New art studio opening in Caledon East

Written By KIRA WRONSKA DORWARD

Caledon East is booming. Houses are going up and young families are moving in.

Katie Purdy and Sandra Macri saw a need that they could fill in this growing community: dance.

Caledon East is sorely missing a studio for children to begin their training not only in dance but in essential life skills.

The Caledon Academy of the Arts will be offering classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and musical theatre to children aged two to 18, with the possibility of adult classes. They will open in July 2019.

Starting as a recreationally based studio for students looking for fun, classes will culminate in a year end recital where parents can see the progress their children have made and kids can showcase their newfound talent.

Owners Sandra Macri and Katie Purdy have worked together before in a studio setting, and both began dancing at the age of three. Macri, who previously owned a studio, brings the benefit of her business experience. She lives in town and raises her three young children here. It was because of them she saw the need for a creative forum for Caledon's youngsters, a place to go after school and learn athleticism, grace, and social skills. Purdy began as an Irish dancer and trained both as a dancer and a teacher for three years at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. She is certified to give cecchetti exams, a type of ballet style, as well as to evaluate pupils and move them through grades.

The Caledon Academy of the Arts will not only be offering after-school classes, but will be running camps during the summer and March breaks, as well as PA day options, as an alternative for parents who are looking for somewhere for their children to learn different kinds of arts. Different themed camps have offerings for both boys and girls.

Pre-registration, with numerous options for parents to choose from, is now open online at www.caledonacademyofthearts.com.  Each entry of an early pre-registration submission form gets a child on the preferred list, a small discount, and a free water bottle.

Additionally, Macri and Purdy will have a booth from 9 to 3 at Robert F. Hall's St. Cornelius Marketplace on Nov. 17. They will be available to answer any questions for prospective parents and dancers about The Caledon Academy of the Arts, and will be featuring contests and giveaways. Don't miss your chance to give your child the gift of dance.