HCA invites you to sign up for Pay-What-You-Can online arts courses!

During the time of COVID-19, HCA is excited to provide people of all ages and abilities with an artistic outlet, and an opportunity for our community to connect creatively – even at a physical distance. Open to HCA students and non-students alike! All classes are Pay-What-You-Can (PWYC), with suggested donation amounts indicated under each course’s Eventbrite Registration page. Classes are live-streamed through the free Zoom app, which must be downloaded by the student before the first session.  Zoom dance sessions will also be recorded and sent to registered students so that they can practice at home.

Registration closes 90 minutes before each weekly session begins.  Links to classes will be emailed to registered students ONE HOUR in advance of each class start time. NOTE: IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE LINK, PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER. 

Click on the title of each class below to register on EVENTBRITE today!

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Theatre Classes

Ballet and Conditioning Classes

Other Dance Classes (Hip Hop, Modern, Lyrical)

Classes that end on Friday, May 29:

Modern I (ages 9-12) 

Ages: 9-12
Day of Week: Fridays (starting May 8)
Time: 6pm-6:45pm
Instructor: Denise van Es

Students will explore levels, weight and suspension, fall and release energies through interpretive work. Classes are based on the Limon and Graham traditions of modern dance as well as creative movement vocabulary. Please note: this class will focus on a stationary centre rather than floor work, and is suitable for small spaces.

**NOTE: In June, there will be Modern class for ages 10-14 on Thursdays. 

Modern II (ages 13+) 

Ages: 13+
Day of Week: Fridays (starting May 8)
Time: 7pm-7:45pm
Instructor: Denise van Es

Students will explore levels, weight and suspension, fall and release energies through interpretive work. Classes are based on the Limon and Graham traditions of modern dance as well as creative movement vocabulary. Please note: this class will focus on a stationary centre rather than floor work, and is suitable for small spaces.

**NOTE: In June, there will be Modern class for ages 10-14 on Thursdays. 

THEATRE CLASSES:

Audition Prep: The Monologue – Session I 

Audition Prep: The Monologue – Session II

Ages: 18+
Day of Week: Mondays
Time: 8pm-9pm
Dates: Session 1: June 1 – 8. Session 2: June 15 – 22 (2-week workshop)
Instructor: Stephanie Hope Lawlor

In this workshop, students will learn how to prepare a monologue for an audition. Over the two weeks, students will receive personalized coaching on their speech from facilitator Stephanie Hope Lawlor

Pre-req: Students registered should be prepared with a 1-1.5 minute monologue from a published play. Once registered, students will receive resources to assist them in finding a suitable piece.

Acting Through Song – Session I

Acting Through Song – Session II

Ages: 14-24
Day of Week: Thursdays
Time: 5pm – 6pm
Dates: Session 1: June 4-11. Session 2: June 18 – 25 (2-week workshop)
Instructor: Stephanie Hope Lawlor

Students will learn how to prepare a song for an audition, and study acting through song with their chosen piece of repertoire. Over the 2-week workshop, students will receive personalized coaching on their song from facilitator Stephanie Hope Lawlor.

Pre-req: Students registered should be prepared with a 32-bar cut of a musical theatre song, including a backing track for use during class.

Youth Theatre Creation

Ages: 9-12
Day of Week: Saturdays
Time: 1:15pm – 2:15pm
Dates: June 6- 20 (3-week workshop)
Instructor: Stephanie Hope Lawlor

Over the course of 3 weeks, students will learn about collective creation to create a piece of digital theatre as an ensemble! Through exploration of various creative and writing exercises, students will develop a piece of theatre to be “performed” during our last session.

DANCE CLASSES – Ballet & Conditioning 

Creative Movement (Section I) 

Ages: 4+
Day of Week: Mondays
Time: 4pm-4:30pm
Instructor: Karly Dely

Spark a love of dance in a young child, with focus on movement and musicality.

Creative Movement (Section II) 

Ages: 2-5
Day of Week: Saturdays
Time: 12pm-12:30pm
Instructor: Heather-Ami Cook

Spark a love of dance in a young child, with focus on movement and musicality.

Junior Ballet

Ages: 6-8
Day of Week: Saturdays
Time: 12:30pm-1:15pm
Instructor: Heather-Ami Cook

Ballet is the greatest foundation of any dance form. It teaches elements of balance and suspension, discipline and grace, movement dynamics and clarity of lines. It is an integral art form developed to enhance musicality, precision, spatial awareness and overall control of the mind, body and soul. This course is equivalent to Primary/Level I.

Advanced Junior Ballet 

Ages: 9-11
Day of Week: Saturdays
Time: 1:15-2:15pm
Instructor: Heather-Ami Cook

Ballet is the greatest foundation of any dance form. It teaches elements of balance and suspension, discipline and grace, movement dynamics and clarity of lines. It is an integral art form developed to enhance musicality, precision, spatial awareness and overall control of the mind, body and soul. This course is equivalent to Level II/III.

Primary Ballet Exam Prep 

Ages: 6-7
Day of Week: Wednesday
Time: 5pm-5:30pm
Instructor: Heather-Ami Cook

Primary Ballet is the first Vaganova exam level class at the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts. This class is building up towards proper technique and ballet etiquette. Recommended in addition to Saturday technique classes.

Level I Ballet Exam Prep 

Ages: 7-8
Day of Week: Wednesdays
Time: 5:30pm – 6pm
Instructor: Heather-Ami Cook

Level I is a Vaganova exam level class at the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts. This class is building up towards technique and ballet etiquette. Recommended in addition to Saturday technique classes. Recommended for Level I students along with the Saturday technique classes.

Level II Ballet Exam Prep 

Ages: 8-9
Day of Week: Wednesdays
Time: 6pm – 6:45pm
Instructor: Heather-Ami Cook

Level II is a Vaganova exam level class at the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts. This class is building up towards technique and ballet etiquette. Recommended in addition to Saturday technique classes. Recommended for Level II students along with the Saturday technique classes.

Level III Ballet Exam Prep 

Ages: 9-19
Day of Week: Wednesdays
Time: 6:45pm – 7:30pm
Instructor: Heather-Ami Cook

Level III is a Vaganova exam level class at the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts. This class is building up towards technique and ballet etiquette. Recommended in addition to Saturday technique classes. Recommended for Level III students along with the Saturday technique classes.

Ballet Technique/Conditioning I (ages 10-12)

Ages: 10-12*
Day of Week: Wednesdays
Time: 2pm-3pm
Instructor: Denise van Es

This class will focus on the strength, building, and conditioning of ballet technique. Each class is designed to target key areas of a regular ballet class that are easy to practice at home on a regular basis. Participants are encouraged to use ankle weights, yoga blocks or a towel if available; however, all exercises can also be done without!

*Although this class is especially geared towards participants ages 10-12, it can be taken by all ages 10+

Ballet Technique/Conditioning II (ages 12-15)

Ages: 12-15
Day of Week: Wednesdays
Time: 3:30pm-4:30pm
Instructor: Denise van Es

This class will focus on the strength, building, and conditioning of ballet technique. Each class is designed to target key areas of a regular ballet class that are easy to practice at home on a regular basis. Participants are encouraged to use ankle weights, yoga blocks or a towel if avaiable; however, all exercises can also be done without!

Beginner Ballet Barre

Ages: 13+ (teens and adults)
Day of Week: Thursdays
Time: 7:30pm – 8:15pm
Instructor: Eleanor Bull

Join Eleanor on Thursdays for beginner ballet barre exercises followed by light conditioning work to build strength.

Intermediate/Advanced Ballet Barre

Ages: 13+ (teens and adults)
Day of Week: Tuesdays/Thursdays
Time: 4pm-4:45pm
Instructor: Eleanor Bull

Join Eleanor on Tuesdays and Thursdays for intermediate/advanced ballet barre exercises followed by light conditioning work to build strength. This class is appropriate for anyone with 3+ years of experience.

NOTICE: Our Tuesday, June 2 class will be cancelled in solidarity with #theshowmustbepaused

Conditioning and Flexibility 

Ages: 13+ (teens and adults)
Day of Week: Tuesdays
Time: 5pm – 5:45pm
Instructor: Eleanor Bull

Conditioning and Flexibility classes provide and overall healthy approach to increasing the body’s agility, stamina, and overall physical strength. Conditioning the body properly can enable someone to tone and strengthen muscle structure. Gain the right tools and flexibility in this focused class!

NOTICE: Our Tuesday, June 2 class will be cancelled in solidarity with #theshowmustbepaused

DANCE CLASSES – Hip Hop, Lyrical, Modern

Beginner Hip Hop 

Ages: 9 and under
Day of Week: Mondays
Time: 4:45-5:30pm
Instructor: Karly Dely

For beginners looking to learn about hip hop technique. Basic hip hop techniques will be introduced as well as working on developing unique personal style when performing.

Lyrical I (ages 9-12) 

Ages: 9-12
Day of Week: Mondays
Time: 7pm-8pm
Instructor: Denise van Es

Lyrical combines the base foundation of Classical Ballet as well as Contemporary, Jazz and Modern movements to invoke an emotion in both the dancer and the audience. It encourages students to “break out of their shell” and explore their feelings in a movement based way!