About Us
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
Welcome to Academy of Arts, a warm and inspiring dance academy where creativity, confidence, and passion come together. We provide high-quality dance education in a supportive, family-friendly environment for dancers of all ages and skill levels.
Our experienced instructors are dedicated to building strong foundations while encouraging self-expression, discipline, and a love of movement. From first steps to stage-ready performances, we are proud to nurture every dancer’s journey.
At Academy of Arts, we don’t just teach dance — we build confidence, community, and a lifelong love for the arts.
Our Story
At Academy of Arts, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to discover their creativity, build confidence, and express themselves through the art of dance. Our academy was founded with a simple but powerful vision: to create a welcoming space where dancers of all ages and abilities can grow, learn, and shine.
What began as a passion for dance and performance has grown into a vibrant community where students are supported, encouraged, and celebrated. We are proud to offer a nurturing, family-oriented environment that balances strong technical training with creativity, joy, and self-expression.
Our dedicated team of professional instructors brings experience, energy, and a genuine love for teaching into every class. We are committed to helping each dancer reach their full potential — whether they are taking their very first steps, dancing for fun, or preparing for performances. We focus on building strong foundations, confidence, discipline, and a love for movement in every student.
At Academy of Arts, we offer a wide range of programs including ballet, jazz, tap, acro, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre, hip hop, and breakdance. Our classes are carefully structured by age and skill level to ensure that every dancer feels challenged, supported, and inspired.
We take pride in creating a positive and inclusive environment where students feel safe to express themselves, parents feel confident in the care and instruction their children receive, and creativity is encouraged every day. Through teamwork, dedication, and passion, we strive to make dance a joyful and meaningful experience for every family who walks through our doors.
Academy of Arts is more than a dance studio — it is a community, a family, and a place where confidence grows and dreams take the stage.
Meet The Team
NAncy
Hello, my name is Kim Johnson I've been part of the Academy of Dance Arts family since 2018.
I truly enjoy working alongside our studio director Nancy English along with all of the teachers here at AOD and being able to meet and watch the growth from our tiny tots to our graduating dancers it truly is an incredible process to witness.
I welcome an open-door policy to help with any administrative needs and look forward to helping your dancer find the class that is most beneficial for their growth and love of dance.
Robert has trained in competitive dance from a young age, studying tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, acro, lyrical, and contemporary. He began his professional career at 16 with Canada’s Wonderland, later performing in industrials, film, television, and on cruise lines touring the Baltic, Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Alaska. As co-owner and Director of Elite Dance Centre for over 20 years, Robert’s choreography earned numerous awards, and many of his students have gone on to successful professional careers. A certified Cecchetti ballet instructor and national dance adjudicator, he brings decades of performance, teaching, and choreographic experience to every class.
Dustin Wood, DMA, ADA is a professionally trained dancer, acrobatics specialist, choreographer, adjudicator, and educator with over 30 years of experience in the dance industry. He began his training in men’s gymnastics at the age of 8, winning numerous overall awards across Ontario, and later continued his dance training in Brantford, specializing in acrobatics, ballet, jazz, and lyrical. Dustin has performed internationally with Carnival Cruise Lines, Canada’s Wonderland, professional dance companies, television productions, music videos, and major live events. As an educator, his students have gone on to perform in cruise productions, dance companies, television, film, and Cirque du Soleil. Known for his creative choreography and dedication to excellence, Dustin is a member of Dance Masters of America, a Certified Acrobatics Instructor with Dance Masters of Canada, and an active leader and mentor within the dance community.
Rory Gunn Pereira is a dedicated and enthusiastic dance teacher with a strong passion for working with young dancers. She began dancing at the age of three and has trained in a wide variety of dance styles, building a well-rounded foundation. Throughout her career, Rory has earned numerous title awards, overall placements, and scholarships, and had the honour of performing for Debra Brown during the Sanderson Centre’s 100th anniversary celebration. She also toured with Ballet Jörgen’s production of The Nutcracker, performing alongside professional dancers in a full-scale production. As a teacher and choreographer, Rory has received choreography awards and recognition for her creative and high-quality routines. Certified in Early Dance Education through the Performing Arts Educators of Canada and in Progressing Ballet Technique, Rory is committed to creating a positive, supportive environment where students can grow in technique, confidence, and love for dance.
Kennedy Bomberry is a professional dancer, teacher and performance artist, specializing in contemporary dance. She grew up training and competing for over 10 years in ballet, jazz, contemporary, acro and hip hop at AOD, before taking her training into the professional dance world.
With nearly 10 years of experience, Kennedy has had the privilege of working with renowned award winning choreographers such as Santee Smith (Kaha:wi Dance Theatre), Alejandro Ronceria, Frances Rings (Bangarra Dance Theatre) and Jera Wolfe. Her latest accomplishment is having performed in a 33 show tour of Kaha:wi Dance Theatre's The Mush Hole to audiences across Canada. Kennedy is passionate about bringing her performing experience back into the studio to share with her students, helping them reach their full potential.
When she isn't teaching or dancing, Kennedy can also be found on a set filming, with her latest short film Niimi having had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Robert has trained in competitive dance from a young age, studying tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, acro, lyrical, and contemporary. He began his professional career at 16 with Canada’s Wonderland, later performing in industrials, film, television, and on cruise lines touring the Baltic, Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Alaska. As co-owner and Director of Elite Dance Centre for over 20 years, Robert’s choreography earned numerous awards, and many of his students have gone on to successful professional careers. A certified Cecchetti ballet instructor and national dance adjudicator, he brings decades of performance, teaching, and choreographic experience to every class.
Dustin Wood, DMA, ADA is a professionally trained dancer, acrobatics specialist, choreographer, adjudicator, and educator with over 30 years of experience in the dance industry. He began his training in men’s gymnastics at the age of 8, winning numerous overall awards across Ontario, and later continued his dance training in Brantford, specializing in acrobatics, ballet, jazz, and lyrical. Dustin has performed internationally with Carnival Cruise Lines, Canada’s Wonderland, professional dance companies, television productions, music videos, and major live events. As an educator, his students have gone on to perform in cruise productions, dance companies, television, film, and Cirque du Soleil. Known for his creative choreography and dedication to excellence, Dustin is a member of Dance Masters of America, a Certified Acrobatics Instructor with Dance Masters of Canada, and an active leader and mentor within the dance community.