| ACADEMY DESCRIPTION |
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| Information | The Dance Academy is in partnership with the SD22 online school vLearn. Students schedule will include technique training in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Dance Fitness with the opportunity to take professional exams in RAD and ISTD Ballet and also ISTD Contemporary. The Dance Academy also presents a live stage performance before the winter break. Our Academy Physiotherapist presents on a bi-weekly basis educating the students in common injuries, injury prevention, training for longevity, physiotherapy intervention and to model career pathways for students. The course is supplemented with Performance Psychology, Improving Growth Mindset, Physio interaction and support from Easthill Physiotherapy. Taking care of your feet with Creekside Chiro, Health and Nutrition, and guest educators for Native, Hip Hop and African Dance Culture, youth emotional/mental well-being and tips. |
| Academy Goals | We are committed to providing elite level dance instruction, in a safe and high-quality studio environment. Daily, weekly, and monthly check-ins on goals |
| Academy Grades | Grades 8 - 12 |
| Academy Location | Accentz Dance Studio – 3400 30th Ave, Vernon, BC, V1T 2E2 |
| Academy Schedule | Semester 1 | Blocks A/B |
| Coaches Credentials | Becky Martselos – STUDIO DIRECTOR : A.I.S.T.D Qualified Tap, Modern, Ballet & National. Pilates Mat 1 Instructor. Pilates Reformer Instructor 17 Years Dance Studio Owner and Director. 13 Years Professional performance experience. Kennedy Knopf: Training: Vancouver Training Society – The Source and Aviary Dance Company. Apprenticeship with Shay Kuebler. 2012 BC Provincial Stage Dance Winner. 2011 Team Canada Soloist in Germany. March 2020 Contemporary ISTD Syllabus Alex Vanneste: PHYSICAL THERAPIST; MPT, BSc.Kin (Hon) Robin Nanji: ACE certified personal trainer, Acro instructor for 16 years, level 1 certified gymnastics coach, level 1 certified trampoline coach, gymnastics coach for 10 years Avery Morrison : Choreographer in Lyrical, Jazz, Contemporary and Modern dance Harmony Appell : Harmony has trained in many styles including jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, pointe, acro, hip hop, musical theatre and ballroom. She has taken classes with many well-known dancers and choreographers such as Shannon Mather, Blake McGrath, Travis Wall, Willdabeast, Jenn Parsley, Rustin Matthews, Ade Obayomi, David Cox, Talia Favia, Jaci Royal, Mark Kanemura and many, many more. Harmony is looking forward to sharing her love and passion for dance while inspiring and encouraging her students to be the best that they can be. Paige Sakamoto : Hip Hop Instructor & Choreographer. Paige went on to continue her professional dance training in Vancouver BC, where she graduated from Harbour Dance Centers Intensive Training Program. She then fine-tuned her love for hip hop and contemporary by dancing with companies Kill the Lights, Aviary, and Illustrative Society, getting to learn from many amazing mentors including Ken Yung, Shauna Smith, Julio Fuentes, Moe Brody, and Joe Tuliao. While dancing professionally in Vancouver, Paige had opportunities to work for Nickelodeon, Make a Wish Foundation, Vancouver Spring Show, and backup dance for live performances and music videos for musical artists Michael Bernard Fitzgerald and So Loki. Lauren Ritchie MEd. BA. ESFCC. : Mindset and Mental Skills expert. As a highly competitive dancer, and now a dance educator, I know that every time we enter the studio and every time we walk on stage, we are being called to be our best. Dance becomes a practice of self-exploration, resilience, discipline, goal setting, self-talk, and self-belief. To truly understand our best and have the courage to challenge perceived limitations, we require nurtured awareness and mental strength. This is where I use mental skills training to support the dancers and allow them to break through limitations and build supportive systems and habits in their training. |
| Academic Credits | Grade 8/9
Grade 10 - 12
The academy courses are supported through our online school vLearn. |
| Student On-boarding | All students will undergo an initial onboarding procedure to cover health and safety considerations in the beginning of the academy program. Academy mentors will do regular site visits to support onboarding procedures. |
| Parent Communication | Parents will receive communication on student progress following the regular district reporting schedule. Please contact the vLearn office for any additional inquiries. |
| Insurance Coverage | Commercial General Liability Policy – Cooperators; Parents sign waivers |
| STUDENT REGISTRATION & SELECTION PROCESS |
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| Information | Maximum students: 20 A & B blocks
Program Information Session: Date: January 14, 2026 Time: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm Location: Fulton Secondary (2301 Fulton Rd, Vernon, BC) See attached flyer for full information: SD22 Academy Information Night 2026.27. |
| Selection Process | This program is designed for students who have been training in dance. If we were to exceed the student limit given to us we would set an audition in Ballet, Jazz, and Contemporary dance for the students to take part in. |
| Link to Expression of Interest | Expression of Interest Form for the 2026.27 school year (2026.27 EOI opens January 14, 2026). Expressions of Interest are due March 27th. Any expressions received after this date will be waitlisted and admitted as space permits. As needed, the Teacher/Coach of the academy will contact you upon receiving this expression of interest to follow up with any further registration information, required parent(s)/guardian signatures and to answer any questions you may have. Please note that the completion of this form signifies your interest in the Academy but does not guarantee your acceptance. |
| FEES |
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| Information | $1,700.00 - $2000.00 (subject to board approval) Please note that any student staying with a host family that is requiring transportation to and from Academy, as well as schedules events, there may be an additional fee for transportation. Please contact the academy for more details. A 5% discount will be offered to 3rd year students
Breakdown of Fees  |
| Financial Hardship | As an organization we provide a payment plan will be established with individual families as well as an Academy account is set up to raise money for hardships. The annual Christmas Showcase tickets sales go towards helping with hardships. |
| TRANSPORTATION |
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| Information | Transportation will be the responsibility of the student and their family. |
| CONTACT INFO |
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| Information | Becky Martselos Dance Academy Contact Email: info@accentz.ca Phone: 250-260-8223
Corinne McWhinney Principal of vLearn, Career Programs & Academies Email: cmcwhinney@sd22.bc.ca Phone: 250-542-0249
International Students should contact our International Department for full details on SD22 Secondary School Admissions and possible Academy participation.
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