MOOSE JAW — Students from two Moose Jaw elementary schools enjoyed the benefits of dance, including self-confidence and self-expression thanks to Jess Dance, a Vancouver-based company on its first tour of Saskatchewan.
The lessons took place at Sunningdale Elementary School on Sept. 19 and King George Elementary School on Sept. 20.
“We’re empowering these students to be challenged, but by the end of the… lesson they’re actually doing things they never knew they could before. That translates into (confidence with) everything in their entire life,” explained Jess Dexter, the owner of Jess Dance.
“You can’t deny when you (make) a dance move how it feels inside your body,” she added. “You feel so confident with yourself, (and) that’s going to create a confident human, period.”
When Dexter first learned dance she said the methodology needed a new approach.
“In my high school we had a dance unit, just like you have a basketball unit (or) a volleyball unit,” she said. “We had our super bro’d out, rugged PE teachers teaching the electric slide… and how to ‘do si do’ your partner… there was no contemporary dance (either).”
At the age of 17 she began instructing at schools and her new format quickly became popular.
“I’ve had multiple times where a PE teacher will just be like, ‘Wow, Jess, I can’t believe the transformation I’ve seen in these students over the last week,’” she said.
Jess Dance has around 20 dance instructors who teach a variety of genres including hip hop, K-pop, and contemporary styles. Her philosophy is to teach “education beyond the body,” which includes confidence building, community connection, and other holistic topics.
Tyler Layton-Olson has been with Jess Dance for eight years and Dexter first met him while attending the Arts Umbrella Dance Company in Vancouver where she learned choreography.
“After Tyler taught one or two programs, I was like yeah, he’s a complete gem,” she recalled.
During his visit to Sunningdale Elementary School, Layton-Olson lined up his students in two rows and invited them to follow his lead as he introduced new moves.
“I try to use songs that I know they’ll connect to, and that they’ll know already (where) the dance moves are already online… I try to mix some of that in and get them excited,” he said.
Layton-Olson normally holds his lessons over a period of up to five days. His local tour only provided enough time for 30 minutes per class and one day per school, by comparison.
“We’ll usually learn two different routines at minimum, and we’ll do more exercises too (over five days) …,” he explained. “But with the one day, it’s just about…. us all jamming together because half an hour goes by so fast.”
Hip hop is a great way to work around this limited timeframe.
“I love hip hop…. It’s the most accessible, I think, for everybody just coming in for a quick (lesson),” he said. “It’s easier to freestyle with and… it just seems like a more comfortable, accessible way… to get everybody moving.”
Originally from Nipawin, Sask., Layton-Olson said he’s happy to return to his home province.
“It feels really rewarding, and I caught myself kind of feeling sentimental yesterday… just thinking about all that I’ve done since I left (Saskatchewan), and it’s been a nice feeling getting to come back,” he said. “Beyond that, I really am so thankful for all the schools having me, and it’s a nice feeling to… share (dance) with everybody.”
Layton-Olson said dissatisfied students are extremely rare. “They were super into it,” he said. “A couple of the boys had me signing their shoes. It’s flattering, but I’m like, ‘I hope your parents aren’t mad that your shoes are coming back all marked up.’”
Bohdi, a Grade 5 student at Sunningdale Elementary, had good things to say after his half-hour lesson was over. “The lesson was super fun, and we got to dance a lot,” he said.
This tour was organized by the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (OSAC). The council helps organize similar tours every two or three years, however Dexter said she’d be happy to return to the province in 2025 if any schools are willing to reach out to make the request.
For more information visit JessDance.com.
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