The Deas Island Dance year-end performances are a full production with costumes, scenery, lighting and storyline.   The show has become an annual community event and the students eagerly anticipate discovering the show’s theme each January.

Studio families receive a full show newsletter which details photo and ticket sales, costume, hair and accessories info, volunteer positions, and rehearsals and show days. Because the show is a full-scale production, we ask that each family have one member volunteer for one of the shows or rehearsals.  Examples of the volunteer positions include painting scenery, childcare, ushering and ticket taking.

We announce the show theme in January and begin choreography for each class in the springtime.  As the routines are a team effort it is imperative that students keep an excellent attendance record to participate in the show.

Ballet and Modern costumes are typically made by a school seamstress, and Jazz, Tap and Hip Hop costumes are usually ordered or store bought.  Students pay a $20 per costume deposit on November 1st and then are billed the remainder in the spring.

The show is a great highlight of the year, and students, staff and parents all work together to put on a terrific production!

Festival/Competition work is optional at the studio and is available to children ages 5 and up.  Festival is where a student attends rehearsals to learn and polish a routine and then take their routine to local competitions or dance festivals.  Although competition is part of the festival, the goal is for students to gain confidence, improve technique, grow in their stage presence and have additional performance opportunities. The festival experience instills confidence in the student and their dancing.

Rehearsals for festivals are additional to regular classes.   Festival rehearsals will begin in the summer and local festival performances run from February to May.  Deas Island competes in such festivals as the Surrey Festival of Dance, Peak Invitational, Pac West, Synergy, Dream Team and Festival du Ballet.

As a variety of dance styles will be explored, festival offers an excellent opportunity for young dancers who wish to expand their performance and choreographic experiences.

Students compete in solo, duo, trio or group categories.   In addition, if an entire class wishes to be involved in a festival number we can use some regular class time to help reduce extra rehearsals.  We will notify you if your class is being considered for in class festival rehearsal.

If you are interested in festival, please consult your teacher or the office to see if your child is ready.  For further information on festival please login.

Students who are studying RAD Ballet at Deas Island Dance will be notified if they are ready for entry in to the RAD exams and presentations.  The examinations sessions take place either in the fall or spring and students.  Parents will be contacted when students are ready for examinations.

Information on RAD Higher Grades and Vocational Studies

URAD 11B (4 CREDITS) = RAD INTERMEDIATE
URAD 12B (4 CREDITS)= RAD ADVANCED ONE

Performance opportunities for students have taken place in the form of Coffee Concerts, Charity fundraisers, Festivals and Competitions, seniors’ centres and Christmas performances. Students of Deas Island also have opportunities to volunteer in such positions as prop makers, scenery assistants, classroom student teachers and assistants to junior students on stage at the year-end.  The mentorship and volunteer aspect that the students bring to the studio make an impact on the climate of the entire school.  We appreciate the energy and commitment of all our yearly volunteers many of whom continue to return for years after graduation.