The Children's Dance Workshop operated on Salt Spring Island from August 2013-August 2017. We are no longer offering regular classes on Salt Spring, but Kristen may be available to offer workshops for children and families, and to mentor select projects on a case-by-case basis--in Victoria, and throughout Southern Vancouver Island, B.C.
Kristen will continue to be available as an artist-in-residence via the B.C. Arts Council's ArtStarts Artist-in-the-Class programme.
Thanks for a great 7 years of dancing on Salt Spring Island!
Children's Dance Workshop
Teaching Philosophy:
Young children know instinctively
how to dance. Given the right kind of encouragement, this ability only grows with time. Dance is a health-giving, natural human activity, good for everyone, not just so-called dancers!
The Children’s Dance Workshop is a place where the innate human capacity for dance can flourish. The sole focus is on creating a healthy, happy class environment where students build dance skills, gain confidence in their creative capacities, and learn how to relate to themselves and each other with the deepest respect.
It is my goal to equip the next generation with the tools needed to feel confident and at home in their bodies, as a way of navigating the challenges and opportunities of our present era with resilience, courage, and grace.
Here's a note from a respected childhood educator here on Salt Spring Island ......
I was invited to Kristen’s class on several occasions by my goddaughter
and my granddaughter. The little girls danced their hearts out while I
sat in the corner like a fly on the wall observing the wonderful way
Kristen has of helping young children fall in love with dance, explore
movement and discover the satisfaction and pride of learning a dance
routine. Kristen teaches dance but she also teaches self confidence.
She makes it fun while at the same time pushing children to stretch
their abilities and grow in their dance.
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I am an educator. I taught children for decades and was also a principal
at the elementary school level for many years. One thing that taught me
to do was spot a good teacher. Kristen Lewis is a good teacher and she
radiates a joy and passion for dance that her students delight in. Keeping
a group of young children on task is a challenge but Kristen has the
experience and the techniques to not only keep all of her students
working and learning but also to make sure that she addresses each
individual child’s needs. She is kind and thoughtful and I know that the
two little girls in my life love going to dance class because Kristen is their
teacher.
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Rineke Jonker
Contact:
Children's Dance Workshop
Salt Spring Island, BC
250-537-4480
info@kristenlewis.ca
Poster from our 2014 Spring Show---We have two shows per year, one in late November, one on April 29 for International Dance Day. Children help choreograph their own dances to present in the first half of the show, and in the second half, special guest artists perform, inspiring the next generation of dancers.