REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR SEPTEMBER 2026/27 dance year YOU CAN REGISTER AT ANYTime
About Us
WELCOME EVERYONE
The main aim of the school is to provide personal, professional, friendly tuition in a safe environment and to give the chance for everybody to learn and enjoy dance, no matter what their age, ability, shape or size. The school prides itself on a non-competitive dance environment and the emphasis is on the student and their ability to become a greater individual –
they compete with themselves and not each other.
Class sizes are small as it is vital that every child in the class is watched, helped and noticed where and when needed so that they receive the full focus and professional support and attention from the teacher. This is so important and cannot be done in larger classes.
The Deborah Laxton School of Dance specializes in teaching ballet following The Royal Academy of Dance Syllabus. Also Tap Dancing, Disco Divas, Jazz/Hip Hop/Disco, 'Glee' Song and Dance, Parent & Toddlers Movement to Music, Pre-School Ballet for children from the age of 18 months, Lyrical and also adult classes in various genres.
Children start from the age of 18months with their parents in a Mums and Toddlers Movement to Music class and from the age of 3 years old we encourage the split from the parents and the children start classes on their own!! The school covers all ages from young to old.
For the adults we have Ballet, Tap and Body Conditioning Exercise Classes.
The adult classes are aimed at enjoyment and fun and it does not matter if you haven’t done anything before – it’s a good chance to meet new people, exercise, unwind and have fun.
Dancing is first and foremost about enjoyment - once you have fun everything else will follow . Whether you want to build confidence, make friends, develop a new skill or just get a solid dance foundation The Deborah Laxton School of Dance covers it all
Teacher/PRINCIPAL with MANY YEARS Experience both in the UK & Canada
Deborah Laxton, T.C.R.A.D, R.T.S., A.I.D.T.A., C.P.D.
Born and raised in Exeter, Devon, in the U.K. Deborah began her training from a very early age of 3 years old. She attended ballet classes from the age of 3 in her home town of Exeter & successfully passed all of her R.A.D. Examinations with the Royal Academy of Dancing. She also took classes in Jazz/Disco, Tap, Modern and Song and Dance and participated in many local Dance Festivals achieving numerous certificates and awards.
Deborah studied for 3 years on the teacher training course with the Royal Academy of Dancing, London and successfully passed to become a fully qualified registered dance teacher.
Deborah has taught in numerous private schools in the South West of England, including Sherborne Preparatory School, St Antonys-Leweston, Sherborne, Dorset, & Lympstone, Devon
Deborah was also the owner/director and teacher of The Somerset School of Performing Arts and a Catwalk Modelling School in Somerset, UK. She holds a diploma in catwalk modelling and is a member of the I.D.T.A. (International Dance Teachers Award).
Deborah started her own dance school in Somerset in 1990 where she taught many genres of dance including ballet, pointe, jazz/disco, fun fitness classes for the non-dancer, Tap and Song & Dance. The ages of the students in the school ranged from between 18 months to 78 years old and student numbers reached over 500. Deborah not only owned the school but carried out all the administration, directorship and teaching herself. She has also choreographed, taught and produced many dance shows, professional pantomimes and festivals over the years in theatres, schools and local centres. During Lockdown due to the Pandemic Deborah was also an International Adjudicator .
The personal and caring touch is very important in this industry and Deborah has found that it is something that lacks in many schools today and that is why she is always 100% involved in her own school
ABOUT THE SCHOOL
The Deborah Laxton School of Dance was founded in 1990 in the UK and built up over the years to approximately 500 pupils. Deborah moved to Calgary to live and has been teaching here now for some 14 years at the ROCKY RIDGE RANCH CENTRE, Rocky Ridge Blvd, Calgary
In the UK The Deborah Laxton School of Dance prided itself on the friendliness of the pupils and staff that attended and it quickly became known as ‘one big happy family’ – all the children from all grades knew each other so well and it made for such a lovely, happy place to teach.
Deborah made it her personal goal to always get to know every single child throughout the school and now she is in Calgary she keeps it the same. Deborah believes greatly in focusing on quality training and personal attention and ensuring that the students – both young and old - enjoy their dance classes in a safe and welcoming environment. She has found that over the years many students just want to enjoy learning and dancing without the pressure of competitions
Royal Academy of Dance Examinations are a part of the schools’ curriculum when and if the student is ready.
Over the past 30 years of teaching The Deborah Laxton School of Dance has obtained and kept an outstanding 100% exam pass rate with the Royal Academy of Dancing. Many past students have gone on to dance with recognized Dance Companies and National Dance Schools in the United Kingdom and internationally and many have taken dance as a career path. Several pupils from the school have gone on to be accepted into the Alberta Ballet school and pupils from Calgary have appeared in the Moscow State Ballet in the Nutcracker and Le Jeunesse Classique Ballet Society’s Production of the Nutcracker and also in a production of Newsies
All the classes are well structured and aim to improve and develop such skills as co-ordination, technique, poise, rhythm and self-confidence
A Year End Recital is held every year which allows ALL students to participate and dance altogether on a stage in costume. There is no pressure to participate if you prefer not to and it is entirely your decision and no expensive costume fees either!
CURRICULUM
PARENT & TODDLER MOVEMENT TO MUSIC
This class is specifically designed for pre school children with their parents or caregivers - as soon as they are able and stable on their feet they can join. It is a fun class where the aim is to teach and improve co-ordination and basic movement skills, rhythm and a basic dance steps and techniques. It is a 30 minute class where the children and their parents /caregivers can interact with each other and have fun.
PRe school BALLET
The structure of the class is designed specifically for the age group and designed to inspire your children. The children will learn about the basics of ballet as well as rhythm, becoming aware of their posture, confidence building skills and socializing with the other children.
This is a non parented class and class sizes are small so that everyone is noticed and encouraged
BALLET - R.A.D Syllabus
Classes follow the Royal Academy of Dancing syllabus. Classical ballet is exciting, demanding, inspiring & is the fundamental training that applies to all other dance genres -even figure skating. The R.A.D. is a set syllabus based on classical technique, free movement & character work. Turn-out, flexibility, posture, improved muscle strength, stamina, musicality & balance and control are just a few of the benefits. Exams are offered when students are ready
PRE POINTE & POINTE CLASS
Pre Pointe and Pointe work is introduced around the age of 10 or 11 but it totally depends on the strength of the individual student. A pre assessment is required before a student is allowed into the pointe classes.
JAZZ/ HIP HOP
Classes are energetic and fun. The classes consist of exercises, dance steps, turns, kicks, leaps etc and routines and are all set to popular chart music. This is an excellent class for students who perhaps dont want to follow something as specific as ballet or tap but at the same time it works hand in hand with ballet & tap as it provides a good base for general fitness, flexibility, muscle strength and co-ordination as well as the different dance styles
TAP DANCE CLASSES
Various classes for different abilities and ages. You will learn lots of tap steps and tap technique which will increase in difficulty the more they progress. You will use the steps learnt to make a tap routine each semester and will perform in the Year End Recital if you want to - no pressure at all!
The classes are great fun and are designed to develop rhythm, syncopation, confidence and timing
Tap is one of the most enjoyable rhythmic forms of recreational dance.
GLEE SONG & DANCE MUSICAL THEATRE
The classes provide a wonderful opportunity for girls & boys to learn and rehearse songs from the pop world, musicals & other genre, also learning choreography & dance routines to go with them. At the end of the dance year the children will perform a minimum of 5 songs in the year end Recital.These classes have proven to help shy children mix & grow with other children giving them a huge confidence boost
The children love these classes
Sing, dance, exercise, fun
LYRICAL
Lyrical dance blends ballet and jazz together and expresses emotion of a song or piece of music. Ballet is a requirement if you would like to attend this class
ADULT CLASSES
TAP - excellent for aerobic/general fitness, burning calories, muscle strengthening, stamina building & memory boosting as well as meeting new friends.
The class is fun and friendly but without the pressure of feeling that you have to compete with or against each other and wear whatever you are comfortable in
All abilities, ages (above 30) ,shapes and sizes are very welcome
TUITION FEES & STUDIO POLICY
TUITION FEES
Every new Dance Year classes are split into 3 semesters, each semester is 10 weeks long
There are several ways you can pay - monthly = 10 monthly payments, whole year upfront or per semester
CLASS LENGTH MONTHLY FEE (10 payments) FULL YEAR PER SEMESTER
30 minute class $60 $600 $200
45 minute class $69 $690 $230
Multiple Class Discount
For students who take more than one class their additional classes will have a
3% discount on each additional genre
Specialized Pre Pointe and Pointe Class fees please contact for further information
Semi Private and Private Lessons available - ask for details
ADULT CLASSES - payable per semester
TAP CLASS - $230 for 10 classes
DROP IN class $25.00
REGISTRATION FEE A once a year Registration Fee of $35 per student or
$45 per Family is required.
TO REGISTER please e mail dlaxtondancer@shaw.ca for the relevant forms and to discuss the class most appropriate for your child(ren)
Classes at Rocky Ridge Ranch are open to everybody and are NOT limited to just residents.
Registration is complete once the first semesters payment, registration fee, registration forms and waiver form have been received
STUDIO POLICY INFORMATION
TUITION PAYMENTS must be made prior to the beginning of the new semester or on the first day of classes and must include the Registration Fee where appropriate. They can be paid in full for the Year, 10 monthly payments or paid per semester up front.
PAYMENTS can be made via e transfer, cheque or cash
RETURNED PAYMENTS any payment returned ‘NSF’ will incur a $25 charge
DISCOUNTS - there will be a discount for families of 2 or more children and also for families where the children take 2 or more classes. Details available on registration enquiry
REGISTRATION FEE To secure your place in the dance school the Registration Fee must be paid with the initial Registration Form, Waiver Release Form for all new students and the tuition fees. The registration fee is non refundable and is valid until June 31st every Dance Year.
REGISTRATION - New students are taken all year round and the fees will be adjusted as to when you start until the end of that Semester or the Year
RECITAL - if you want your child to participate in the Year End Show then there will be a small fee due in February - no pressure either way and no crazy costume fees to pay
WITHDRAWAL POLICY One full semesters notice (10 weeks) is required to be given in writing prior to your child(ren) leaving the dance school.
You will be charged for the following semester if you fail to give the required notice ahead of time
Withdrawal notification MUST be given in writing - either letter by hand to the Principal or e mail. Voicemails are NOT acceptable.
UNIFORM
UNIFORM
Ballet – Girls
Princess to Primary
R.A.D. approved sleeved leotard in pink, matching pink nylon skirt, pink leather ballet shoes with elastic and ballet pink or white ankle socks or tights
R.A.D. Grade 1
R.A.D. approved sleeved leotard in pink, matching pink nylon skirt, pink leather ballet shoes with elastic and ballet pink or white ankle socks or tights
R.A.D. Grades 2 & 3
R.A.D. approved leotard sleeveless in lilac with matching elastic waistband, pink leather ballet shoes with elastic, ballet pink or white ankle socks or thin white tights
R.A.D. Grades 4 & 5
R.A.D. approved leotard in Navy with waistband, thin white or ballet pink tights, pink leather ballet shoes with elastic
R.A.D. Grades 6, 7 & 8
Black camisole leotard with matching Chiffon skirt and scarf. Pink leather ballet shoes and tights
R.A.D.Grades 1 - 7 (Character Uniform)
Black “heavy ” cotton character skirt decorated with 3 rows of coloured
‘ric rac’ to match their leotard, black canvas character shoes with elastic (RAD regulation).
Crossover cardigans may be worn and should match the leotard colour. School T-shirts can also be worn in class.
Ballet – Boys
All Grades - White T-Shirt, Black trousers or shorts, white or black ballet Shoes.
Tap & Jazz
Girls and Boys - A ‘Deborah Laxton School of Dancing’ T-Shirt in pink for the girls and blue for the boys, black dance leggings /trousers for the girls and either black pants or shorts for the boys , black jazz shoes or black ballet shoes for Jazz and black tap shoes for Tap
Glee Song and Dance
Girls and Boys - A ‘Deborah Laxton School of Dancing’ T-Shirt in pink for the girls and blue for the boys, black dance leggings / pants for girls and black pants or shorts for boys and either black ballet shoes or black jazz shoes
Tap Dance
Girls and Boys - A ‘Deborah Laxton School of Dancing’ T-Shirt in pink or lilac for the girls and blue for the boys, black dance trousers , black socks and black tap shoes
R.A.D.
THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCE
The style of ballet that forms the basis of the RAD syllabus has become recognised internationally as the English style of ballet. This style of ballet formed when the founders of the RAD merged their respective methods (Italian, French, Danish and Russian) to create a new method that would demand a high technical standard from students. The most identifiable aspect of the RAD method is the attention to detail when learning the basic technique of ballet.
The Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) offers two training programmes or syllabi, which are suitable for both male and female students and form the basis of the RAD’s work in the UK and overseas. Each programme represents a complete system of dance training and includes a series of progressively more difficult practical examinations. These programmes are the Graded Examination Syllabus and the Vocational Graded Syllabus.
The Graded Examination Syllabus consists of 10 grades and incorporates classical ballet, free movement and character dance.
The Vocational Graded Syllabus is designed primarily for older children or young adults who are considering a career in professional dance, as a performer, teacher or in another capacity. The vocational syllabus is technically demanding and comprises only of classical ballet and pointe work. Unlike the Graded Examination Syllabus , the vocational grades have to be studied in sequence and the student must successfully pass an examination at each level before progressing onto the next.
