Common Ground - Dancing Girl

Class Etiquette

Common Ground is a safe space for dancers to explore their passion, creativity and build their technique. It is a place of mutual respect with zero tolerance for bullying. Treat others how you want to be treated.

It is important to respect the space and always put your best foot forward. Come to class with a positive attitude, ready to work hard and of course have fun.

No chewing gum.

Only water is permitted in the studio.

No jewelry (Medic Alert jewelry, and small earrings are permitted)

We are a peanut-free facility.

Dress code must be worn to class.

Little Dancers (First Steps, Little Steps, Bounding Boys & Creative Movement), please wait for your teacher before entering the studio. All other levels, please be in class before the teacher.

No talking in class, raise your hand if you have a question.

Ask for permission to leave the classroom for any reason.

Always alert your teacher of any injuries or illness prior to the beginning of class.

If you are late, please wait for the teacher to wave you in.

If you are sitting out and watching the class, you must have a parent call in prior to the beginning of class or provide a written note.

If you miss a class it is your responsibility to make it up, we will do out best to provide you options for make up classes based on availability. We cannot always guarantee that there will be a make-up class available.

Cell phones are not permitted in class.

Please leave any valuable items at home.

Come in ready to work hard with a positive attitude!

What to Wear

Common Ground - Elisabet White

Elisabet White, RAD RTS

Owner & Artistic Director

Elisabet has been teaching dance for over 10 years and dancing for more than 25 years. Born and raised in Ottawa, Elisabet danced locally where she successfully completed her RAD Advanced 2 Ballet and ADAPT Advanced Jazz examinations while attending Canterbury High School - Performing Arts – Dance program. In 2012 Elisabet went on to attend the prestigious Ailey School Professional Division, NYC where she received a Certificate of Dance with Honours. After graduating she pursued a certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies through the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). She has also trained at Alonzo King LINES, San Francisco, and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Summer Professional Programs. During her dance training she had the opportunity to work with renowned choreographers such as: Alonzo King, Sidra Bell, Matthew Rushing, Darrell Moultrie, Amy Hall, Ray Mercer, and Carlos Dos Santos.

While studying dance at The Ailey School, Elisabet had the privilege of teaching children in The Ailey School First Steps Program, and travel to Florida as a guest teacher. These opportunities ignited her passion for teaching dance. After graduating from The Ailey School, she went on to expand her teaching skills in Halifax, NS and the surrounding area, teaching various methods of ballet, and jazz styles of dance, to children and adults, and choreograph for national competitions and local performances. While in Halifax she also volunteered at local schools to engage students in dance activities.

Over the years, Elisabet has had the opportunity to perform in the Tri-State area of New York, Canada and Mexico.

Elisabet has now returned home to Ottawa and in pursuing her passion for dance and vision to explore dance with children, she opened the doors to Common Ground Dance Academy in 2020.

Her passion for teaching children the art of dance is evident in her guidance and support for her students.

As Elisabet continues to pursue her passion for dance and to teach the art of dance, she now sees her vision to offer her love for dance to children of all ages and opened the doors to Common Ground Dance Academy to pass on her passion to the community.

“No matter where you come from or who you are, when we’re in the studio, we’re all on common ground” is the founding vision of Common Ground Dance Academy.