Programs Offered
- First Steps Program 3-5 years olds
- Recreational Program 5-18 years old
- Full-Time Competitive Program 5-18 years old
- Part-Time Competitive Program 7-18 years old
- Private Lessons All ages
Since 1986, the Canadian School of Dance (CSD) and its co-founders and co-directors, Fran Coyle (A.R.A.D., T.D., A.I.S.T.D.) and Monica Adjeleian (A.R.A.D., Honours I.S.T.D.) have prided themselves on maintaining the highest standards of dance training. Over the years, our CSD teachers have educated and inspired thousands of individuals by using established and renowned syllabus structures, as well as their artistic talents, to train award-winning and high-achieving dancers.
In a supportive and encouraging environment, we strive to motivate each student to reach their full potential as a dancer. CSD has earned a reputation not only for excellence in dance training but also for our safe and warm environment built on a philosophy that believes every person can learn to dance, regardless of age and perceived abilities. We offer a variety of programs at our studio, ranging from a recreational program for those who want to get their bodies moving and learn new skills, to a high-intensity, high-commitment level competitive program designed to prepare dancers for the professional world of dance. We offer classes in a diverse range of disciplines to accommodate aspiring dancers of all interests.
The intensity of each program will vary from one or two classes to several classroom hours per week. Regardless of program or level, each student is addressed with the same professionalism and support. Our primary goal is to foster the love and artistry of dance. Within the doors of CSD, your child will grow in self-confidence, the discipline of mind and body, muscular coordination, and natural rhythm, all while developing the ability to work with their peers in a group setting.
Canadian School of Dance has achieved many remarkable accomplishments since our opening in 1986, and we are so proud to share them with you. CSD dancers and teachers have been showcased across several media, including in newspapers, television, magazines, and social media, because of our achievements and reputation as a sophisticated studio in the Ottawa area.
Our soloists have been awarded countless regional titles at many prestigious competitions. Several have gone on to win national titles at American Dance Awards (ADA) and Candance competitions. We not only have strong soloists, but we also take pride in having strong groups of dancers as well. CSD has won the Gloria Jean Cuming Award of Excellence twice, in 2011 and 2016. This award goes to the highest scoring routine in the Junior (12 and under) division at the ADA national competition, out of thousands of entries from studios across Canada, the United States, South Africa, China, and Ecuador. CSD also took home the George Lon Memorial Award two years in a row, in 2016 and 2017. This award goes to the highest-ranked 13 & over group dance at the ADA national competition. We are the only studio in the Ottawa area to have received this honour and are among only four studios presented with this title consecutively. CSD also takes pride in being the single studio since 1988 to have received both the George Lon Memorial Award and the Gloria Jean Cuming Award of Excellence within the same year. This makes us one of only two studios throughout American Dance Awards history to have accomplished this feat.
Choreographers at CSD have also been recognized numerous times at regional and national competitions. Our talented choreographers have won awards such as Diamond Choreography, Young Choreographer of the Year, and Choreographer of the Year. The influence of these esteemed choreographers’ has pushed many of our dancers into successful careers in choreography, teaching, and work in prominent companies.
We are the sole studio in Ottawa to have had three successful Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Solo Seal participants, the highest ballet examination of the RAD. Few students qualify to take their Solo Seal because an impressive score is needed on the previous, demanding examination to qualify for this examination. Due to our quality dance training, dance schools such as the following have accepted many of our students: the National Ballet School, Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Alberta Ballet School. Further, numerous dance programs at colleges and universities across North America have chosen CSD students to join them, such as Ryerson University’s dance program, Ballet Magnificat, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.
There is a two-week trial period when you register to take a class at CSD. If you choose to withdraw your dancer from a class(es) within those two weeks, we will provide a refund, minus the $30.00 registration fee and the cost of the class(es) you attended.
If a dancer feels that a class is not a good fit, we are happy to switch them to another class as long as it’s age and level appropriate (at the discretion of the directors). However, when registering for classes, you commit to paying for the classes you signed up for from September until June. After the grace period has passed, we will only offer credits (no cash value) to your account. Credits do not expire and can be used toward any future classes. We do not provide credits for missed lessons, holidays, or inclement weather.
When you register for a class(es), you also commit your dancer to participate in our annual recital. If you do not wish to have your dancer participate in the recital, you must email or call us by November 1st. If you fail to do so, you will remain subject to costume fees.
Canadian School of Dance © 2025