NEW WESTMINSTER
Dolores, who owns and operates the Kirkwood Academy of Performing Arts has been nurturing young dancers for many years. She was among the first teachers of the Royal Academy of Dance in Canada. Many students that have graduated from the Kirkwood Academy are now performing in dance and ballet companies throughout the world, or teaching. Dolores students range from Pre-school to Advanced and have been featured at the Solo Seal Awards as well as the Genee Awards in London, England.
Whether performing, choreographing or nurturing new talent, Dolores Kirkwood and her faculty ensure that dancers of all ages can reach for their dreams.
230-50 Lorne Street
New Westminster, BC, VM3 6G
(604) 521-3255
Click here to view a map to the studio.
A professional performer, choreographer, singer and dancer, Dolores Kirkwood holds a teaching diploma from the Royal Academy of Dancing, London and is a life member there.
In addition to training dancers for the World stage, Dolores has also been instrumental in bringing world class talent and performances to the local scene. She was a co-founder of the Royal City Youth Ballet Company the only one of its kind in Canada, and the Royal City Musical Theatre Company, considered the premiere amateur theatre company in Canada.
Her life's work has been to encourage and develop young dancers and performers to help them reach their full potential. That's why the Royal City Youth Ballet Company means so much to her. It's a chance for young dancers to see their art in a professional setting and imagine where their hard work can take them.
All these efforts have been recognized both by her peers and the community at large. In 1994 she was awarded the Sam Payne Award; for humanity , integrity, and the encouragement of young talent. That same year the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce named her "Citizen of the Year" in recognition of outstanding service to the City, and enhancement of life in the community". In 1998 she was inducted into the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame with a star on the "Granville Street Walk of Fame".
Carole and her husband Lindsay are the directors of Kirkwood Academy, Nanaimo. Carole danced in a ballet company in South Africa in her youth. She is a fully qualified Royal Academy of Dance teacher, a mentor for upcoming teachers and has now been teaching for 27 years. With Lindsay's background in scene painting, stage management and television, they have mounted many ballet and musical theatre productions in Nanaimo for their students. They received the Award for Excellence in Culture given by the City of Nanaimo in recognition of their contribution to arts and culture.
Miss S. as she is affectionately called by her students has been a dedicated dance teacher since 1988. She was a graduate of Kirkwood Academy having obtained her Advanced Executant Certificate and CDTA gold tap medal while training there, later receiving distinction on her RAD teaching exam.
Trisha has performed in the balled, tap, jazz, and modern genres and continues to perform character roles in ballets such as the Nutcracker, with the RCYB where she is actively involved as a teacher as well. She also finds the time for adjudicating, choreographing, mentoring for the RAD and guest teaching. She is very pleased to continue to pass on her love of dance at Kirkwood Academy.
Trisha Sinosich-Arciaga
Ballet Teacher
Karin started dancing at the age of 4 with Ms Kirkwood here in New Westminster. She studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Musical Theatre and was a part of Royal City Youth Ballet and Royal City Musical Theatre. After graduating she went on to dance professionally on Cruise ships and in various shows in and around Canada. It was through dance that Karin was bit by the travel bug and she found herself in Thailand teaching RAD Ballet to children. She is happy to be back home, sharing her love of dance!
Sheri White
Tap Teacher
Geneen grew up on Gabriola Island and took lessons at Kirkwood Academy in Nanaimo since the age of 4. When Geneen graduated, she was invited to join the faculty of Kirkwood in Nanaimo. Geneen is sought after as a performing artist and instructor both locally and internationally. She now lives in Vancouver and recently opened Drive Dance Centre. It is Vancouver's newest drop-in dance centre, and is focused on generating opportunities for dancers to continue training and creating themselves in a mature atmosphere. Geneen also runs Arc, a Youth Company, creating inspiration and opportunity for young dancers and she teaches jazz at both Kirkwood Academies.
Lloyd
Lloyd Nicholson
Musical Theatre Teacher
Milena Canter and Isabella Flores are assistant teachers in training who help with the Saturday classes.
Girls
Any classic style leotard (cotton, nylon or blend) with pink tights and pink ballet slippers with pink elastic over the arch – leather, canvas or satin.
Boys
White short sleeved bodysuit or well-fitted white T-shirt. Black or navy blue shorts or tights, White socks. White ballet slippers with white elastic.
Girls
Any classic style leotard, optional small black shorts, black tap shoes Some groups use beige shoes. Check with Sheri White and Karin Nicholas, our tap teachers.
Hair: Bun or neat ponytail. No bangs.
Boys:
T-shirt, black jazz pants, black tap shoes
Girls
Navy blue, sleeveless scooped neck leotard with matching elastic belt. NO SKIRTS. Pink leather ballet slippers with elastic over the arch. White or pink ankle socks or tights.
Boys
White short sleeved bodysuit or well-fitted white T-shirt. Black or navy blue shorts or tights, White socks. White ballet slippers with white elastic.
Girls
Any classic style leotard, black jazz pants, black jazz shoes
Hair: Bun or neat ponytail. No bangs.
Boys
T-shirt, black jazz pants, black jazz shoes
Girls
Class: Any classic style with pink tights and pink ballet slippers with pink elastic – leather, canvas or satin.
Exam : black or navy blue leotard, soft pointe ballet slippers and pink ribbons, pointe shoes and pink ribbons.no split soles for intermediate foundation
Hair: Neat tidy bun.
Boys
White short sleeved leotard or well fitted white T shirt with black or navy blue shorts or tights worn with a belt approximately 1”, white socks, white ballet shoes.
Girls
Any classic style leotard and tights, , black jazz shoes or ballet shoes.optional black jazz pants
Hair: Bun or neat ponytail. No bangs.
Boys
T-shirt, black jazz pants, black jazz shoes or ballet shoes.
Girls
A character skirt (a full circle skirt). Hem of the skirt should be 3” below the knee. Canvas character shoes. Grade 1 and 2 must have low heel, the upper grades have the option of a 1 1/4 “Cuban heel”. Pink elastic should be worn across the arch.
Boys
White short sleeved bodysuit or well-fitted white T-shirt. Black or navy blue shorts or tights, White socks. Black jazz shoes.
Girls
Pale blue, sleeveless scooped neck leotard with matching elastic belt. NO SKIRTS. Pink leather ballet slippers with elastic over the arch. White or pink ankle socks or tights.
Boys
White short sleeved bodysuit or well-fitted white T-shirt. Black or navy blue shorts or tights, White socks. White ballet slippers with white elastic.
Girls
Pink, sleeveless scooped neck leotard with matching elastic belt. NO SKIRTS. Pink leather ballet slippers with elastic over the arch. White or pink ankle socks or tights.
Boys
White short sleeved bodysuit or well-fitted white T-shirt. Black or navy blue shorts or tights, White socks. White ballet slippers with white elastic.
Girls
Pink, short sleeved scooped neck leotard with pink, semi sheer fully gathered skirt (skirt length halfway between mid thigh and knee).
Pink leather ballet shoes with pink elastic.
Pink ankle socks.
Boys
White short sleeved bodysuit or well-fitted white T-shirt.
Black or navy blue shorts
White socks.
Black or white ballet slippers with white elastic.
Black tap shoes.
Girls
Red, sleeveless scooped neck leotard with matching elastic belt. NO SKIRTS. Pink leather ballet slippers with elastic over the arch. White or pink ankle socks or tights.
Boys
White short sleeved bodysuit or well-fitted white T-shirt. Black or navy blue shorts or tights, White socks. White ballet slippers with white elastic.
Girls
Mulberry, sleeveless scooped neck leotard with matching elastic belt. NO SKIRTS. Pink leather ballet slippers with elastic over the arch. White or pink ankle socks or tights.
Boys
White short sleeved bodysuit or well-fitted white T-shirt. Black or navy blue shorts or tights, White socks. White ballet slippers with white elastic.