Come Dance with Us!

The NBS Kids – Adaptive Dance Program offers adapted creative movement classes for children ages 3+ with diverse cognitive, physical and developmental needs.

 

The NBS Kids – Adaptive Dance Program offers adapted creative movement classes for children ages 3+ with diverse cognitive, physical and developmental needs.
 
Created by Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS), in consultation with Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, these 45-minute sensory-friendly dance classes provide opportunities for children to explore creativity and expression through the use of movement and music. 
 
This program runs on Sundays and Tuesdays at Canada's National Ballet School campus downtown Toronto.
 

Registration for our spring term is now open. 


All new students must complete an INTAKE FORM to receive a registration link. All returning students will receive a registration link from our program team. 

 

 

This stream provides 1:1 support throughout the duration of class and moves at a slower pace with the aid of a visual schedule. These 45-minute sensory-friendly dance classes provide opportunities for children to explore creative expression through the use of movement, song, and tactical props, such as drums, scarves and rhythm sticks. The goal of this class is to provide opportunity for self-exploration and for the dancers to participate in a way that works best for them that day.

 

Class

Age Range

Schedule

Pre-Primary

5-6

Sundays 9:45 AM - 10:30 AM

Primary

6-9

Sundays 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM

Junior/Teen

10+

Sundays 12:15 AM - 1:00 PM

 

Term Three: April 14th – June 9, 2024 (8 weeks)

Classes Begin: Sunday, April 14

Victoria Day Closure (No Class): Sunday, May 19

Classes End: Sunday, June 9

 

Term fee is $120, with the option for all participants to apply for a partial or full subsidy.

Each class is led by an NBS Community Dance Educator and supported by a live accompanist, and a team of volunteers. Our program is centered around celebrating the joy of dance, and our dancers are welcomed to engage in the class in a way that feels right to them. This stream hosts two end of term presentations a year, one at the end of term 1 in December and one at the end of term 2 in June.

 

Class

Age Range

Schedule

Pre-Primary

Ages 5-6

Sundays 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM

Primary

Ages 6-9

Sundays 12:15 PM - 1:00 PM

Junior/Teen

Ages 10+

Sundays 1:30 PM - 2:15 PM 

Junior/Teen

Ages 10+

Tuesdays 6:30 PM - 7:15 PM

 

Sunday Classes

Term Three: April 21st – June 16, 2024 (8 weeks)

Classes Begin: Sunday, April 21

Victoria Day Closure: Sunday, May 19 

Presentation Class: Sunday, June 16

 

Tuesday Class

Term Three: April 30th – June 16, 2024 (8 weeks)

Classes Begin: Tuesday, April 30

Last Class: Tuesday, June 11

Presentation Class: Sunday, June 16

 

Term fee is $120, with the option for all participants to apply for a partial or full subsidy.

Each class is led by an NBS Community Dance Educator and Music Therapist and supported by a live accompanist. Our program is centred around celebrating the joy of dance, and our dancers are welcome to engage in the class in a way that feels right to them. This class is for dancers ages 3-6 and their grown-up.

This program stream is a chance for the dancers and their grown-ups to participate in dance class together. These 45-minute 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 1:1. 

 

*Please note that the designated parent/guardian must watch a short 10 minute orientation video ahead of their first class.

 

Class

Age Range

Schedule

Family Creative Movement and Music Class

Ages 3-6

Sundays 1:30-2:15

 

Term Three: April 14th – June 9, 2024 (8 weeks)

Classes Begin: Sunday, April 14

Victoria Day Closure (No Class): Sunday, May 19

Classes End: Sunday, June 9

NBS Virtual Social Story

Join Nancy as she shows you what to expect in our ADP classes, how to find the studios, and more!


Review the social story in PDF form here

Meet the Adaptive Dance Resource Team!

Each Adaptive Dance Program class is led by an NBS Community Dance Educator and supported by a live accompanist, an Occupational Therapist and a team of volunteers.


Nancy Lehan

Program Manager, Lead Dance Educator


Rashan Edwards

Lead Occupational Therapist


Alannah Grech

Occupational Therapist


Emma Faith Burke-Kleinman, MTA, MT-BC, NMT

Neurologic Music Therapist


Kennedy Dale-Johnson

Dance Educator


Kevin Tam

Class Accompanist


Mary Crawford

Class Accompanist


Zachary Cardwell

Dance Educator


Équipement de programme Danse adapté de l’ÉNB

Financial Support

At NBS, we believe that dance education should be accessible to all members of our community, and work to remove barriers that may deter potential students from participating in our programming. The Adaptive Dance financial assistance program covers all program fees for the duration of the term. Please note that funding for each child will be re-evaluated term by term, with the intention to continue to support each dancer throughout their time at NBS as needed.

Program volunteers and students dancing

Volunteer with us

We are seeking professionals and students with a mix of skill sets such as; Special Education, Dance Education, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy.

Thank you to the generosity of our partners for supporting this program

Thank you to our Generous Supporters of Adaptive Dance:

Government Partners:

Program Developed In Consultation with:

Let's get
In Touch

For more information about the application process, to request assistance on registration, or to learn more about NBS’ Adaptive Dance Program, please contact the NBS Community Dance Department by phone or email.