Nanaimo’s Kirkwood Academy of Performing Arts has five reasons to be extremely proud right now.
That’s because five of its students were selected to attend two of Canada’s most recognized and prestigious dance schools.
Jakobe Geddes, 14, Elizabeth Oates, 13, Sarah Anderson, 13 and Jasmine Brown, 15 were accepted into the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, while Tallia Rogers, 11 was accepted to the National Ballet School in Toronto.
The dancers have been at their respective schools since early September and will remain their until June.
Kirkwood Academy owner Carolé Martyn says she’s very proud of the dancers.
“We are happy for them,” she said. “Yes, they are not dancing here anymore but it makes us proud.”
This is not the first time Kirkwood has had its students attend top dance schools. Former students Mikaela Kos, Nico Janssen and Jillian Vanstone all attended the National Ballet School. Vanstone eventually became the school’s principal dancer in 2011.
By attending two of the top dance schools in the nation, the five dancers are one step closer to potentially turning pro, according to Martyn.
“It means that they have the chance to be professional dancers one day,” Martyn said. “It is really exciting.”
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