YOU dance

Overview

YOU dance (Youth, Outreach and Understanding Dance) was created in 2007. The FREE programme is designed to inspire elementary students, foster a deeper connection to the arts, captivate and enrich imaginations and encourage them to explore the world through dance. YOU dance is The National Ballet of Canada's signature community engagement initiative and reaches a growing range of students from various communities across Canada.

Available in-schools, in theatre, via livestream, through a residency and a relaxed format, this multifaceted, hands-on programme provides the opportunity to watch and interact with the artists of the National Ballet's RBC Apprentice Programme. Students will be introduced to a range of movement and music vocabularies and encourage creative problem-solving, cooperation, self-knowledge and empathy. YOU dance is also a learning environment for the Apprentices who are building their performance skills in preparation for their professional careers.

Each year, YOU dance reaches more than 30,000 students and community members.

The National Ballet of Canada's YOU dance programme is made possible thanks to lead philanthropic support by The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation, The Anna McCowan-Johnson Dance Accessibility Fund, The Lawrence Schafer Foundation and Elizabeth A. & Richard J. Currie, O.C.

Further generous support is provided by Susanne Boyce & Brendan Mullen, Geoff & Catharine Bertram, the Robert & Joan Shatilla Education Fund, Relevé Circle, and an Anonymous donor.

Apprentices at YOU dance Residency at York University. Photo by Bruce Zinger.
YOU dance residency at York University. Photo by Bruce Zinger.
Apprentices at YOU dance Residency at York University. Photo by Bruce Zinger.
Audience at a YOU dance performance. Photo by Edwin Luk.
Zhenya Vitort at a YOU dance performance. Photo by Edwin Luk.
Audience at a YOU dance performance. Photo by Edwin Luk.
Tene Ward at a YOU dance performance. Photo by Edwin Luk.
Anna McKinney with Student at YOU Dance. Photo by Bruce Zinger.

Programmes

YOU dance performances take place in schools and in theatre during select times in the year. The in-theatre performances feature a curated repertoire performed by The National Ballet of Canada’s RBC Apprentices, accompanied by a pianist. Each class attending a performance in theatre receives a pre- or post-YOU dance workshop in their school.

YOU dance workshops are designed to provide an opportunity to explore movement as a means of communication and as an art form. Taught by YOU dance Teaching Artists and Educators, the 45-minute movement workshops encourage students to actively engage in movement techniques to develop their creative expression, learn a variety of dance styles, and repertoire. Taking place in schools, YOU dance workshops provide a learning experience for both students and teachers.

In-school performances are designed to introduce students to the theatrical art of ballet. Led by teaching artists from the National Ballet, YOU dance in-school performances demystify the world of ballet with a short performance explained by a host. Through an interactive discussion, students learn about the National Ballet, pointe shoes, partnering, ballet mime and theatrical makeup. Students will not only hear directly from artists about their roles but will also learn what it takes to produce ballet.

Both the in-school and in-theatre hour-long performances are enhanced by pre- and post-performance discussions and curriculum-based teacher resources for the classroom.

Please note: YOU dance in-theatre performances are suitable for students in grades four to seven. YOU dance in-school performances are suitable for students in grades one to six.
In 2016, YOU dance launched a special residency designed for deeper, long-term impact. The month-long residency programme began in the Regent Park neighbourhood. It has since transitioned to the Jane and Finch Community and the Sandra Faire and Ivan Fecan Theatre located at York University.

The YOU dance Residency gives students an extended period to engage more deeply with dance and The National Ballet of Canada in their schools and communities. The residency includes multiple movement and creation workshops at neighbourhood schools, along with performances by the National Ballet’s RBC Apprentices. The residency culminates in an evening where community members are invited to attend a YOU dance performance that includes students who have created their own new works with the support of YOU dance Teaching Artists, as well as local dance groups, alongside the RBC Apprentices.
To expand its reach and audience, The National Ballet of Canada offers YOU dance in the form of a National Livestream. Students from school boards throughout Canada experience a performance by the dancers of the RBC Apprentice Programme streamed live from Toronto. At just over one hour, the livestream includes curriculum-based resources, pre- and post-performances discussions and opportunities for students to join in the fun and get moving! The National Ballet of Canada’s YOU dance livestream reaches over 24,000 students each year in every province and territory in Canada.
YOU dance Relaxed Performances are designed to welcome the Disability Community into artistic spaces. Each Relaxed Performance is structured to ensure that students within the Neurodiverse and Disability Community feel safe and cared for.

During a Relaxed Performance, the choreography is unchanged. However, the sound levels are lower, the house lights are on at a dim setting and audience members are welcome to move around the auditorium as needed. Participants receive a visual guide and fact sheet to help them prepare for the performance.
Accessible workshops are aimed at inviting children and youth within the Disability Community to explore movement as a means of communication and as an art form.

Taught by YOU dance teaching artists, these classes are carefully designed to work large and small motor skills. Students are engaged in a multi-sensory experience involving props, textures, voice and sensitive live musical arrangements.

Each year, The National Ballet of Canada partners with organizations such as the Geneva Centre for Autism and Bloorview School Authority to deliver these workshops.