DEVELOPING YOUNG TALENT SINCE 2017

Our Story

The CBY Academy was founded by husband and wife team Christian Bell-Young and Karen Bell-Young. They opened their doors originally as CBY Music in 2017 from a small basement in Oakville, where they started with just 4 students.

After relocating to Waterdown in 2011, they continued to build their brand, quickly establishing themselves as the leading performing arts practitioners in the Flamborough area. As a result, the CBY Academy grew at an exponential rate.

Today, CBY enjoys a premium location in the heart of Waterdown, just off Highway 5, and is responsible for the artistic development and education for hundreds of young people from all across the GTHA.

Our Mission

Our mission is to equip young aspiring singers, musicians, songwriters, dancers, and actors with the best resources for pursuing the performing arts. We offer diverse opportunities and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive studio culture for students and parents alike.

Our Vision

Our vision is to build a supportive community of students, parents, mentors, and professional Canadian talent who can rely on each other beyond industry-specific matters. We work hard to create an inclusive academy culture that makes all members feel valued and proud so that our CBY family can grow for generations.

Our Core Values

Development

We have the resources and network to set students up for success within the performing arts industry, but we go even further. We work with students who are enduring some of the most impressionable and pivotal years of their lives and we are genuinely invested in their personal growth. Students can laugh, cry and most importantly, feel safe to express their true selves free of judgement. We instruct, we mentor, we guide, and we listen - as family should.

Community

Community is absolutely everything to us. Our students and their families have formed new friendships that would not have otherwise existed. Our staff are made up of former students and talented parents. We organize local fundraisers. We brought the Waterdown community together during a global period of isolation and turmoil. Our community is one of support, friendship, and pride that’s here for the long haul.

Pride

We’re proud of who we are and what we do. We have a diverse team of musicians, actors, and live performers whose talent is highly in-demand. We’re confident in our expertise, as we have years of experience and a fervent passion for the arts. We strive to make students and parents feel proud of their studio and pass on that CBY pride to future generations.

Integrity

We strongly believe in a right to privacy and freedom of choice for each student and family. We are transparent with our intentions and ensure that students are never exploited or made to feel uncomfortable. Our only "skin in the game" is to see our students succeed. We will help in any way that we can to achieve this goal through open channels of communication, legitimate opportunities and fully qualified staff. Communication is key.

Inclusivity

We believe that everyone deserves access to quality education and opportunities irrespective of background. We work diligently to create a studio culture that makes all members feel valued and accomplished. Our academy is a safe place for all.