AMBITION PERFORMING ARTS AIRDRIE
About Us
Welcome
About Ambition Performing Arts Inc.
Ambition Performing Arts Inc. (APA) has been inspiring young performers in Airdrie, Alberta, since 2002. Founded by Tara Pickford, APA provides award-winning education in dance, drama, and music for students ages 1 to 18, serving more than 500 families weekly and over 8,300 families since opening.
APA’s faculty includes highly credentialed instructors with certifications from RAD, ADAPT, Acrobatic Arts, Al Gilbert, Alixa Flexibility, and YPAD. Together, they create a safe, inclusive, and family-centered learning environment where every child can grow with confidence, creativity, and purpose. With programs in jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, acro, contemporary, drama, voice, and musical theatre, students receive both technical excellence and personal mentorship designed to nurture leadership and resilience.
Explore how students can grow with APA from their first experience in the arts through their teenage years in Your Child’s Performing Arts Journey.
Ambition Performing Arts is proud to be one of Alberta’s most decorated performing arts studios, recognized with honors including Business of the Year (2019), Amazing Workplace Award (2024), and multiple Airdrie Chamber of Commerce distinctions. APA is also affiliated with More Than Just Great Dancing!®, and Youth Protection Advocates in Dance, reinforcing its dedication to safety and educational integrity.
Beyond the classroom, APA’s community involvement runs deep. Each year, the academy donates hundreds of volunteer hours through partnerships with organizations such as the Airdrie Health Foundation, Airdrie Food Bank, and Community Links. Programs like the Leaders in Training mentorship track encourage students to give back through service, performance, and leadership.
With over 239 verified Google reviews averaging 4.9 stars, APA has earned the trust of thousands of Airdrie families. Guided by its mission of “Raising tomorrow’s leaders through the arts,” Ambition Performing Arts continues to shape confident, compassionate, and creative young people — both on stage and in life.
Quality Music, Drama and Dance
This is where you belong❣️
Parents are looking for quality activities that they can feel good about investing in. Kids want safe spaces to feel seen and valued for who they are becoming. Learn more about what makes Ambition Performing Arts different and why families choose APA on our Why Choose APA page.
Ambition Performing Arts Inc. offers Dance, Music, and Drama classes for ages 0 – 18. With a variety of classes including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Acro, Singing and Drama Classes, we have the right level of participation for everyone from beginners to pre-professionals. Explore how students can grow with APA from their first experience in the arts through their teenage years in Your Child’s Performing Arts Journey.
Our History
Ambition Performing Arts is owned by Tara Pickford. It was founded in 2002 and has served more than 8000 families in our rich history. Children and their development is what we do. Parents are looking for quality programs with protected investments. We are here providing safe spaces for happy healthy kids to grow with great mentors to provide a guided path to get there. We are creating tomorrow’s leaders, today.
Our Ambition
We are creating tomorrow’s leaders through the arts.
We do this through innovative classrooms, developing friendships and skills for a lifetime. We believe that an arts education is an experience like no other.
Our Community
A portion of EVERY registration in our school goes to a scholarship fund to help youth in our community gain access to the arts. As of January 2022, Ambition Performing Arts had donated back over $200,000 back into our Airdrie community youth. Now that is worth celebrating!
Welcome to Ambition Performing Arts
BUILDING COMMUNITY
Parents choose Ambition Performing Arts in Airdrie, Alberta Canada for quality programming in dance, music and drama, convenient location, friendly service, and welcoming atmosphere. They stay with us because of our commitment to excellence, value, culture, and customer care!
Why Performing Arts?
Performing Arts provides children with the opportunity to engage the mind, body, and emotions into collaborative expressions.
This helps children find their voice, grow in confidence, develop empathy and an ability to self-reflect, and strengthen communication skills.
Whether your child wants to dance, sing, or act, we can promise that by choosing Performing Arts, they will gain SO much more!
If you’re wondering what performing arts can offer your child, our Ask APA: Answers for Performing Arts Parents shares advice directly from APA teachers who work with children and teens every day.
Peace of Mind Assurance – 30 Day Guarantee!
At Ambition Performing Arts, I understand the trust you place in us when you choose our classes for your child. I’ve been where you are – wanting the best for my children, ensuring they’re in a safe, nurturing environment where they can grow, learn, and have fun. That’s why I’m making a promise to you. If, after 30 days of actively attending our classes, you are not completely satisfied with the experience for any reason, I personally assure you that we will work hard to make it right. And if we can’t meet your expectations, you’ll receive your money back. This is more than a guarantee; it’s our commitment to excellence and your child’s happiness. Trust us to be the white knight in your child’s educational journey, a trusted advisor in your parenting adventure. Register for classes now and experience the Ambition difference, where every child’s potential is our passion.
Tara Pickford, Owner & Founder
We teach life skills
CRAFTING DREAMS FROM IDEAS WITH PASSION
At Ambition, your child won’t just learn about Dance, Music, and Theatre; they will also develop creativity, self-confidence, determination, and teamwork skills!
Performing Arts provides Children with the opportunity to engage the mind, body, and emotions into collaborative expressions. This helps children find their voice, grow in confidence, develop empathy and an ability to self-reflect, and strengthen communication skills.
Whether your child wants to dance, sing, or act, we can promise that by choosing Performing Arts, they will gain SO much more!
Safety Measures
Our Commitment to Happy, Healthy, Safe Spaces at APA
At Ambition Performing Arts, the safety, health, and happiness of our students have always been—and will always be—our top priority. We understand the importance of providing a nurturing and secure environment where every child can grow with confidence. Our core values drive every decision we make, ensuring that students not only develop as performers but also as strong, empowered individuals in a space where they are respected, supported, and safe.
What our dance family says about us
TESTIMONIALS FROM PARENTS & STUDENTS
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Also, here are some
mentions of our studio
