History of the School
Vanleena is a family-owned dance school that is about to enter its 41st year. RAD certified instructor Eileena Vanneck founded the school in 1973 in the North Lonsdale United Church. Mrs. Vanneck began with her three daughters as her first pupils, teaching them ballet and tap. She moved to the 1152 Welch Street location in 1990. In 1991 she and her daughter Kehree Lacasse merged their respective dance schools and Vanleena Dance Academy Ltd. was created.
Since then Vanleena has become a recognized teaching institution for the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). The school offers RAD ballet instruction starting at the Pre-Primary level through to the Solo Seal level as well as being a recognized participant in the RAD mentorship program. Vanleena also offers jazz, tap, hip-hop, musical theatre and song & dance as well as core conditioning and stretch & strength classes. Classes offered range from ages pre-school to adult. Vanleena is pleased to offer an expanded half-day program for students who are seriously exploring the possibility of a career in dance and/or the performing arts.
Vanleena has a rich history and sense of community. The school has participated annually in several local parades (West Van Days, the Rogers Santa Parade, and the Canada Day parade), hosted auditions for international dance companies, performed in local benefit productions (North Shore Society for the Mentally Handicapped, North Vancouver Neighbourhood House, the Broadway Church’s Singing Christmas Tree) as well as hosting their own productions (the Nightmare, an annual fun-fright production for Halloween, and On Stage, Vanleena’s annual recital).
Vanleena is pleased and proud to be a strong contributor and participant in the North Shore community in which we reside.
For more information about this event please call 604-983-2623
