Welcome to the October DancEmail
October is the month when the excited pace of September settles into the rhythm of the work itself–the repetition, the discovery of new challenges, and the small adjustments that accumulate into visible progress.
Real learning also includes questions, corrections, and occasional frustrations. With perseverance and an open mind, however, there will be those wonderful moments when something suddenly clicks.
Here is what’s happening this month at the Leica Hardy School of Dance.
In This Issue:
- Registration & Exam Certificate Housekeeping
- Two New Teaching Assistants
- A New Pointe Work Adventure For Ballet Level 7
- Nutcracker Updates – Group Discount Ticket Form Is Coming Soon!
- Praise For Clara’s Gifts
- October Important Dates
Registration & Exam Certificate Housekeeping
Fall Term Fees
If you haven’t paid your fall term fees in full, this is a friendly reminder that payment is due by your first class of the term.
Details about our payment policy are on the Registration and Fees page in the drop-down sections.
Registration Forms
Please submit your completed registration forms as soon as possible.
Completing the form each year helps us keep your contact information current and ensure we have the most up-to-date medical and emergency information for your dancer.
Ballet Exam Certificates
We received our 2026 ballet exam certificates from the Society of Classical Ballet in the summer. If you have not picked yours up yet, please ask your ballet instructor for your certificate.
Two New Teaching Assistants
A heartfelt thank you goes out to two additional senior students who have joined our Teaching Assistant Program this fall.
- Eva Homes will assist on Saturday mornings in Ballet 4.
- Delila Clarke will assist when a substitute is needed.
Eva and Delila are both in the Intensive Training Program and will be performing in The Nutcracker with Symphony Nova Scotia this December.
If you would like to learn more about the Teaching Assistant Program, we’d be happy to tell you more about it. Contact the office for more information.
A New Pointe Work Adventure For Ballet 7
This fall, our Ballet Level 7 students are starting an exciting new chapter in their training–their pointe work adventure!
This is a milestone moment that joins their years of preparation with excited anticipation. Pointe work is not simply about putting on a pair of shoes; it is built on a foundation of strength, alignment, personal awareness and training consistency built over years of training.
We are looking forward to watching our Level 7 students take those first steps on pointe!
If you would like to take a closer look at the considerations and issues involved in starting pointe work, see our Words To Dance By article: When to Start Pointe Work – A Readiness Guide for Dancers.
Nutcracker Updates
Rehearsals Are In Full Swing!
Nutcracker rehearsals are now in full swing every Friday from 6:30 to 9:00 PM and every Saturday from 4:00 to 6:30 PM, continuing until the performance season opens on December 4th.
We are very proud of the LHSD students who will be performing with Symphony Nova Scotia in the production.
Performing dancer roles: Delila Clarke, Lauren Foot, Charis Greeley, Alice Gunn, Eva Holmes, and Olivia Holmes.
Children’s roles: Elyse Crober, Fiona Foot, Ivanka Holmes, and Phoenix Huszagh.
Two LHSD alumnae are also part of the production. Maggie Oates-Johnson will perform the principal role of Clara, while Rebecca Wolfe returns for her fourth season as Lotte Drosselmeyer and Mother Ginger.
We will introduce the dancers to you in greater depth later this fall.
For more information about the production, please visit The Nutcracker & Clara’s Gifts page.
Group Discount Ticket Form Is Coming Soon!
The LHSD Nutcracker ticket order form will be available soon.
By submitting a group order, LHSD families and friends receive discounted tickets for any performance they choose. I will be distributing the form as soon as I receive pricing confirmation from the Dalhousie Arts Centre box office.
Praise For Clara’s Gifts
I was very pleased to discover a glowing review for Clara’s Gifts on Goodreads earlier this fall.
A beautifully written and illustrated retelling of the classic Nutcracker story. The stunning artwork captures the magic of the stage production while highlighting Clara’s inspiring journey of courage, friendship, and kindness.
The book was gorgeously illustrated by Emma Van Zeumeren and is the companion picture book to our Halifax stage production.
Contact the office to purchase a copy. They are also available at the Symphony’s lobby boutique during performances.
October Important Dates
- 11: Thanksgiving Sunday – no scheduled classes
- 12: Thanksgiving Monday – classes running as usual
- 31: Halloween – daytime classes running as usual
Photo Credits:
- Featured Image: Photo of Jr. Jazz & Modern Students in performance by Yukiko Asada.
- Two New Teaching Assistants: Photo of Eva Holmes (L) and Delila Clarke (R) by Leica Hardy.
- A New Pointe Work Adventure: Photo of Phoenix Huszagh by Leica Hardy.
- Nutcracker Updates: Photo of Charis Greeley rehearsing the battle scene by Leica Hardy.
- Clara’s Gifts: Cover image by Emma Van Zeumeren.
