For generations, professional dancers have been admired for their athletic strength and agility. Yet, it is their artistry and ability to tell a story through movement that truly sets them apart. At Leslieville School of Dance & Music, our students are encouraged to move with the precision of an athlete while embracing the individuality of an artist. With steady encouragement and positive reinforcement, we help every student reach their full potential as a dancer, technician, and performer.
Director Kristen Dennis brings a wealth of experience and passion to the studio. A former professional ballet dancer with the National Ballet of Canada, Kristen had the privilege of training with some of the world’s most renowned instructors. Today, she is honoured to share the philosophies that inspired her own career, guiding both her staff and students with the same dedication that fueled her lifelong love of dance.
We believe that with the right balance of inspiration and expert instruction, every child can grow into a confident, expressive dancer. Our students receive first-class training in a welcoming environment where personal growth is celebrated, and everyone is encouraged to achieve their best. The skills they develop extend far beyond the studio walls. Perseverance, self-discipline, problem-solving, and resilience are just a few of the qualities that will serve them well throughout life.
We warmly welcome you to the Leslieville School of Dance & Music community and look forward to becoming a part of your family’s artistic journey.
Office Hours
Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm
Studio Reception Hours
1461 Gerrard Street East
DanceAndMusic.ca
info@danceandmusic.ca
416-807-1997
Our spaces have been designed with the needs of our students and their families in mind:
The instructional year runs from September to June. Students are expected to remain committed to their training throughout the school year. Although registration remains ongoing until March Break, we do not offer separate seasonal terms over the year. It is recommended that our students register as close to the beginning of the school year as possible and take advantage of the important technical training that takes place during the first few months of the year.
Discounts: We offer multi-class discounts
Fee Payments: Dance class tuition fees are divided into 10 equal monthly payments (9 for preschool classes), which are charged to your credit card or debited from your bank account on the 1st of the month for the upcoming month using autopay, our monthly pre-authorized payment system. Please note that the monthly tuition is based on the total number of classes your child will attend over the entire school year, divided into 10 equal payments. Regardless of whether your child receives 2 classes in a month due to the Winter Break, for example, or 5 classes during a longer month, your tuition remains the same, so that you know what to expect each month.
Dance Class Deposit: A $100 deposit is billed at the time of registration to hold your dancer’s spot in the class. This deposit will be applied as a credit towards your last month’s tuition.
Statements & Receipts: Your transaction history may be viewed online in your Parent Portal at your convenience.
Dance Class Cancellation: If a dancer decides to withdraw from a class after the first month of enrollment, 30 days’ written notice (by email) must be provided.
Most dance classes will begin with a circle time or warm-up. Activities in each class are planned to ensure the success of every student. Part of the class will include instructional time where students take directions before dancing. Students will work on dance steps, combinations, and later in the year, a specific dance routine. All classes, except for our preschool-level classes, will participate in the year-end performances taking place at the John W.H. Bassett Theatre on the weekend of June 12 & 13, 2027. Preschool dancers will have their own very special presentations to be held in the second-floor Ballroom studio of our school on the weekend of June 5 & 6, 2027.
Each dance class for ages 4+ has a required uniform. Please visit our Dress Code page or check the Class Resources section of your Parent Portal to view the required uniform for your dancer’s class. Uniforms are available for purchase at the Toronto Dancewear Boutique, located across the street from our school at 1448 Gerrard St E.
Trial students may wear comfortable, form-fitting clothes and dance barefoot or in clean indoor running shoes until they have decided which class they will be registering for. Starting in October, uniforms and proper footwear will be required for all dancers ages 4+.
Students with long hair are required to wear their hair in a bun for ballet classes. For all other classes, long hair must be tied back. No jewellery in any class, please. After September, our uniform policies will be enforced, and any students in ages 4+ classes who show up to class without proper dance and footwear will be asked to sit and watch the class rather than participate.
Dance is an art that develops progressively each week, which is why consistent attendance is essential for a dancer’s success in class. This becomes especially important from February to June, when students begin preparing for our year-end performances. During this time, choreography is taught, and the final 3–4 months are dedicated to memorizing and refining routines. When too many classes are missed, dancers often feel unprepared and less confident on stage. Our goal is for every student to experience success and pride in their performance, which is achieved through regular, committed attendance.
If, for any reason, a teacher cannot teach a class, we will provide a substitute teacher. Please note that there may be times when classes need to be cancelled for reasons beyond our control, such as a power failure or snow day. Inclement weather cancellations will be communicated via email and on our social media pages by 12:00 pm on the day of the event. If your dancer has to miss a class due to illness or travel plans, you are welcome to have your child attend up to 2 make-up classes per school year. Make-up classes are offered as a courtesy and should not be relied upon as an alternate class time for your dancer regularly. Please call or email our administrator prior to bringing your dancer to a make-up class to ensure that we are able to accommodate them.
Please note that make-up classes are not possible from February to June because Year-End Performance choreography will be underway.
We cannot offer childcare outside of class times. Please plan to meet your child at the door of their dance studio to pick them up exactly when their class ends. Should the teacher not see you when your child’s class is over, the child will be escorted to our reception area, where they will wait until a parent or caregiver arrives for them.
Please note that our reception staff may be pulled away for a variety of reasons or become involved in providing a service to other clients while your child is waiting at reception, so this time will be considered unsupervised.
If there is a chance that you won’t make it back before your child’s class is over and they are not old enough to be left unsupervised, please plan to remain on-site for the duration of the class.
Please fill out the Dance Parent Agreement, acknowledging that you agree to pick up your child on time, and if you are not present when the class ends, your child will be escorted to wait unsupervised in our reception area. During this unsupervised time, you are aware that LSDM cannot be responsible for the safety of your child.
If your child is 9 years of age or older and you are comfortable with allowing them to leave the building alone to meet you outside, please indicate so on the following agreement form before your child’s first class.
Please fill out the Dance Parent Agreement before your child’s first class.
Dancers show respect for themselves by:
Dancers show respect for others by:
Dancers show respect for their teacher and art form by:
Dancers show respect for the studio by:
Parents show respect for the dance class, teachers, and studio by:
Together, we can continue to keep our outstanding community strong!