​Teachers

Jill Danielson
Owner, Artistic Director & Teacher
Ballet - Modern - Contemporary
Certified teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD)
CEGEP Diploma in Professional Theatre

Born and raised in Montreal, received her formal training (ballet & modern) at l'Académie de Danse Classique under the instruction of Renee Rouleau (former professional ballerina with The Royal Ballet in England alongside Margot Fonteyn & Rudolf Nureyev) & Linda Marchand. Jill was trained primarily in the Cechetti method of classical ballet where she completed exams. Jill furthered her training by becoming a company member of Ballet Ouest de Montréal for eight years. Jill danced in many full-length classical productions including The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Cinderella, Les Sylphides, Firebird, Pineapple Poll and several original modern dance pieces. Jill's dance training was complemented by a variety of competitive sports including swimming, synchronized swimming, diving, gymnastics, figure skating, running and volleyball. Jill graduated from the Professional Theatre program at Montreal's CEGEP John Abbott, where she had the opportunity to act, sing and dance on-stage in a variety of theatrical styles. Jill has trained in other dance styles such as Irish dancing, Breakin' and Hip-Hop and continues to take classes and explore new styles such as Gaga. Jill continued her dance studies as an adult and became a certified teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) in 2013.  She trains and enters students for yearly RAD exams and has maintained a 100% pass rate. She absolutely loves all aspects of teaching as well as choreographing and staging productions with the entire student body of Canmore Dance Corps every spring. 
Jill loves a good cup of tea, playing the drums and festival-ing with her extremely supportive husband (aka Mr. Jill) and nine year-old daughter.​

Vanessa Siltanen
Acro
Certified teacher with Acrobatic Arts & Yoga Alliance
Registered massage therapist

Born and raised in Edmonton, AB, Vanessa was a member of Edmonton Rhythmic Gymnastics for 10 years where she traveled to many Provincial and National Gymnaestrada competitions as well as the World Gymnaestrada in Lisbon, Portugal. She is now a certified Acro teacher with Acrobatic Arts, a certified Yoga teacher and a registered massage therapist. Vanessa's knowledge of the human body and dedication and awareness of safe dance practice make her a valuable resource for our students. Vanessa loves to ski, create jewelry, hoop dance and designs custom hoola- hoops. Vanessa also enjoys gardening and can often be found concocting magical remedies in her outdoor cauldron, under the full moon.
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Amanda Brown
Competitive Jazz, Lyrical & Tap
Certified Spin teacher with HotShop (Calgary)

Born and raised in Calgary, AB, Amanda trained at Calgary's premier studio, Drewitz Dance Productions, in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap and musical theatre where RAD classical ballet training was a great focus. She was a member of her studio's elite competitive dance team where they competed in Canada and the US. After graduation, Amanda worked as a professional dancer for Carnival Cruise Lines where they traveled around North and South America. She had the opportunity to work with dancers and choreographers from all over the world, learn new styles and perform on-stage every night. Amanda has been teaching for ten years, specializing in Jazz, Lyrical and Tap. Amanda's technical expertise and award-winning choreography have greatly helped to develop our competitive dance team. Choreography is Amanda's favorite aspect of teaching and she is dedicated to coming up with new and creative ideas each year to keep our dancers inspired, excited and current. Amanda teaches at two other dance studios in Calgary, owns her own wedding planning company called Calgary Wedding Company, and, she has also recently become a certified Spin instructor with Hot Shop (Calgary). Amanda's continued commitment to our dancers is absolutely amazing and we are so thankful to have her!
Amanda loves traveling and spoiling her adorable dog Kipper. We are also convinced that she is well-versed in the ways of time-travel, which would explain how she is able to stay on top of her ridiculously busy schedule!

Samantha Lefort-Welsh
Ballet
Certified teacher with the Pilates Center

Born and raised in Ottawa, Samantha trained in multiple styles of dance with a focus on classical and contemporary ballet. Her training includes all of the RAD exams, including participating  in the Solo Seal Award, as well as summer programs with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Aspirant Program, Alberta Ballet and Ballet BC. After graduating high school, Sam attended Ballet BC's Mentor Program, an intensive training program for  aspiring contemporary ballet dancers in Vancouver.  In addition to teaching dance, Miss Sam is a certified Pilates instructor and she is also a graduate from the Advanced Teacher Training Program from The Pilates Center. 
Sam enjoys paddle boarding and anything that involves glue, pom-poms and popsicle sticks.

Sean Butler
Hip-Hop

Sean is a choreographer and dancer based out of Calgary, AB, Canada. Sean is the creator of VibeTribeYYC, and a founding member of theTOMORROWS dance crew. His knowledge of music and movement is a direct result of his training in Flavorshop, a world-wide motion of like-minded artists created and developed by Lenny Len (Toronto). Sean strives to affect artists and students alike, generating an enhanced understanding and mentality, as well as promoting growth and success through dance and music. Credits involve performing on Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Awards 2014 for INEZ JASPER, achieving 1st place at the 2014 Cowboys SYTYCD competition with theTOMORROWS, Choreography and performing with YUNG DRE at Stampede 2017, dancing for Commonwealth Bar and Stage’s monthly Hip Hop show: 10@10, back-up for INEZ JASPER at Indspire 2014, back-up choreography for local artists YUNG DRE, HAYDEN MCHUGH, MIKE TO, as well as various performances with One World, Masked Canvas, Mpact, and Downtown Calgary.
Sean rocks sweats harder than Rocky Balboa and likes to beatbox in the shower.

Breanna Temple
Musical Theatre
Bachelor's degree in Music - University of Lethbridge
Master's Degree in Music - University of Western Ontario​

Born in Canmore, AB, Breanna spent her childhood figure skating and got into drama and singing in high school. She continued her musical studies and holds a Bachelor's degree in music from the University of Lethbridge and a Master's degree in music from the University of Western Ontario. Breanna is an accomplished soprano and has studied and performed many operatic roles across Canada and Europe. Breanna has taken many different styles of dance and movement classes and is a trained actress.
She also teaches voice lessons to people of all ages and skill levels in the Bow Valley.
Breanna enjoys singing her baby son to sleep and has been known to shatter windows when rehearsing for techno-opera performances.

Madison English
Recreational Jazz, Lyrical & Tap
Certified teacher with ADAPT & Acrobatic Arts

Madison was born and raised in Calgary where she trained in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical & Tap. She found her passion for inspiring young dancers while teaching at Energize Dance Studios (Calgary) for eight years. She has recently completed her dance teacher training from both Acrobatic Arts and ADAPT.  Madison developed and now runs her own program called 'Her Time 2 Shine' where she works with teenage girls to to help them discover their inner power. While attending a workshop in LA, she was introduced to elemental dancing that later connected her to the ecstatic dance community in Calgary. Madison has also spent time training with the members of the U of C dance faculty in the annual Dance Montage Production. Madison is excited to be continuing her journey through dance and to be inspiring other young, female performers. 
Madison enjoys reading, writing and eating copious amounts of sushi.

              

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Brooke Rapaich & Sonia Maier
Recreational Tap
Brooke & Sonia are two of our accomplished senior dancers who are taking the plunge into teaching this season! Both ladies have been dancing with us since they were four years old and have been members of our competitive dance team since they were six. Brooke & Sonia are trained in Ballet (where they completed RAD exams up to Intermediate), Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, Tap and Hip-Hop. They have performed lead roles in past year-end productions, are integral members of our competitive dance team, as well as ideal role models for our younger students.
​Brooke & Sonia are very excited to be expanding the minds (and feet!) of our young Tap-ers this season!