Dance Academy

Does Your Grade 5 Student LOVE to dance?

Is your child a studio dancer who would like additional training in multiple styles of dance and more performance opportunities for course credit and all during their regular school day?

Or maybe your child loves to move to music and has always wanted to take dance classes but has not yet had the opportunity?

If so… Dunsmuir’s Dance Academy might be the perfect addition to

their grade 6 experience! The Dunsmuir Dance Academy is open to any interested students in grades 6-8 who possess a passion and enthusiasm for dance.

We welcome dancers at all skill levels!

Read on for more information…

Dunsmuir Dance Academy 2026/27

“Eat. Sleep. Breathe. Dance!”

What is the Dunsmuir Dance Academy?

The Dunsmuir Dance Academy is a District #62 skill/performance development program offered at Dunsmuir Middle School for students in grades 6,7 and 8. It is currently in its 19th year of operation and is instructed by Miss Danica Anderson.

About the Instructor

Danica is a teacher with dance training in ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, tap, lyrical, musical theatre and modern dance. She is also a competitive Figure Skater and Gold level Ice Dancer currently training/competing through the Oak Bay Figure Skating Club. She was a long-time performer/choreographer with P.A.C.E. Musical Theatre and is also a triple-threat graduate from the prestigious Canadian College of Performing Arts, where she studied with dance teachers including David Roland, Janice Tooby-MacDonald, Sherri Black and Jacques Lemay. She has directed/choreographed full length musicals including, “Annie”, “Little Shop of Horrors”, and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”. Locally, Danica has studied and performed with Karen Clark Dance Studio, Wendy Steen Mitchell Dance, Dansko and Broad Street Dance.

Who can apply for the Dance Academy?

The Dunsmuir Dance Academy is open to any interested SD62 students in grades 6-8 who possess a passion and enthusiasm for dance along with a high level of commitment and the coachibility required to improve & expand upon their existing dance/athletic training. Although the program is not reserved for students with prior studio dance training, any recent experience in dance or other dance-related sports is beneficial. We welcome dancers at all skill levels as the program is designed to offer experience and training in multiple dance styles with an emphasis on development of skills, technique and performance. Eligible students must: be physically fit and capable of the demands of regular dance/fitness training, demonstrate excellent attendance, maintain outstanding behavior and effort, be self-motivated to practice on their own time, capable of balancing the demands of Academy with personal life and other outside activities as well as academic success, and cope well under pressure and in multiple performance settings.

How does this program “fit” into the student’s daily schedule?

This program is offered within the regular school day (with the exception of some performances). Students attend dance class in the Dunsmuir Dance Studio. Students will have dance classes 3 times/week and will not need to take P.E. Class size for Dance Academy will be capped at 28 students (per grade).

What kind of instruction will the dancers receive?

Dancers are offered instruction in many different styles of dance throughout the year. Regular classes consist of extensive cardio/warm-up routines, conditioning, cross-floor skill development, choreography, as well as student created choreography and peer teaching experience. Some of the dance genres regularly covered in Academy will include Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, and Tap. Along with regular weekly dance instruction, dancers will participate in workshops taught by guest teachers, they will train with 2 resident choreographers, and may attend presentations by local dance companies. Dancers will also perform both in the school and out in the community, including the SD62 Academy Winter Show, the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival, Royal Bay’s Year End Recitals, as well as Dunsmuir’s “Evening of Dance” recitals. All dancers are also encouraged to join one of our 3 award winning DMS Hip Hop crews (Fridays after school).

What supplies will dancers need?

All dancers will need school-appropriate fitted dance attire, black tap shoes (which can be rented through our studio), black jazz shoes, a water bottle (supplied to all new dancers), dance performance undergarments, and Academy Uniforms (provided as part of the ‘dancer kit’).

Dance shoes and clothing can be purchased at:

Ellswear Dance: 3180 Harriet Rd.

Toes n’ Taps Dance Shoppe: 1733 Cook St.

Stretch Dancewear: 3671 Uptown Blvd #111

What are the Program Fees?

Fees for the 2026/27 school year will be approximately $1300.00 which includes a deposit (due at the time of registration) and subsequent monthly payments throughout the school year. Fees will cover:

· All dance instruction * Dancer Kit (includes Academy uniform, dance bag)

· Resident Choreographers * Festival Fees, admission, and transportation costs

· Workshops and Demonstrations * All costuming

· Year End Recital

Academy Bursary Applications

Our District believes that all students should have the opportunity to participate in our District Academy Programs. We work with families in need of financial assistance to pay for Academy fees through various bursaries. Bursary applications are handled through the SD62 Academies office: academies@sd62.bc.ca

How Do I Apply for Dunsmuir’s Dance Academy?

1. Interested families are encouraged to attend our Dance Academy Q&A Session on Tuesday, Feb.3rd immediately following the Gr. 5 Transition Meeting which starts at 6:00pm in our school gym. Application packages will also be available at this meeting.

2. Register online through the SD62 website – online registration opens Wed. February 25th at 8:00 am.

3. Students must also submit an application package to the DMS office or via email to danica.anderson@sd62.bc.ca, no later than Friday, MARCH 6th at 4:00pm. Application packages will be available as of Feb. 3rd at the parent meeting as well as: the Dunsmuir School website, the District Academies Website or from the Dunsmuir School Office. Application packages can also be requested through email to danica.anderson@sd62.bc.ca as of February 3rd.

Please note: online registration and the submission of the required application does not guarantee placement in the Dance Academy. All applications will be reviewed and then official confirmation letters will be emailed out prior to Spring Break. Placement into the Dance Academy program will be based on the strength of the application package, completion of the online registration and payment of the deposit.

For more information about the Dance Academy: * Contact the Dance Academy Director, Danica Anderson: danica.anderson@sd62.bc.ca

For more information about registration, fees/payment options, and bursaries: Email: academies@sd62.bc.ca