Meet Kiernan Wagstaffe
Founder & Director of Legacy Performing Arts Centre & Legacy Dance Independent
Please meet Kiernan Wagstaffe, founder and director of Legacy Performing Arts Centre and Legacy Dance Independent.
Kiernan’s performing arts journey began at the age of 14, following a transition from gymnastics into dance. Since then, he has developed as a multi-disciplinary performer, training across contemporary, acrobatics, lyrical, jazz, commercial, street, musical theatre and tap, alongside his passion for singing and performance.
His love of performing began even earlier. At 11 years old, Kiernan performed a vocal solo in his primary school talent competition, winning the competition and discovering a passion for singing that continued throughout his education.
During his time at The Westgate School, Winchester, Kiernan performed in school concerts, led the school choir and undertook vocal training. He later attended Barton Peveril Sixth Form College, studying Dance A-Level and a Cambridge Technical Diploma in Performing Arts (Musical Theatre).
While at Barton Peveril, Kiernan was cast as Audrey II in the college production of Little Shop of Horrors. He also participated in Rock Challenge and Dance Company, performing at Sadler’s Wells in London.
At the end of his second year at college, Kiernan founded Legacy Dance Independent, a performance and competition company for emerging performers aged 18–26. Established in 2020, Legacy has grown from a small performance team into a platform providing opportunities across dance, vocals, acting, choreography, competition, theatre and international performance.
Following college, Kiernan continued his professional training at The University of Chichester, graduating in 2023 with a BA (Hons) in Dance, Aerial & Physical Theatre. His university training expanded his contemporary dance practice, ballet training and aerial skills, including work on hoops, silks, trapeze, ropes and aerial hammocks.
Kiernan has continued to develop his performance and professional career alongside building Legacy. He is represented by Lindsey Bradicic at KMC Artist Management and continues to seek opportunities to grow as a performer, choreographer, creative and director.
Acrobatics & Dance World Cup
Acrobatics has remained an important part of Kiernan’s training and performance journey. In August 2026, Kiernan qualified to teach Acrobatics, adding formal teaching to his experience as a performer and choreographer.
His Dance World Cup results have also included international recognition across multiple disciplines.
At Dance World Cup 2026, Kiernan achieved:
🥇 8th in the World — Acrobatics
8th in the World — Showstopper
12th in the World — Contemporary Solo
Previously, he achieved:
2025 — 8th in the World, Contemporary Solo
2024 — 9th in the World, Acrobatics
These experiences have given Kiernan first-hand insight into the commitment, discipline, training and performance standards required to perform on an international stage.
Kiernan also holds a fully enhanced DBS check, supporting his work in developing opportunities and training environments for performers.
Building Legacy
Kiernan has always been passionate about finding ways to continue learning and developing — and creating Legacy has allowed him to do that while helping other performers do the same.
Alongside developing his choreography and performance experience, Kiernan has actively invested in the business and creative development of Legacy. In 2024, he completed a Digital Marketing Course, followed by a Business Sales & Development Course in 2025, both delivered by YTKO.
The skills gained through this professional development have supported the continued growth of Legacy and helped Kiernan take on increasingly ambitious creative projects.
In August 2026, Kiernan produced and directed LEGACY LIVE, Legacy Dance Independent’s first independent theatre showcase.
LEGACY LIVE brought together dance, vocals and acting in a theatrical production featuring projection, storytelling and lighting, with members of the public and industry guests in attendance.
Following the showcase, performers involved received opportunities for agency representation, creating new pathways into the professional performing arts industry.
Scholarships & Recognition
Since founding Legacy Dance Independent in 2020, Kiernan has received four scholarship awards recognising his development as a performer:
2022 — Tim Newman, The Brighton Academy
2023 — Kenneth Avery-Clark & Emma Clifford, The International College of Musical Theatre
2024 — Can You Dance Convention
2026 — Ultimate Victory Dance Championships
What's Next?
Legacy continues to grow.
Legacy Performing Arts Centre represents the next chapter — creating a dedicated training pathway where performers can develop their skills, confidence, creativity and individuality across the performing arts.
Alongside this, Legacy Dance Independent continues to provide opportunities for emerging performers to compete, perform, create and take their work onto bigger stages.
From training and development to performance, competition, theatre and industry opportunities, the wider Legacy journey continues to evolve.
Kiernan is excited for what comes next — and believes that the best is yet to come.
Keep an eye out for upcoming information about Legacy Performing Arts Centre, classes, The Legacy podcast and future opportunities.