L'École de danse de Québec offers a number of thematic lecture-demonstrations with the main objective of developing interest in theatrical dance among school-age children. These performances serve to demystify the world of theatrical dance and focus primarily on ballet, modern or jazz dance. "Made-to-measure" performances are also available pending sufficient notice.

Lecture-demonstration # 1
Becoming a Dancer: from dream to reality
Choreography: teachers of L'École de danse de Québec
Music: various sources
Dancers: students of the Professional Division and/or recent graduates

Thousands of youngsters begin to take dance lessons for the fun of it. Of these, many develop a passion for the art form and dream of becoming professional dancers. Classical ballet, modern and contemporary dance, jazz dance… most young people have a basic knowledge of these and other dance styles. But how does one become a professional dancer? How does one choose between classical ballet and modern dance, or between jazz, tap and other styles of theatrical dance? What is a dancer's professional training and at what age should it begin? Can one really expect to earn a living as a professional dancer?

The dancers' class-based presentations and choreographic excerpts serve to illustrate the lecturer's explanations as this presentation attempts to answer these questions within a dynamic framework. The lecture-demonstration is followed by a question period. It can also be combined with a dance workshop if conditions allow.

Length: 50 minutes without a dance workshop; 90 to 120 minutes including a dance workshop
Recommended ages: grades 3 to 8
Availability: mid November to early May
Number of spectators: no limit for the lecture-demonstration.
Types of performance space: large enclosed room, school gym or stage
Complementary activities: movement workshops based on various dance forms (maximum 35 participants per workshop).

Lecture-demonstration # 2
Jazz Dance: What an evolution!
Choreography: Joëlle Turcotte, professional choreographer and teacher, among others
Music: various sources
Dancers: members of the JazzM and Tendanse Jazz troupes or students of the professional division

This lecture-demonstration traces the evolution of jazz dance from its beginnings to the present. It focuses on jazz dance's African origins, on its influence during the 1920's and 1930's, and on more recent styles and techniques such as 1970's "ballet-jazz", 1990s "modern-jazz" and such "urban dance" styles as Hip Hop. This lecture-demonstration combines short sections of class work with various choreographic excerpts to illustrate its subject in a dynamic manner. The lecturer is present throughout to inform and enlighten young audiences. The presentation is followed by a question period. It can also be completed by a dance workshop if conditions allow.

Length: 50 minutes without a dance workshop; 90 to 120 minutes including a dance workshop
Recommended ages: grades 3 to 8
Availability: mid November to early May
Number of spectators: no limit for the lecture demonstration.
Types of performance space: Large enclosed room, school gym or stage
Complementary activities: movement workshops based on jazz dance or one of its derivatives (maximum 35 participants per workshop).

THEMatic LECTURES 

L'EDQ can recommend a dance specialist: dancer, choreographer, historian or dance teacher, to give a talk on any number of dance-related topics. Lectures usually last around 30 minutes and are followed by a question and answer period, for a total intervention of 45 minutes.

For more information concerning Lecture-demonstrations and Thematic lectures, see the Documentation section for our brochure (our regrets, it is available in French only) or contact Sylvie Roussel at sroussel@ecolededansedequebec.qc.ca