YOUTH TRAINING PROGRAM
DJD’s Youth Training Program (YTP) has been designed to provide weekly instruction to students in a supportive, professional, and creative environment.
REQUEST INFOINTERESTED IN JOINING THE YTP?
We’re looking for dancers who are:
- 7-18 years old
- Experienced in dance
- Excited to learn
- Dedicated to dance
What is the YTP?
With almost 4 decades of experience in professional performance and instruction, DJD is known for providing audiences and students alike, with dance experiences that speak to the integrity that the company was founded upon.
Dancers within our Youth Training Program possess a strong desire to learn, grow and put dedicated effort into the art of dance. Our YTP provides high quality and consistent training across several dance genres with an emphasis on skill mastery, physical awareness, mindful intention and soulful artistry. DJD’s YTP showcases the talents of dedicated instructors who share a passion for dance and believe in educating well-rounded, happy and healthy dance artists.
See classes“I love that DJD is not just a studio. It isn't just "a place where I go for dance," but it's a community where I learn about history, immerse myself in Jazz culture, and feed off the sensational energy of my peers. What I love is that DJD is not about simple movements in space, but it's about the music, passion, and emotion within those movements, which turn them into dance."
Chantel
“It's fun, multicultural and my teacher is amazing!”
Naomi
YTP KEY DATES — 2026/2027
July 15
YTP registration opens
September 14-June 10
YTP session dates
September 30
No classes for Truth & Reconciliation Day
October 12
No classes for Thanksgiving
November 11
No classes for Remembrance Day
Week of November 30
Parent observation night
Week of December 7
Holiday celebration
December 11-January 3
No classes for winter break
January 30
Workshop #1
February 11-15
No classes for Family Day
March 22-29
No classes for march break
May 16
Workshop #2
May 24
No classes for Victoria Day
June 3
YTP open house
Week of June 7
Year-end performance
Week of June 14
Wrap up celebration
YTP CLASS SCHEDULE
Monday
Intermediate Ballet
5:30-6:30 pm
Intermediate Modern
6:30-7:30 pm
Intermediate Jazz
7:30-8:30 pm
Intermediate/Senior Ballet
5:00-6:00 pm
Intermediate/Senior Pointe
6:00-6:30 pm
Tuesday
Senior/Advanced Hip Hop
4:45-5:30 pm
Senior Jazz
5:30-6:30 pm
Senior Ballet
6:30-7:30 pm
Senior Pointe
7:30-8:00 pm
Advanced Ballet
5:30-6:30 pm
Advanced Pointe
6:30-7:00 pm
Advanced Jazz
7:00-8:00 pm
Wednesday
Intermediate Tap
5:00-5:45 pm
Intermediate Ballet
5:45-6:45 pm
Intermediate Jazz
6:45-7:45 pm
Intermediate/Senior Ballet
5:45-6:45 pm
Thursday
Senior Ballet
5:30-6:30 pm
Senior Modern
6:30-7:30 pm
Senior Jazz
7:30-8:30 pm
Advanced Ballet
5:30-6:30 pm
Advanced Jazz
6:30-7:30 pm
Advanced Modern
7:30-8:30 pm
TRAINING LEVELS
DJD’s Youth Training Program welcomes dancers who are either working towards or have an established level of dance experience. Leveling within our jazz and modern classes is not set by a specific gauge, primarily due to DJD holding unique philosophies and aesthetics in these dance forms. Within our ballet faculty, we have Royal Academy of Dance certified teachers and portions of the R.A.D. syllabus are incorporated into our ballet program, however, previous R.A.D. training is not mandatory. Other forms of ballet training are recognized and leveling will be assessed on an individual basis.
| YTP Level | Age | Ballet Level |
|---|---|---|
| JUNIOR (There will not be a Jr. level for the 26/27 season) | 7-10 | 1-3 years dance experience/grades 1-2 |
| INTERMEDIATE | 10-12 | 3+ years dance experience/grades 3-4 |
| SENIOR | 12-15 | 5+ years dance experience/grades 5-Intermediate |
| ADVANCED | 15-18 | 6+ years dance experience/Intermediate - Advanced |
TUITION
CORE CLASSES: Jazz, Modern, Ballet, Hip Hop, Tap
2 CORE CLASSES/WEEK – $1,470
3 CORE CLASSES/WEEK – $2,205
4 CORE CLASSES/WEEK – $2,940
5 CORE CLASSES/WEEK – $3,675
3 CORE CLASSES/WEEK – $2,205
4 CORE CLASSES/WEEK – $2,940
5 CORE CLASSES/WEEK – $3,675
POINTE CLASSES:
$400/CLASS
EXPLORE YTP CLASSES
Our Youth Training Program provides instruction in jazz, ballet, West African and modern as well supplemental conditioning and pointe classes. We value training that sits outside of the confines of a set syllabus and believe that such training allows for increased exploration, artistry and inquiry within the traditional dance class setting.
We encourage our students to enroll in at least two classes a week (jazz & ballet). Individual class selections can be discussed further with YTP Youth Training Program Registrar, Jasmine Almaguer Sheldrick.
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Keeping a connection to the history of jazz dance, the DJD YTP jazz program places strong emphasis on fundamental jazz concepts/skills (rhythm, grounded execution, musical connection, full body movement, community, improvisation) and social vernacular aesthetics while also guiding students through an understanding of more codified jazz techniques.
Specific class attire requirements, for each class, will be emailed to families upon registration.
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Within our Youth Training Program, ballet will provide a solid classical technique foundation that inspires whole dancers, not just future ballerinas. Students’ knowledge, skill level and movement vocabulary will progress each year within a classical ballet framework. Portions of the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus will be incorporated as well as unique additions within the freedom of individual teachers’ input and creativity. An emphasis will be placed on increasing self-discipline, self-confidence, co-ordination, musicality and grace.
Specific class attire requirements, for each class, will be emailed to families upon registration.
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YTP modern dance will explore elements from Limon, Horton, and Graham techniques, as well as current contemporary and release forms. This class will challenge the dancer’s range of dynamics and self-expression, and students will learn improvisation, floor work, inversions, and age appropriate partnering skills. We will explore concepts such as weight, energy, breath, and space, all while developing solid, grounded technique.
Specific class attire requirements, for each class, will be emailed to families upon registration.
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We believe that the understanding of foundational styles and proper execution go hand in hand with the development of personal style and hip hop swagger. Our instructors will bring their passion for hip hop culture to their students through the exploration of foundation hip hop styles.
Specific class attire requirements, for each class, will be emailed to families upon registration.
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Rhythm Tap classes for the YTP program will provide solid technical foundations and fun rhythmic play.
Specific class attire requirements, for each class, will be emailed to families upon registration.
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An exciting highlight to any students’ classical ballet training, this class will prepare students to take their ballet skills to higher heights! This class will focus on kinesthetic awareness, structural alignment, safety precautions, musicality, grace and increasing physical strength and rotation.
Students will be assessed and invited to this class on an individual basis. Students can purchase pointe shoes only when their teacher recommends to do so or have come into the YTP already working on pointe.
Specific class attire requirements, for each class, will be emailed to families upon registration.
YTP TEACHERS
Thys Armstrong - DJD company dancer
Ballet & Pointe Instructor
Hailing from Vancouver, Thys began dancing at RNB Dance & Theatre Arts with teachers Charmaine Nobes, Haley Walker, and Vicki View, among others. Thys has danced with Coastal City Ballet, under the direction of Li Yaming and Katie Bois, Ottawa Rhythm Initiative, and 3120Dance Collective Amsterdam. He has had the pleasure of performing works by Brandi Coleman, Lisa La Touche, Melanie George, Ben Stevenson, and Wen Wei Wang. Thys is featured in Centre Stage: On Pointe (film) and Unreal! (TV). He is thrilled to continue his journey into the world of jazz in his third season with DJD.
Livia Armstrong - Professional Training Program dancer
Jazz Instructor
Bio and headshot coming soon!
Edward Campbell - DJD company alumni
Hip Hop Instructor
Edward Campbell, born in Panama City, developed a passion for the arts through his mother. In high school, he pursued both dance and graphic design, attaining a degree from The University of Panama. In 2003, he co-founded Fullstyle Family, one of Panama’s oldest breaking groups, promoting Hip Hop culture. Before moving to Calgary in 2014, he conducted workshops across Panama, Costa Rica, and the U.S. In Calgary, he joined People’s Militia and Next of Kin, teaching various dance styles. As a brand designer he has helped local businesses flourish. He also created Adesse Threads, offering clothing for fans of music, design, and hip hop culture.
Olivia Johnson - DJD company dancer
Modern Instructor
Olivia is an emerging dance artist with 14+ years of performance experience. She is originally from the traditional territories of the Cree, Anishinaabe, Blackfoot, Métis, Dene, and Nakota Sioux known as Edmonton. Since graduating from Simon Fraser University with a BFA Honours in Dance, Olivia has been interested in continuing to expand her movement vocabulary and knowledge of choreographic and artistic practices as a dancer and creator. She has trained in a variety of dance techniques, with a focus on Contemporary dance forms throughout her degree, and has experience performing with improvisational scores, set material, character work, speech, film, and tangible materials. Olivia has been involved in the creative processes of many dance artists and worked with Robert Kitsos for his film Moving Matter - shown at the 2024 Dance on Camera Festival in NYC, the 2024 Oslo Short Film Festival, and the 2024 Wilddogs International Screendance Festival in Calgary. She has also worked as a choreographer of solo, duo, and group works, and in collaborative creation with artists of varying disciplines. Throughout the DJD Professional Training Program, Olivia has enjoyed exploring new dance forms and being guided to find a deeper connection to music as an impulse for movement.
M’Kayla Kongnetiman - Professional Training Program alumni
Tap Instructor
M’Kayla (Ma-kai-la) Kongnetiman is a Mohkinstsis/Calgary-based multidisciplinary dance artist, singer and emerging choreographer, who is best known for sharing her passion for tap dance to as many people as she can. M’Kayla’s artistic journey began at the age of three after she took her first ballet class and never looked back. She began training competitively from the age of 5-17 where she was given the opportunity to perform and compete all across the world at various dance competitions, conventions & intensives. She was also a part of the 2019 Team Canada National Tap team that competed in Reisa, Germany.M’Kayla is currently studying at The University of Calgary, working towards a Bachelor of Arts in Dance, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. As a first generation Canadian with first generation immigrant parents that were born in Suriname, South America, M’Kayla often utilizes her technical training background and incorporates aspects of her childhood and everyday life to generate movement in hopes of connecting people. Choreographing is something that M’Kayla has always had passion for, and she hopes to spread her knowledge to others as well as to continue to learn and grow from others throughout her artistic journey.
Emily Williams - Professional Training Program alumni
Ballet & Jazz Instructor
Emily Williams (she/her) is a dance artist born and raised in Burlington, Ontario. Emily started dancing at the age of three and quickly discovered her deep passion for movement. Emily is a graduate of the York University BFA honours dance program, specializing in choreography and performance. Throughout her time at York, Emily was a welcomed member of the York Dance Ensemble, the artistic director of student run dance production Bloom, and trained with artists including; Tracey Norman, Syreeta Hector, and Nicole Rose Bond. In addition to her studies, in 2021 Emily presented her first solo contemporary dance film work Decipher as a part of Aeris Körper’s PROSPECTS. Emily’s passion for rhythmically driven movement led her to the Professional Training Program at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, where she has been fortunate for the opportunity to spend two seasons deepening her knowledge in jazz. She is grateful for her opportunities in the Calgary arts scene, including independent projects with Catherine Hayward, and performance opportunities in Dancers' Studio West's Quick + Dirty. Emily looks forward to continuing to build her multifaceted relationship with dance and the jazz art form.
Sabina Zhetpissova
Ballet & Pointe Instructor
Sabina is originally from Kazakhstan, where she received most of her education. She began her ballet and professional cello training at a young age and later performed with the Kazakh-Russian National Junior Company, specializing in both ballet and character repertoire.Academically driven, Sabina pursued a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in English and Italian Philology. She then moved to Ankara, Turkey, where she taught English at top-tier language schools while also dancing with a contemporary ballet company.In 2013, Sabina relocated to Calgary, where she earned her 200-hour Yoga Instructor certification through Sunshine Yoga Academy. She furthered her dance education by becoming a certified teacher in the Vaganova method through The Society of Classical Ballet and obtaining certification as a Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT) instructor.
REQUEST MORE INFORMATION
Submit the form below to learn more about the YTP or express your interest in joining.
