DANCE FOUNDATIONS 9
This course builds on the Grade 8 level, but no previous dance experience is required. Students explore specific dance styles such as Jazz, Contemporary, Modern and Ballet. The class follows a similar structure to Dance Foundations 8, including warm-ups, technique practice, and team-building activities. The work becomes more challenging as skills develop.
This course is suitable for beginner to intermediate dancers, and difficulty levels are adjusted to support more advanced students as needed. With a progressive training approach, students improve strength, flexibility, stamina, balance, and coordination. They also develop confidence, leadership skills, and trust within the group.
Students work in pairs, small groups, and as a full class to create choreography. Throughout the course, they prepare a dance piece for the Year End Dance Recital, gaining experience in performance, collaboration, and creative expression.
CLICK HERE for an look at a grade 8/9 performance!
DANCE CREW 9
Dance Crew 9 is a 4-credit course for students interested in exploring urban dance styles such as Hip Hop, Tutting, Locking, and Breaking. No previous experience is required.
The course structure includes warm-ups, team-building activities, technical skill development, small-group choreography exploration, and large-group routines. This class is suitable for beginner to intermediate dancers, with adaptations available for students with more advanced experience.
Using a progressive training approach, students can expect to improve strength, flexibility, stamina, balance, and coordination. The course also focuses on building confidence, developing trust within the group, and learning to lead by example.
Students will work in pairs, small groups, and as a full class while preparing choreography for the Year End Dance Recital.
DANCE COMPANY 9 (by audition)
Dance Company 9 is designed for students who are highly motivated and have extensive previous dance training or experience in styles such as Contemporary, Lyrical, Modern, Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, or Breakdance. It is recommended that students also take an additional dance class, such as Dance Foundations, Dance Crew, or an after-school dance course, to continue building technical skills.
The class is divided into two groups: one focusing on Hip Hop technique and the other on Contemporary technique. Students also have opportunities to create their own choreography, which may be included in future performances. Dance Company participates in a large group piece and smaller group projects to be performed at both the Burnaby Festival of Dance and the Year End Dance Recital.
Auditions for this course take place in January.
CLICK HERE to look at a Dance Company Modern group performance
CLICK HERE to look at a Dance Company Hip Hop group performance
MUSICAL THEATRE DANCE 9 (Yes for 2026/7!)
Musical Theatre Dance 9 is a 4-credit course offered during years when Burnaby South produces a large musical, which occurs every second year. No prior experience or prerequisite is required.
Students in this course learn multiple dance numbers as part of a large ensemble of dancers and actors. Dancers work closely with actors, musicians, and production students as they prepare for the final school musical, which typically runs in March.
Sessions take place after school at least twice a week. This course also qualifies toward the scholarship requirement.
WORLD DANCE 10 (Not offered 2026/7)
World Dance 10 is a 4-credit after-school course open to students in Grades 9–12, with Grade 8 students welcome to participate as club members. Grade 9 students register as grade 10. No previous dance experience is required.
Students explore a variety of world dance styles, which may include Bhangra, Tahitian, Tinikling, Hawaiian, Broadway Jazz, Musical Theatre, and Māori Poi. Throughout the course, students learn dance technique, choreography, cultural history, and additional elements such as costuming and performance skills.
Students may be invited to perform at school and community events, including the Year End Dance Recital. This course is offered every other year.
CLICK HERE for a look at an after school world dance performance!
CLICK HERE to look at a practice session in World Dance
DANCE PRODUCTION 10 (after school)
Dance Production 10 is a credit course for students in Grades 9–12. There is no dancing involved in this course. Students gain hands-on experience in the behind-the-scenes work required to run school productions, including the Year End Dance Recital. This course is co-taught by Ms. Wilson, Ms. Dewar, and Mr. Hobbes and in conjunction with Theatre Production, giving students a wide range of opportunities in technical theatre and production design.
Students choose one specialized crew to work in:
Stage Management Crew: Oversees the entire production from start to finish, ensuring all crews stay on schedule. Stage managers also work backstage during performances to keep everything running smoothly.
Marketing Crew: Designs posters, websites, social media content, tickets, and show merchandise. This crew promotes productions in the school and community and assists with fundraising and donation collection.
Set Design Crew: Creates scenery and painted backdrops for productions. Students work together to build creative set pieces based on the needs of each show.
Props Crew: Designs or sources all handheld items performers use onstage—from themed umbrellas to glow-in-the-dark props.
Costumes Crew: Designs, assembles, and organizes costumes. Ideal for students interested in fashion, sewing, or garment construction.
Lighting Crew: Learns to use stage lighting equipment, haze machines, and digital programming to create atmosphere for each performance. Works closely with Stage Management and Sound.
Sound Crew: Operates the soundboard, collects sound effects, programs cues, and runs audio during productions. Collaborates closely with Lighting and Stage Management.
Dance Production counts toward the Dance Scholarship requirement. Students who take a dance course in Grades 10, 11, and 12 automatically qualify for consideration, with up to $2000 awarded each year.