About

 

 

Get ready to build life skills and accomplish your goals!

Gain confidence, work ethic and creativity from classes designed to take you from beginner to professional.

 

WAPA was founded in 2004 and has created a name for itself in the dance community for our high standard of training and wholehearted values. We aspire to create a dance space that can include all types of dance goals: once a week class, dance for joy, life skills progress, full potential growth, creativity, inspiration, pre professional training options, and audition opportunities for post secondary dance programs.

Our focus has always been growth, no matter how big or small. Every little bit matters and it’s important in our current culture to learn the value of progress over time. Respecting the process of growth is foundational in our training system.

Over the years WAPA has won many awards, received high exam marks and been looked up to for exceptional training. But what we are most proud of, is the opportunities we have created for any dancer willing to be dedicated. We believe every dancer can be amazing and find their unique expression. That is the magic that supports the creation of an amazing human being.

WAPA is focused on guiding the dancer as a whole. Dance can be many different things for many different students. Every dancer is different in the way they learn, grow, set goals and process their dance training. WAPA is here to individualize each dancers’ training and find the best path for each person!

“I cannot thank the community of WAPA enough for the kindness they have shown me. It is incredibly refreshing to take class where everyone is valued and recognized for their individual talents as well as pushed to their full potential. The encouragement of WAPA faculty has given me confidence I never imagined possible”

-MacKenzie Poland, grad 2017

Studio Values

Creative Exploration

  • Creative Exploration is the base of all our movement, artistry, choreography and studio visions. Fostering a creative outlook for everyone at WAPA invites out of the box thinking, ideas and integration. Creativity is a prominent life skill of the future

Wholehearted Community

  • WAPA’s wholehearted community strives to lead by example, nurturing all people around them and consistently adding new training methods that bring out the best in each dancer. Take the leap and soar knowing you have the whole community cheering you on!

Integrity Promise

  • We promise to uphold the integrity of our dancers, our quality of training and our business practices. Everyone can rest easy knowing we are all treated in a fair and individual way.What makes WAPA amazing?

  1. Small Class sizes - allowing for more individual attention

  2. Set costume prices - paid in advance so there is no surprise at the show

  3. Two performances per season! - A December and June show each season

  4. Year End Gift - because you deserve it for working so hard

  5. Career Prep and Apprenticeship - to take you that next step forward

  6. Positive, Open Family Environment - the most important for last!

OUR GRADUATES!

Julian Stark - Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance London UK

Mira Sobkin - Alonzo King Lines BFA Program San Fransisco

Amélie MacDonald - Modus Operandi Dance Program Vancouver

Marin Crane - PERA Dance Program Cyprus

Larryssa Yolland - Kibbutz Dance Company Program Israel

Rachel Tarasoff - Capilano Collage Musical Theatre Diploma Program

Suzy Vining - Cecchetti Canada Teachers Associate

Melissa Burstall - Cecchetti Canada Teachers Associate

Allison McNeil - ISTD Modern Theatre Teachers Associates

Pearl Edmunds - SEAD Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance & RAD Solo Seal Participant

MacKenzie Poland - Harbour Dance Post-Grad Program

Danika Postle - Ryerson University Dance Degree Program & RAD Solo Seal Participant

Melissa Burstall - ISTD Modern Theatre Teachers Associates

Chloe Meissner - Convergence Contemporary Ballet Company

Cecilia Shang - Princeton University Dance Team Choreographer

Sara MacKenzie - Convergence Contemporary Ballet Company & RAD Solo Seal Participant

Julia Barrett - ISTD Modern Theatre Teachers Associates

Talita Nell - ISTD Modern Theatre Teachers Associates

Emily McNeil-Smith - RAD Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies

Melissa Kwan - Tap Kids

Alyssa Talley - Canada’s National Ballet School Teachers Program

 

"Reflecting on how dance has shaped my life, I have realized that it’s greatest impact was on my character and mindset. I am sure that without it, I would be far less physically coordinated! But I am also sure that I would be less resilient; persistent in the face of challenges; and determined to succeed when confronted with difficulty. These lessons vastly overshadow the content taught in high school as what has made me successful in university classrooms and in the real world.

As a dancer, you learn to see your weaknesses as things to be worked at - even if that process takes years. You learn that growth comes from challenging yourself to do your best, and that it is not spurts of motivation that bring success, but steady determination and hard work. This particular approach to dance at Westcoast is more then an approach to dance, it is a paradigm that dancers build. It is not quick, or easy, but it has made me more comfortable with accepting my faults and confident to pursue my dreams across the world.

This way of teaching dance is certainly not everywhere - I have discovered that by moving away. But it’s impact is formative. If I were to relive my school-aged years, I would certainly do it all again: dance lots, often, and at Westcoast.”

Jaya Scott, grad 2016