Home » Programs » Pre-Professional Dance

Start:

Aug 25, 2025

End:

May 31, 2026

Days:

Monday to Friday

Times:

4 - 6PM

Drop-off: 3:30PM

Pick-up: 6PM

Class Max:

Teachers:

Violetta Umanes, Sasha (Oleksandra Trofimova), Oleksii Ogarov, Riley Simpson-Fowler, Grace Simpson-Fowler, Sachi Kambara, Michelle Fishermayr, Micha St.Pierre

Studios:

Blue Studio, Green Studio, Black Box Theatre, Narnia

Elite Dance Training

Our specialized dance programs, called Focus, Fly, Rhythm Riders, and Krush Groove, are designed for students in Grades 6 – 12 who are eager to dedicate themselves to intensive dance training.

Participants in the Pre-Professional Programs commit to 10 hours of weekly training in various dance genres. We offer two streams:

Studio Styles (Focus and Fly) (Focus and Fly), where dancers learn ballet, contemporary, and jazz.
Street Styles (Rhythm Riders and Krush Groove), where dancers learn breaking, hip hop, and house.

These programs are audition-based only:

Audition Dates: June 9–12, 2025

Dancers must be going into Grade 6 for the fall of 2025 in order to be able to attend. Please message theheartofriverdale@gmail.com for more information if you are interested.

Students enrolled in any Pre-Professional Dance program can register for Pre-Pro Art classes (Art in Motion) or Pointe classes at no additional cost. **Pointe class placement will be based on audition. The Art class is available upon submission of a sketchbook.

Age: Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Kids, Pre-professional

Style: Dance

Pointe 1: for students in Focus / Fly

Pointe 2: for students in Focus / Fly

Pre-Pointe (Pre-Pro)

Street Styles – Krush Groove

Krush Groove is The Heart of Riverdale’s premier pre-professional street dance program for Grades 8-12, offering intensive training in hip-hop, breaking, and other street dance styles. Designed for dedicated dancers, this program combines rigorous technique classes, choreography, and freestyle sessions to prepare students for high-level performances and competitions.

Goals of the Krush Groove Program

Krush Groove develops technical excellence and creative individuality in street dance styles while fostering respect for hip-hop culture. The program prepares students for competitive performances, artistic growth, and collaborations.

Tuition: $4600/year

- $400 non-refundable deposit due before audition
- Post-audition: pay $4200 in full OR through a 10-month instalment plan (Sept 1 – June 1).

Note: Monthly amounts are instalments. All participants commit to the full year.

Start:

Aug 25, 2025

End:

May 31, 2026

Days:

Monday to Friday

Times:

4-6PM

Class Max:

Teachers:

Violetta Umanes, Sasha (Oleksandra Trofimova), Riley Simpson-Fowler, Oleksii Ogarov

Studios:

Narnia, Green Studio

$4600/year

Monthly amounts are installments. All participants commit to the full year.

Opportunities & Commitments

Polar Night: January 12–25, 2026
Art from the Heart Festival: May 19–31, 2026

Schedule

Mondays (4-6PM) - HipHop with Sasha (Oleksandra Trofimova) in the Narnia

Tuesdays (4-6PM) - Breaking with Riley Simpson-Fowler in the Narnia

Wednesdays (4-6PM) - Breaking with Oleksii Ogarov in the Narnia

Thursdays (4-6PM) - House with Violetta Umanes in the Narnia

Thursdays (6:30-8PM) - Breaking with Oleksii Ogarov in the Narnia

Fridays (4-6PM) - Choreography with Violetta Umanes in the Green Studio

Required Supplies

Please make sure your student has all of these items for their classes and performances, and support them in arriving at the studio a few minutes early for each class with everything they need. ALL classes:

Water bottle
Journal or notebook
Comfortable clothing to move in (i.e: sweatpants and a t-shirt), NO jeans
Clean indoor running shoes, NO outdoor shoes permitted

Mandatory: All dancers MUST have a pair of all-black OR all-white running shoes (colour TBD) for performances.

Street Styles – Rhythm Riders

Rhythm Riders is an elite program at The Heart of Riverdale for Grades 6-8, focusing on breaking and hip-hop techniques. Designed for serious dancers, this program offers 10+ hours of weekly training to master strength, agility, and freestyle creativity.

Students learn from experienced instructors, refining their unique style while performing dynamic choreography and engaging in community showcases and battles. Rhythm Riders encourages teamwork and cultural appreciation, helping dancers grow as artists and individuals.

Goals of the Rhythm Riders Program

Rhythm Riders builds technical proficiency in breaking and hip-hop, fostering physical strength, musicality, and self-expression. The program prepares students for high-level battles and performances while celebrating hip-hop’s cultural roots.

Tuition: $4600/year

- $400 non-refundable deposit due before audition
- Post-audition: pay $4200 in full OR through a 10-month installment plan (Sept 1 – June 1).

••Note: Monthly amounts are installments. All participants commit to the full year.

Start:

Aug 25, 2025

End:

May 31, 2026

Days:

Monday to Friday

Times:

4-6PM

Class Max:

Teachers:

Violetta Umanes, Oleksii Ogarov, Sasha (Oleksandra Trofimova), Riley Simpson-Fowler, Mia Houde

Studios:

Black Box Theatre, Narnia

$4600/year

Monthly amounts are installments. All participants commit to the full year

Opportunities & Commitments

Polar Night: January 12–25, 2026
Art from the Heart Festival: May 19–31, 2026

Schedule

Mondays (4-6PM) - HipHop with Violetta Umanes in the Black Box Theatre

Tuesdays (4-6PM) - Breakin with Oleksii Ogarov in the Black Box Theatre

Wednesdays (4-6PM) - Breaking with Riley Simpson-Fowler in the Black Box Theatre

Thursdays (4-6PM) - Hip Hop with Sasha (Oleksandra Trofimova) in the Black Box Theatre

Fridays (4-6PM) - Choreography with Mia Houde in the Narnia

Required Supplies

Water bottle
Journal or notebook
Comfortable clothing to move in (i.e: sweatpants and a t-shirt)
Clean indoor running shoes, NO outdoor shoes permitted

Note: All dancers must have all-black or all-white running shoes for performances (final color TBD).

Studio Styles – Fly

Fly is an advanced pre-professional dance program for Grades 8-12, providing dancers with 10+ hours of rigorous weekly training in ballet, contemporary, and jazz. Designed for students committed to excelling in dance, Fly emphasizes technical precision, artistic expression, and performance readiness.

Fly prepares dancers for competitive opportunities and advanced studies, fostering confidence and a deeper appreciation for the art form.

Goals of the Fly Program

Fly focuses on perfecting technique and developing artistry in ballet, contemporary, and jazz. The program nurtures discipline, creativity, and self-confidence, equipping dancers for professional or advanced educational paths in dance.

Tuition: $4600/year

- $400 non-refundable deposit due before audition
- Post-audition: pay $4200 in full OR through a 10-month installment plan (Sept 1 – June 1).

••Note: Monthly amounts are installments. All participants commit to the full year.

Start:

Aug 25, 2025

End:

May 31, 2026

Days:

Monday to Friday

Times:

4-6PM

Class Max:

Teachers:

Grace Simpson-Fowler, Sachi Kambara, Micha St.Pierre

Studios:

Green Studio, Blue Studio

$4600/year

Monthly amounts are installments. All participants commit to the full year.

Opportunities & Commitments

Polar Night: January 12–25, 2026
Art from the Heart Festival: May 19–31, 2026

Schedule

Mondays (4-6PM) - Jazz with Micha St-Pierre in the Green Studio

Tuesdays (4-6PM) - Ballet with Sachi Kambara in the Blue Studio

Wednesdays (4-6PM) - Jazz with Grace Simpson-Fowler in the Green Studio

Thursdays (4-6PM) - Ballet with Sachi Kambara in the Blue Studio

Fridays (4-6PM) - Choreography with Grace Simpson-Fowler in the Blue Studio

Required Supplies

Required Dance Clothing & Supplies for all Focus & Fly students:  Please make sure your student has all of these items for their classes and performances and support them in arriving at the studio a few minutes early for each class with everything they need. Mandatory: All Pre-Professional Students must have a pair of all-black OR all-white runners (colour TBD) for performances. ALL classes:

Water bottle
Journal or notebook

Ballet classes

black bodysuit
pink or skin tone ballet tights
pink or skin tone split sole ballet shoes
hair must be in a clean bun
dancers may wear tight shorts or a ballet skirt

Jazz or Jumps and Turns classes

black bodysuit
tight shorts or jazz pants
black jazz shoes
dancers may wear a tight t-shirt or tank

Contemporary classes

tight shorts or pants
fitted shirt or tank top
foot undies or bare feet

Hip Hop classes

plain loose fitting pants, NO jeans
clean indoor running shoes, NO outdoor shoes permitted

(Dancers may want to stylize their outfit, they can do so, just make sure they follow Dress Code so teachers can see their body & lines)

Studio Styles – Focus

Focus is a pre-professional dance program for Grades 6-12, providing intensive training in ballet, contemporary, and jazz. Dancers train 10+ hours weekly in a structured environment, balancing technical excellence with artistic growth.

With classes taught by expert instructors, students refine their skills in technique, choreography, and performance, preparing them for advanced studies or careers in the performing arts. Focus inspires discipline, creativity, and a lifelong passion for dance.

Goals of the Focus Program

Focus develops advanced skills in studio dance styles, fostering versatility, precision, and self-expression. The program prepares dancers for major productions and advanced performance opportunities.

Tuition: $4600/year

$400 non-refundable deposit due before audition
Post-audition: pay $4200 in full OR through a 10-month instalment plan (Sept 1 – June 1).

Note: Monthly amounts are instalments. All participants commit to the full year.

Start:

Aug 25, 2025

End:

May 31, 2026

Days:

Monday to Friday

Times:

4-6PM

Class Max:

Teachers:

Sachi Kambara, Grace Simpson-Fowler, Michelle Fishermayr, Micha St.Pierre

Studios:

Blue Studio, Green Studio, Pink Studio

Full Program Price: $4600/year

Monthly amounts are installments. All participants commit to the full year.

Opportunities & Commitments

Polar Night: January 12–25, 2026
Art from the Heart Festival: May 19–31, 2026

Schedule

Mondays (4-6PM) - Ballet with Michelle Fishermayr in the Blue Studio

Tuesdays (4-6PM) - Contemporary with Grace Simpson-Fowler in the Green Studio

Wednesdays (4-6PM) - Ballet with Sachi Kambara in the Blue Studio

Thursdays (4-6PM) - Jazz with Micha St-Pierre in the Green Studio

Fridays (4-6PM) - Choreography with Michelle FisherMayr in the Pink Studio

Required Supplies

Required Dance Clothing & Supplies for all Focus & Fly students:

Please make sure your student has all of these items for their classes and performances and support them in arriving at the studio a few minutes early for each class with everything they need. Mandatory: All Pre-Professional Students must have a pair of all-black OR all-white runners (colour TBD) for performances. ALL classes:

Water bottle
Journal or notebook

Ballet classes

black bodysuit
pink or skin tone ballet tights
pink or skin tone split sole ballet shoes
hair must be in a clean bun
dancers may wear tight shorts or a ballet skirt

Jazz or Jumps and Turns classes

black bodysuit
tight shorts or jazz pants
black jazz shoes
dancers may wear a tight t-shirt or tank

Contemporary classes

tight shorts or pants
fitted shirt or tank top
foot undies or bare feet

Hip Hop classes

plain loose fitting pants, NO jeans
clean indoor running shoes, NO outdoor shoes permitted

(Dancers may want to stylize their outfit, they can do so, just make sure they follow Dress Code so teachers can see their body & lines)

Commitments & Opportunities

Students enrolled in our Pre-Professional Training Programs enjoy numerous performance opportunities throughout the school year. Events like Polar Night (January) and Art from the Heart (May/June) at the Yukon Arts Centre provide a professional setting for showcasing their skills. The preparation involves lead-up days, technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and the actual production over several nights.

These programs also open doors for travel and participation in local and international competitions, with a special emphasis on Rhythm Riders and Krush Groove due to their association with street dance battles.

At The Heart, we’re dedicated to delivering excellent arts programming and expect the same level of commitment from our students. Regular attendance to classes is crucial for students to fully benefit from the programs, alongside their peers.

Important Dates

THOR Calendar

Pre-Professional Dance

Elite Dance Training

Pointe 1: for students in Focus / Fly

Schedule

Pointe 2: for students in Focus / Fly

Schedule

Pre-Pointe (Pre-Pro)

Schedule

Street Styles – Krush Groove

Goals of the Krush Groove Program

Tuition: $4600/year

Schedule

Required Supplies

Street Styles – Rhythm Riders

Goals of the Rhythm Riders Program

Tuition: $4600/year

Schedule

Required Supplies

Studio Styles – Fly

Goals of the Fly Program

Tuition: $4600/year

Schedule

Required Supplies

Studio Styles – Focus

Goals of the Focus Program

Tuition: $4600/year

Schedule

Required Supplies

Required Dance Clothing & Supplies for all Focus & Fly students:​

Commitments & Opportunities

Important Dates

Required Dance Clothing & Supplies for all Focus & Fly students: