Leigh Torlage teaches at Harbour Dance Centre, Canada's premiere professional drop-in dance studio.  927 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC. 604-684-9542.  Leigh's classes are some of the most popular classes offered.  To register in Broadway Burlesque, Rock n' Roll Burlesque or Intermediate Fosse Burlesque workshops, click on the link above.  In addition to teaching and choreographing, Leigh is a performance and movement coach and is currently working with Canada's top Ice Dancers at the BCCOE in Burnaby.

Leigh is a passionate, informed, high energy teacher who believes in hard work, discipline and dedication. Whether it's Broadway Jazz or Rock n' Roll Burlesque, Leigh's goal is for each dancer to find their individual style and performance quality.

Leigh began teaching in 1989 at SW Florida's Dance Theatre Academy and has been teaching at Harbour Dance Centre since 1996.  Leigh has taught dance throughout Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto including the renowned Sheridan College.

Leigh was inspired to dance at a young age as she sat and watched her mother's dance classes in Toronto. Leigh's training began with the legendary Len Gibson then continued in Ft. Myers, Florida, the prestigious Jacob's Pillow in Massachusetts, then eventually she made the ultimate move to New York City. It was in New York where Leigh immersed herself in theatre dance at Broadway Dance Centre and Steps with Bob Fosse's veteran dancers, learning original Broadway and Fosse material. Performing Jerome Robbins' original choreography in West Side Story (the US and European tours) was one the highlights of Leigh's professional dance career and continues to be the basis of her teaching methods.

photo credit: Karolina Turek

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Burlesque with Leigh

Leigh's Burlesque classes run like regular dance classes but with a flirty, feminine twist where you workout and dance while learning various styles (ie. upbeat and fun; slow and sensual; edgy and thrashy, etc.) with the added "strip-tease" factor. Classes begin with a centre floor warm up, then continues with across the floor technique, style and movement and finishes with choreography that is added onto each week to finish the session with a fully completed routine to be performed (optional.)  Leigh shows you how to strut with confidence and style, dance sensually and seductively while incorporating taking off select articles of clothing (gloves, hats, shirts, etc.) In Leigh's classes you will strut away with a confidence that will carry through to every aspect of your life.

DESCRIPTION AND SCHEDULE - NEXT 8 WEEK WORKSHOPS (January 5/11-February 23/29 2012):

Broadway Burlesque - Thursdays 8:15-9:30PM: Theatrical, Fosse-based, stylized - such as in the films Burlesque and Chicago.  Music ranges from musical theatre (Big Spender, Mein Herr) to Pop (Candyman).  Routines always have a loose story line/theme.

Rock n' Roll Burlesque - Wednesdays 7:30-8:30PM: Sexy dancing to Rock music.  Music ranges from Classic Rock to Alternative to Country Rock.  Style is typically more edgy than Broadway Burlesque.  Again routines will have a loose story line/theme.

Intermediate Fosse Burlesque - Wednesdays 8:30-9:45PM: For the more intermediate/advanced student who is looking for a challenging, more faster paced class.  Music and style will vary.

What to wear - be creative, comfortable and fun!  Remember you will sweat!  Please wear heels/boots that you can dance comfortably in.

**At the end of each workshop session, Leigh hosts a "Student Performance Night" where here students perform their completed routines from class.  This combined with guest appearances from Leigh's Candy Cabaret and various special guest performers makes for a seriously fun night out.  The next Student Performance Night is Halloween themed and set for Sunday, October 30th at the Penthouse Nightclub downtown Vancouver.

PERFORMANCE: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26 AT THE MEDIA CLUB IN VANCOUVER (ON CAMBIE ST AT GEORGIA.

ON HOLD TIL FURTHER NOTICE: Broadway Jazz Level 1 (Intermediate Level)

Broadway Jazz: is technical, classic jazz that emphasizes style and performance quality.  Also known as theatre dance, every step has purpose and meaning and the choreography typically involves a story line in order. Class is designed to give students the atmosphere of being in a company, learning and performing a piece in a Broadway show.  The style is Bob Fosse-based, performance-oriented, sharp and jazzy with music expanding beyond the typical Broadwy genre.

Comments from students and studio owners:

"Thank you for doing such a fabulous job with the Broadway Jazz summer school.  You are such a pro."

"You are a teacher with magic"

"Thank you so much for an amazing week.  You inspired me (and others) to push beyond what I am currently capable of."

"An awesome, awesome week of Broadway Jazz with Leigh Torlage!"

"Had an amazing time in Leigh Torlage's Broadway Jazz workshop!  I am in pain and I like it. Thanks Leigh for an amazing week!"

"The perfect example of an intensely pleasurable and exhilarated experience."

"You fill our heads and hearts with all that passion!  Thanks Leigh"

"You are such an inspiration"

"Somebody said to me tonight, "you told me you couldn't dance, but you totally can, liar!"  I thought bless Leigh Torlage, who can make anybody look like they know what they're doing!"

"Had a great time at class last night and left buzzing (and sweating) from the dance!"