❗️STUDIO UPDATES
Update - October 20, 2020: Happy to be back again!
We're excited to announce that Ontario Public Health has given dance studios the green light to resume in studio classes! So, we're clicking on the "un-pause" button and resuming classes beginning Tuesday October 27, 2020!
Just before this break, we had updated our policies to include some new restrictions, including capping attendance to 10 students. Please scroll down to read the Changes to Group Classes due to COVID-19 and Studio Safety Protocols. Once again, thank you for your patience, understanding and support!
We'll continue to monitor safety practices from Toronto & Ontario Public Health authorities and re-evaluate our class schedule as warranted by our prime concern: your safety!
Bring your positive energy, your smiles, your consideration for others, your hunger to learn and let's dance!!
We're excited to announce that Ontario Public Health has given dance studios the green light to resume in studio classes! So, we're clicking on the "un-pause" button and resuming classes beginning Tuesday October 27, 2020!
Just before this break, we had updated our policies to include some new restrictions, including capping attendance to 10 students. Please scroll down to read the Changes to Group Classes due to COVID-19 and Studio Safety Protocols. Once again, thank you for your patience, understanding and support!
We'll continue to monitor safety practices from Toronto & Ontario Public Health authorities and re-evaluate our class schedule as warranted by our prime concern: your safety!
Bring your positive energy, your smiles, your consideration for others, your hunger to learn and let's dance!!
Changes to Group Classes due to COVID-19
iFreeStyle.ca's COVID-19 Protocols are subject to change at any time based on guidelines provided by the Province of Ontario, The City of Toronto and Public Health authorities, the protocols at Dovercourt House.
- ❗️# of Students: Class sizes are capped at 10 students. Register early to secure your spot!
- ❗️Pre-registration: Students must continue to register in advance, no drop-in’s allowed.
- ❗️Waiting List : A waiting list will be open if capacity is reached.
- ❗️Cancellation Policy: There is a 24 hour cancellation policy in effect. If you are unable to attend for any reason, you may cancel online 24 hours before the start of the class to avoid losing your class credit. This will allow an opportunity for us to contact other students who may be on a waiting list.
- Partner work classes: Until further notice, there will be no partner work classes. All classes will be individual.
- Length of classes: Each class is 50 minute long to account for flow of people flowing in and out of the studio.
- Waiver: All students are required to sign an online waiver prior to participate in a class held at Dovercourt House. You will be prompted to sign this form when you register for a class via our online registration system. *This prompt will no longer appear once the system has successfully received your signed waiver.
- Phone Number: For ease of contacting you should there be any urgent notices, please log into your account and add your phone number if you haven't done so already :)
- Late arrivals: Students will not be permitted into studio 10 minutes after the start of class.
- Membership passes: Between September and December 2020, membership passes will not be available for purchase. 1, 5, 8, 10 and 15 class passes are available.
- Pass pricing: While operational costs have increased due to COVID-19, pass prices are unchanged for the remainder of 2020.
- Pass extensions: For the duration of COVID-19 studio closure, class passes have been extended to account for the break. Additional time (plus some bonus time for extra flexibility ) will be added to active passes on a case by case basis allowing for extended expiry dates.
- Payment types: Credit card, debit, e-transfer accepted.
CLASS SCHEDULE & RESERVATIONS
WHY SHOULD I RESERVE MY SPOT IN A CLASS?
- It helps balance male/female ratio where needed/possible.
- It helps us know which classes you enjoy taking :)
- In the event of an emergency and need to notify students in a class (i.e. emergency cancellations due to weather, insufficient # of sign-ups, or other circumstances), we can contact you directly. If you don't reserve your spot, you may miss those important notices.
- Where space is limited, we'll accept students who reserve classes in the order that they are reserved.
Click on the the classes below (in blue) to reserve your spot in that class.
CLASS SCHEDULE
List View
CLASS SCHEDULE
Calendar View
Click on the the classes below (in blue) to reserve your spot in that class.
Those in grey have already taken place.
Those in grey have already taken place.
Not sure what level you should take?
Contact us for a FREE assessment at info@ifreestyle.ca, call or text (416) 669-1385
Contact us for a FREE assessment at info@ifreestyle.ca, call or text (416) 669-1385
LATIN DANCE STYLES
What is Salsa?
Salsa is likely the most popular of the Latin street partner dances. With roots in Africa, combined with the Spanish flavours from Puerto Rico, Cuba and New Yorks Jazz era, this dance became widely known as "salsa" in the 1970's.
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Over the years, both the music and the dance evolved with influences from different genres of music and dance. Today there are many styles of salsa, expressing their own musicality, timing, flavour and movement.
Salsa On2 Salsa On2 is a style that is enjoyed by people all over the world, including right here in Toronto. Depending on the music, it can be danced slow and smooth or explosive and energetic, with everything in between; as compared to it’s siblings (Bachata and Cha Cha) it tends to be more up-tempo. |
What is Bachata?
Bachata is a both a genre of music and a Latin street partner dance born on the beautiful island of the Dominican Republic.
Dancers and music lovers around the world have come to love the music, partner connection, body movement, they playful footwork and freedom. It is a dance full of sensuality, partner connection and musicality inspired by the soulful melodic rhythms of guitars, and the suggestive sounds of accompanying instrumentation and vocals. ... Dive deep into this dance and you'll find a freedom unlike any other. Under the spell of the music, feel the romance, the connection and lose yourself.
Dancers and music lovers around the world have come to love the music, partner connection, body movement, they playful footwork and freedom. It is a dance full of sensuality, partner connection and musicality inspired by the soulful melodic rhythms of guitars, and the suggestive sounds of accompanying instrumentation and vocals. ... Dive deep into this dance and you'll find a freedom unlike any other. Under the spell of the music, feel the romance, the connection and lose yourself.
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"Traditional" or "Dominican" bachata refers to a style of bachata popularized in 60's - 90's often using acoustic instruments - guitars (lead guitar, second guitar, bass guitar), guira and bongo. "Dominican" may be a bit of a misnomer as many bachata styles hail from Dominican artists.
"Modern" or "Urban" bachata is a fusion style of bachata that has more of a contemporary feel, incorporating synthesized sounds and music production similar to R&B. "Sensual" bachata is a fusion style of bachata with roots in Brazilian zouk, characterized by full body movement (waves, head tilts, rolls, and often less stepping). This style is typically danced to Spanish or English bachata, contemporary English remixes with more emphasis on melodies rather than rhythmic. |
What is Cha Cha?
Cha Cha (also known as Cha Cha Cha) is a close relative of salsa (with the introduction of a syncopated step) and also traditionally danced “On2”. Because the tempos are generally slower than salsa, it gives the dance freedom for even longer lines and body movement.
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Because it is so closely related to Salsa On2, it is also a great “training ground” for more complex/advanced movements before they can be transported to/accomplished within your salsa dancing.
Like the other genres, the music for Cha Cha covers a wide spectrum of styles, from traditional, to latin jazz and “Boogaloo” (which is a funky, soul rnb infused style of salsa first popularized in the late 60’s, early 70’s). |