Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you located?
We have two convenient locations in the Dartmouth - Cole Harbour area: Zatzman Sportsplex (1 studio) and Cole Harbour Place (3 studios).
Do you have a dress code for recreation classes?
Yes. We have a dress code for our recreation classes. The dress code is the same at both locations.
For recreation classes Level 2 and under
(including little stars, preschool combo, children's combo, Level 1 and 2):
Pink tights and pink body suit - pink skirt optional
Pink leather ballet shoes
Beige tap shoes when applicable
For recreation classes Level 3 and over:
Black body suit
Pink tights
Pink leather ballet shoes
Beige tap and jazz shoes
Boys all levels: white t-shirt, black pants and black leather ballet shoes
Adult: comfortable dance attire
Hair should be up off the neck for all dancers.
What is the difference between Dartmouth Dance Academy and Fusion Dance?
Dartmouth Dance Academy (DDA) is the name of our dance school, owned and operated within the Dartmouth area for more than 50 years. Under the umbrella of Dartmouth Dance Academy we operate at two locations and offer both recreational and competitive dance options.
The name of the competitive dance team under Dartmouth Dance Academy is Fusion for ages 8+ and Mini Stars for ages 5-8. All of our competitive dancers are "on Fusion" or "on Mini Stars" at Dartmouth Dance Academy. This clearly helps us define which dancers are competitive and which are recreational and the approximate age of our dancers.
Does the Fusion Competitive Dance Team have a dress code?
For Fusion troupe/choreography classes, including modern technique class, dancers can wear their own appropriate dance attire.
For mandatory Fusion technique classes of ballet and jazz, dancers must purchase the Fusion dress code and jazz shoes. Pink tights and pink leather ballet shoes are required for ballet classes.
Our competitive dancers also have a team jacket to wear at competitions.
Mini Stars follow the same dress code as listed above.
How many hours per week does the Fusion Competitive Dance Team practice?
Our competitive dancers on the Fusion competitive dance team are required to put in a minimum of 5.5 hours each week in the studio broken down as: 2 hours of ballet and jazz, 1 hour of modern or acro and 1.5 hours of troupe/choreography. In addition, we have many optional classes/performance opportunities/solos/duos/trios or additional group dances available for the Fusion dance team, and most dancers take advantage of these to improve their technical skills.
The optional classes include additional ballet and jazz/CDTA exam classes, Acrobatic Arts exam classes, tumbling, acro, tap, hip hop and ballet composition class and pre-pointe/pointe.
Fusion Elite dancers practice an additional hour each week at various dance disciplines with guests choreographers and instructors.
Mini Stars Dance Team have 2 hours of required ballet and jazz each week, plus their 45 minute troupe/choreography class. Mini Stars also have the option to enroll in additional acro and tap classes.
When Mini Stars reach their 2nd year, they compete a single dance with the Fusion Team to ease the transition to full-time competitive dance.
When do competitive dancers learn and practice choreography?
Competitive choreography for Fusion troupes, Fusion Elite, small groups including solos, duos and trios is learned in the summer each year and practiced throughout the year. Practice times are TBD on a monthly bases and will coincide with other Fusion technique and troupe classes.
My child is coming from a previous dance school and is interested in joining the Fusion Competitive Dance Team, what should I do?
Please contact [email protected] to arrange for an assessment and team placement.
When and where are the two dance recitals each year?
Dartmouth Dance Academy, including the Fusion Competitive Dance Team, participate in 2 mandatory recitals each year. The first recital takes place end of November and is a holiday themed recital. The second recital takes place at the end of the year in late May or early June. The location is Spatz Theatre in Halifax, although this is subject to change.
What performance opportunities do dancers have each year?
Aside from the 2 mandatory recitals each year and at least 4 mandatory competitions for our competitive dancers, we also offer a wide variety of performance opportunities. Our dancers have performed at halftime at the Halifax Thunderbirds games, have danced with the Mini Pops Kids Tour in Halifax, have performed at the Halifax Waterfront, and had an opportunity to audition and participate in a local Nutcracker production at Christmas. Additional opportunities are added each year and are provided to dancers as they become available including some national and international opportunities for our competitive team. If you have a performance suggestion or opportunity, please contact [email protected].