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Janice Oakes,
resident of White Lake, Ontario, was born in Toronto, Ontario and started her
dance training at the age of 8 years in 1967. She began with Highland Dancing
(S.T.D.A.), and was quickly encouraged by her teacher, mentor and 'second
mother', Gladys Forrester, to also study R.A.D. classical ballet for
its benefits in training the entire body. Soon after this, she began studying
jazz and tap under the C.D.T.A. system and modern/contemporary dance under Graham,
Limon and Alexander Technique systems. (Yes, her parents still say that
she 'lived' at the dancing studio!) As a student,
Janice spent 17 years with Miss Forrester, taking exams in both Highland and
Classical Ballet. In 1976, Janice won the Canadian Highland Dancing
Championship at the age of 17, and that same year, traveled to Scotland to
compete at the World Championships where she won 1st Runner-Up in the Junior
Worlds. She continued to compete internationally until 1984, when she sat her
judge's exam and thus, retired from 'the boards'. Janice spent one summer in
New York City studying ballet, jazz and modern/contemporary dance at a
variety of renowned schools. She also received two full scholarships to
attend the Banff School of Fine Arts in 1980 and 1981. Janice
attended York University, receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (B.F.A.)
in Dance Performance and Choreology, in both ballet and modern/contemporary
dance. Having great interest in Choreology (shorthand for choreography),
Janice continued her studies in London England for one year in 1985 at the
Benesh Institute of Choreology and the Royal Ballet School. Janice married
and moved to London, Ontario in 1985 where she entered the University of
Western Ontario Teacher's College and received her Bachelor of Education. She
began teaching grades one and two immediately and continued to do so for five
years until she moved to Arnprior. Since
receiving her professional teaching qualifications, Janice has always taught
dance - while attending high school, university, and while teaching public
school - covering a span of 22 years. It is with extreme pride that she now
owns and directs her own full-time dance school in Arnprior - a dream of many
years. Janice is a
full Teaching Member of the Royal Academy of Dancing, London, England
(R.A.D.), a Full Teaching Member of the Scottish Dance Teacher's Alliance,
Glasgow, Scotland (S.D.T.A.) and a member of the Worldwide Judges Panel of
the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing, Edinburgh, Scotland
(S.O.B.H.D.). All three systems are extremely strict in that their
teaching/judging/examining members must continue to upgrade and educate
themselves on a regular basis by attending a required number of workshops
annually. Having
performed on stage at the Royal Alexandra Theater in Toronto and the National
Arts Center in Ottawa, as well as competing both regionally and
internationally for 17 years, Janice is well aware of the dedication and
hours required to be successful in the dance field as both a competitor and a
performer. Besides
teaching dance full-time, Janice is also Executive Secretary of ScotDance
Ontario, the provincial carding and professional organization for highland
dancing. She is also
involved in liturgical dance, a type of movement worship. As a member of
'Ruah', a Toronto-based liturgical dance company, Janice performed in many
churches throughout the Toronto area. In London, she co-choreographed and
performed in 'The Donkey's Dream', a Christmas production based on the
children's book of the same name. Closer to home, Janice has danced at the
Burnstown United Church as part of an Easter service and has given guidance
to those at Calabogie United Church who were putting together a Christmas
pageant for the Sunday school children. The Oakes
Studio of Highland Dance is located in Arnprior, Ontario. The studio is fully
equipped including a wooden-based dance floor (for better shock absorption -
especially important to growing children) and separate change and washroom
facilities. Classes are offered on Mondays and Wednesdays. Privates and
semi-privates on request . Dance is an
art that anyone can do. It allows you to express yourself through movement,
either for fitness or for a deeper personal meaning. It exercises the mind,
the body and the connection with the soul. · Develops strength and poise · Strengthens/aligns feet/leg problems · Maintains a healthy posture · Develops self-confidence · Builds self-esteem · Encourages self-discipline and commitment · Helps skaters/gymnasts 'fine-tune' their
performance · Combines positive reinforcement with
constructive criticism · Dance is a lifetime creative activity for
the mind and body · Encourages a positive interest and
life-time appreciation for the arts · Dance is fun ! Highland Dance Beginner
through professional. Scottish Dance Teachers' Alliance (S.D.T.A.) Syllabus.
Annual spring medal tests and professional examinations. Pre-school Dance A dance
experience offered to aspiring dancers of 3 to 4 years of age ! Leotard Solid Colour
any style. Tights Ballet pink or
neutral (beige) - no panti-hose. Footwear Black highland
slippers with black 1/4" elastic. Jewellery No
jewellery please ! Only small studded earrings are acceptable. This is good studio
etiquette, as well as being in the interest of your safety. Nearly New and Used Dance Wear We re-cycle
out-grown shoes and leotards. Sold at half the original cost. · All Dancers have the opportunity to
perform on stage, and are encouraged to attend work-shops/summer schools to
broaden their 'horizons', technical knowledge and artistic expression. · Highland Dancers can become a member
of "The Paisley Dancers" performing troupe, enter competition
locally upwards to the World Championship level, and enter annual S.D.T.A.
Examinations. Adult classes
are conducted in a relaxed atmosphere. Come for fun, learn to dance and get
in shape. Learn about your body, improve your posture - try something new !
Welcome... CAITLIN STEWART MEMORIAL HIGHLAND DANCING
COMPETITION (Word format.) · The Ottawa Highland Dancing
Association (O.H.D.A.) |
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This work is licensed under a Creative
Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 Canada License.
