Jill Danielson Owner, Artistic Director & Teacher Ballet - Modern - Contemporary - Broadway Certified ballet teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Certified Silver Swans ballet teacher (RAD) CEGEP Diploma in Professional Theatre
Born and raised in Montreal, Jill 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 absolutely loves all aspects of teaching as well as choreographing and staging productions with the entire student body of Canmore Dance Corps every spring. Her quirky choreography has won awards at numerous dance competitions, most recently Top Overall Choreography at Great Canadian Dance Challenge Calgary 2022. Jill loves a good cup of tea, snuggling with her cats, playing the drums and eating pastries with her handy-dandy studio husband (aka Mr. Jill) and tween year-old daughter. This is Jill's 15th season teaching dance in Canmore and her 9th season as studio owner.
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. This is Sean's sixth season with Canmore Dance Corps.
Samantha Lefort-Welsh Ballet Certified Pilates 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. This is Sam's third season with Canmore Dance Corps.
Katrina Finnigan Preschool - Kindergarten CDC Alumni, currently in the Dance program at the University of Calgary Ever since she was little, Katrina was someone who always needed to move and play wherever she was. She began her journey of dance at the age of 3 and danced with Canmore Dance Corps from the ages of 7 to 19. Katrina is trained in a multitude of genres such as ballet, modern, jazz, lyrical, tap, hip hop, cabaret and acro and continues to expand herself as a dancer and artist. Katrina completed her Royal Academy of Dance exams from levels Intermediate Foundation to Advanced 1. She become a teaching assistant at Canmore Dance Corps at the age of 12 and then began teaching classes on her as of 16. In 2019, Katrina began pursuing a BFA in Dance at the University of Calgary, which she will be graduating from in the spring of 2023. Katrina has developed a deep love and passion for sharing dance with children from the ages of 3 to 18. It is her dream to one day to own her own studio so that she can continue to inspire and guide the next generation of dancers. We are thrilled to have Katrina back at our studio this season!
Amanda Brown Jazz - Lyrical - Tap Certified Yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance Certified Spin teacher and studio manager 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 over a decade 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 also teaches dance in Calgary, owns her own wedding planning company called Calgary Wedding Company, and is also a certified Yoga instructor and 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! This is Amanda's 10th season with Canmore Dance Corps.
Alexis Macintosh Ballet - Adult Certified ballet teacher with the RAD Certified Yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance Alexis began her dance training in Victoria B.C. with Maureen Eastick before moving to Toronto to train at Canada’s National Ballet school. She enjoyed a dance career that lasted over a decade performing with: The Guangzhou Ballet, Los Angeles Chamber Ballet, The Banff Centre’s Festival Dance, and as a soloist with Alberta Ballet. Alexis has had the pleasure of working with world-renowned teachers, artistic directors, and choreographers. This professional experience has developed her keen eye for technique, choreographic ingenuity, and artistic subtleties. Alexis is enthusiastically dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge in the discipline of classical ballet. This passion for the art form easily translated into a career as a teacher. She has been teaching ballet in the Bow Valley for the past seven years, and she is a certified teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance. Alexis has helped students achieve a high level of excellence in RAD examinations, regional competitions, and local productions. In addition, Alexis holds a BA in Urban Studies from the University of Calgary, and is a certified yoga instructor. She enjoys all artistic pursuits, from culinary to literary; and works very hard to keep up with the wild adventures and antics of her husband and two sons. This is Alexis' third season with Canmore Dance Corps.
Meghan Brown Jazz - Lyrical - Tap - Acro - Preschool - Adult Administrative Assistant University degree in Kinesiology Certified Yoga Teacher with AFLCA Certified in American Barre Technique Certified in Progressing Ballet Technique Meghan discovered dance at a young age and her love for the artform blossomed and developed as she grew up. Meghan was a competitive dancer in her home town of Red Deer for her entire school career and kept dancing and expanding her dance knowledge through her university years while she acquired her kinesiology degree. Meghan is a certified Yoga instructor who teaches fitness and yoga classes in various establishments in Canmore. She is a busy mom to two young children and is often involved in children's programming around town. Meghan loves to pass along the joy of dance to the community as well as to spark passion in young dancers. She enjoys and crafting and creating of all kinds as well hanging upside down from the rafters (on a piece of silk). This is Meghan's third season with Canmore Dance Corps.
