Pop, lock, and take it from the tippy top.
It's something many kids on the North Shore do every week.
Dance, especially hip hop, is a popular afterschool activity, and now even more kids will have the opportunity to give it a try with RNB Dance's new adaptive dance class for students with special needs.
"It's very open, it's very casual," explains Hayley Walker, artistic director. "The music is energetic, and it's upbeat, and it's fun."
The non-profit dance studio has offered adaptive dance classes in past years as part of school programs. Local students attended the workshops during the day as a field trip. The feedback from participants, parents, and teachers was positive, and Walker says they wanted to add an evening version of the class as another option that isn't part of a school program.
But it wasn't until the group recently got its new location at Lynn Valley Village that it had the space to provide the new class.
"We're really grateful that people have been a part of helping this happen and
it means we can offer more dance to the community and within the community," says Walker. "We always want to give back to the community because the community has given us a lot."
The new adaptive dance class, which starts in January, will be held once a week, and Walker explains that there isn't a specific age range yet, although school-age is an ideal lower limit for now. There aren't specific details about level of ability or special needs either. Walker explains that it depends on each individual child and she encourages parents to let their kids try one class for free and see how they like it before deciding whether or not to sign up for the weekly course.
"We want a wide range of kids to participate," says Walker. The style of dance will be "very free" but kids will also learn some basic steps from instructor Sharon Lee, who is an experienced instructor, notes Walker.
RNB is holding a party for the grand opening of its new location on Jan. 9. They will also hold their annual fundraiser performance in February at Centennial Theatre, which features dancers from all their classes. Check the website at rnbdance.ca for details about the class and both events.
