If you seriously love to dance, you’ll have the time of your life!

SPOTS GOING QUICKLY FOR 2013! More than one third are already taken as of mid-March!

Dance Summer Dance runs from August 18-30, 2013. Students arrive on Sunday, attend a placement class,  and settle into their cabins. Over the two weeks, they take a full class program, audition for rep classes, eat delicious, healthy food in our beautiful dining hall and enjoy camp rec programs during the evenings. On the weekend, they do a full day of site specific creation on the grounds of Ross Creek with theatre and movement professionals, and take a trip to a beautiful local beach. On the final Friday, parents and friends are welcomed to a public performance by the students.

Only 46 students in 3 levels, small class sizes and attentive, supportive and demanding teachers mean an amazing dance experience combining education in modern and ballet in a beautiful, non-competitive setting.

Admission Policy

While Dance Summer Dance is restricted to students who have achieved a certain level of technical understanding, we do not refuse admission on the basis of body type or professional career potential. Students are admitted based upon the recommendation of their teachers on the basis of attitude, work ethic and their ability to handle the material at their given level. We also offer other programs for dancers who are not yet ready for the rigour of DSD.

Teacher Evaluation Form
We do ask that your dance teacher send us an evaluation directly. This does not restrict you from admission, but helps us prepare for your program. Click here to download the evaluation form.

Dance Summer Dance at the Ross Creek Centre

We are excited to welcome you to the most advanced summer dance training program in Atlantic Canada. With instructors from the National Ballet School, School of Toronto Dance Theatre and from the world of professional dance, we invite young dancers to push themselves and develop their skills, to learn about professional dance and to create magic through movement, all at a dance retreat at the Ross Creek Centre for the Arts, close to Canning, Nova Scotia.

In our professional studios, classes are small enough to include individual coaching and create rehearsal environments with exciting ballet and modern choreography by our internationally acclaimed faculty, often with live accompaniment. After class, we encourage recreation and relaxation on our 178-acre property, with rustic cabins, walking trails, games rooms and beach trips.

Supported by the Ross Creek camp staff, with fresh local food, highly trained counsellors and camp leadership with over 15 years of experience, Dance Summer Dance at Ross Creek augments a dancer’s ongoing training, giving him or her an intense program in ballet and modern dance along with body conditioning, and stretch and strength. For those who want to go on in dance, we also have guidance on professional training and careers. This intense and inspiring mix of dance and camp creates life-changing experiences for young dancers. We are committed to the study of dance as part of a healthy, full life for all. We are equally committed to the development of dance professionals, and DSD serves both kinds of students well. Former students have gone on to study in all fields, including professional dance training schools such as Toronto Dance Theatre and Julliard, and to have careers with Parsons Dance, Bern Ballet, MOCEAN Dance, and many other professional companies.

COST: $1000 plus HST.  Includes accommodation and food.

Register now for 2013

2013 Faculty being updated currently

Check back for updates

Robert McCollum (Ballet Bob) Each summer Robert arrives in Nova Scotia  armed with the very latest in effective safe training practices taught by Irene Dowd, one of the world’s foremost authorities in dance kinesiology. Robert trained at the American Ballet Center, the School of the Joffrey Ballet and with the renowned Maggie Black, Peggy Baker and Louis Falco in New York. He danced professionally in both the United States and Canada. He is on the faculty of the Canadian Children’s Dance Theatre, the School of Toronto Dance Theatre and the National Ballet School Teacher Training Program.  Robert has choreographed for musical specials, opera and live theatre, most recently with Toronto’s Soulpepper Theatre. Robert has gained international renown as a teacher and has been the subject of numerous newspaper and magazine articles, including a full page spread in the Globe and Mail and the popular U.S.magazine, Dance Teacher. Robert believes that dance training begins with awakening the dancer within; that a passion for hard work is sprung from a passion for the dance and that every individual can achieve their personal best.  Students leave his classes feeling better about themselves and their dancing.

Ruth-Ellen Kroll Jackson Ruth-Ellen Kroll  Jackson returned to Halifax after dancing for five years with one of the world’s finest modern dance companies “The Parsons Dance Company”.  She began her dance training at Halifax Dance and was an original member of The Young Company, where she originated the role of Frieda/Mouse Queen. in The Nutcracker.  Ruth-Ellen obtained  a B.F.A. in Dance from the North Carolina School of the Arts (NCSA) where she danced in works by some of the most revered choreographers of the 20th century.  Ruth-Ellen also performed with the Martha Graham Dance Ensemble, New York City Opera and Cortez and Company. She has taught numerous master-classes at universities and summer festivals including Skidmore College Summer Festival, North Carolina School of the Arts, Jacob’’s Pillow, New York University, and Parsons Dance Company Intensive in New York.  She is also a certified Pilates instructor.

 2012 Faculty included

Robert McCollum

Ruth Ellen Kroll-Jackson

Darryl Tracy Darry Tracy is a local independent dance artist, choreographer, and teacher of contemporary dance. He has appeared in works by many of Canada’s leading choreographers including. Along with Heidi Strauss, he is co-Artistic Director of Four Chambers dance projects, which received a Dora Mavor Moore nomination for their performance in the Italian-based company Déjà Donné’s piece Rustling Shadows in 2005 .  As a choreographer he has set work on companies in Toronto, Montreal, New Brunswick, and the United  States. Tracy is also known for his work with young dancers and has choreographed for youth ensembles and  performing arts high schools. He is on the faculty of The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, and is a regular teacher at the 509 Collective, Canadian Children’s Dance Theatre, and Dance-Teq. He has also  taught master classes across Canada, the United States, and Europe. Tracy sits on the Board of Directors of CCDT and on the Artists’ Committee of the Artists’ Health Centre. He is also a part-time private physiotherapist for Physio-Logic Neurological Rehabilitation Clinic, and a dancer with Montreal-based Sylvain Émard danse.

Tanya Evidente After graduating from Canada’s National Ballet School, Tanya Evidente danced with the National Ballet of Cuba and the Ballet Ciutat De Barcelona. Returning to Canada, she danced for Ballet Jörgen  for two years before joining the National Ballet of Canada.  Having recently retired from performing, Tanya teaches ballet in the Dance Department at Ryerson University, and at Dance Teq. She has taught company class for Ballet Jörgen,  master classes for the National Ballet’s Western tour and as part of the company’s ‘Kids Corps Program’.

Admission

• Admission is restricted to dance students age twelve to eighteen except by special permission. Students must have turned twelve by July 31, 2013 and not turn nineteen until after August 20, 2013.
• RAD and Russian students must be about to enter Grade 5; CDTA students must have completed Grade 5 (Teachers who are not familiar with these levels should contact us regarding placement).
• The student’s ballet teacher must complete the Teacher Evaluation form and submit it directly to the Ross Creek Centre for the Arts at education@artscentre.ca or fax it to (902) 582-7943.
• Students must be in good general health. The program will be strenuous, but not overly so provided youngsters are in good health. Ross Creek must be notified if the student becomes injured before attending Dance Summer Dance.
• There are places for 46 students. Program hours are 9:00 am to 9:00 pm and includes staying on site over the weekend.  For a picture of life at summer school and a complete list of rules and regulations visit our site after  April 15.
• Payment in full must be received by July 15, 2013.
• Fees may be paid by post-dated cheques. Contact the office for details.
• There will be no refunds given after July 01, 2013, except for documented medical reasons. In this case only, Ross Creek will give partial credit towards fees for next year’s summer school. In all cases, the deposit is non-refundable.

For more information about the Dance Summer Dance programs, email our Education Director at education@artscentre.ca. He can also tell you all about camp life, food, accommodation, recreation and more at Ross Creek during the program.