Where Skill and Fun Meet

By Jill Tham

When Ashley Gauthier opened the Acro Academy in 2016, she was surprised at the outcome. “I had no intentions of being a massive studio, I just wanted to offer a safe and fun program, but the demand was there,” says Gauthier who was aiming for twenty registrations and received one hundred.

“As soon as you say the word acro everyone asks, ‘What is acro?’” says Gauthier. “Acro is a form of dance that incorporates tumbling, contortionism, and partner stunts. You are merging a dance and a gymnast into one of the most creative forms out there,” says Gauthier. “This includes friendship, self obedience and accomplishments,” says Gauthier. “In acro you are part of a team you can rely on.”

When children train consistently, an improvement in strength and flexibility is noted by Gauthier. “They develop new skills and core strength without even knowing it.” says Gauthier. “When I develop a program, I create a structure so their body can sustain the activity,” explains Gauthier. “They come back stronger every week because of the way we structure our program and after the 8 weeks they are a whole new child with skills and accomplishments they never thought they would have in a year.,” says Gauthier. “The learning is endless.”

Gauthier attributes the growth in the students to her small class sizes and structure of the program. “A dance class could have 30-40 students in it and a lot of standing around,” says Gauthier. “There is never a stagnant moment, you are always moving and engaged. My classes have a ratio 10:2 for students aged six and older and 8:2 under the age of 6. Younger classes are 6:2 ratio,” says Gauthier who focuses on smaller class sizes to ensure skills are learned in a safe environment.

Gauthier offers recreational and competitive programs for individuals between the ages of 3 and 18. “The recreational program is one to two hours a week for eight weeks and students in this program are often involved in other activities outside of the club,” says Gauthier.

“Our competitive runs for ten months. The competitive team trains as a group for ten months in preparation for competition in the spring,” says Gauthier. The competitive program starts with two to four hours a week and can progress from there depending on different activities participants wish to attend. “We do limit hours to 6 a week. I remember growing up I was in the gym and had no life outside of gymnastics.”

“We also teach students with special needs, and this can help with their core development and focus,” says Gauthier, who works with the Niagara Children’s Centre. “A lot of the parents describe it as physiotherapy bootcamp. Students get the physical activity and the fun of the environment with various children with challenges,” says Gauthier.

The Acro Academy also provides coaching opportunities for seasoned athletes. “By offering a teacher program, it gives them the next level, growth, and a paycheck. I will do everything I can to keep older students engaged, but I draw the line at sleepovers,” laughs Gauthier.

Gauthier is always adding new programs to meet the needs of various abilities and interests in the community. “We just opened up a show case team for students who aren’t desiring the competitive level, but want to showcase their skills,” says Gauthier. This year the club is offering different styles of dance including jazz, hip hop and lyrical, and contemporary.

As a life coach, Gauthier brings these teachings into the studio to help develop young minds. “Music and movement are physiotherapy for the body and mind. We give them a safe environment to try and fail and achieve. I want them to come up with their own sense that it is not a failure if we keep trying,” says Gauthier. “We create an environment that they want to come to and they feel better when they leave.”

Miranda Beam’s daughter, Ashton, has been positively impacted by the program. “Her confidence is the number one thing I have seen really grow,” says Beam. “Until she joined acro she hadn’t found something that made her feel special. Ashley saw the potential in her.” When Ashton had difficulty learning the choreography, Gauthier immediately stepped in. “Ashley came in on her own time and went through the whole dance with her to make sure she understood the routine and it made a huge difference for Ashton.”

Beam also appreciates the welcoming environment at the Acro Academy. “The staff are positive, kind and patient. The older girls are such good role models for the younger girls,” says Beam who is grateful for the lifelong friendships her daughter is making through the club. “Her competitive group talk together all the time outside of the studio and they all get along so well.”

Acro Academy is in their new location on Montrose Road in Niagara Falls. “It’s a 3500 square foot industrial unit with the possibility to expand. There is also a comfortable parent viewing area, soft tumbling floor and a harder dance floor to merge the two,” says Gauthier.

Beam greatly appreciates the open-door policy at the Acro Academy. “At other studios parents weren’t allowed to watch. Ashley lets parents watch and that makes it a lot of fun for the parents. It is a transparent facility to be a part of,” says Beam.

The Acro Academy is not your typical dance studio or gymnastics club. “We go against everything,” says Gauthier. “But we do so in a safe and fun environment.”

For more information visit www.acroacademy.org