Competitive & Pre-Competitive Dance Programs
Challenge, Growth, Technique & Teamwork
Vive la Danse’s Competitive Program is designed for dancers who are eager to grow their technique, perform at a higher level, and experience the excitement of festivals and competitions. Competitive dancers train with intention: building strength, discipline, artistry, and teamwork while working toward choreography that will be showcased throughout the season.
This stream is ideal for dancers who are ready to commit to consistent training, embrace challenge, and thrive in a motivating, supportive environment.
Competitive vs. Pre-Competitive. What’s the Difference?
Competitive Program
Our full Competitive Program includes choreography and core technique training across tap, jazz, and ballet, along with optional complementary styles such as lyrical, contemporary, acro, and musical theatre. Competitive dancers perform at dress/stage rehearsals, multiple festivals/competitions, and the year-end show. Dancers must meet all core class requirements (tap, jazz, ballet) to be considered full competitive dancers.
Pre-Competitive Program
The Pre-Competitive Program offers a gentler introduction to the competitive world. Dancers in this stream attend two local dance festivals, participate in dress/stage rehearsals, and perform in the year-end show. Pre-Competitive dancers do not need to take all three core technique classes unless required by the specific class (ex: Pre-Competitive Acro). This stream is a great fit for dancers who want the competitive experience with fewer commitments.
Program Requirements & Expectations
Attendance
Competitive dancers must attend classes consistently, especially choreography classes, to support the team. The yearly calendar is available upon registration so that families can plan accordingly to ensure attendance.
✦ Frequent absences may result in removal from choreography.
Core Technique Requirements (Competitive)
To qualify as a full-time competitive dancer, students must be registered in a minimum of 6 hours of dance per week. This is a standard classification in festivals and competitions to properly categorize dancers into their levels.
- Tap Choreography requires Tap Technique
- Jazz Choreography requires Jazz Technique
- Ballet Choreography requires Ballet Technique
- Acro Choreography requires Acro Technique
- Lyrical/Contemporary Choreography requires Ballet Technique
- Musical Theatre Choreography requires Jazz Technique
Dancers registered in fewer than 6 hours of dance per week are considered Pre-Competitive.
Choreography Commitments
All competitive choreography classes require:
- Attendance at all choreography classes
- Registration and attendance in corresponding technique classes
- At-home practice
- Attendance at dress/stage rehearsals
- Participation in festivals, competitions, and a year-end recital
- Optional but highly encouraged extra-performance opportunities
Festivals & Competitions
Most competitive choreography classes attend multiple festivals/competitions. Pre-Competitive classes generally attend two local festivals.
Most competitive choreography classes attend multiple festivals/competitions. Pre-Competitive classes generally attend two local festivals.
Extra Work (Pointe Choreography)
Pointe choreography is considered extra work and is separate from technique-only pointe classes.
Competitive Core Technique Classes
These classes build the foundational strength and skill required for competitive training.
Tap Technique
Following the ADAPT Tap syllabus, dancers build top-tier rhythm, technique, and musicality training. Your feet become a musical instrument in this energetic and dynamic dance style.
Jazz Technique
Jazz dance is a sharp, dynamic dance style with the kick, jumps, and turns that we all think of when we think of dance. At Vive la Danse, we follow the ADAPT jazz syllabus to provide motivating and challenging technique and style for rapid and consistent growth in our dancers.
Ballet Technique
This classical ballet class is foundational to other dance technique. Ballet is known for its beautiful lines, fluid strength, and focused flexibility. These technique classes follow the Cecchetti Syllabus known for its rigorous standards in classical ballet.
PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique)
Progressing Ballet Technique is a revolutionary ballet technique created by the cooperation of dance teachers and physiotherapists to allow dancers to strengthen their technique the most efficient, body-safe ways possible. This program works the muscle memory training through graded progressions of core strength and alignment, proprioception, and active flexibility. PBT is not just for dancers, but used therapeutically by physiotherapists around the world for injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Acro Technique
Based on the Acrobatic Arts syllabus and Alixa Flexibility modules, Vive la Danse’s Acro classes support safe, progressive development of strength, limbering, balancing, and tumbling. Acro technique is required for dancers participating in competitive acro choreography but also highly recommended for dancers’ conditioning as well as Contemporary dance elements.
Choreography Classes
Competitive choreography classes are where groups learn their dance for the season.
These classes require:
- Attendance at all choreography classes
- Registration and attendance in corresponding technique classes
- At-home practice
- Attendance at dress/stage rehearsals
- Participation in festivals, competitions, and a year-end recital
- Optional but highly encouraged extra-performance opportunities
Choreography classes exist across the following levels:
- Pre-Junior (Ages: 4 - 6)
- Junior (Ages: 7 - 9)
- Pre-Intermediate (Ages: 10 - 12)
- Intermediate (Ages: 13 - 15)
- Senior (Ages: 15 - 18)
- Adults (Ages: 18+)
Additional Competitive Styles
Lyrical/Contemporary
Lyrical and contemporary blend ballet and jazz technique while emphasizing emotional interpretation, storytelling, fluidity, and unique movement vocabulary.
Requirements:
- Enrolled in competitive ballet technique
- Required to attend all rehearsals, festivals, and shows
- These classes combine lyrical and contemporary technique in the same class as the choreography
Musical Theatre
A triple-threat class combining voice lessons, dance, acting, and lip-syncing. Competitive Musical Theatre students must also be enrolled in Competitive Jazz Technique as well as attend festivals, competitions, and rehearsals with their group.
Cheer Jazz (Pom)
Cheer Jazz, also known as POM Jazz, is a popular, high-energy class that blends cheerleading, jazz, and hip hop elements with the exciting bonus of using pom-poms. This class is structure like the highly sought after “Little Miss Outriders,” and is taught by former professional CFL and NLL cheerleader, Miss Demi Saizew. Sharp, synchronized, and sparkly, this class is not to be missed.
As per CFL standards, there is no stunting in this class. For stunting opportunities, we recommend acro.
Pointe & Pre-Pointe
Competitive Lyrical/Contemporary
These classes build foot, ankle, and core strength for dancers working toward or dancing en pointe.
- These are technique-only classes
- Pointe choreography is considered extra work
- Must be enrolled in competitive ballet technique
- Two class options exist for scheduling convenience
How to Join the Competitive Program
Dancers may enter the Competitive Program through:
- Parental request
- Evaluation/ recommendations from current instructors
- Commitment to attendance, fee schedules, as well as rehearsal, festival, competition, and recital participation
Families interested in joining are encouraged to contact the studio for guidance on placement.