The Academy - Circus

We love The Academy! My daughter danced for years but was sold on circus after her first day of a summer camp run by The Academy. The program is designed to create well rounded, skilled circus performers. Individuality and creativity are valued. My daughter has found connection with her coaches and friends, giving her much more confidence and a sense of belonging. Meaghan and Tim are amazing! They have a passion for sharing their knowledge and a true love of performance and creation. Meaghan is one of the most caring and genuine people I’ve ever met. I love the positive energy of The Academy, and highly recommend them!

Well run, well organised! The owners are super nice, and the classes are amazing! ;)

World class director, Cirque du Soleil performer and choreographer, Meaghan Wegg has created the safest training facility, engineer certified and professionally rigged and set the industry standard for circus arts training. Whether you are a beginner, developing, elite artist or a professional performer, there is a program for you. Most importantly, the coaching staff truly care about the growth and development of everyone who trains with The Academy. The sky is the limit and the opportunities are endless.

Signed my daughter up for a “circus” program but she ended up in a “dance” program (significantly more dance classes then circus classes) after identifying this within a month of the program starting and asking for her to just participate in the circus part I was advised I have entered into a 10 month commitment. I was told slight modifications would be made and that didn’t happen. After nearly monthly meetings over dissatisfaction of the classes itself I was advised next year I can enroll my child into just the classes she wanted. After signing the agreement during the information session and being asked for a payment for next years classes (we didn’t make payment because we needed to discuss which ones/how much it would cost) the schedule never came. When I inquired for the schedule so we can pick I was advised by The Academy that their program doesn’t meet our needs and we aren’t happy with it and they will not re-enroll my child. After speaking with the owner Tim he advised there were rumours I have been “gossiping” about their program, when asked for proof advised he didn’t have any. When offered to show him any communication with the person in question to prove the allegations wrong that was denied. Tim advised they only want allies for their business. During our 2 years at the academy I was asked to babysit the owners children countless times (which I did on many occasions free of charge), I have promoted The Academy on social media through my own pages or recommending on groups, donating time or supplies to the business, painting an apparatus to refresh it (with my own time and money), volunteering for multiple projects (not limited to chaperoning a trip with multiple students to Nfld) bringing the owners family or team food during long days or times that one owner was away or having my child assist Meaghan in demonstrations for her other businesses free of charge while paying over $500 a month for training and “extras”Please beware that you can literally give this business everything and it makes no difference if you attempt to advocate for your child and their needs.

Not a huge fan of this place for Cirque training for various reasons.For the positives, the facility is very clean, their attention to safe rigging is amazing and, on the whole, their teaching staff are friendly and approachable (not owner Meaghan). When kids are being trained on the aerial apparatuses, there is strong attention to detail (with movements and foot wraps), which makes their students more comfortable especially since they are hanging upside down or doing drops.Now for the NegativeFirst: I agree with the other negative review on the dance vs cirque training. I also signed my child up for Cirque classes as they take dance elsewhere (which is frowned upon by Meaghan). However, there was very little time that my child was actually on an aerial apparatus. During parent viewing sessions, it became apparent that there are way too many kids in the gym at once with not enough apparatuses. Therefore, other sessions (dance, juggling, ribbon twirling, roller skating, etc) are added so every kid has something to do and all groups (rec & team) can rotate through the aerial apparatuses. Either more equipment is needed or there needs to be less kids using the space at any given time. With too many activities, the majority of kids are not getting a lot of training on the aerial apparatuses. The focus is quantity over quality. Classes need to be smaller and the owner should be focusing on fewer activities. Since their instruction on the aerial apparatuses is so well done, it would be nice if the kids could get more of it.Second: While attending performances, including NFLD, only a few kids are chosen to actually perform on the aerial apparatuses. If you're not one of the few chosen, you're a floor warmer/dancer, which is a waste of money. Especially since the dance training here is not great. The owner, Meaghan, also likes to bring in ringers" to perform with the group who get a lot of the spotlight

Amazing place giving kids unique experiences. They also put on incredible shows!

The Academy has been a great place to train and grow, and has created a great family atmosphere. The new expanded space will be amazing to continue training within!

Fully equipped and dedicated spaces for arial, dance, and circus arts all in one location. Bright and spacious training areas with the best equipment, and multiple safe riggings. All classes are taught by exceptionally talented, highly qualified staff who are internationally certified under the careful direction of former Cirque du Soleil artist Meaghan Wegg. The Academy boasts a wide range of offerings from strong technical training for every age and interest, to professional caliber shows, exams, and competitions for those seeking additional opportunities. What sets this training facility apart from all others is the kind and conscientious way in which all staff celebrate each student while developing their personal goals, strength, range of motion, and breadth of emotion. While some students may move on to professional careers in cirque or dance, and others will be able to easily transfer into other arts or sports, all will most definitely be moved and move others due to the incredible role modelling found at The Academy.