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, 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 also have a studio at the Bayanihan Philippine centre on Blanshard (very close to Save on Foods Memorial)!
We have a growing family of teachers who care about the individual student, as well as offering excellent tuition.

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 Royal Academy of Dance teaching certificate and degree 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. In 2008 & 2009 she enabled students to achieve the Primary Dance Shield for Eagle View Elementary at the GVPAF. in 2009-10 she was also Artist in Residence at Eagle View.

She is also completing her Master in Teaching Dance with the Royal Academy of Dance.

Caitlin Archer - ISTD tap & modern theatre dance, and RAD ballet teacher AISTD

Caitlin is a versatile teacher, having recently completed her ISTD Modern Associate with Distinction and attending UVIC where she is studying for a Batchelors in Education. She grew up in Duncan, studying the RAD and ISTD syllabi with Carlson Dance Studio where she has been teaching various classes. She loves teaching children! We are thrilled to welcome her in our team this year.

David C. Beales - professional dancer (Ballet Victoria), RAD & Vaganova teacher
David was born and grew up Kelowna, BC, and started dancing at the age of 6 at The Canadian School of Ballet. He trained with The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School's Professional Division, and went on to train with and graduate from The Goh Ballet Academy. David has performed locally in the Okanagan, Banff, Winnipeg, Calgary, Vancouver, and Whistler, and in Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai, China. David has strong ties to the West Coast and is excited about living and dancing in Victoria

Other occasional staff teach from time to time.