March Newsletter | Yi Dance

A Victorious Start! Yi Dance Kicks Off the 2026 Competition Season

In total, the team brought home 42 awards (with several routines earning multiple recognitions). In addition, 20 routines received top-scoring Dazzlin’ Diamond and high-level Diamond adjudications, demonstrating the team’s exceptional technical strength and performance quality.

Highlights include:

  • 🏆 20 First-Place Group Awards

  • 🏆 Top 3 Overall Studio Rankings across all dance genres in six different age divisions

  • ✨ The dance piece “Fix You” received the prestigious Outstanding Choreography of the Session award

We are also incredibly proud of our soloists:

  • Miya – 5th Place Overall Soloist 11 Years

  • Rachel – 4th Place Overall Soloist 16 Years

  • Victoria – 1st Place Overall Soloist 15 Years

Following the competition, Miya was specially invited by the organizing committee to:

  • Compete in the Finals this July at Blue Mountain

  • Perform in the Ballet (11 Years) Workshop Showcase

Congratulations to all our Yi Dance Competition Team members and teachers on this remarkable achievement! Your dedication, teamwork, and passion continue to make us proud.

Campus March News

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Campus March News 〰️

Annual Recital Registration

The 2026 Yi Dance Annual Showcase will take place on Saturday, June 27 at the Flato Markham Theatre.

This year, we are excited to present a brand-new full-length dance production of Alice in Wonderland, creatively blending ballet, Chinese dance, contemporary dance, and other styles into one cohesive theatrical performance.

Students aged 6 and above who are enrolled in the 2026 Spring Term (RAD Primary and Chinese Dance Level 2 and above) will begin receiving recital registration information throughout March. Please stay tuned for further details!

In-Studio Film Feature Update

Now Showing: My Pointe

Produced by ballet educators Vicki Attard and Lisa Howell, the film focuses on pre-pointe preparation, including foot alignment, strength development, and control — all essential foundations for safe pointe work.

Pointe training is not simply about putting on pointe shoes; it is the result of years of structured preparation. Through this film, we hope to help parents and students better understand the importance of strong fundamentals and why we place such emphasis on foundational training.

Summer Camp Announcement

In Summer 2026, the highly popular Yi Dance Intensive Dance Camp will return once again!

Camp dates and program details will be released soon — stay tuned!

March Camp

A few spots are still available! The March Camp will run from March 16 to March 20, 2026. For full details, please click on the corresponding camp link below.

  • The March Intensive Camp will run from March 16 to March 20, 2026, featuring the following courses:

    • RAD Ballet Examination Intensive

    • Beijing Dance Academy Chinese Dance Examination Intensive

    • Core · Strength · Flexibility Enhancement Class

    • One-on-One Private Lessons

    Designed For:

    • Students preparing for Spring/Summer 2026 examinations:
      ▶ RAD Grade 2 (age 6+) | RAD Grade 3 (age 7+)
      ▶ Chinese Dance Grade 5 (age 7+) | Chinese Dance Grade 6 (age 8+)

    • Students looking to comprehensively improve physical fitness and advance dance technique (age 8+)

    Spots are limited – empower your exam preparation and personal progress this March!
    For details and registration, please inquire at the front desk or contact our staff.

  • Yi Dance is honored to be an authorized training and examination center for the Beijing Dance Academy Chinese Dance Grading System. We are now accepting applications for the 2026 Teacher Qualification Certificate Course.

    Course Highlights:

    • Official certification issued by Beijing Dance Academy

    • Systematic training in teaching methodology and curriculum design

    • Practical instruction covering graded syllabus from beginner to advanced levels

    • Guidance on examination preparation and student assessment techniques

    Suitable For:

    • Current dance instructors seeking formal qualification

    • Advanced dancers interested in teaching careers

    • School teachers looking to incorporate dance education

    Training Dates:
    2026 sessions available in Spring (April-May) and Fall (September-October)

    Registration Now Open!
    Elevate your teaching with professional certification from China's most prestigious dance institution.
    Contact us for detailed syllabus and enrollment information.

Parent Q&A 1: Why is a Bun Important, and How Should Dance Students Wear One?

Wearing a proper bun is an essential part of dance training.

In a professional dance class, attention to detail reflects attitude. A neat, secure bun is not only a matter of appearance — it directly affects spotting, body lines, and focus in class. A tidy hairstyle shows respect for the class, the teacher, and the art itself.

Friendly Reminder:

  • Students should arrive to every class with a properly secured bun.

  • Younger children should have parental assistance.

  • Around age 8, students should begin learning to make their own bun; by age 9, they should gradually be able to do it independently.

Learning to prepare properly for class is an important step in becoming a disciplined dancer.

Bun supplies (hairnets, pins, elastics, etc.) are available at the Yi Dance front desk.

You can also refer to the instructional bun video below:

Parent Q&A 2: Snowy Days and Missed Classes — Can My Child Make Them Up?

Absolutely!

For most Yi Dance courses, students may make up up to three missed classes per semester, as long as the make-up lessons are completed within the same semester.

Absence Requests:

  • For regular classes, please request absence at least 4 hours before class.

  • For private lessons, requests should be made at least 24 hours in advance.

  • If the office is closed, parents may leave a phone message or email, and staff will record and respond once they are back.

Scheduling Make-Up Classes:

  • Make-up lessons require 24-hour advance booking.

  • Make-up lessons are offered as a courtesy; times cannot be changed, and unattended make-up classes cannot be rescheduled.

  • When attending a make-up class, please notify the front desk so your child can enter the correct classroom, or check the schedule on the TV by the entrance and escort your child accordingly.

Weather and Holidays:

  • In the event of severe weather, Yi Dance will follow the local school board guidelines for class cancellations.

  • Missed classes due to holidays or severe weather do not count toward the three permitted make-up lessons and may be scheduled for make-up separately.

February News | Yi Dance

Spring Semester is Here!

The Fall 2025 class showcases were successfully concluded in February. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all parents who joined us in celebrating the remarkable growth and progress made by our dancers over the past semester. Bravo to every student for their dedication and hard work, and thank you for filling Yi Dance with joyful and energetic memories throughout your learning journey!

The Spring 2026 semester will officially begin on February 3rd. Registered students, please arrive on time and dive back into this wonderful dance journey with us. For those who haven’t registered yet—don’t wait any longer! Springtime won’t pause, and neither should your dance journey. Come join us and be part of this new chapter of growth and movement!

What's New at Yi Dance

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What's New at Yi Dance 〰️

Swan Lake

This Month’s Featured Video: Swan Lake by Bolshoi Ballet


Our campus screening this month features excerpts from the Bolshoi Ballet’s stunning production of Swan Lake. A masterpiece of grace, technique, and emotion—don’t miss it.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Stop by the studio between February 15 and 21 for a sweet surprise! We’ll have treats waiting—because every dance day deserves a little sugar.

Competition Season Kick-off

Our 2026 competition team will take the stage for the first time this season at the Bedazzled Dance Competition, held at the Richmond Hill Performing Arts Centre on February 21–22.
All parents are welcome to pick up a competition schedule at the front desk and join us at the theater to cheer on our dancers!

2026 Annual Performance: Alice in Wonderland

Save the date! This year’s grand performance will take place on Saturday, June 27, at the Flato Markham Theatre.
We’re excited to present a innovative multi-genre dance drama blending ballet, Chinese dance, and contemporary styles to tell the story of Alice in Wonderland.
Registration will open soon for dancers aged 6+ enrolled in spring term classes (RAD Primary / Chinese Dance Level 2 and above). Stay tuned for updates!

Registration for the 2026 RAD Ballet Examinations is Now Complete!

This year, Yi Dance continues its strong participation, with over 120 students successfully registered for RAD examinations across various levels—including the highest performance tier, Solo Seal. All examinations will be held over five consecutive days in mid-May at our on-campus examination venue. As an officially certified RAD Approved Venue (RAV), an RAD-appointed examiner will be present to conduct all assessments.

This year’s examinations span a wide range of levels:

  • From RAD Pre-Primary, suitable for dancers as young as 5 years old

  • All the way to the professional RAD Advanced Ⅱ

  • A special highlight: For the first time, we are offering the Solo Seal performance examination, which will be held as a staged performance in a professional theatre

  • Additionally, adult students are participating in the RAD Discovery Repertoire examinations—a syllabus that blends classical ballet repertoire with contemporary choreography, excludes pointe work, and is designed for dancers of all ages looking to study ballet in a structured yet accessible way

We wish all candidates a confident and graceful performance—may you shine brightly and dance your own story of growth!

  • The March Intensive Camp will run from March 16 to March 20, 2026, featuring the following courses:

    • RAD Ballet Examination Intensive

    • Beijing Dance Academy Chinese Dance Examination Intensive

    • Core · Strength · Flexibility Enhancement Class

    • One-on-One Private Lessons

    Designed For:

    • Students preparing for Spring/Summer 2026 examinations:
      ▶ RAD Grade 2 (age 6+) | RAD Grade 3 (age 7+)
      ▶ Chinese Dance Grade 5 (age 7+) | Chinese Dance Grade 6 (age 8+)

    • Students looking to comprehensively improve physical fitness and advance dance technique (age 8+)

    Spots are limited – empower your exam preparation and personal progress this March!
    For details and registration, please inquire at the front desk or contact our staff.

  • Yi Dance is honored to be an authorized training and examination center for the Beijing Dance Academy Chinese Dance Grading System. We are now accepting applications for the 2026 Teacher Qualification Certificate Course.

    Course Highlights:

    • Official certification issued by Beijing Dance Academy

    • Systematic training in teaching methodology and curriculum design

    • Practical instruction covering graded syllabus from beginner to advanced levels

    • Guidance on examination preparation and student assessment techniques

    Suitable For:

    • Current dance instructors seeking formal qualification

    • Advanced dancers interested in teaching careers

    • School teachers looking to incorporate dance education

    Training Dates:
    2026 sessions available in Spring (April-May) and Fall (September-October)

    Registration Now Open!
    Elevate your teaching with professional certification from China's most prestigious dance institution.
    Contact us for detailed syllabus and enrollment information.

RAD Solo Seal is the highest-level examination within the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) ballet system, conducted live in a professional theater setting and assessed by two appointed examiners.

Candidates are eligible to apply for the Solo Seal only after achieving a Distinction in the RAD Advanced II examination. The Solo Seal examination consists of three solos (variations) and one finale, with dancers performing the entire stage presentation solo under full stage lighting. It represents the ultimate integration of technique, artistry, and theatrical expression.

To perform on the Solo Seal stage signifies more than a decade of systematic training and unwavering dedication—it is a milestone moment on the path toward a professional dance career and artistic maturity, symbolizing perseverance, conviction, and the highest pursuit of beauty.

As the pinnacle of the RAD ballet system, only around 20 candidates across Canada participate in Solo Seal examinations each year. This year, two Yi Dance students will undertake their Solo Seal examination in a professional theater in Toronto. The examination will be presented as a public performance, with tickets made available in advance through RAD and the theater, welcoming all dance enthusiasts to witness this rare and exceptional ballet occasion.

Let us join in anticipation of this remarkable fusion of examination and artistry, and celebrate the dedication and brilliance of these outstanding dancers.