CDA Summer Intensive 2024

CDA is thrilled to announce the return of our Summer Intensive! Open to dedicated dancers aged 10 and up, our Summer Intensive stands as a testament to excellence in dance education, featuring a curated curriculum that encompasses Ballet, Contemporary, and Commercial Jazz. Renowned dance educators from various corners of Canada, each recognized for their exceptional talent and expertise, will lead our program.

Taking place from August 2 to 9, our 2024 Summer Intensive begins with a placement class on the first day, a pivotal step to tailor the experience to the individual needs and capabilities of each participant.

We are also pleased to announce that our Summer Intensive is open to non-CDA students! Our Summer Intensive is an exceptional opportunity to elevate your dancer’s proficiency and immerse them in a transformative learning environment.

Register now to take advantage of the Early Bird rate! We look forward to welcoming your dancer to a week of unparalleled dance education.

Early Bird Rate $612 plus HST - Register and pay in full by Mar 31

After Mar 31 - $680 plus HST

2024 Faculty:

Carmen Cairns, Ballet - Carmen Cairns is an internationally celebrated dance teacher, known for her

accessibility, humour, and ability to empower her students. The UK native graduated from the 3-year Teacher Training at the Royal Ballet School. She also holds a Degree in Dance Education from the University of Surrey and is a Benesh Movement educator.

With over 24 years of experience, Ms. Cairns has taught worldwide from as far as Cyprus to Canada. She is also a busy tutor for the Royal Academy of Dance, travelling across North America to teach both student and teacher courses. With a passion for TeacherTraining, she has been teaching at Canada’s National Ballet School for the past 12 years and was Manager of the Teacher Training Program for 3 years. Her aim being to foster artistic, cultural, and academic growth in every possible way.

Since arriving in Canada 17 years ago she has been an integral faculty member for

Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre, both as a ballet teacher and as Associate Artistic Director. Ms. Cairns has seen many students through their RAD examinations, and in every class her promise is to nurture both technical and artistic development, while ensuring that students feel a sense of accomplishment in themselves.

Ms. Cairns is excited to bring her love of dance to the students of Cobequid Dance Academy Summer Intensive and is looking forward to meeting everyone.

Helen Cox, Contemporary - Helen Cox M.A is an educator, choreographer and mentor. She has worked in the UK for the past 10 years teaching for companies including: The Royal Ballet School, Royal Opera House, Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, ISTD, Trinity Laban, and Central School of Ballet.

Helen’s performing experience included work by James Cousins, Danish Dance Theatre, Darren Ellis Dance, Crystal Pite, and Hofesh Shechter. As an entrepreneur Helen founded two community based projects; [openclass], an artist-lead professional class series in SE London; and Children’s Contemporary Dance, a program of dance for young people dedicated to developing confidence through creativity and movement (sold in 2019 to Traceworks Dance).

She is currently an ambassador and delivering artist for Rambert Grades, teaching for H/W School of Ballet and Alberta Ballet School in Calgary and working freelance as a choreographer.

Olivia MacLean, Commercial Jazz and Hip Hop - Olivia MacLean is a professional dance artist, choreographer, educator, care-giver, and Black Nova Scotian in Kjipuktuk/Halifax. She strives to create open and loving spaces in her community, through her art practice and through developing education and care practices. MacLean has been a company member of The Woods Professional Hip-Hop Dance Company since 2017, with a background in multi-genre conservatory dance training. MacLean is a graduate of Onset Dance’s Hip-Hop training program and has been a lead educator for the program since 2017, under the direction of Sara Steele (Assistant Director, The Woods). She also trained with Halifax Dance's Young Company and in the Intensive Training Program. She's been the Hip-Hop educator for the recreational program at Halifax Dance since 2016.

Using her blended background in hip-hop and modern contemporary styles, her work strives to bridge the gap between the two communities. As a youth choreographer, MacLean is a three-time winner of the Pat Richards Choreographic award for her work at Taking Steps to Fly, a local choreography competition presented by Kinetic Studios. Her youth and professional work have been presented at the Halifax Pride Festival, the National Ballet's Sharing Dance day, Nocturne: Art at Night, The Young Company's spring show, and Halifax’s Fringe Festival.