Dance Academy Grades 4-12
Our Dance Academy provides GPPSD student athletes in grades 4-12 with a variety of coaching tactics and principles in all genres of dance, during dedicated school hours. Once complete, they return to their regular classroom to let their passion drive their education.
Our athletes come from variety home studios from across the City of Grande Prairie but when they walk into our studio, they can expect to become part of an inclusive and welcoming community focused on individual skill development in a non-competitive environment.
Adhering to safe training practices, our Dance Director works with each dancer in a variety of dance contexts allowing them to strengthen their foundational skills while challenging them to grow. In addition, the Director works with each dancer's home studio and brings nationally renowned guest faculty for in-person workshops.
The integration of various teaching techniques, talent sharing and working with home studios helps each unique dancer reach their greatest potential, while focused on staying true to the I.D.E.A. (Integrity. Dignity. Excellence. Academics.) of The Academy each and every day.
Students are required to apply through the audition process (held in spring of the previous year) to showcase their experience level. If your dancer missed the audition period, please email our Dance Director.
New Dance Director Announced for September 2023
Starting in the 2023-2024 school year, Ms. Lena Farr will be Dance Director at The Academy. Our current Director, Carrie Robins, is stepping down from her role at the end of this school year.
We would like to thank Ms. Carrie for the years she has spent with our students. Her knowledge and skills help hone students' art. Her dedication to success will be missed.
As we look forward to the next school year, it is exciting to introduce Ms. Lena to our community. She has been a professional coach for 16 years - having been a Dance Director at Dance Inc. in Ajax, Ontario, and most recently at Dansconnection School of Performing Arts in Grande Prairie, Alberta. Read more.
Schools hosting:
- Alexander Forbes-The Academy Gr 4-8 (Any students from out of boundary may go here)
- École Montrose Gr 4-8
- Aspen Grove Gr 4-8
- Derek Taylor Public School Gr 4-8
- Isabel Campbell Public School Gr 4-8
- Grande Prairie Christian School Gr 4-9
- Charles Spencer High School Gr 9-12
Grade 4-6: Tuesday/Thursday 12:05pm-1:25pm. Transportation provided both ways.
Grade 7-8: Monday/Wednesday 8:05am-9:25am. Parents drop off and bus pick up.
Grade 9-12: 10:00-11:25am (all year)
Tuition for 2023-2024:
Gr 4-6: $2800
Gr 7-8: $2800
Gr 9-12: $3700
Note: Program offerings are dependent on meeting minimum enrollment numbers.
Director of Dance
Lena Farr
Director of Dance
Lena.farr@gppsd.ab.ca
1-780-532-1365 ext. 2321Update: Ms. Carrie has resigned as of the end of the 2022-2023 school year. We wish her well and are very grateful for her dedication to student success. We are pleased to announce Ms. Lena Farr as the new Dance Director for the 2023-2024 school year.
