SILVER SWANS SHY

Nancy says, ‘I always look forward to my ballet classes taught by Annemarie, because they are fun and stress free. It’s wonderful to try something new and get a sense of accomplishment each time, even though I did not take ballet when I was a child. Ballet is a suitable activity for the older person.’

Dates: starting 2 September, 2026

Time: Wednesdays

‍ ‍ 1:30PM to 2:30PM

Location: 579 StClairW, 2nd floor

Experience: no prior ballet

Fee: Single class $30 + tax

See details about discount for series on registration button below.

Attire: Wear comfortable clothes that feel good, with indoor foot wear of your choice which could include sneakers, sketchers, socks, barefeet, ballet slippers or jazz shoes.

Class: This is a gentle class specially designed either for those at the beginning of the ballet experience or for anyone wishing to fine-tune the essentials.

Learn classical ballet exercises and terminology while strengthening your balance and coordination from the ballet barre to the centre of the dance space. In addition, an adapted choreography is taught from the classical ballet repertoire, and stories from the stage are shared.

Annemarie, a licensed Silver Swans® teacher through the Royal Academy of Dance, brings decades of experience as a teacher and professional dance artist to the dance floor.

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SILVER SWANS SHY & GLIDING 

Anne says, ‘Annemarie pitches the class to our interests and circumstances: fresh exercises every term, background of featured ballets, adapted choreography. Not “dumbed down for seniors”, rather “enhanced for seniors.’

Dates: starting August 12, 2026

Time: Wednesdays

11AM to 12PM EST

Location: Zoom across Canada

Experience: all levels of dance

Fee: Single class $30 + tax

See details about discount for series on registration button below.

Attire: Wear comfortable clothes that feel good, with indoor foot wear of your choice which could include sneakers, sketchers, socks, barefeet, ballet slippers or jazz shoes.

Class has developed since 2019 into a community of those who love dance from across this land. Silver Swans find a computer or tablet, and have the ability to log on to Zoom either at 8AM on the Pacific coast to 1PM on the east coast of Canada. With a sturdy chair preferably with high back, and a smooth dance space approximately 6 feet by 6 feet the class starts with seated coordination movements. Then we stand up for ballet barre, some centre practice, and an adapted piece of choreography from the vast ballet repertoire.

I look forward to dancing with you!

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MOVE through BALLET

Christine says, 'As a Blind student in a mixed class of BLV students and sighted students, I’m full of admiration for how Annemarie seamlessly manages the group, to the extent that I’m not always sure which techniques are adapted for the BLV students and which techniques are just the way she normally does things. I’m finding Annemarie’s classes to be an incredible accessible opportunity to begin to understand dance and movement from the inside. It’s a delightful challenge to learn new physical skills, and a treat to work with a warm, empathetic and skilled professional like Annemarie.'

Dawn says, ‘Dancing with blind/low vision dancers was a beautiful learning experience. I was guilty of thinking of dance as ONLY being a visual art. Until that workshop I never thought I would be able to dance with someone with BLV and have such an emotional connection.’

Dates: October 2 - 9 - 23

‍ ‍ November 6 - 13 - 20

Time: 12:30-1:30PM

Location: 1980 St Clair West, Toronto

Experience: all levels of dance

Fee: series of three $67.80 (incl tax)

Attire: Wear comfortable clothes that feel good, with indoor foot wear of your choice which could include sneakers, sketchers, socks, bare feet, ballet slippers or jazz shoes.

Class includes full-body exercise that helps you build basic coordination, making ballet fundamentals easier. Through fun guided dance improvisations, find out how dance technique can feel and how to develop self-expression. Finally, we’ll step into one of the famous story ballets, using adapted dance, drama, and mime to bring it to life.

This class is perfect for anyone looking for a steady-paced, descriptive ballet experience, with plenty of group and individual attention. Let’s explore the beauty of dance together!

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SILVER SWANS BALLET + MORE

Cheryl says, ‘Experiencing ballet class provides a panacea for short term memory in older adults and helps to build not only our brain function, but our physical competency as well. Add the sublime music and we feel we have recreated and immersed ourselves uniquely in dance heaven!’

Dates: on registration form below

Ballet Class 10:45AM to 12PM

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Ballet and Creative Access Class from 10:45AM to 1:30PM with 30 minute break between classes. This combination of classes is held on three Fridays of the month

Ballet and Limon Dance from 10:45AM to 1:30PM with 30 minute break between classes. This combination is held on one Friday of each month

Location: 1980 St. Clair West, Toronto

Experience: some prior dance for the ballet class, beginner level for Creative Access and Limon Dance

Fees: details found in registration form

Attire: Wear comfortable clothes, dance or full on ballet attire, something that feels good, with indoor foot wear of your choice which could include sneakers, sketchers, socks, bare feet, ballet slippers or jazz shoes.

Classes in ballet include a full-body coordination exercise series, Silver Swans Ballet class at the barre, center, and an adapted choreography from the classical ballet repertoire.

Check out the description for Creative Access classes on this page.

José Limon developed a modern dance technique that seniors love! Gentle on the body, and lush carving movements in the air make this a good counter form of dance from ballet class.

REGISTER HERE