Instructors

Isabel started dancing at age 4 and has been teaching dance for over 25 years. Isabel’s knowledge and passion for dance are obvious in her dedication to her students and their achievements. Isabel’s students are her primary focus as she strives to educate them with proper techniques and instruction methods.

Isabel’s students are always her primary focus. Isabel has continued to improve her dance style and instructional technique by attending many Instructor Conferences and classes in Toronto, Ottawa, New York, and England. Isabel has been pivotal in bringing many guest instructors to Newfoundland such as Lenny Len, Lisa Auguste, Melissa Mariano and Kwame.

Isabel organized and planned the first Dance group from Newfoundland to attend Dance the Magic in Orlando, Florida. Her students have now attended 3 Dance the Magic sessions in Orlando and 1 Dance the Magic on Broadway in New York City.

Isabel remains very involved with the competitive teams. Her groups since 2014 have competed in multiple competitions including 5678 Showtime, Wanna Dance, Dance Quest, Elite Dance Productions, Dance World Cup and Nuvo in Toronto. Her teams have received multiple Gold, Ultimate Gold, Platinum awards along with many special awards, Choreography awards and invites to Dance World Cup.

Qualifications:

• I.S.T.D. Associate Modern Dance
• I.S.T.D. Associate Tap Dance
• Successfully completed examinations in: Ballet, National Dance, Ballroom, Latin, Tap and Modern

Laura began dancing at age 7 and has been teaching for 10 years. Laura has attended three Pulse Dance Conferences in Toronto, Ontario and participated in workshops given by Wade Robson, Tyce Diorio.and Twitch.

Laura has participated in Choreography designed by Lenny Len, Lisa Auguste, Melissa, Mariano and Kwame. Laura’s enthusiasm is contagious and her students love her.

Laura also teaches in our competitive program.

Credits:

• 2019 Choreography Award at Wanna Dance Competition
• 2019 Highest Modern Group Score at Dance Quest
• One year in a Dance Studies Program at York University in Toronto where Laura became part of the York University Dance Team
• Six years with Etcetera
• Three years Mount Pearl Show Choir
• Danced at Dance the Magic (on Broadway) in New York City
• New York Teachers Summit

Isabel’s note: “I am so proud to have Laura as part of our team. She brings enthusiasm and dedication along with a desire for her students to achieve.”

Ann-Marie began dancing at age 6. She started as an Instructor Assistant for 7 years and began teaching in 2008. Ann-Marie has attended many dance workshops locally and while living in Toronto, and has performed in Choreography designed by Lenny Len and Lisa Auguste.

Ann-Marie is delighted to have the opportunity to pass on her passion for dance to her students. Her love of dance is obvious to those in her classes.

Credits:

• Grade I – Senior Certificate (Ballet)
• Grade I – Advanced 2 Certificate (Tap)
• Performed at Dance the Magic (on Broadway) in New York City

Isabel’s note: “I am so happy that Ann-Marie is a member of our team. Her love of dance and dance background enlightens her with the knowledge and experience students can easily learn from.”

Kerri has been dancing since the age of 3 and an Instructor Assistant for 9 years. This is her 5th year of Teaching. Kerri takes pride in her students and is 100% committed to each and every one of them. She is continuing her dance training and is currently working on her Advanced 1 Modern and has completed her Advanced 1 Tap. Throughout her training she has taken classes with Travis Wall, Stacey Tookey, Ray Leaper, Mandy Moore, Will Loftis, Mark Meismer and Jason Parsons.

Credits:

• Dance the Magic – Florida
• Dance the Magic on Broadway – New York
• Nuvo Competition and Convention – Toronto
• New York Teacher Summit – New York City – 2017 and 2019
• Performance on Carnival Magic Cruise Ship
• Dance the World – Florida
• Dance World Cup 2018 – Mont Tremblant
• Acrobatic Arts – Summer 2020

Isabel’s note: “I am so proud of Kerri.  I have watched her grow up and become a dedicated Teacher. I’m happy she with us and part of our team.”

Laura has been dancing since she was 3 years old and has been an Instructor Assistant for 8 years. This is her 4th year teaching. She continues her training taking classes in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Exam Classes and is a member of our Elite Senior Competition Team. Laura has completed her Advanced 2 Tap Exam and is currently working on her Advanced 1 Modern Exam. She has attended many workshops being taught by famous choreographers such as Travis Wall, Stacey Tookey, Ray Leaper, Will Loftis, Mark Meismer and Jason Parsons.

Credits:

• Dance the Magic on Broadway – New York
• Nuvo Competition and Convention – Toronto
• Performance on Carnival Magic Cruise Ship
• Received a Paris/Barcelona Scholarship from 5678 Showtime Competition
• Dance the World – Florida
• Dance World Cup 2018 – Mont Tremblant
• New York Teachers Summit 2019
• 2019 – Lightening Elite Schlorship – $1000.00
• 2019 – Platinum Award in Wanna Dance achieving the highest score in the competition

Isabel’s note: ““I am thrilled to have Laura as part of our team again this year.  There’s nothing she loves more than teaching and dancing.  With such amazing success last year I’m excited to see  her continued growth  ”

Katie started dancing when she was 5 years old and has been an Instructor Assistant for 8 years. She continues her training taking classes in Ballet, Tap, Modern and Jazz. She has also trained in Pointe, Hip Hop and Exam Classes. Katie is a member of our Elite Senior Competition Team, She has also completed her Advanced 2 Tap Exam and Intermediate Modern Exam and has trained in Advanced 1 Modern. Katie has assisted with our summer camps for 3 years and was the Primary Instructor for our 2018 Summer Camps. She has attended many workshops being taught by famous choreographers such as Travis Wall, Stacey Tookey, Ray Leaper, Will Loftis, Mark Meismer and Jason Parsons.

Credits:

• New York Teachers Summit 2019
• Dance the Magic on Broadway – New York
• Dance the Magic – Florida
• ABC Christmas Special
• Nuvo Competition and Convention – Toronto
• Performance on Carnival Magic Cruise Ship
• Nuvo Competition and Convention – Toronto
• Dance the World – Florida
• Dance World Cup 2018 – Mont Tremblant

Isabel’s note: “I have been lucky to watch Katie grow into an amazing dancer and am so excited for her to take the next step in her journey. Katie is sure to inspire her kids with her love of dance”

Mackenzie has been dancing for nineteen years and is currently a senior dancer. She has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, pointe, and hip-hop. She has also been involved in a studio examination program, successfully completing all Cecchetti Ballet examinations up to Intermediate. She has also competed at local competitions for the past seven years. She has attended local workshops and conventions to further her training. Mackenzie has traveled to Toronto for the Pulse on Tour (2014), Florida for the Pulse on Tour (2015), as well as Disney Dance the World and Performing Arts, Orlando (2016).

Just recently, she has become a company member with Kittiwake Dance Theatre. Mackenzie has been teaching dance for six years and cannot wait to start the new season. She has taught children’s ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and hip-hop. She has also been a competition team choreographer for four years. Mackenzie is currently a fourth-year university student at Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Joan-Marie began dancing at an early age in Mount Pearl, Newfoundland, training in such disciplines as ballet, jazz, tap and modern. Her love for ballet in particular, led her to pursue professional training at The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, under full scholarship, The National Ballet School’s Professional Program, under scholarship and most recently The School of Alberta Ballet’s Pre-Professional Program, under the direction of Murray and Nancy Kilgour.

Joan-Marie has successfully completed her Intermediate I.S.T.D modern as well as her Advanced 1 in the Cecchetti method. Joan-Marie also holds her Associate Diploma teaching certificate in the Cecchetti method of ballet and is always working to expand her knowledge and training as a certified teacher. Joan-Marie continues to study under the tutelage and artistic guidance of Nancy Kilgour, Order of Canada.

As a dancer, in 2002, Joan-Marie was selected to represent her province as part of the first ever National Artists program, performing in the Canada Summer Games, as well as being chosen to perform in the 80th Cecchetti Anniversary Gala in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Joan-Marie has performed with several professional Ballet Companies such as Alberta Ballet, Ontario Ballet Theatre, and The Banff Centre. Due to a major ankle injury, she was forced to end her professional performing career early on, which allowed her to focus on dance instruction and enhancing her teaching skills. Joan-Marie has completed the Intensive Mat program with Stott Pilates and plans to continue her pilates education. She is also a practicing, certified member of the Progressive Ballet Technique, and uses these methods in combination with her pilates and ballet training to assist with creating strong, well balanced dancers.  

She has been fortunate to work with and receive training from renowned teachers and choreographers such as Brian McDonald, Victoria Simon, Edmund Stripe, Nancy Kilgour, Murray Kilgour, Christine Richardson, Joyce Shietze, Wendy Wright, Peggy Baker, Carol Chadwick, Deborah Bowes, Diane van Schoor, and Stéphane Léonard to name a few. Joan-Marie has been a well sought after ballet teacher across Calgary and Alberta and was given the opportunity to adjudicate and examine at local festivals, studios and events. With over two decades of teaching experience, including Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, The School of Alberta Ballet and her own studio, Kor Danceworks,  Joan-Marie remains grateful she can share her passion and love of dance with her students and is very excited to be back in Newfoundland to pass on her knowledge of ballet to the students of Elite Dance. 

Hailey has been dancing since the age of 3. She is a dance teacher with Elite and has been an instructor’s assistant for 7 years. She continues her training in Modern and has also trained in Ballet, Jazz, Pointe, Hip Hop and Advanced 1 Modern Exam. Hailey has also participated in many different workshops, conventions and competitions locally to further her training. She is currently a third year student at Memorial University of Newfoundland.

BA Hons, AISTD dip., DDI, CICB

Born and raised in the UK, Susan is an ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) trained & fully certified freelance dance teacher and choreographer here in the city. She holds a B.A. Honors in Dance and Dance Science from Middlesex University, a Diploma in Dance Instruction for Cecchetti Ballet, an Associate Diploma in Modern Theatre Dance & Tap qualifications from the ISTD. Susan teaches a wide range of styles including Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Tap, Jazz, Commercial, Lyrical, Contemporary & Musical Theatre. She is also a versatile and successful choreographer across these genres, and continually updates and extends her own knowledge.

In 2007, Susan moved to New York City to train at the Broadway Dance Centre & Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance. There she gained significant exposure and training which she took with her when she returned home to the UK and worked extensively in various theatre and commercial dance contracts along with teaching in her home county of Essex. In 2016 Susan accepted an exciting job offer to teach Dance here in NL, so made the move across the pond and now happily teaches full time across the city. She teaches a broad range of classes including recreational, performance programs, exam classes, competitive teams and is also a tutor to trainee teachers.

Still a performer herself, some of Susan’s theatre credits include Legally Blonde, Sister Act, Jesus Christ Superstar, Titanic, Guys and Dolls, Witches of Eastwick, Crazy for You, Copacabana, and most recently We Will Rock You and La Cage Aux Folles with the fabulous TaDa!

Susan is extremely passionate about teaching and loves to share her knowledge in all aspects of Dance and performance in a safe, exciting and enjoyable way! She is honoured and excited to join the team here at Elite and can’t wait to meet her new students!