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19 W ednesday , Septem ber 8, 2010 O A KVILLE BEA V ER w w w .o akvillebeaver .co m Internationally renowned Oakville School of Dance/ Oakville Ballet celebrates its 50th anniversary Elizabeth Paterson, a major examiner with the Royal Academy of Dance for over 30years, founded the Oakville School of Dance (OSD) in 1960. After offering her expertise for many years, and building a landmark for Classical Ballet training in southern Ontario, Elizabeth retired and hand the reins to her daughter, Amanda Paterson- Bayliss. Amanda, a graduate of Canadas National Ballet School has raised the standard and quality of dance training even higher for her students. The Schools graduates are contin- ually being offered professional contracts in the dance world. In fact, many of its gradu- ates are now dancing in comanies in the U.K., the United States, across Canada and even as far away as Isreal! Over the past 50 years, the OSD has grown from a local dance school to an inter- nationally renowned training ground for classical ballet, says Amanda Bayliss. The OSD provides exceptional ballet training for beginners to professional students through- out southern Ontario. Ballet classes offer a young child from the age of three the oppor- tunity to grow in self-confidence, coordina- tion, flexibility, strength, musicality, artistry abd creativity. The friendly, nurturing atmosphere exposes each childs creative tal- ent and incorporates this into the art of clas- sical ballet. Emphasis on the younger classes concen- trates on the pleasure of movement and musicality with the development of tech- nique evolving throughout the levels. Children are also exposed to Character Dance, the study of folk steps and dances from selected countries, says Bayliss. This provides insight into the colourful history of music, dance, and national costumes of countries such as Poland, russia and Hungary. For the serious ballet student who aspires to a professional career in classical ballet, the OSD offers 2 programmes, and students are accepted on an audition/invitation basis. The Pre-Professional Programme is held after school, and offers a daily training in ballet technique, pointe work, repertoire, contem- porary dance, conditioning classes and dance composition. The Conservatory (Professional Training) Programme offers _ day intensive training. Students attend mornings at a specialized public school devoted to high performers, and their after- noons are devoted to dance training. The Conservatory Programmes unique curricu- lum pushes students to their highest poten- tial, and excellent artistic training offers a positive learning experience in both ballet technique and other complimentary sub- jects. Bayliss students have had the prestigious opportunity of participating in the International Genee Ballet Competition, attended by the top young classical male and female dancers from all over the world between the ages of 15 and 19. This season, several students will attend the Prix de Laussanne, Youth American Grand Prix and World Ballet competition. Competitions of this calibre are the only ones I will enter senior students in, as it is a true indication of artistic talent and can help Continued on page 21 RegistrationFall