About Body Stories

Everyone is a Dancer

Body Stories Dance provides education and performance programming for communities across the Mnidoo Mnising (Manitoulin Island) area. We use movement and storytelling to promote the deepening of connections with our environment, community and selves. We prioritize projects which promote collaboration across the divides of age, experience and ability while encouraging body awareness, self expression and creativity.

Our programming is grounded in the values of creativity, connection, and health.

Candice Irwin, Artistic Director

Candice Irwin has been working as a professional artist and educator for over ten years. She holds a BFA dance from York University with a focus in dance science and performance. Candice’s work is founded on a desire to encourage connection with oneself, our environment and our community through the sharing of stories.

As an educator, Candice aims to bring her professional training, creativity and compassion into dance class. Her education training includes Express Dance certification with Kaeja d’Dance, theatre education with Young People’s Theatre, early dance education through Discover Dance, seniors dance education with the Canada’s National Ballet School & Baycrest and Limón dance pedagogy & Conditioning with Imagery certifications with Donna Krasnow. Over the past ten years she has used this knowledge to create classes that challenge her students while also allowing them space to explore their own creative ideas. This teaching philosophy has lead her to be a sought after teacher with the Toronto District School Board, the Harbourfront Centre, Canadian Children's Dance Theatre and Randolph Kids Performing Arts.

Outside of the dance classroom, her choreographic work has been presented across Canada most notably at the Annual Alberta Dance Festival, NextFest, SummerWorks Performance Festival and Dance Matters. As a performer, she has had the privilege of working with artist including Anandam Dancetheatre, Peggy Baker, Blue Ceiling Dance, Expect Theatre, Ismailova Theatre of Dance, Kaeja d’Dance, Keiko Kitano and random acts of dance performance. She is also a frequent contributor to publications such as The Dance Current and a freelance arts administrator.

Learn more about Candice’s teaching philosophies in The Dance Current article The Battle of Body Shame or listen to her speak on the Currently in Dance podcast.

Board of Directors

Chair - Candice Irwin

Treasurer - Tammy Albers

Secretary - Meg Middleton

Director at Large - Christine Williston

Class Policies

Body Stories Dance Education & Performance is committed to providing a safe and uplifting dance experiences for all. We ask that everyone follow our policies in order to help create a positive, memorable and fun dance experience! Please contact us if you have any questions.

↓ Code of Conduct

Dancers are asked to:

Arrive on time and ready for all of your classes
Treat your teacher and other dancers with respect
No foul language, chewing gum, or cell phones in class
Notify your teacher immediately of any injury, illness or concern
Always try your best in your classes

Guardians are asked to:

Maintain a positive attitude and encourage your dancer
Enjoy watching your dancer grow and learn new things
Drop off and pick up your dancer on time
Trust the professional guidance of the teacher
Contact us directly to discuss any questions or concerns you have

Finally, dancers and their families are asked to conduct themselves in a way that promotes respect, and encourages others to always be their best self. Any actions, whether they be verbal, written, or physical that are perceived as intimidating, threatening or otherwise hostile, are strictly forbidden. Families that choose not to follow the code of conduct will be removed from classes immediately without refund.

↓ Fees & Refunds

All families will receive an invoice outlining their fees and payment deadline. Payment must be received no later than the term start date to guarantee registration. Missed or late payments may result in the loss of your class spot. If your family needs financial support to participate in dance classes, please contact us to discuss payment plan options.

Refunds will only be issued in the following instances:

The dancer withdraws within the first two weeks of session
The dancer develops a health condition that will not allow them to participate in the remainder of term
Classes must be cancelled for more than one week due to COVID-19 closures

A $25 administration fee will be deducted from any refunds issued. Refunds will be prorated based on the numbers of weeks left in the session (not the number of classes the student has attended).

↓ Scheduling & Missed Classes

The schedule is subject to change pending registration and class sizes. We reserve the right to cancel or change classes at any time.

Inclement Weather: We reserve the right to cancel any class due to inclement weather and no refunds will be processed as a result.

Health Cancelations: If classes must be canceled due to the teacher’s health or community health risks, refunds will be issued after more than one week of missed classes in a term. No refunds are issued for students that must miss classes due to illness unless their illness will not allow them to participate for the remainder of the term.

↓ Uniform

Body Stories Dance Education & Performance has two uniform options. Dancers are allowed to choose the option that will allow them to feel the most comfortable moving in class. All students are asked to arrive to class wearing their dance attire and with their hair styled for class.

Option 1: Fitted thick-strap tank top or bodysuit (solid colours preferred) Leggings or tights with convertible feet Optional: fitted shorts or wrap around ballet skirt overtop of your tights
Option 2: Fitted t-shirt (solid colours preferred) Stretchy jazz or yoga pants

Please do the best you can with what you have for uniforms & footwear. We know dance wear is a large investment especially at this precarious time. The most important thing is that students are comfortable.

When choosing your dance clothing please wear items that do not restrict the dancer’s movement, allows the teacher to see the shape of the body and minimizes the chance of clothing needing to be adjusted during class. Please no crop tops or thin-strapped shirts/bodysuits.

Hair should be securely off the face and neck for class. Dancers with long hair are encouraged to wear their hair in a pony tail or bun (buns are preferred for ballet). Dancers with shorter hair can wear a headband or use pins to clip the hair off of the face.

Dance shoes DO NOT fit the same as street shoes. You must either measure the feet or go try on the shoes.

Ballet: Soft sole ballet shoes. Pink preferred.
Creative Movement: Bare feet or soft sole ballet shoes.
Contemporary: Bare feet. Cotton socks can be worn for the first part of class.
Jazz: Jazz shoes or soft sole ballet shoes. Preferably black.