All AboutOVATION! Performing Arts Academy

Teaching The Art Of Performance

“OVATION! is setting the standard - shaping today's people and tomorrow's artists!”

We Give More - Experience Our Innovative Arts Curriculum
We Expect More - Achieve Your True Potential As A Performer

OVATION! student singing on stage at the Richmond Hill performing arts academy showcase

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Now Open

Registration for Summer 2026

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About OVATION!south New Student Informationsouth Frequent Questionssouth Photo Galleryopen_in_new

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“Thank you for a wonderfully creative, enthralling, fun, and full-of-positive-energy season focused on encouraging and supporting children being children, finding themselves, and, most importantly, finding a safe space where they can explore and BE themselves! You do such a beautiful job at this delicate balancing act and make it seem so effortless when we know it isn't. Your continual communication, organisation and execution have also been impeccable throughout the year. Please know we see, appreciate and applaud all you do for our children with such genuine care, thoughtfulness and love.”

OVATION! 2024 client

OVATION! Performing Arts Academy receiving the Markham Performing Arts Award at the Flato Markham Theatre

Markham Performing Arts Awards 2025

Award-Winning Performing Arts Studio

In November 2025, OVATION! was awarded the prestigious Community Group of the Year Award as part of the annual Markham Performing Arts Awards, held at the Flato Markham Theatre, in recognition of the studio's many years of positive impact on our community. These awards are a chance to elevate homegrown talent in arts, music, dance and creative expression.

When receiving the award, partners Bonnie Craig and Chris Madsen stated:

“We're thrilled to receive this award, and honoured to be recognised for our contributions to our community. We'd also like to acknowledge so many amazing artists, educators, and colleagues, with whom we have worked over these past seventeen years, and who helped shape our professional and dynamic approach to teaching and training the next generation of artists. It's a true privilege to do what we do. Here's to many more years spreading the joy of the arts, and encouraging others in our community to do the same.”

Thank you to our incredible York Region community for all the support!

Studio Information

Information About OVATION!

OVATION! dancer performing on stage in a purple spotlight at the Richmond Hill studio showcase

General Overview

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Season Course Schedule

In general, the Season runs from mid-September to the end of May, with weekly classes. We close for Stat Holidays, Winter Break, March Break, etc.

Class Sizes

All regularly-scheduled courses and programmes are group classes. Intimate class sizes are the rule to encourage more personal and meaningful work. Numbers will vary depending on discipline, but most classes cap at 12 students. Note: courses, camps and workshops are contingent on enrolment levels and schedules, and are subject to change. You will be contacted should any changes impact your registration.

Performances

Students participate in at least 2 performances (one in January, and one in May which is held at Markham Theatre). These performances are variety-type shows, so each class of the studio performs a specific piece or two in the shows. Depending on the programme(s) chosen, students may also be involved in a 3rd performance in the spring, and/or community performances as they come up as well.

Practice Time In-Between Classes

The curriculum for each course is progressive in nature including concrete goals and milestones. Consistent and punctual attendance as well as at-home practice between classes is necessary to foster student learning and achievement throughout each season. On average, OVATION! students are expected to spend 10-15 minutes every day or 2 in between their classes to memorise their lines, lyrics, staging, blocking, choreography, etc. That's about 30-60 minutes consistently every week throughout the season, and maybe a bit more as you get closer to performance dates. Students in the senior/master class programmes and our adult programmes may require slightly more at-home time to prep their more complex material.

Costume Info

All performance students must purchase and wear an OVATION! shirt for selected performances/showcases (cost is usually between $15 and $30). We keep all other costume costs for the season to a minimum (usually less than $100 per student per class).

Private / Individual Classes

May be scheduled independently outside of the regular course schedule. Talk to your instructor about this anytime and we'll do our best to make it happen for you.

Inclement Weather / Studio Closure Policy

Severe weather is out of our control and our policy is to err on the side of safety for our students and faculty. We appreciate your understanding that it's just not possible to re-schedule or refund in these circumstances. On snowstorm days, we contact Environment Canada to watch weather and road conditions throughout the day and we make a decision by 3pm about evening classes (or by 8am for early morning classes). If we decide to cancel any classes we will try to send an email through to you, but we will also post it on the HOME page of the website and we'll update the outgoing message on the Admin phone line (1-877-229-2787) so please double check these information sources too before heading out to the studio. NOTE: if the opportunity exists to switch from in-studio to an online/zoom class instead, we will do so and email all students/families. This is not always going to be possible, depending on the type of class, teacher location, or circumstances involved.

Programme-Withdrawal Policy

It's our hope that every student Registrant can stay in their programme through its full completion-length. There are NO REFUNDS for weekly classes (full or half-season programmes) or for summer camps, except for valid health reasons, which must be authenticated by a medical note. Withdrawals from any programme for valid health reasons will be processed and remainder of fee refunded immediately (subject to a $50 Administration Fee per registered season class or summer programme or camp). OVATION! reserves the right to refuse service to any student whose conduct is disruptive and negatively impacts their class on an ongoing basis.

Where Is The Studio Located?

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556 Edward Ave, Unit 60, Richmond Hill, ON

(at Yonge / Elgin Mills)

How To Find Us

Edward Ave. runs north off Elgin Mills and is 2 traffic lights west of Bayview and 3 lights east of Yonge. Our complex is on the left (west) side - take the 2nd driveway past the school bus depot, and we're on the left side of the complex almost at the very end of the units.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS!

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OVATION! - Setting the Standard! Shaping today's people and tomorrow's artists!

At OVATION! we have high expectations! And we invite each student to join us and reach up to that level. Within each class, and for each student, we work very hard to make sure the level is truly within their grasp and achievable - it can't be so high that it's an unrealistic expectation for them to reach it!! And when they get there, wow do we celebrate that achievement! And then of course we nudge it up a wee bit higher, so there's always something to work towards as students develop their confidence and their technical acumen!

We also pride ourselves in teaching ‘the whole person’! We help students achieve their goals while developing professional etiquette, fostering self-confidence, self-discovery, and an understanding that effort and dedication can help you achieve your dreams… whatever they might be! Part of our job is to help students understand the level of responsibility and accountability required to be part of a team/cast/show. What you put in determines what you get out. It's a skillset that serves us all well regardless of future educational or career aspirations.

Upon acceptance to our programmes, every student/family is asked to read and sign a Student Agreement that outlines the Great Expectations for them to feel successful and fulfilled through their programmes. Real effort and a positive attitude take us all a very long way! And it's all based on RESPECT - for yourself, your peers, your instructors, the space/facility, and the work itself.

The OVATION! Promise

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OVATION! promises our company members that they can count on us for exemplary performance training delivered in a professional, supportive, positive way, by acclaimed arts professionals and recognised instructors. OVATION! also promises to create exciting and innovative showcase performance opportunities for our company members, in a variety of locations and creative environments, which utilise and expose our members to arts industry networking relationships.

Make a difference - create a positive impact on the world!

Beliefs, Vision and Mission

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We believe that if everyone around the world was encouraged and allowed to develop their creative/artistic self and was also exposed to the arts on a participatory level, the world would simply be a better place - humanity would be thriving and violence would be eradicated.

Beliefs

We believe that we are all artists and creative in our own way.
We believe that the Art of Performance is not just about technical prowess.
We believe that developing confidence from within is critical to achieving artistic expression.
We believe that ‘letting-go’ sparks an emotional connection to any audience.
We believe that everyone has the capability to find and develop their individual it-factor.
We believe that we can all learn how to shine on all of the stages of our lives.

Vision

OVATION! fosters the intrinsic value of artistic expression and personal growth within all members, in a vibrant and professional creative environment encompassed by the Canadian performing arts industry.

Our Mission

To maintain OVATION! as a premier training academy for kids, teens, and adults to pursue personal, creative and artistic excellence in their chosen discipline(s), through classes, workshops, performance opportunities and professional networking/connections and mentoring opportunities.

Our Goals

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To accomplish our vision and mission, our goals are to:

Provide a "home" for York Region’s performing artists to train, perform, and share knowledge and experience
Operate in an exemplary creative, positive, supportive, and collaborative environment for all members in all disciplines working at all levels of accomplishment/interest
Help students become life-long learners, practitioners, and appreciators of the performing arts, which in turn infuses their lives with imagination, artistry, and creativity.
Foster and develop frequent performance opportunities for our members in a celebratory and non-competitive environment
Engage faculty who are extraordinary instructors and who practice and excel in their chosen field(s), thereby offering The Professional Advantage to our members.
Engage our faculty and members in advisory capacities to help shape OVATION!’s current and future operation
Pursue excellence in customer/client service
Operate as a Character Business, embracing all positive attributes associated with good, strong, and moral character
Recognise that fiscal responsibility is essential for sustainability and long-term growth and viability of the Academy

The Art of Performance

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“YES, there is method to the madness… always!!!!”

Elements of performance training at OVATION! Richmond Hill

OVATION! students working through the elements of performance training in Richmond Hill

Get Started

Information For New Students

New OVATION! student singing with a microphone on stage in Richmond Hill

How To Sign Up For A Programme

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It's simple - contact us and we'll arrange a time for you and your child(ren) to meet with our Artistic Director, Bonnie, at the studio for a Diagnostic Assessment.
This meeting is a ton of fun, very informative, and designed to assess and showcase each student applicant's natural abilities and interests for training and performing. It takes about an hour and Bonnie does a variety of activities and exercises together with the student - some acting, dancing, singing or all 3, depending on the student and their goals and interests.
Many criteria come into play to help determine programme placements and levels, so this meeting is required for all applicants 8 years and up. It is also recommended for adult students and for children 4 to 7 years. There is a fee of $60 for this hour-long diagnostic session.
After your meeting, Bonnie emails comprehensive personalised feedback from the session, including specific class placements/programme recommendations for the potential student.
And from there REGISTRATION IS ALL DONE ONLINE - QUICK & EASY!

Choosing Your Courses, Levels And Placement

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We create opportunities for learning, training, expression, social development, and performance! THIS is where it all comes together!

We work hand-in-hand with parents and students to match them to the appropriate programmes best suited to their skills and interests (which is why a studio visit and ‘diagnostic’ assessment is required - please book your time with Chris Madsen).
Every course at OVATION! has a written Course Curriculum Outline which is provided to every student enrolled in that programme. It includes course description/overview, performances involved, typical class breakdown, material units for the season, teaching strategies, programme goals, and recommended concurrent programmes that would be beneficial to students taking this particular course to help round out their overall training.
Levels and class placements take a number of criteria into consideration. First and foremost is the student's desire to be here and do the things required in their chosen discipline(s). From there we take into account things like: student age, maturity level, social interaction, previous training/experience, potential, innate ability, teach-ability, work ethic/commitment, and of course their own goals for taking these courses.
Because we offer such variety, families also enjoy the convenience of training all in one place.
Many students take more than 1 programme with us, but we don't recommend taking more than 5 max. (we all need balance in our lives).
Class Sizes - All regularly-scheduled courses and programmes are group classes. Intimate class sizes are the rule to encourage more personal and meaningful work. Numbers will vary depending on discipline, but most classes cap at 12 students. Note: courses, camps and workshops are contingent on enrolment levels and schedules, and are subject to change. You will be contacted should any changes impact your registration.

Fees And Discounts

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Discounts For Multiple Classes / Camps

Each Student taking multiple classes receives 20% discount for the 2nd class, 30% discount for the 3rd class and 30% discount for the 4th class. There is a maximum FAMILY FEE for families with multiple students (including adults/parent students too)! Please inquire about fees for each programme.

Programme Fees

We charge a flat-rate season fee for each course, which includes EVERYTHING:

Registration / enrolment
The weekly class
Rehearsals - any additional rehearsal time that may be required for performances
Performances through the Season (type and number of performances varies for each programme)
Course materials (sheet music, scripts, lyric sheets, scenes, etc.)
Curriculum Outline provided to each student outlining goals and teaching strategies for the programme
A "Tips for Performers" Handbook
A Student Assessment at the end of the season, outlining the student’s work/progress and recommendations
Professional Headshot photos for each student. The photographer’s fee is covered by OVATION!, and students/families only pay for prints or digital files if they choose to purchase.

Payment Options

Programme/Course Fees are due upon Registration and may be paid in one of the following ways:

Pay full fees upon Registration/Invoicing by 1 e-transfer (email to [email protected])
Pay full fees upon Registration/Invoicing by 1 online credit card transaction (email [email protected] to request credit card payment)
Pay full fees upon Registration/Invoicing by 1 cheque (Cheques are payable to OVATION!; mailed to: OVATION!, 556 Edward Ave, Unit 60, Richmond Hill, ON, L4C 9Y5)

STUDENT ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS

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Monitor Your Progress

How do you know you're progressing in your work and training?

Get feedback and evaluations through in-class peer and instructor review sessions, and periodic videotaping and photography work.
OVATION! courses, performances, and workshops are periodically videotaped and/or photographed for review and evaluation purposes so you can see and feel your progress. This type of review is essential to help address habits and perceptions, and to build stage presence and performance confidence. Suitable images can also be used to build your audition reel and portfolio.
Student Assessments: At the end of the season, each student also receives a written Assessment of their work throughout the season including recommendations for further progress and development.

Common Questions, Detailed Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

OVATION! students performing in period costume during a Richmond Hill theatre production

Who Comes To OVATION!?

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You love being on stage. You love being in front of the camera or microphone. You love the spotlight. You sing or dance or act all the time. You feel it when you're performing. If this is true for you, then you're in the right place! At OVATION! you'll train and learn The ART of PERFORMANCE. How to put more of yourself into your performance, how to become a truly creative person - using your talents to develop your creativity and confidence. You want to be the one that shines. The one that HAS it - that quality, where people can't take their eyes off you. We can help you get there!