tights. Skin-toned tights allow your teacher to see your body clearly and give proper corrections. Hair in a clean, secure bun completely off your face and neck. No bangs, no loose pieces. Everything pinned back. Warm-up gear is fine to start in over your uniform, but the leotard and tights must be on underneath. Ballet slippers. A ballet shirt or fitted spandex shorts may be worn over your leotard. Fitted long-sleeved shirts and ballet sweaters are permitted. No hoodies, loose t-shirts, or baggy clothing.
- Contemporary and Jazz: Fitted dancewear that allows full range of movement. Bare feet or jazz shoes as directed.
- Fly and Focus: Bring all necessary footwear for class. Ballet slippers and pointe shoes for ballet class. Jazz oxfords and dance socks for jazz class. Black jazz shoes are required for every class and production week including Polar Night. For Art from the Heart and Polar Night, jazz oxfords replace runners. Plan for 3 to 4 types of shoes per performance week.
- Repertory and Choreo Lab: Attire appropriate for movement. Check with your teacher for specifics.
- Pointe Program (Pre-Pointe, Pointe 1, Pointe 2): As directed by your instructor. Pointe shoes must be professionally fitted. Do not purchase online or without a fitting.
Street Styles
- Clean, fitted clothing that allows full range of movement.
- Breaking: Clean sneakers worn inside only, fitted pants or shorts that move with you.
- Hip Hop and House: As directed by your instructor.
- Hair styled so it does not block your vision or get in the way of movement.
- Performances: Black sneakers with non-marking soles. That is the only performance footwear Street Styles dancers need. Bring them to every production week.
Within the dress code, your personal style is yours to develop. How you show up to the cypher, what you wear to a battle, the way you carry yourself is part of your identity as a dancer. Hip Hop style is built on aspiration, originality, and self-expression. Biting someone else's look is the same as biting their moves. Find your own.
Both Streams
- Keep dance shoes on the dance floor. They are for training, not the hallway or outside.
- Come to class without jewelry. Necklaces, bracelets, and dangling earrings get in the way and can be a safety concern.
- Take care of your dancewear. Keep it clean and in good repair. Use deodorant. You are training alongside other people in a close space.
- Label everything: your bag, your shoes, your gear. It makes life easier for everyone.
Not sure what to wear? Ask your instructor. Coming to class in the wrong gear and asking is always better than not coming at all.
Staying Class-Ready
Showing up class-ready is part of your job here. Practical basics:
- Wash your dance clothes between classes
- Shower daily, especially on training days
- Wear deodorant
- Bring fresh water every day
- Tie your hair off your face before you walk into class
Close-contact training means we rely on each other for these basics.
What to Bring: Ballet Class
- Fitted leotard or bodysuit with skin-toned tights. Skin-toned tights allow your teacher to see your body clearly and give proper corrections.
- Pink or skin-tone ballet slippers with elastic(s) sewn on
- Hair in a clean, secure bun completely off your face and neck. No bangs, nothing loose. Everything pinned back.
- Warm-up attire over your uniform: leg warmers, ballet sweater, wrap skirt
- Water bottle
- Hair ties, pins, and barrettes
What to Bring: Performance Week
Every dancer performing in a production needs to arrive at the theatre with all of the following:
- Stage makeup: base, powder, blush, eyeliner, mascara, eye shadow, and lipstick
- Pink or skin-tone tights AND black tights, clean with no runs or tears
- Simple black leotard
- Nude undergarments
- Clean ballet slippers with no holes
- Jazz oxfords (for Fly and Focus)
- Dance socks (colour determined by your instructor)
- Sneakers (style TBD by your instructor)
- Street Styles: black sneakers with non-marking soles
- Water bottle
- Extra hair ties, pins, and barrettes
- Healthy snacks
Production week is not the time to discover something is missing. Check this list the night before and arrive ready.
Faculty and Dancer Commitments
The relationship between faculty and dancers is a two-way street. Both sides make commitments. Here is what faculty brings to the table, and what every dancer commits to in return.
What Faculty Commits To
These are the commitments every Heart instructor makes to every dancer in the room.
- Bring our expertise into every class. Years of training and professional practice walk in with us. The work is designed with each dancer's development in mind.
- Hold the standard with care. High standards because that is what moves dancers forward. With care because how the work feels matters as much as the work itself.
- See each dancer, not just the room. Pay attention to where you are, where you are going, and what you need next. Calibrate corrections, encouragement, and pace to the dancer in front of us.
- Communicate directly and respond promptly. Tell you what we see. Respond when you reach out. Do not let things fester.
- Build the trust the work depends on. Strong instructor-dancer relationships are two-way. We commit to earning yours, the same way you commit to bringing trust into the room.
What Dancers Commit To
These are the commitments every dancer makes when they join this program. They are what it means to be part of this community. Click each one to read the full expectations.
1 Show Citizenship
- Be in the studio and ready to go by 4:00 PM every day.
- Enter class prepared: proper attire, hair styled for your genre, fed and hydrated, phone away.
- Leave belongings in your locker before class starts.
- Contribute positively to studio culture with kindness, inclusion, and teamwork.
- Use clear and direct communication when issues arise. Come to us early. We can always help more when we know sooner.
- Protect your attendance. Life happens, and we understand that. Absences for illness, emergency, or pre-approved school trips are handled with care. We ask that unexcused absences stay within three per season.
- If you are recovering from injury, stay in the room. Observe, modify, take notes. Your presence matters even when you cannot move fully.
In short: Be on time. Be ready. Be kind. Try your best.
2 Commit to Advanced Artistic Training
- Work hard and maintain a strong work ethic, even on tough days.
- Set high standards for yourself while allowing room for mistakes and learning.
- Accept and integrate corrections from teachers. This is how you grow.
- Trust that faculty have designed the curriculum with your development in mind.
- Leave distractions at the door and enter class focused and open.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Training
- Watch first. When a teacher demonstrates, observe before you try. Your body is already learning before you move.
- Listen to corrections given to others. They almost always apply to the whole room. Apply them without waiting to be called out directly.
- Try immediately. Do not wait until you feel ready. Learning happens in the doing. Get in and attempt it.
- Ask when you need to. "Can I see that again?" is legitimate self-advocacy. Teachers would rather you ask than guess and cement a mistake.
- Receive corrections well. Acknowledge them: a nod, a thank-you, putting the note into your body right away. Teachers give more corrections to dancers who receive them.
- Manage frustration before it manages you. Take a breath. Move to the back of the room. Step outside for 30 seconds if you need to. Talk to a teacher after class. Find the faculty member you connect with and build that relationship.
3 Practice Creativity
- Take creative risks and express yourself honestly.
- Stay open to unfamiliar movement and new ways of working.
- Engage actively in improvisation, choreography, and creative collaboration.
- Bring your full self to the Choreo Lab and to the Student Choreographic Showcase.
4 Build Confidence and Help Others Build Theirs
- Be part of a classroom culture that uplifts others.
- Recognize your strengths and the strengths of your peers.
- Take healthy risks in class, even if you feel shy or uncertain.
- Welcome feedback and learn to respond to discomfort with resilience.
- Use your voice: ask questions and seek support when you need it.
- Communicate directly with your teachers if you experience problems or conflict.
If something difficult happens, in class, outside of dance, or online, handle it responsibly. Communicate directly and kindly. Seek adult support when you need it. That is the standard we hold for each other here.
5 Represent The Heart
- Represent The Heart of Riverdale and the Yukon dance community with pride.
- Show up fully for performances, community events, and rehearsals.
- Participate in travel and enrichment opportunities when eligible and able.
- When wearing Heart apparel outside the studio, your behaviour reflects on the program.
Program Policies
These policies apply to every dancer in the program. Click each topic to read the details.
Attendance
Showing up is one of the most powerful things a dancer can do for their team. Choreography builds on itself: every person in the room makes it possible for everyone else to grow. Your teammates are counting on you, and you can count on them.
- We ask that unexcused absences stay within three per season. If life is getting in the way, talk to us. We would always rather find a solution together than have a dancer struggle without support.
- Illness, emergencies, and pre-approved school trips are always handled with care. Let us know as early as you can.
- After three or more consecutive days of illness, bring a doctor's or physiotherapist's note when you return so we can support your recovery well.
- If you miss a rehearsal for any reason, connect with a teammate, learn what changed, and come prepared to the next session. That is how we take care of each other.
Sick is sick, and that is valid. If a pattern of regular absence shows up (consistently missing about a class a week), we will book a conversation. It is an uncomfortable topic, but the truth is this program is intensive. Dancers in it need to be able to handle both school and the studio, and they need to be in good health. A pattern of illness is a real signal worth talking about together.
Caregivers: the most supportive thing you can do is help your dancer follow through on the commitment they made. When the whole group shows up, the whole group moves forward.
Protecting Your Program Hours
When you join the Pre Professional Intensive Dance Program, Monday through Friday from 4:00 PM belongs to this program. Dancers cannot register in outside activities that conflict with class time, including school sports. This is a program requirement, not flexible.
This is about what ensemble training at this level actually requires. Choreography builds on every session. Every body in the room matters. The commitment you made when you registered is a commitment to your teammates as much as to yourself, and they are counting on you to be there.
Registering in a conflicting activity is not permitted. If you are unsure whether something overlaps, ask us before you sign up for anything. Do not commit to something else and then tell us after.
Mandatory school requirements and genuine one-time events are handled case by case. Reach out to The Heart as early as possible. The earlier we know, the more we can work with you.
Production Costumes
A costume is not street wear. It is not a personal style statement. It is a tool, and it belongs to the character, not to you.
At The Heart, production costumes are designed and built by a dedicated creative team working specifically for your performance. Sachi is a trained tutu maker. Tutu-making is a rare and specialized craft, and each piece she creates takes dozens of hours of skilled work. Chantal comes to us from Cirque du Soleil, where every costume is engineered to let performers move, fly, and perform at the highest possible level. Together, they work alongside our lighting designers and choreographers so that what you wear on stage is not decoration. It is a collaboratively designed extension of your character and the story we are telling.
As Cirque du Soleil's costume team describes the philosophy behind their work: costumes give life and personality to characters. Every fabric choice, colour, and structure is made intentionally so that the audience understands who you are before you take a single step. That is the standard our team brings to every production.
Where personal style belongs: Composition class and some technique sessions are the places to express your own aesthetic. When it comes to production costumes, you wear what was designed for your character. If a costume does not fit properly or causes discomfort, tell the costume team immediately. That is exactly what they are there for.
Costume Care: How We Look After Them
- Keep food away from your costume. Water is always fine; everything else waits until after.
- Hang your costume neatly after every use. It deserves the same care you give your own gear.
- Respect each other's costumes. Each one is fitted specifically to that dancer. Leave others' pieces where they belong.
- If you notice any damage (a loose seam, a broken hook, a missing button), tell the costume team right away. The earlier they know, the easier it is to fix. They want to hear from you.
- Wear your costume exactly as it was designed and assigned. Every element was chosen intentionally for your character.
- Keep your costume in the designated area throughout production week so the team always knows where everything is.
Working With the Costume Team
Sachi and Chantal are skilled professionals who bring real expertise and genuine care to your performance. Come to fittings on time and ready to work. If something is not fitting well or affecting your movement, say so early. They are there to help you perform at your best, and they can only do that if you communicate with them.
The relationship between performers and the costume team is a creative partnership. The work Sachi and Chantal do for you is extraordinary. Show up for your fittings, thank them for their time, and take care of what they build for you.
Phones and Devices
When class starts, your full attention is in the room. Your phone goes in your locker for the duration of class (your locker is more secure than a bag left on the floor). It stays there until class ends.
- If you need to reach a caregiver during class for any reason, tell your teacher. We will always help you make that happen.
- Ask your teacher before recording anything in class. When they give the go-ahead, great. Otherwise, leave it.
Studio Standards
- Water only in the studios. Keep food, other drinks, and gum outside.
- Leave the studio better than you found it. Pick up after yourself and look out for the space.
- If a class is in session, wait until it ends or connect with office staff; they are always happy to help.
- Visitors are welcome to watch performances and showcases. Class and rehearsal time is for the dancers in the room. Anyone joining needs prior approval.
- Take care of the equipment, the floors, and everything in the space. This studio belongs to everyone who trains here.
Respect for Teachers and Choreographers
Our teachers and guest choreographers are experienced professionals chosen for their expertise and their understanding of what this program needs. Treat them accordingly.
- Thank your teacher at the end of each class or session. It matters.
- Corrections are an honour. They mean your teacher is paying attention to you. Receive them with gratitude and put them to work.
- All communication with teachers and choreographers goes through The Heart. This protects everyone and keeps things clear.
Productions and Performances
Performance is the goal. Everything we do in the studio builds toward the stage. Pre Professional dancers perform in two major productions each year at the Yukon Arts Centre, as well as community events throughout the season.
Dates: January 11 to 24, 2027
Dates: May 17 to 30, 2027
Student Choreographic Showcase: How to Participate
The Student Choreographic Showcase is part of Polar Night at the Yukon Arts Centre in January. It is the place where dancers bring their own creative voice to a professional stage.
Open to Fly and Krush Groove dancers only. To present work in the Showcase, you must sign up for the Choreo Lab extended program. This is not automatic: you need to register for it separately.
The Choreo Lab is where choreographic work is developed over the course of the season. Dancers work through improvisation and compositional structure, then bring finished pieces to the Showcase stage.
If you want to choreograph and perform your own work at the Yukon Arts Centre in January, sign up for Choreo Lab at the start of the season. Spots are limited. Email us at theheartofriverdale@gmail.com to get on the list.
Honouring Our Graduating Dancers
Every Art from the Heart production includes a moment to celebrate dancers completing their time in the Pre Professional program. Each graduating dancer receives a solo. That solo is The Heart's gift, a way to mark the years they have poured into this program.
Who Develops the Year-End Show
The artistic vision for Art from the Heart sits with The Heart Creative Team, alongside guest choreographers and writers who travel to work with us. This is part of how The Heart builds artistic relationships across the country, and how our faculty bring their own work to a public stage.
How Grads Can Join the Creative Process
Graduating dancers may be invited to participate in the creative development of the year-end show. When that happens, the invitation is offered as a learning experience: you get to see how a creative team operates, what it takes to bring a show to the stage, and how to contribute respectfully to producing art for a community audience.
Creative direction for Art from the Heart belongs to the professional team: Heart faculty, guest instructors, the costume design lead, the executive director, the artistic director, the executive producer, and the writer. Grads participate as observers and learners, contributing when invited.
Every dancer, every level. The year-end show belongs to every dancer who put in the year. Grads are honoured within it. Every level of training matters, and every role in the production has its place.
Community Performances
Throughout the season, pre professional dancers participate in community events: the Christmas parade, fundraiser performances, and other public engagements. These are part of the program, not optional extras. They are some of the most important things we do.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals are mandatory. The Rep Development Project in November (November 6 to 11) is a mandatory intensive for all pre professional dancers. Additional rehearsal blocks will be scheduled as productions approach.
- Arrive early enough to warm up before rehearsal begins.
- Come prepared. Know the choreography you are responsible for.
- If choreography changes in a session you missed, it is your responsibility to learn the new version before the next rehearsal.
During tech and performance weeks, regular class schedules are suspended. All production calls are mandatory. Specific call times will be communicated at least two weeks in advance.
Battles and Conventions
Street Styles dancers train in a culture that includes battles. The cypher, the 1-on-1, the crew battle: these are the real-world performance contexts for the skills we build in class. They are part of the tradition.
Dancers can fundraise throughout the season to attend conventions and battles in addition to the annual Montreal trip.
Groove Street Dance Convention: Vancouver BC (Studio Styles)
October 23 to 26, 2026. Open to Studio Styles dancers. Location varies by year, confirmed at the start of the season. Approximately $1,500 per dancer. Dancers attending Groove Street must submit their Montreal deposit before committing to this trip.
Street Styles Battles (Local)
Street Styles dancers participate in up to five local battles per year:
- Four By the Rock battles at The Heart over the school year
- One Cypherfest battle in late July
Dates are confirmed at the start of each season.
Travel Battle
Street Styles dancers also have opportunities to travel to battles in Vancouver or Calgary. Dates TBD. Approximately $1,500 per dancer.
Conventions and battles are learning experiences. You are representing The Heart when you attend. Conduct yourself accordingly: support other dancers, stay with your group, and focus on what you can take back to the studio.
Travel and Enrichment
Our fundraising has one primary destination: the annual dance education trip to Montreal, and for graduating dancers, New York City. This is what we are building toward together.
Montreal and New York
Approximately April 20 to 27, 2027 (tentative). All pre professional dancers are eligible. Graduating dancers continue to New York City. Estimated cost: approximately $3,000 per dancer. Travel costs may be offset through fundraising.
Lead contact: Violetta Umanes, Special Projects Manager. All Montreal trip questions, deposits, and registration are handled through Violetta via The Heart office.
Groove Street eligibility. Spots at the Groove Street Dance Convention are available only to dancers who are attending the Montreal trip. The Montreal deposit must be received before a Groove Street spot is confirmed.
Fundraising
Fundraising is a shared effort. Community dances, showcases, silent auctions, and direct sales projects are how we keep the Montreal and New York trips within reach for every family, and how Street Styles dancers access battles and conventions.
- Fundraising opportunities will be announced throughout the year.
Community Leads
Community Leads at The Heart is a team role. A group of Grade 11 and 12 dancers who carry the culture of the program with them: in the hallway, in the change room, in the group chat, and on stage. These are the dancers who make things happen before anyone has to ask.
Researchers describe effective team captains through three qualities: Caring, Courageous, and Consistent. Dancers who bring all three earn a fourth: Credibility, the kind that makes a room move in the right direction without anyone having to say a word. At The Heart, we look for all four when we recognize Community Leads. It is not a title we give. It is a practice we recognize, and it is earned.
Privilege equals responsibility. The more access you earn, the more you are expected to give back to the community that gave it to you.
Who Is Eligible
The Community Leads program is open to Grade 11 and 12 dancers in the Pre Professional program. Eligibility is determined at the start of the season based on the following:
- Stewardship: you treat the space, the program, and the people in it with genuine care.
- Reliability: you show up consistently, on time, and prepared. Your teammates can count on you.
- Kindness: you contribute to a culture that lifts people up. You do not tear people down, in person or online.
Technical ability is not a factor. A dancer who is not the strongest in the room but who leads with integrity will always be considered before one who has exceptional skill but undermines the group.
What Community Leads Are Responsible For
This role is modelled on team captain leadership. Your job is to hold the standard of the group. Not by policing your peers, but by being the person who makes the right thing happen without being told.
- Open class. Before class starts, you are the one getting people moving. "Come on, let's go. We are starting on time." That is your voice. You do not wait for a teacher to ask. You set it in motion.
- Keep the energy positive during class. Be an encouraging, constructive presence on the floor. When someone is struggling, you notice. When the group needs a lift, you give it. Set the example of what it looks like to work respectfully with staff, other dancers, and everyone in the room.
- Close class. At the end of class, stand at the door. Make sure everyone has their water bottle, their bag, their gear. Remind people before they walk out. A lot gets left behind. That is yours to catch.
- Connect regularly with staff. Senior dancers have regular check-ins with staff. If there is tension in the group, disagreements, drama, dynamics that are pulling people apart, you bring it to staff early, privately, and directly. Not to report on your peers, but to help the team function. The sooner we know, the sooner we can help.
- Redirect negativity. In the group chat, in the hallway, in the change room: if the energy goes sideways, you are the first to bring it back. Not with lectures. With presence and consistency.
- Leave the studio clean. Before anyone leaves, the studio is clean. Every time. This is yours to organize.
Great captains stop rumor-spreading and gossip. Not because someone told them to, but because they understand how quickly it destroys what the group has built. If you see something and say nothing, that is a choice. Senior dancers at The Heart choose to act.
Community Lead Access: Grade 11
These privileges are maintained through continued stewardship, not granted permanently.
- First choice of couch area. Senior dancers choose their spot in the senior lounge first. This is a small thing that means something. Treat it accordingly.
- A $20 monthly café meal card. Yours to use at The Heart café.
- Eligibility for the Student Choreographic Showcase. The Showcase at Polar Night in January is open to Fly and Krush Groove dancers who enroll in the Choreo Lab extended program, one of the most significant creative opportunities in the program.
Community Lead Access: Grade 12
Grade 12 dancers have everything Grade 11 seniors have, plus the following.
- A solo in the year-end production. Grade 12 dancers perform a solo at Art from the Heart. This is yours to earn and to carry with pride.
- A learning seat at the Art from the Heart creative table. Grade 12 dancers are invited into the year-end show development process as a learning experience. You get to see how a creative team operates, what it takes to bring a show to the stage, and how to contribute respectfully to producing good art for a community audience. You may be asked for input where appropriate.
Where creative direction sits. Creative leadership for Art from the Heart belongs to the professional team: Heart faculty, guest instructors, the costume design lead, the executive director, the artistic director, the executive producer, and the writer. Grade 12 dancers participate as observers and learners, contributing when invited. The dancers who approach this with curiosity and respect become the people this program is built on.
Financial Commitment
The financial commitment for the 2026 to 2027 season is structured as follows. Annual program fee: $5,200. All classes and included add-on workshops are covered by tuition.
| $50 | Audition fee, due at registration on June 2 |
| $465 | Registration deposit, due at registration. Non-refundable and non-transferable. |
| $473.50 x 10 | Monthly instalments, September through June |
All Heart classes, add-on workshops, and production costumes are included in tuition. Additional costs include performance shoes, the annual team track suit (price TBD), and travel. These are communicated separately with advance notice.
Yukon Circus Society classes are not included in Heart tuition.
Performance Shoes
We are unifying the look of footwear across pre-professional performances. Families may need to purchase specific performance shoes, up to approximately $200. This does not include ballet slippers or pointe shoes, which are part of regular dance gear. The Heart is able to subsidize the performance shoe cost for families who need extra support. If that applies to you, please reach out directly and confidentially.
Team Track Suit
The Pre Professional team has an annual team track suit. Every dancer purchases one each year. The price is communicated at the start of the season.
Refund Policy
If a dancer quits or is asked to leave the program, no refunds will be issued. The family remains responsible for the full program cost. This policy exists because a dancer's place in the program is held for the full season and cannot be filled mid-year without significant disruption to the group.
Travel Cost Estimates
| Groove Street (Studio Styles) | Approximately $1,500 per dancer |
| Travel Battle, Street Styles (Vancouver or Calgary) | Approximately $1,500 per dancer |
| Montreal and New York | Approximately $3,000 per dancer |
All estimates are approximate and may change. Full breakdowns provided before deposits are due. Costs may be offset through fundraising.
The Three-Bump System
We are running a system. When expectations are not being met, we address it directly through a structured process. The goal is always to support the dancer in staying in the program, not to remove them from it.
Note: In cases of serious misconduct, dangerous behaviour, or abuse of other students, staff, or property, a dancer may be removed immediately without progressing through the three-bump process.
What Could Trigger a Bump 1 Conversation
The first bump is a check-in, not a punishment. It is meant to name something early so it does not become a bigger issue. Examples of what might trigger a Bump 1 conversation:
- Consistent lateness without communication
- Persistent phone use during class
- Disrespectful tone toward a teacher, guest instructor, or peer
- Side conversations or eye-rolling during corrections
- Repeatedly arriving without proper attire or footwear
- Group chat conflict or talking around someone instead of to them
- Public criticism of staff or the program
- Refusing to apply or receive corrections
None of these end a dancer's time in the program on their own. Each one is a starting point for a conversation about how to course-correct together.
When the Program Is Not a Good Fit
A dancer may be asked to leave the program for any of the following reasons:
- Disruptive or dangerous behaviour
- Abuse of other students, staff, or property
- A sustained pattern of absence due to illness or injury that makes the program unsustainable for the dancer at this time
- Circumstances where the program is unable to meet the dancer's needs
Every effort will be made to resolve a situation before a dancer is asked to leave. When illness or injury is the reason, the conversation is about what is right for the dancer's health, not about discipline. If a dancer leaves the program, their family remains responsible for the full program cost.
Key Dates 2026 to 2027
All dates are subject to change. Updates will be communicated by email. Attendance is mandatory at all program events unless otherwise indicated.
Pre-Program: Summer 2026
| June 2, 2026 at 7:00 PM | Mandatory info session via Zoom. Parents at 7:00 PM, dancers join at 7:30 PM. Registration opens on Amilia following the session. |
| June 8 to 11, 2026 | Auditions at The Heart, 4:00 to 6:00 PM (one day per group, Monday to Thursday) |
| After placement | Student orientation: a click-through that parents and dancers complete together. The Dancer Agreement is signed inside the orientation, so no spot is held without it. |
Fall Term: September to December 2026
| Aug 24, 2026 | First day of classes |
| Sept 5 to 7, 2026 | Labour Day weekend: Heart closed |
| Sept 30, 2026 | National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Heart closed |
| Oct 10 to 12, 2026 | Thanksgiving weekend: Heart closed |
| Oct 23 to 26, 2026 | Groove Street Dance Convention, Vancouver BC (Studio Styles) |
| Oct 2026 (TBD) | Fall Battle: Street Styles (date to be confirmed) |
| Nov 6 to 11, 2026 | Rep Development Project (mandatory for all pre professional dancers) |
| Dec 21 to Jan 3 | Christmas Break: Heart closed |
Winter Term: January to March 2027
| Jan 4 to 8, 2027 | In-studio rehearsals: Polar Night and Student Choreographic Showcase |
| Jan 11 to 15, 2027 | Polar Night tech rehearsals at the Yukon Arts Centre |
| Jan 18 to 24, 2027 | Polar Night: dress rehearsals and performances at the Yukon Arts Centre |
| TBD Feb 2027 | Headshots with Sarah Lewis (date to be confirmed) |
| Feb 15, 2027 | Heritage Day: Heart closed |
| Mar 8 to 21, 2027 | Spring Break: Heart closed for regular classes |
| Mar 15 to 19, 2027 | Musical production week (mandatory attendance during Spring Break) |
Spring Term: April to June 2027
| Apr 2 to 5, 2027 | Easter weekend: Heart closed |
| Apr 20 to 27, 2027 | Montreal and New York City dance trip (tentative) |
| May 15, 2027 | Last day of regular classes |
| May 17 to 21, 2027 | Art from the Heart tech rehearsals at the Yukon Arts Centre |
| May 22 to 24, 2027 | Victoria Day weekend. Heart closed (production schedule applies). |
| May 25, 2027 (tentative) | Photos with Sarah Lewis at the Yukon Arts Centre (Pre Professional only) |
| May 25 to 30, 2027 | Art from the Heart: dress rehearsals and performances at the Yukon Arts Centre |
| June 7 to 11, 2027 | Pre Professional auditions for 2027 to 2028 |
Theatre Etiquette
When you're in the theatre, you're working alongside stage managers, technicians, lighting designers, sound operators, and crew. They are professionals doing their jobs so your show can happen. The expectations below help everyone work together well.
Backstage and Tech
- Show up on time for every call, ready to warm up with the group. The group warm-up is part of the call. Come prepared to join it.
- Backstage stays quiet during runs. Voices travel onto the stage.
- Phones stay in bags during calls, not in the wings or dressing rooms.
- Stay in your assigned area unless a stage manager directs otherwise.
- When a technician asks you to move, hold still, or hit a mark, do it.
Speaking to Theatre Staff
- Acknowledge requests with "thank you" or "got it" so they know you heard.
- If a direction is unclear, ask once, plainly.
- Tell the relevant team early if something is wrong with a costume, a prop, or your mark.
- Use crew members' names when you can.
Closing Out
- Strike is a team event. Stay until you're released.
- Thank the theatre crew before you leave. They worked just as hard as you did.
Respect for Faculty and Guest Instructors
The relationship between instructors and dancers is a two-way street. The goal is to develop a mutually trusting relationship over the course of the season.
What Faculty Brings
Faculty has earned, through years of hard work, their position as educators and creative leads. They are at a point in their careers where their art is how they make a living. Teachers bring the knowledge they have built to share with you and help you improve.
What We Ask of You
We commit to offering classes designed to progress you. Your job is to trust the work, follow through on it, and communicate openly when you have questions or concerns. Trust is built when both sides show up consistently with that attitude.
For Heart Faculty
Familiarity is not a reason for less respect. Greet them by name. Thank them at the end of every class. Try every correction.
For Guest Instructors
Guest instructors travel here to share what they know. Show up early. Listen the first time. Don't compare them to your usual teachers. Apply their corrections fully, even when the style is new to you.
In Every Class
Greet the instructor. Listen the first time. Try the correction. Thank them at the end. These habits build the relationship over time.
How You Sign This Handbook
This handbook is acknowledged through the Student Orientation, a click-through experience that walks parents and dancers through the entire handbook together.
- The orientation takes no more than 45 minutes
- Both parent and dancer complete it in one sitting
- It ends with two digital signatures: one from the parent or guardian on the registration agreement, and one from the dancer on the dancer commitments
- Both signatures are sent directly to The Heart
- No registration is confirmed without a completed orientation and both signatures
Parent or guardian signs the legal and financial portion: the registration contract, fee schedule, and refund policy. They are the legal signatory because the dancer is a minor.
Dancer signs the dancer commitments and code of conduct: the attendance expectations, behaviour standards, and the part about how they show up and treat the room.
Each party is accountable to their own piece. Each piece is on the record.
The Heart of Riverdale | 38A Lewes Blvd, Whitehorse YT | 867-667-6700 | theheartofriverdale@gmail.com
Social Media Guidelines
As a pre professional dancer at The Heart, your online presence is part of how you represent this program and this community.
The same direct communication rule applies online. If there is an issue with a fellow dancer, a teacher, or the program, bring it to us directly. Do not air it publicly.