FAQ

In a world where teenagers are constantly seeking ways to express themselves, grow personally, and connect with others, drum & dance offer a powerful avenue for self-discovery, skill development, and overall well-being. Our programs are designed to tap into the boundless energy and creativity of adolescents. The specific advantages include:

Physical Fitness and Coordination

Stress Relief and Emotional Expression

Boosted Self-Confidence

Enhanced Social Interaction and Teamwork

Cultural Awareness and Diversity Appreciation

Inspire Creative Expression

Improved Cognitive Skills

Absolutely not! As a matter of fact, the most exciting, enjoyable and rewarding experiences come from women who have had no background at all. Our classes are designed to suit all levels and progress accordingly.

No, we provide all the drums.

These are not your typical dance classes. The classes are designed to off-set any discomfort or awkwardness one might have. There is a nice blend of structure, technique. combinations and learning of dances, plus there is an opportunity for freestyle for those that may want that.

Since we are with each other every week for many months, we develop into a very supportive group and nurturing environment.

There will be lots of music you can sing along with and of course dance your heart out. ‘Spirited’ is a good way to describe the energy of our classes.

The studio space is very comfy, inviting and nurturing, with spongy and warm foam mats on the floor that make it easy to feel safe and encourage floor work during the dances and during warm-up and cool-down.

What also makes us different is that at the end of the year, dancers and drummers come together to perform at our private DDC Showcase/Soiree. How cool is that?! (Of course, performance is optional - although suggested. It’s so fun coming together as a group and seeing the fruit of our efforts.)

Think you have two left feet or no sense of rhythm? At some point in your life someone told you that, which lead to years of missing out on things you really wanted to do. Well, guess what? That someone was wrong!

We all have natural rhythm and we all can dance. It’s a uniquely human characteristic and is fundamental to us all.

It’s simply a matter of remembering it. We are here to guide you through and beyond that.

I assure you, you’ve got rhythm girl and I look forward to grooving with you in class. In the meanwhile while you are at home, try this:

Instead of focusing on how awkward you might be looking or feeling, close your eyes and lose yourself in the music. Soon you’ll realize, instead of being lost, you will be found!

Every day that happens in our studio. We find ourselves and each other. :)

Classes will be adapted according to the women in front of me but basically the framework for classes will go as follows:

First, we warm up, which includes some directed and some freestyle dancing or drumming to our favourite music of yesterday and today. Here’s where you can use your voices too ladies. Sing, my friends. Sing!

Then the dancers will learn their class-specific movements & combinations and drummers will learn techniques & beats (preparing us for full dance and/or drum pieces to follow).

After two or three months the dancers will begin to learn the choreography for the final dances and the drummers will learn their full numbers (some of which will be performed together at the year-end private showcase).

*Dance classes end with full body stretch & release.

No. They are quite different in many ways.

Firstly, we play drum with sticks (like pieces from drum kits) and we are standing (unless you need to sit. Then for sure that is an option.) We will teach you drum technique, beats, drum fills, rudiments and other methods for getting the most out of the drums. You are learning the language of the drums and improving your musicality to effectively express yourself and create.

Our classes include a variety of drums and we play along with an assortment of music, including rock, pop, old & new and also international.

At drum circles, djembes and other hand-drums (especially in North America) are primarily played and they are not played along with music, as is the case in our classes.

Circles are also different from our drum classes in that the drum circle is an end in itself rather than preparation for a performance. And there is no in-depth, formal instruction in a drum circle.

And finally, as we get into the winter and spring terms, we are learning drum numbers to be played at our year-end showcase, including pieces that the dancers will be dancing along with.