Lyrical dance combines the strong technical foundation of ballet with the fluidity and expressive qualities of jazz. Dancers learn to connect movement with music, using emotion, storytelling, and musicality to create captivating performances while continuing to develop strength, flexibility, balance, and control.
This class encourages students to explore artistic expression while building confidence and refining their technique. Through thoughtfully choreographed routines, dancers develop grace, creativity, and performance skills in a supportive and inspiring environment, making lyrical an excellent complement to ballet, jazz, and contemporary training.
What students learn in lyrical class
Lyrical classes develop extension, balance, control and expressive phrasing. Dancers learn to interpret lyrics and melody, sustain movement through transitions, and perform choreography that tells a story. Class work includes technical exercises drawn from ballet and jazz alongside combinations that build emotional range and stage presence.
Lyrical levels at our school
Lyrical is offered for dancers ages 8 and up in our 2026-2027 season. Junior and Pre-Intermediate dancers train on Mondays at our Oakwood Village studio, and Teen and Senior dancers continue in our combined Lyrical and Contemporary class on Tuesdays. Because lyrical rewards strong technique, many students pair it with ballet, and our teachers can advise on the right combination for your dancer.
Why train lyrical at the Ontario School of Ballet
Since 1979 our school has trained Toronto dancers from first steps to pre-professional levels, and lyrical benefits directly from that classical backbone. Classes are taught by accredited dance educators in small groups at 504 Oakwood Avenue in Oakwood Village, minutes from St Clair West. Dancers with a passion for lyrical also find natural pathways into our performance and competitive opportunities.
View the schedule above for this season's lyrical classes, or register now for 2026-2027.