Adaptive Dance Program | Canada's National Ballet School

Discover Dance, My Caregiver and Me — Ages 3-5

Dancers in this class attend programming with a parent/guardian/caregiver

This class provides a sensory-friendly dance classes provide opportunities for children to explore creative expression through movement, song, and tactical props, such as drums, scarves and rhythm sticks. The goal of this class is to provide an opportunity for self-exploration and for the dancers to participate in a way that works best for them that day. Within the class, the dancer's grown-up is their designated classroom support.

Discover Dance — Ages 5-6

Dancers in this class are provided a 1:1 support

This class is a progression from our caregiver class and provides a sensory-friendly dance class with opportunities for children to explore creative expression through movement, song, and tactical props, such as drums, scarves and rhythm sticks. The goal of this class is to provide an introductory dance class where dancers participate in a way that works best for them that day. Within the class, all dancers will be provided with a 1:1 support volunteer as needed.

Adaptive Movement and Music — Ages 6-13

Dancers in this stream are provided a 1:1 support

The Adaptive 1:1 Movement and Music Circle offers sensory‑friendly, 45‑minute dance classes designed to support children and youth in exploring movement, music, and creative expression in a supportive, predictable environment. Each class includes a maximum of 12 students and provides dedicated 1:1 support throughout, ensuring individualized guidance and a pace that meets each dancer’s needs.

Adaptive Creative Dance — Ages 6-21+

Adaptive Creative Dance offers moderate‑paced creative dance classes designed for dancers who are ready for, or working towards two‑step instructions. Dancers participate independently with the support of visual schedules, social stories and adaptive instruction. Across all age groups, dancers explore imaginative storytelling through movement, music, and tactile props such as drums, scarves, and rhythm sticks. The program emphasizes social connection—taking turns, collaborating with peers, and following group activities—while also supporting the development of gross and fine motor skills, motor planning, and physical and emotional confidence.

This program stream provides a 5:1 ratio, and is a good fit for dancers who are ready for multi step instructions, building on skills from week to week and participating independently in programming in an adaptive classroom environment. This style specific program provides faster‑paced, discipline‑specific classes designed for dancers who are ready for choreography and performance. Dancers participate independently with the support of adaptive instruction, visual aids, and imagery cueing. Across these classes, dancers build fine and gross motor skills, and strengthen motor planning. The program focuses on supporting students in emotional and physical confidence, and making meaningful peer to peer connections. The dancers all work towards building a class presentation in term 1 and an onstage choreographic presentation in term 3.

Adaptive Ballet — Ages 10+

This technique stream is designed to inspire a passion for ballet. This class introduces the foundational
concepts and techniques, with an emphasis on musicality, creativity and expanding their ballet vocabulary.

Adaptive Musical Theatre — Ages 10+

This technique stream is designed to inspire a passion for singing and dance. This class introduces foundational concepts and techniques for both singing and theatre Jazz and places an emphasis on developing performance skills such as character development and making characters come alive on stage. Dancers work on storytelling through dance, song memorization and working with scripts.

Adaptive Performance Troupe — Ages 8+

Our Adaptive Performance Troupe is designed for dancers who love to express themselves through acting, music, and movement and are ready to share their love of performing with an audience. As part of our performance troupe, students will explore a variety of performance styles while building confidence, creativity and teamwork allowing each performer to develop their unique strengths and artistic voice. Throughout the year, dancers will learn choreographic elements such as stage presence, formations, transitions and linked steps.