Breaking Elements dance team takes the stage

Dancers from the Elite Company team at Breaking Elements Dance Company pose together after performing their routine, Rise, joined by their teachers, Miss Brooklyn Ross and Miss Emma Haggit. Front row (left to right): Blake Willsey, Maeve Gunn, Aurelia Bowman, Ava Fuhr and Kolbie Vanderploeg. Back row (left to right): Ross, Elliot Beattie, Kacey DeWetering, Madison Hilts, Cailee McNicol and Haggit. Diane Danen photo

By Diane Danen

The Elite Company Competitive Team from Breaking Elements Dance Company in Tavistock took to the stage over the weekend for a special showcase performance.

Held at the Tavistock Memorial Hall, the event gave dancers the opportunity to perform the routines they have been working on all season before heading off to competitions in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Guelph, Oakville and nationals in Collingwood.

For the dancers, it was a chance to celebrate months of hard work, while giving loved ones the opportunity to see the results of their efforts and cheer them on. More than 100 people filled the audience, providing a strong show of support for the team.

During intermission, Kolbie Vanderploeg was announced as the winner of the Dream Duffle raffle, receiving a loud cheer and warm round of applause. The evening wrapped up with everyone joining together to sing “Happy Birthday” to Blake Willsey as she celebrated her eighth birthday. She was presented with a cupcake as the crowd applauded.

Owned and operated by Brooklyn Ross and Emma Haggit, Breaking Elements Dance Company officially opened its doors at the Francis Building on March 18, 2025, though classes had been running since September 2024. The studio first held lessons at Trinity Lutheran Church in Tavistock before relocating to memorial hall while renovations were completed at their permanent home in the former Francis Furniture Building.

What started with just 20 students has quickly expanded. The studio now enrolls 54 full-term students, and with part-time and adult participants included, total enrollment has reached about 70.

Ross and Haggit met while teaching at the same dance company and soon realized they shared a dream of opening a studio of their own. Tavistock, with its strong sense of community and small-town charm, felt like the perfect fit. The fact there were few dance options in the immediate area confirmed the need.

Ross and Haggit say their goal is simple; to offer strong technical training within a fun, welcoming, family-focused environment where every dancer feels encouraged, valued and excited to walk through the studio doors.

Breaking Elements offers competitive, pre-competitive and non-competitive programs, with all dancers participating in the same technique classes to ensure well-rounded training. Seven age groups are available: kinderdance (18 months to three years), tiny (three to five years), mini (six to eight years), junior (nine to 11 years), intermediate (12-14 years), teen (15-17 years) and adult (18 and older).

Classes include ballet, jazz, tap, acro, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, tumbling and combo/kinderdance classes, a variety class offering ballet, jazz and acro. Adult dancers can also take part in six-week sessions featuring alternating styles.

Both owners bring more than 15 years of dance experience each, teaching professionally for over six years. Ross is a trained NCCP gymnastics coach and has taught both recreational and pre-competitive gymnastics, along with several years of recreational and competitive dance instruction. Haggit began teaching as a young student teacher and has experience instructing both recreational and competitive dancers and choreographing competitive routines.

Families interested in joining the company can request a trial class before registering. Summer programs are also available. Registration for upcoming sessions opened March 1.

For more information, Breaking Elements Dance Company can be found on Instagram at @breakingelementsdc.