Explore your passion. find your place.
Waterdown's Number 1 Performing Arts Academy
Developing the next generation of Canadian artists since 2017.
With our purpose-built academy facility, industry-leading instructors and extensive connections within the creative arts industries, CBY is the number 1 performing arts academy in Waterdown, Ontario, offering award-winning instruction in the performing arts for ages 3-18.

Explore your passion. find your place.
Waterdown's Number 1 Performing Arts Academy
Developing the next generation of Canadian artists since 2017.
With our purpose-built academy in the heart of Waterdown, industry-leading instructors and extensive connections within the creative arts industries, CBY offers award-winning instruction in the performing arts for ages 3-18.

OUR CURRICULUMS:

Waterdown's Number 1 Performing Arts Academy
Developing the next generation of Canadian artists since 2017.
With our purpose-built academy in the heart of Waterdown, industry-leading instructors and extensive connections within the creative arts industries, CBY offers award-winning instruction in the performing arts where you can explore your passion and find your place.

Who are we?
Award-Winning Performing Arts Education in Waterdown
At The CBY Academy, we have an exciting range of performing arts opportunities designed to help you realize your potential. Our private and group lessons, which take place in an engaging and supportive environment at our performing arts academy, teach a host of skills in the fields of music, musical theatre, dance and acting.
CUTTING EDGE PEDAGOGY | ACCESS TO PRO OPPORTUNITIES | 100% EXAM PASS RATE
CUTTING EDGE PEDAGOGY
ACCESS TO PRO OPPORTUNITIES
100% EXAM PASS RATE
Our Disciplines

Music
Cultivate the skills you need to create, produce, and perform different styles of music as either a singer, instrumentalist or artist. If your goal is to play your favourite songs, become a performer, write your own songs, grow your confidence or take your music exams, we have the programs to get your started and keep you going!

Musical Theatre
Have you ever wanted to appear on the stage? Here’s your chance to master the singing, acting, and dancing skills needed to participate in fully-staged Broadway productions, individual musical numbers and your favourite musical movies fresh out of Hollywood. Lessons are available for both beginners and aspiring professionals.

Dance
If dance is your passion, our recreational dance classes can help you follow it! We offer fun and engaging instruction in a variety of dance styles and techniques, from classical ballet and jazz to salsa and swing. Beginners welcome!

Acting
Our acting programs focus on all aspects of theatrical, stage and screen performance. From voiceover mastery and stage skills to script work, film and tv auditions and film production, our private and group lessons in acting can help you get ready for the silver screen.

Music
Cultivate the skills you need to create, produce, and perform different styles of music as either a singer, instrumentalist or artist. If your goal is to play your favourite songs, become a performer, write your own songs, grow your confidence or take your music exams, we have the programs to get your started and keep you going!

Musical Theatre
Have you ever wanted to appear on the stage? Here’s your chance to master the singing, acting, and dancing skills needed to participate in fully-staged Broadway productions, individual musical numbers and your favourite musical movies fresh out of Hollywood. Lessons are available for both beginners and aspiring professionals.

Dance
If dance is your passion, our recreational dance classes can help you follow it! We offer fun and engaging instruction in a variety of dance styles and techniques, from classical ballet and jazz to salsa and swing. Beginners welcome!

Acting
Our acting programs focus on all aspects of theatrical, stage and screen performance. From voiceover mastery and stage skills to script work, film and tv auditions and film production, our private and group lessons in acting can help you get ready for the silver screen.
Why CBY?
Our Learning-by-Doing Philosophy
We believe that learning is most effective when student skills are put into action. That's why we pride ourselves on being able to give our students a number of exciting and enriching opportunities outside of our performing arts academy, complimenting the work they do inside the academy.
- Industry expertise
- Qualified teachers
- Inclusive space
Unique Opportunities
We develop the next generation of Canadian artists by constantly offering opportunities outside of lessons to help our students reach their full potential.
Measurable Achievements
We build personalized learning plans for each student based on their goals and work closely in tandem with parents to keep each student on a path for success.
Industry Access
We have deep connections with the performing arts industry and are proud to make these connections available to our students.
Community Spirit
CBY is a safe and inclusive place for young creatives to explore their passion and find their place, regardless of status, identity or differentiation.
Open Mon-Sun | All year round | Group & Private lessons | MULTIPLE Tuition plans
Open Mon-Sun
All year round
Group & Private lessons
Multiple Tuition plans
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri
Our performing arts academy is open every weekday from 3:30pm to 9:30pm for private and group instruction. Tuition fees vary.
- 3:30pm - 9:30pm
- Schedule
Saturdays
Our performing arts academy is open from 9am-6pm on Saturdays for private and group instruction. Tuition fees vary.
- 9am - 6pm
- Schedule
Sundays
Our performing arts academy is open from 11:30am-7pm on Sundays for private and group instruction. Tuition fees vary.
- 11:30am - 7pm
- Schedule
- Mon-Fri
We are open every weekday from 3:30pm to 9:30pm for private and group instruction. Tuition fees vary.
- 3:30pm - 9:30pm
- Schedule
- Saturdays
We are open from 9am-6pm on Saturdays for private and group instruction. Tuition fees vary.
- 9am - 6pm
- Schedule
- Sundays
We are open from 11:30am-7pm on Sundays for private and group instruction. Tuition fees vary.
- 11:30am - 7pm
- Schedule
All tuition fees are billed monthly.
vanessa sears - broadway PERFORMER
“CBY Music fosters a safe, fun and invigorating environment for young people eager to hone their skills and excel in the industry.”
- New York, New York (Broadway)
- Billy Elliot (Stratford Festival)
- Suits (as Young Jessica)
She is a Tony nominated Canadian stage and screen actor who has previously taught musical theatre masterclasses at our performing arts academy.

vanessa sears - broadway PERFORMER
“CBY Music fosters a safe, fun and invigorating environment for young people eager to hone their skills and excel in the industry.”

- New York, New York (Broadway)
- Billy Elliot (Stratford Festival)
- Suits (as Young Jessica)
She is a Tony nominated Canadian stage and screen actor who has previously taught musical theatre masterclasses at CBY.
Vanessa Sears
Broadway Performer

“CBY Music fosters a safe, fun and invigorating environment for young people eager to hone their skills and excel in the industry.”
Latest News
We have ONE MORE SPOT on our Senior Showstoppers program! This group kicked off last weekend and is already in full swing for December`s "Wizard of Oz" panto. Next year, they work towards our mainstage production of "Mean Girls" in May.
If you are in grades 9-12, have an interest in musical theatre and are free every Saturday morning, then register today at cbyacademy.com/register.
Deadline to register is THIS FRIDAY SEPT 15th! Don`t miss out!
#lifeatcby #cbyshowstoppers

We have ONE MORE SPOT on our Senior Showstoppers program! This group kicked off last weekend and is already in full swing for December`s "Wizard of Oz" panto. Next year, they work towards our mainstage production of "Mean Girls" in May.
If you are in grades 9-12, have an interest in musical theatre and are free every Saturday morning, then register today at cbyacademy.com/register.
Deadline to register is THIS FRIDAY SEPT 15th! Don`t miss out!
#lifeatcby #cbyshowstoppers
…
Our new room at the CBY Academy – which we are affectionately calling “The Sanctuary” – may be a work in progress for now, but the piano already makes it feel like home ❤️
We spent this weekend moving things from floor to floor and over the next year, we will be transforming this beautiful, 185 year old heritage building into our very own theatre, rehearsal and education space. We can’t wait to take you on this journey!
But first…TERM START! This Tuesday, our Showstopper classes will be the first groups to experience this awesome space when they arrive for their first lesson of the year. We can’t wait to see their faces!
We have a suspicion this may be our busiest year yet! We’re here for it…let’s gooooo!
#cbytheatreproject #lifeatcby #expansion #cbystudents #theatre #waterdownontario

Our new room at the CBY Academy – which we are affectionately calling “The Sanctuary” – may be a work in progress for now, but the piano already makes it feel like home ❤️
We spent this weekend moving things from floor to floor and over the next year, we will be transforming this beautiful, 185 year old heritage building into our very own theatre, rehearsal and education space. We can’t wait to take you on this journey!
But first…TERM START! This Tuesday, our Showstopper classes will be the first groups to experience this awesome space when they arrive for their first lesson of the year. We can’t wait to see their faces!
We have a suspicion this may be our busiest year yet! We’re here for it…let’s gooooo!
#cbytheatreproject #lifeatcby #expansion #cbystudents #theatre #waterdownontario
…
Congratulations to Emma for making it to the final of the Rising Star completion at the CNE!! She sung “Part of Your World” from the Little Mermaid (see our stories for a snippet!) and shared the stage with many talented young performers.
A great all round experience! We’re proud of you Em!! #lifeatcby #cbystudents #risingstar #cne

Congratulations to Emma for making it to the final of the Rising Star completion at the CNE!! She sung “Part of Your World” from the Little Mermaid (see our stories for a snippet!) and shared the stage with many talented young performers.
A great all round experience! We’re proud of you Em!! #lifeatcby #cbystudents #risingstar #cne
…
She’s done it again!! Recent CBY grad Lauryn Hunter has released her fourth single on all platforms. Recorded and produced at CBY, “Song Without Words” marks the culmination of Lauryn’s long-term artist development studies at our Academy. She has now moved to university to start her next exciting chapter, but we hope she will keep writing amazing songs and coming to CBY to record them! Congratulations Lauryn! #lifeatcby #cbystudents #cbygrads

She’s done it again!! Recent CBY grad Lauryn Hunter has released her fourth single on all platforms. Recorded and produced at CBY, “Song Without Words” marks the culmination of Lauryn’s long-term artist development studies at our Academy. She has now moved to university to start her next exciting chapter, but we hope she will keep writing amazing songs and coming to CBY to record them! Congratulations Lauryn! #lifeatcby #cbystudents #cbygrads …
And with that, Camp CBY ‘23 comes to an end 🥺
It’s been a whirlwind 8 weeks. Over 120 talented campers from all over the region came to CBY to develop their skills in the arts and everyone, our team of camp instructors included, absolutely ROCKED it every single day.
We’ll leave you with some final photos of last week’s final Rock Legends camp session, where the campers put together their own band, wrote their own song and performed it live for video. Parents, you will get that video soon!
Until next year, yellow-tops!!
📸 check out our stories for camp highlights!
#campcby #lifeatcby #summercamp #waterdownontario

And with that, Camp CBY ‘23 comes to an end 🥺
It’s been a whirlwind 8 weeks. Over 120 talented campers from all over the region came to CBY to develop their skills in the arts and everyone, our team of camp instructors included, absolutely ROCKED it every single day.
We’ll leave you with some final photos of last week’s final Rock Legends camp session, where the campers put together their own band, wrote their own song and performed it live for video. Parents, you will get that video soon!
Until next year, yellow-tops!!
📸 check out our stories for camp highlights!
#campcby #lifeatcby #summercamp #waterdownontario
…
Come down and say hi at Joe Sams Park today for the @flamboroughdundassoccer end of year of festival! We have student performances, giveaways and a lot of friendly faces! #lifeatcby

Come down and say hi at Joe Sams Park today for the @flamboroughdundassoccer end of year of festival! We have student performances, giveaways and a lot of friendly faces! #lifeatcby …