Under the direction of Artistic Director Cyndi Scott, Edge exposes students to a comprehensive and professional training program. The curriculum is designed to nurture the young dancer, improve technique and cultivate well-round dancers. Edge School invites master teachers to join our renowned faculty, preparing our students  to succeed in post-secondary or professional opportunities.

The Edge Dance program offers a second-to-none environment for dancers supported by the Edge academic faculty, high performance training staff and sport psychology, creating a complete dance training experience.

Two professional dance studios enable Edge School (Calgary) students to train in a world-class environment. This program compliments and enhances the training and competitions attended through the dancers’ own studios.

Students interested in applying for the Edge Dance Program should contact Cyndi Scott or our Director of Admissions. Program auditions, held throughout the year, are required and part of the admission process. Please check our online calendar regularly for upcoming audition dates.

Dancers Excel "The training my daughter receives at Edge is having a powerful impact on her overall performance. I’ve seen a marked improvement. She’s been able to compete successfully at the local, national and even international level". 

Dance Companies

Dancers in the program are placed into one of three dance companies:

• Junior (Grades 5, 6 and 7)
• Intermediate (Grades 8 and 9)
• Senior (Grades 10, 11 and 12 - 5 days-a-week dance program)

Within each company, students are put into groups according to their technical and performance abilities. Students are given the opportunity throughout the school year to take their skills to the stage in a variety of performances at Edge School and at external events. The program is designed to compliment and enhance the training received and competitions participated in through the dancers' own studios. The focus is on building a well-rounded dancer, with our program enhancing their skills on and off the stage.

The Dance program includes regular classes in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Modern and Lyrical technique. Students also study Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Ballroom, African Dance and Performing Arts, enhancing skills on and off the stage. Edge dancers also have performance opportunities throughout the school year at Edge School and external events.

Workshops & Guest Teachers

The annual Dance Workshop Series sees industry professionals put on master classes in a variety of genres with our dancers. The 2010-11 schedule includes:

• Tara Young - On Broadway - November 2010
• Danny Polland - Master Choreagrapher / Dance Teacher - December 16, 2010
• Decidedly Jazz Danceworks - West African Workshop with drummers on January 7, 2011
• Sean Cheesman - Dance Industry lecture, January 2011
• Dorrell Martin, Artistic Director of the Joffrey Contemporary Company - Master class workshop March 18, 2011

In 2009-2010, as part of the movie premiere of "Fame", Edge Dance hosted a workshop Sept 25-27, 2009 featuring dance faculty Richard Andries, Calen Kurka, Mandy Moore and Sabrina Philips.

Faculty

The Edge Dance faculty brings passion, dedication and commitment to helping our dancers improve their individual technique. This drive enables our dancers to take full advantage of everything Edge School has to offer its student-athletes from academic support, on-site sport psychology and sport physiotherapy as well as high performance training - all under the guidance of master teachers and coaches.

In 2010-11, Edge Dance created a team of guest teachers from some of the industry's best choreographers and artists. These teachers float between our Calgary and Grand Prairie dance programs, offering students in both centres access to further specialized training. Bios of these guest teachers will be available online shortly.

Travel

Edge Dancers have the opportunity to take in world-class workshops and performances through an optional annual dance trip. Past trips have included London, England, San Francisco, CA, Alaska and Chicago, IL. Excerpts from these trips will be added here soon! These trips combine master classes with local industry professionals, attending dance and theatre performances and taking in the local culture.

Dance Alumni

Our dancers aspire to great futures after Edge School graduation – from the performing arts such as Cirque de Soleil, The Julliard School, Joffrey Ballet School and Boston Ballet to post-secondary schools which offer outstanding dance programs. We assist our dancers in preparing for that next big step – we work with their studios to ensure they are ready for whichever path they choose!