Call the office at 604-530-2106 or email us for further information.

The registration fee for the 2010-2011 season is $25.00 per family (cash or cheque).

Registration for all new students will commence after the Academy’s internal registration on Saturday May 1st.  We welcome new students for any available openings.  Parents on our wait list are invited to our Registration day to fill out the Application for enrollment forms that saves a placement spot.  Placement for new students is completed through an audition appointment except for the Baby Ballerina and Danseur 1 levels.  To obtain your appointment call the office at 604-530-2106 or email us from our Contact page…info@cameronacademy.ca

In January we began to accept information on new student registrations for our Wait list in our Ballet program including Lyrical 2010-2011 season now we are accepting those students into our Academy.

We look forward to assisting you with the placement of you child or yourself into our classes for the upcoming season.

Sophia and Kelly working in VGE level Summer School.

The Professional Division Summer School runs Monday to Friday August 23rd to 27th.

This summer school is compulsory for any students that have been recommended for Pointe work, and are being considered for entry into the Graded Vocational Examination next season.

Course A: Inter Foundation Exam Introduction: 3 1/2 hours of instruction per day with 3 classes.
Course B: Intermediate Exam Introduction: 3 1/2 hours of instruction per day with 3 classes.
Course C: Advanced Levels: 3 1/2 hours of instruction per day with 3 classes.

Classes will include Syllabus preparation, Allegro and Pointe along with modern incorporating Stretch and Strength to enhance flexibility and core stability.  Continuous training is recommended for students working at these higher levels, as muscle memory and conditioning are imperative to execution of the technical demands.

Our Children’s Summer School will be held Monday to Thursday           August 30 to Sept 2nd.
Summer School is recommended for those students wishing to be entered for exams and also to be considered for Festival work in the new upcoming season.
Course A: 2 Classes per day  12:30 - 2:30
Course B:  3 Classes per day 9:00 - 12:00

The classes are varied with Ballet each day to refine technique while  developing new skills through the gracefulness of the Art. Character a fun rhythmic dance form developed from National dances of Hungary, Russia and Poland will be offered. As well, the children will explore modern movements, from which the Lyrical quality evolves for exams and work on acting styles needed for story ballets such as “Cinderella”.

Application Deadline is Saturday June 5th, please notify the office for an application and enrollment reservation.
Late applications will only be considered if the class size limit is not exceeded.

Congratulations to all the performers in our
Production of "As Sweet As Can Be" on
Saturday May 29th.  

The audience response was tremendous, and
the dancers gave wonderful performances.

Pictures will be posted of the show very soon,
please enjoy viewing them.

Kudos to all!

Brendan Saye

Brendan Saye trained at Cameron Academy until he was asked to join the National Ballet School in Toronto.  Upon graduation, Brendan became the the recipient of the 2008 Peter Dwyer Award and the 2008 Christopher Ondaatje Award. Mr. Saye joined The National Ballet of Canada’s Apprentice Program in August, 2008. Brendan Saye is now a member of the corps of the National Ballet of Canada, after apprenticing for only 10 months.

Sophia Lee Royal Winnipeg Show

Sophia Lee also trained at Cameron Academy and was accepted into the Royal Winnipeg school 3 years ago.  Sophia completed year 6 this spring and was awarded the Prince Edward scholarship, the highest award the school presents.  Sophia performed soloist spots in the school’s outreach performances, and looks forward to her graduating year.

Front Split From danceabout.com

Many dancers have trouble getting their splits. Flexibility is important for dancing, as many dance steps are nearly impossible to perform without being extremely limber. The ability to sit in split positions will greatly improve lower body flexibility and increase maximum extension.

In dance, a front split is named according to the leg that is extended to the front. (If the right leg is extended forward, the split is referred to as a right split). Doing splits is easier for some dancers than others, so don’t be discouraged if it takes you a little longer to get them.
If you would like to get your front or straddle splits, or improve on the ones you already have, try to stretch every day. Stretching can be fun, but it should also be a bit challenging. Begin each stretching session with easy and gentle stretches. Never stretch to the point of pain.

Photo © Tracy Wicklund

To learn a front split, start with the kneeling lunge stretch. Performing this stretch often will greatly improve the flexibility in your legs.

• Begin by kneeling on one leg.
• Make sure your front knee doesn’t extend over the toe.
• Square your hips with your back knee flat on the floor.
• Hold your shoulders square, with your hands on the floor for balance.
• Gently stretch your body forward, feeling a nice stretch.
• Hold the stretch for 20 to 30 seconds, without bouncing.

Photo © Tracy Wicklund
Include the reverse lunge stretch in your daily stretch routine.

• From the kneeling lunge position, push your weight onto your back leg.
• With the front leg straight, lower your upper body onto your leg.
• Keep the front toe pointed, back leg flat on the floor.
• Use your hands for added support.
• Hold the stretch for 20 to 30 seconds, without bouncing.

Photo © Tracy Wicklund

The single leg stretch is another stretch used in split training.

• Lie on your back, raising one leg into the air.
• Grasp the lower portion of the elevated leg with both hands.
• Keeping your lower leg slightly bent, gently pull your leg toward your body.
• Hold the stretch for 20 to 30 seconds.

Photo © Tracy Wicklund

Use a friend to make your single leg stretch even better.

• Lie on your back, raising one leg into the air.
• Have a partner grasp the lower portion of your elevated leg.
• Keeping your lower leg slightly bent, have your partner gently push your leg toward your body.
• Hold the stretch for 20 to 30 seconds.

Photo © Tracy Wicklund

Oversplits are splits in which one leg is flat on the ground and the other leg is pulled higher. In oversplits, the angle between the legs exceeds 180 degrees. Extreme flexibility is required for oversplits.

Do not attempt oversplits until you are very comfortable in a full split position.

• Using cubes or some sort of sturdy support, place your body into a split position.
• Try to hold the stretch for a few seconds, being careful not to strain your muscles.
• Oversplits may also be performed by elevating only one leg at a time.

Photo © Tracy Wicklund

Straddle splits are executed by stretching both legs out to the side. Straddle splits are commonly known as side, center or box splits. Achieving a straddle split will make it easier to perform advanced dance steps, including the popular straddle split leap.

Photo © Tracy Wicklund

When you’re learning how to do the splits, you must try to stretch every day. Stretching will help increase your flexibility in order to achieve a perfect split. The following step-by-step guide is a complete straddle stretch routine. This stretch routine will provide a great stretch through your hamstrings, inner thighs, torso, shoulders, back, calves and feet. Try to sneak these straddle stretches into your daily stretch routine…you’ll have your splits sooner than you think.

• Sit on the floor in a straddle position.
• Point your feet and straighten your knees.
• With your arms out to the sides, alternate reaching your rib cage toward your left and right sides.
• Try to keep your hips flat on the floor.
• Keep your back straight and neck long to feel a nice stretch through your torso and shoulders.

Photo © Tracy Wicklund

The best way to train for a straddle split is to stretch in a straddle split position.

• Sit in a straddle position, extending legs as far as you are comfortable.
• Reach toward your right leg with your left arm, stretching your right arm toward your opposite leg.
• Hold the stretch for 20 to 30 seconds.
• Repeat to the left side.

Photo © Tracy Wicklund

• Holding your back straight and arms out to the sides, lean your torso forward.
• Allow your chest to drop forward slightly in order to achieve a flat back.
• Lift your arms slightly to the back.
• While maintaining a flat back, move as close to the floor as possible. Keep your head up and your knees facing the ceiling.

Photo © Tracy Wicklund

• Sit in a wide straddle position, legs extended as far as comfortable.
• Without bending the knees, reach to the center.
• Stretch as far as you can, maintaining a flat back.
• Try to lay your body on the floor, using your hands as support.
• Hold the stretch for 20 to 30 seconds.

Photo © Tracy Wicklund

• With your hands flat on the floor between your legs, alternate pressing your shoulders to the front and back.
• Press your right shoulder to the front while moving your left shoulder to the back.
• Concentrate on pressing your shoulders to the front.

Photo © Tracy Wicklund

• With a flat back, stretch down toward your right leg.
• Grab the top or bottom of your right foot to help your stretch further.
• Repeat the stretch to your left leg.
• Focus on stretching straight down to your knees instead of to the floor.
• Try to keep your hips on the floor and your knees facing the ceiling.

Photo © Tracy Wicklund

• While keeping your back straight, rotate your torso to the right.
• Reach and grab your right flexed foot.
• While holding your foot, reach up and over your head with your left arm.
• Try to lengthen your neck and keep your head up.

Photo © Tracy Wicklund

• With your feet flexed, move your left hand in front and your right hand in back.
• Using the strength in your legs, try to lift your body off the floor.
• Lower yourself back to the floor, pointing your toes.
• Change hands and repeat.