Halifax Dance Association

Everyone should have an opportunity to dance, regardless of their skill level, physical ability or age. That’s the philosophy of Halifax Dance, and it’s the driving force that has helped the organization become a fixture on the Nova Scotia arts scene over three decades.

“Our philosophy is that everyone should be able to dance,” says Catherine Walker, principal of Halifax Dance. “We try to provide opportunities for as many people as possible to experience and pursue dancing in all its forms. People need to dance and that’s what’s important.”

Halifax Dance started in 1969 as a co-operative organization that offered a place for dancers to meet and take classes. The organization provided training for choreographers and space for professional dancers to rehearse. In 1973, Halifax Dance evolved into a dance school and became a not-for-profit organization, which enabled it to begin raising funds for expansion and improvements.

Today, Halifax Dance is primarily focused on ballet and modern dancing. It provides pre-professional training, lessons for all ages and studio space for several professional dance companies from the region.

Walker says one of the main advantages of the school is its instructors.

“We employ master instructors. Our staff members have an average of 18 years’ teaching experience and some are experienced professionals, both at a national and international level. Many of our instructors have retired from professional careers or are still dancing.”

Many people think of Halifax Dance primarily as a school. Halifax Dance offers lessons for younger students, as well as for dancers striving to become professional in ballet or modern dance. It also offers an audition-only intensive training program and a summer intensive camp with national level instructors. There are about 1,000 members enrolled in recreational programs, and many are also involved in kids’ arts camps.

But what many people don’t know is that Halifax Dance also supports a number of dance companies: Mocean Dance, Verve Mwendo, SINS (Sometimes in Nova Scotia) and Gwen Noah Dance. Halifax Dance also hosts resident dancers on a regular basis and donates studio time to small regional companies.

Walker adds that Halifax Dance has operated its own dance company, The Young Company, for 21 years. As the first youth performance company in Nova Scotia, members of The Young Company have a chance to audition for and perform in The Nutcracker in partnership with Symphony Nova Scotia. Members also work with national level choreographers to prepare an annual Spring Show. They learn more about the production behind the scenes of a major dance performance.

“They get a taste of what life is like in the dance world – from all angles. They do school tours as well. If they want to try it, they can,” says Walker.

She adds that every year, two or three dancers audition for and are accepted into pre-professional training programs.

“Our students are known for their tenacity, discipline and focus. Maybe it has something to do with being Nova Scotian.”

Walker understands the drive to dance professionally. Originally from London, Ontario, she attended École supérieure de ballet contemporain and then danced with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, both in Montreal.

Walker lived and danced in New York, but wanted to move back to Canada. She chose to dance with the Calgary City Ballet (which has since evolved into the Alberta Ballet Company). She and her husband lived in Calgary for 11 years before he took a job in Nova Scotia.

“We both wanted to be in Nova Scotia. Luckily there was a vibrant arts community here that I could join,” she says.

Walker believes Nova Scotia is an excellent place for dancers of all skill levels and she promotes Halifax Dance and the province whenever she can.

“We believe very strongly in promoting Nova Scotia. We help produce a lot of young motivated dancers who eventually come back and lend their skills and expertise to the community. We conduct workshops at a national level and we get involved with fundraising initiatives across Canada,” she says.

Walker adds that Halifax Dance offers programs that bring together people from smaller towns in Nova Scotia. Dancers from around the province come to Halifax Dance to upgrade their training, and the organization offers workshops to help dance instructors stay up to date on the latest techniques and refine their skills.

She says the organization is also working to make dancing more inclusive for people who wouldn’t normally have the chance. It is the only studio to offer inclusive movement for people with mobility issues and intellectual disabilities.

“Inclusive movement programs make a huge difference in people’s lives. Dancing is great therapy and it is very liberating for people,” Walker explains. “There’s a hole there that needs to be filled. People coping with these kinds of issue need a place where they can express themselves and meet other people in similar situations.”

Looking to the future, Walker says Halifax Dance plans to do more community outreach. The organization runs a popular summer program for adults called Chance to Dance, with classes in everything from ballet to belly dancing.
It is also developing more scholarships and bursaries to encourage more young dancers to pursue their passion.

“We’re always working to develop our professional dance population and instructors. We’re helping dancers go out and experience the rest of the world. But ultimately, we’re also making sure Nova Scotia is a viable place for dancers to come back.”