Kirkwood Academy of Performing Arts, aims to provide the highest quality dance instruction to children and young adults in a diverse, nurturing environment. We believe that the arts enrich the life of the student and family by building self esteem, lasting friendships and life skills. Our students are encouraged to become technically proficient and at the same time build self esteem, cooperation and leadership skills.
Registration prerequisites (updated for 2025-26):
Ballet (for all students including KAPP)
Primary through Grade 2 students must take 1 Kirkwood ballet exam class and 1 Kirkwood ballet choreo+tap class
Grade 3 through Grade 5 students must take 2 Kirkwood ballet classes (1 Kirkwood ballet exam class and 1 Kirkwood ballet choreo class). KAPP students will have choreography as part of their curriculum.
Interfoundation and Grades 6-9 (both exam and non-exam) students must take 2 Kirkwood ballet classes (1 Kirkwood ballet exam class and 1 Kirkwood ballet choreo class)plus available Kirkwood pointe/pre-pointe class for level. KAPP students will have choreography as part of their curriculum.
Intermediate through Advanced 2 (both exam and non-exam) students must take 2 Kirkwood ballet/pointe classes (1 Kirkwood ballet exam class and 1 Kirkwood ballet choreo class). KAPP students will have choreography as part of their curriculum.
Senior ballet students who have completed their exams must take one senior ballet tech and senior ballet choreography if they wish to do optional classes listed below.
Nutcracker/Modern/Contemporary/Jazz/Musical Theatre/Tap*
Ballet is the prerequisite for all classes. As such, students must be enrolled in the above required Kirkwood ballet classes* in order to be eligible for registration in Nutcracker, modern, contemporary and jazz.
Performance Teams RAD 4+
Dancers in RAD grades 4+ must take the prerequisite ballet classes as well as two classes per genre.
- Modern tech + modern choreo (incorporates contemporary)
- Jazz tech + jazz choreo
*All ballet prerequisites listed above must be fulfilled in order to enrol in these optional classes.
Please note that classes taken outside of Kirkwood do not count towards eligibility requirements.
*Notes
Ballet is the core technique for all other genres of dance. For this reason, students must be enrolled in both ballet exam and ballet choreography classes in order to be qualify for any additional classes.
New and Potential Students
We are looking forward to hearing from you to discuss our dance classes. Contact us any time by:
* email (info@kirkwoodacademy.com)
* phone (250-668-2623 or 250-713-9184)
* meeting scheduled in person at our centrally-located studio (2138 Bowen Road, Nanaimo)
We look forward to meeting you and your dancer 🙂
Registered or Returning Students
The 2025-2026 dance season for Kirkwood will start:
* the week of September 8 for all classes
Please ensure you have reviewed your DSM account for any scheduling changes that may have occurred over the summer months. Please email registration@kirkwoodacademy.com for registration questions and review our payments page for information on finances.
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