JUNO-Nominated Group’s Founder Opens New Academy Focused on Building Confidence Through Singing, Dancing and Stage Performance
Toronto-based youth entertainment brand Girl Pow-R is expanding beyond its award-winning pop group with the launch of the Pop Star Performance Academy, a new training school designed to help children develop confidence and performance skills through professional instruction in singing, dancing, acting and stage presence.
Founded by Dawn Van Dam, the creator and executive producer behind the JUNO-nominated Girl Pow-R, the academy aims to make professional-level performance training accessible to children of all experience levels. The initiative is built on the belief that stage performance is a learnable skill rather than an innate talent, offering structured coaching intended to develop confidence alongside artistic ability.
The academy’s launch follows nearly a decade of success for Girl Pow-R, which has earned a JUNO Award nomination, performed more than 450 live shows and reached audiences in 240 countries through its music. During that time, the group accumulated more than 2.2 million global streams while touring extensively across Canada and the United States.
From Pop Group Success to Youth Performance Education
Van Dam’s journey into youth entertainment began with an extensive talent search, auditioning approximately 100 young singers to form an original pop group. Rather than relying on natural chemistry alone, she developed a structured training system focused on performance, teamwork and stage presence.
That approach helped Girl Pow-R become one of the first young acts to receive a JUNO Award nomination in the Children’s category. According to the company, the methods developed while building and managing the group now form the foundation of the academy’s curriculum.
The new academy is designed to serve children across a wide age range. Programs begin with the Little Sparks division for toddlers as young as 18 months and extend through the Supernovas program for performers aged 14 and older, where participants also take on mentorship and leadership responsibilities.
“We’re not just inviting families to join our training program,” said Van Dam. “We’re inviting them to be part of a life changing experience.”
Professional Faculty Brings International Experience
Industry Professionals Lead Performance Training
A distinguishing feature of the academy is its teaching team, which includes professionals with experience in major international productions and entertainment organizations.
Among the instructors is vocal coach Joseph Spitale, a former Tokyo Disneyland mainstage singer and graduate of both the University of British Columbia and New York’s American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Spitale has worked with national champions and current members of Girl Pow-R.
The instructional team also includes producer and composer Jovan Jovanov, whose music has accumulated more than 100 million YouTube views and has represented Macedonia at the Eurovision Song Contest. Students will also receive instruction from choreographers and performers including JUNO-nominated Girl Pow-R member Carina Bianchini, providing access to many of the same creative professionals involved in the group’s music production.
The academy’s teaching philosophy emphasizes that vocal performance can be developed through technical training involving breath control, muscle memory and ear training, rather than being dependent solely on natural ability.
Training Paths Cater to Different Experience Levels
Students will train using a mix of contemporary and original repertoire, including choreography and vocal arrangements inspired by the global success of KPop Demon Hunters, as well as music associated with artists such as Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga and Mariah Carey. The curriculum also incorporates original Girl Pow-R material.
The academy offers two primary learning pathways. The Girl Pow-R Pathway is intended for advanced performers seeking higher-level opportunities through an audition-based process. Participants may gain access to selected auditions with a Disney casting director as well as introductions to U.S. talent agents.
Meanwhile, the Training Pathway is designed for students focused on building foundational performance skills, confidence and stage experience before pursuing more advanced opportunities.
Values-Based Learning Extends Beyond the Stage
In addition to artistic development, the academy incorporates a community-focused philosophy established during Girl Pow-R’s early years.
Students are encouraged to identify and advocate for social causes that are personally meaningful, including issues such as youth homelessness and mental health awareness. According to the academy, participants are expected to represent those causes during interviews and public appearances, using performance opportunities to support broader community conversations.
The program also places emphasis on collaboration and kindness, with organizers seeking to foster a supportive learning environment rather than a highly competitive atmosphere commonly associated with some performance training programs.
Expansion Across the Greater Toronto Area Underway
The Pop Star Performance Academy has already opened in-person locations throughout the Greater Toronto Area, with additional locations planned as part of an ongoing expansion strategy. The organization also offers online training designed to reach students beyond its physical campuses.
Auditions for the Girl Pow-R Pathway’s September intake are currently open through August 15, while enrollment for the Training Pathway remains available on a rolling basis.
By combining professional instruction, structured performance development and values-based education, the academy is positioning itself as a new entrant in Canada’s youth performing arts sector, aiming to help young people build confidence, resilience and stage readiness regardless of their previous experience.