I am writing to share our family's experience with Westcoast Academy of Performing Arts, and Dana Fry specifically.

When my daughters were five and four, we met Miss Dana at Hillside Mall at a registration booth for another dance studio where she was teaching. A quick chat with Dana convinced me that putting my eldest daughter in a ballet class with her would be a good idea. Thank goodness we made that decision almost eight years ago. Since then, we have followed Miss Dana to a new studio and then to her own studio in the Braefoot Activity Centre. We would follow her anywhere :)

Miss Dana is a wonderful teacher - encouraging, patient, fair yet disciplined, holding her students to high standards because she knows that they can achieve them. Miss Dana takes a balanced approach of both pushing her students to where she knows they can go - which she intuitively senses - and supporting them until they can go where they are not yet ready.

I know that my daughters are not only getting an excellent teacher of dance but also, and perhaps more importantly, someone who is helping them to develop as people as well as dancers. I know that my children's well being is first and foremost with Miss Dana because she has her eye on every aspect of who they are. Whether a child exhibits natural talent or struggles to keep up, Miss Dana believes in everyone of them, focuses on their strengths, and rewards their efforts with encouragement.

No child is regarded as 'more special' than any other - every child is treated as special.

I've heard it said that dance is a discipline that demands of the body, the mind, and the heart/spirit. Miss Dana knows when and where to focus on each in a young dancer's development. She instills in her students a sense of self, a sense of accomplishment, and a belief in themselves. This is a rare gift in a teacher, and one that I treasure immensely.

All one has to do is see the joy that follows the girls from the dance class to backstage and onstage to see that WAPA is not just about dancing; it is another family, a home away from home for our children where they feel safe and supported.

Finally, Miss Dana is wise beyond her years, which makes her a strong role model for our daughters - someone who has followed her dreams and through hard work and commitment has made her goal a reality.

I would like to invite any parent of WAPA to write a testimonial about their and their children's experience with Westcoast Academy of Performing Arts so we can show Miss Dana our and our children's appreciation for the special teacher, choreographer, coach, counsellor, and role model that she is.

I wish you every success, Miss Dana, and look forward to many years ahead of watching my children continue to blossom with you and your studio.