Pre-Professional Program (KAPP)

To pursue passion, integrity and knowledge through the beauty of dance

Kirkwood Academy’s Pre-Professional Program’s goal is to grow an already inherent love of dance into one that is technically proficient, passionate and knowledgable. Our students are given the tools to expand their abilities through daily classical instruction, personalized support by qualified instructors and opportunities to share their love of dance to audiences locally and abroad.

AUDITIONS

Auditions for the 2024-25 will take place on April 14. The audition fee is $40 payable in cash on the day of audition.

All dancers should wear proper audition attire (black bodysuit, pink tights, hair in ballet bun). No skirts needed.
Intermediate/Advanced candidates also require pointe shoes.

Juniors must have a 4×6 photo standing in 2nd position a terre.
Intermediate/Advanced must have a 4×6 photo of them placed in 1st arabesque en lair
Each dancer auditioning must complete the online form (please no family forms)

KAPP Conservatory

KAPP Conservatory is designed to complement the knowledge learned in the Open Division in a detailed, informative and careful manner. A personalized and stimulating environment is achieved through creative and energetic teaching, thus allowing students to progress their classical skills while also building a more mature sense of artistry.

Benefits of Conservatory are:

a strong, individualized relationship between the teachers and each student
building a poised and respectful classroom étiquette
enhanced critical thinking/problem solving pertaining to ballet
broadened classical ballet vocabulary
heightened muscle memory and body strength

Curriculum

understanding the importance of warmup
basic anatomy
understanding critique and correction
introducing the understanding of the dancer/audience relationship
learning the spelling and meaning of french ballet terminology
early introductions to modern and jazz techniques
building relationships in the classroom and beyond

KAPP Intensive

KAPP Intensive is designed for the dedicated dancer looking to enhance their knowledge, technique and artistry in dance. Expanding on the knowledge learned in the KAPP Conservatory and Open Division, the Intensive delivers a more comprehensive, refined and sophisticated syllabi. Students are encouraged to challenge both their bodies and minds by exploring classroom relationships, mature choreography and classical theory.

KAPP Intensive is divided into Intermediate and Advanced tiers in order to provide the most personalized training. Students are placed according to physical ability/strength, potential and dedication to the pursuit of excellence.

Intermediate students should have the following:

basic knowledge in the fundamentals of classical ballet
overall moderate flexibility
a desire to challenge themselves
good relationship skills
maturity mentally and physically

Advanced students should have the following:

intermediate/advanced knowledge in classical ballet
overall flexibility and strength
a desire to pursue a professional career in dance
strong relationship/leadership skills
strong pointe work
strong sense of artistry
strong sense of responsibility

Benefits of KAPP Intensive are:

a strong, individualized relationship between the teachers and each student
building poised and respectful classroom etiquette
expanded cognitive awareness
broadened classical ballet vocabulary
heightened muscle memory and body strength
preparing students for a professional career
elaborating on performance etiquette and preparation
more hours en pointe
more experience with professional teachers in the industry

Curriculum:

classical class construction and basic choreography
self correction and peer correction
intermediate/advanced classical vocabulary
intermediate/advanced modern and jazz choreography*
navigating the director/dancer relationship
how to take a successful audition
stress management
intermediate/advanced conditioning

*May include time in KAPP or after-school depending on the season

Talented & driven students can:

receive an exceptional level of pre-professional dance training
complete their academics in combination with SD68, Island ConnectED, NIDES and other options
participate in regular evening classes at Kirkwood or their home studio
be involved in peer teaching and mentoring
receive personalized written feedback for dance

2024-25:

opportunity to pair KAPP with academics at NCS or neighbourhood SD 68 schools, updated K-12 ConnectED with academics at Mount Benson school or NIDES out of SD 71
younger dancers can now start their intensive training at an earlier age