About us

Lighthouse Academy of Dance began in response to parents' requests for good dance classes where they were assured of pure, clean moves, music and dress, and had quality teaching with experienced and qualified teachers (we also insist that our teachers are criminal record checked).

Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), ISTD and free work. These are top worldwide syllabi for Graded and Vocational exams and training. All our students perform well in exams which they may take as appropriate and with the consent of the director. Classes are designed to be enjoyable and challenging, and contain set and free work.
All students usually perform in the year end recital. Other opportunities also exist throughout the year including at our Christmas Tea, in summer events, festivals...

We use the wonderful Royal Roads University dance studio (in the Recreation Centre), a facility that includes mirrors, barres, a wonderful floor, large changing rooms (male, female and family) equipped with showers, lockers... Parents can work out, too!

Easily accessible, the campus is on Sooke Road, Colwood, and the grounds boast the historic Hatley Castle and Gardens, a cafe, and amazing grounds and waterfront. Parking is free and plentiful for dance studio/rec. centre users with a pass obtainable at the reception desk. Only 12 mins from downtown Victoria!
We have a growing family of teachers who care about the individual student, as well as offering excellent tuition.

Staff includes:
Kathie Hunwick - director/founder BA (Hons), PGCE, LTCL, RAD RTS, AISTD Dip
Kathie trained at the London College of Dance and Drama and afterwards at Leeds University (UK) where she studied a variety of dance styles and gained professional and teaching qualifications in dance, music and drama.
She has performed chorus, solo and lead roles in Musicals, ballet concerts, recitals etc. and is involved in dance ministry.

Kathie is currently a Practical Teaching Supervisor for RAD teaching programs, and enjoys teaching ballet, jazz, beginner tap and Celtic, also offering Singing. She delights in helping students realize their potential, and has created award-winning choreography.

Amberlee Lamanes - ballet teacher and professional
At a comparatively young age, Amber has amassed a formidable array of achievements in both dance and teaching.
Her early dance training took place inLangley, where she studied RAD Ballet under Florence Skinner and also obtained a thorough grounding in Jazz, Modern, Musical Theatre and Tap. After gaining scholarships and acceptance in summer schools,
she continued her ballet training in Cecchetti at H.Z Ballet Classique, before moving on to the Alberta Ballet School in Calgary where she completed her Elementary and Intermediate Cecchetti ballet exams.

Formal training as a teacher took place initially at the Edmonton School of Ballet’s Teacher Training course and later at The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School’s Teacher Training Program. Amber taught for two years at The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School and, after moving to Victoria, at Westcoast Academy of Performing Arts. She is embarking on the RAD teaching degree.

In addition to her dance and teacher training, she has been active in company work, performing in Nutcracker, rehearsing dancers, and choreographing. She is also an accomplished musician, having achieved her RCM ARCT in classical Piano..

POSITIONS - as we expand, we are looking for qualified and enthusiastic dance teachers who would value the experience of teaching in a pure, family atmosphere. Jazz, tap in particular - PLEASE CALL if you are interested in joining us!