About Vancouver Academy of Dance

Now Accepting Registrations for our 2024 Dance Programs

The Vancouver Academy of Dance (VAD) has been Richmond’s premiere dance school for over 30 years. Our world-class instructors offer a multi-disciplinary curriculum, including ballet, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, tap, contemporary dancing and acrobatics. We also teach traditional Chinese dance, for which we are internationally acclaimed. All dancers from pre-school age up to adults are welcome.

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Our Mission

To inspire creativity, develop potential, promote cultural diversity and foster appreciation for the performing arts.

Director

Anabel Ho, Principal ARAD, RAD RTS, AISTD, AAC, RAD International Examiner

Ms. Ho has taught and choreographed for over 30 years. Her training spans the globe and covers the full-spectrum of dance styles with emphasis in classical ballet and Chinese dance. Ms. Ho has trained with internationally noted artists in North America and abroad.

She is widely recognized by her many achievements around the world. Anabel has performed, taught, and choreographed throughout Canada and other regions including the U.S.A, China, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Poland, and Taiwan. Ms. Ho’s credentials include: Associate and Advanced Executant of the Royal Academy of Dance, Fully Registered Teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance, Associate of the Imperial Society Teachers of Dance (London, England) and Acrobatic Arts Certified.

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Ms. Ho has presented command performances for her Majesty the Queen, Governor General and Prime Minister of Canada, as well as royalties and Heads of State of many countries. She has been invited to adjudicate dance competitions throughout North America and has been commissioned to choreograph for several productions including: Rick Hansen’s 100th Anniversary TV special on CBC, Nissan Go 2000 Dealership Convention, APEC Conference, International Dragon Boat Festival, Chinese Cultural Centre’s Millennium Project “Gold, Maple, Dreams” Dance Production, CBC’s Gung Haggis Fat Choy, and various other large events.

Ms. Ho has also acted as a choreography consultant for National Ice Dancing Champions Meaghan Wing, and Erin Lowe. She produced dance performances for the movie “Deep Risings” and Buena Vista’s Vancouver promotions of the Disney movie “Mulan”. Ms. Ho was invited to choreograph for the Queen’s Royal Visit to B.C., the 2010 Sea to Sky Bid for the International Olympic Committee, the United Nations World Urban Forum Closing Ceremonies, CCTV’s New Year Special “The Same Song”, and for all the Premiers of Canada for the launch of the Canadian Pavilion at the Beijing’s Olympics. Ms. Ho was also selected as an advisor to the Opening Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and Paralympics. She directed and choreographed works presented to the International Olympic Committee, Governor General Michelle Jean, and the Premier Gordon Campbell for the IOC. “Red Lanterns” was performed for Prime Minister Stephen Harper during his visit to Vancouver in celebrating of Chinese New Year 2010.

Join Our Team

We are also always looking for talented, enthusiastic and creative performers to join our team! If you would like to pursue a career opportunity at VAD, please email us your full CV, including cover letter and portfolio.

Highlights from The Vancouver Academy of Dance

The Vancouver Academy of Dance has performed internationally in cities such as New York, Victoria, Whistler, Calgary, North Carolina and Macau. Their performance credits include:

~ Her Majesty the Queen’s Golden Jubilee ~
~ The International Olympic Committee ~
~ Beijing Olympics BC - Canada Pavilion Launch ~
~ The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Opening/Closing Ceremonies ~
~ 2010 Paralympic Games Opening ceremonies ~
~ The International Youth Dance Festival in Macau, China ~
~ 2011 International Folkmoot Music and Dance Festival in North Carolina, USA ~
~ BC Children’s Hospital for Children We Care ~
~ CCTV’s The Same Song ~
~ Red Robinson’s Talent Showdown at the PNE ~
~ Telus and BC Hospital fundraiser Kids Helping Kids ~
~ Governor’s Ball for the Vancouver Board of Trade ~
~ Pacific National Exhibition ~
~ Richmond Chinese Community Society’s Mid-Autumn and Chinese New Year Festivals ~
~ American Dance Awards National Championships ~
~ 2006 Miss Chinese Vancouver Pageant ~
~ Bumbershoot Festival ~
~ Victoria Lantern Festival ~
~ Annual Vancouver Spring Festival Parade ~
~ Dance Power National Championships, Las Vegas, Nevada – July 2012 ~

~ VAD Sponsored the Maria Mimie Ho Foundation event Poetry in Motion, Vancouver Playhouse – September 2014 ~
~ VAD Performed in Disneyland, California – August 2014 ~
~ VAD Participated in the 102nd Grey Cup Parade – November 2014 ~
~ New York City Dance Alliance Nationals Competition, New York, USA – July 2016 ~
~ Dance World Cup Competition, Whistler, BC – 2017 ~
~ Vancouver Legacy Lions Club – September 2018 ~
~ Youth America Grand Prix Finals, New York, USA - March 2018 ~
~ Spotlight Nationals Dance Cup, Seaside, Oregon, USA - July 2019 ~
~ The Dance Awards, Orlando, USA - July 2019 ~