MISS MAKENNA
Studio Owner/Instructor
BBA, ADAPT, AAC, PBT, NCCP
Dancing for almost all of her life, Makenna has trained in many, many styles of dance including ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, open, musical theatre, hip hop, funk, african, and more! Makenna danced competitively for years, travelling across the country, receiving multiple group and individual awards/scholarships. During her competitive dance years with her childhood dance studio, she also studied at The Centre for Performing and Visual Arts.
Makenna began teaching her own dance classes independently at the age of 14, and soon after her career as a competitive dancer ended, she knew that teaching was her passion and threw herself into the world of teaching by completing multiple teaching certifications. Makenna is Acrobatic Arts Certified and also a graduate from the three year, ADAPT Teacher's Training Program. She also has certifications with Alixa Flexibility, Progressing Ballet Technique, and the National Coaching Certification Program. Makenna also has a business degree, concentrating in Business of Sport and Recreation. Makenna absolutely loves teaching dance, has won many choreography awards, and is always so proud of her dancers.
In recent years, Makenna has began to dip into the world of dance adjudication, judging the Calgary Stampede Talent Search and working through the process of becoming an Impact Dance Adjudicator.
Chestermere is and has been Makenna's home since she was a young girl, attending Prairie Waters Elementary School, CLMS, and Chestermere High School. The community of Chestermere is extremely important to her, therefore important to Dexterity Dance Studio!
You will hopefully see Makenna out and about in the community! But you can definitely find her working with our dancers in their ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, acro, and Barre None classes!
MISS TORY
Instructor
RAD,PCP
Tory was born and raised in Calgary, starting dance lessons at the age of 3. She did most of her training at the Calgary City Ballet School and Ballet Arts Centre. She completed ISTD Grades 2- 4 as well as RAD exam levels Pre Primary through to Elementary and Grade 8. She is still actively dancing and taking exams. Over the last 3 years, she has successfully taken 5 exams with the new RAD Discovering Repertoire syllabi. Tory's most recent ballet accomplishment is completing her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies with the Royal Academy of Dance and receiving her Registered Teachers Status.
Tory has had a deep love of ballet. She performed with Jeunesse Classique in productions of The Sleeping Beauty and La Bayadère as a member of the Corps. As well as, multiple performances of The Nutcracker, performing the role of a party guest and in the Corps as a Snowflake and the Waltz of the Flowers. More recently, Tory danced in The Song of the Phoenix, by choreographer Barbara England, for Facet Music. She still performs, not only ballet, but also Ukrainian dance, with Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Society’s adult group.
When Tory is not sharing her knowledge and love of dance with her students, she is working as a Paramedic in Calgary with AHS EMS. She is a mother of two dancers as well. Dance is Tory’s passion and she can’t wait to share it with the Dexterity family.
MISS SARAH
Instructor
WPIC
Sarah began her dance journey at the age of 3 and was competing provincially by the age of 9. She danced for many years at Fabulous Feet in Turner Valley before making the move to Winnipeg. Once in Winnipeg, she started at Focus Dance Studio, training under Barb Daurie. Sarah completed her RAD ballet exams and trained in both ADAPT and Bob Fosse style Jazz, while learning from Barb Daurie.
Dance was a major part of Sarah’s life as she trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, Pointe, Musical Theatre and Hip Hop. She competed nationally and internationally in Jazz, Lyrical and Hip Hop and has attended many different dance workshops; some of which were hosted by Mia Michaels, Justin Timberlake’s dance team, and many other industry leaders.
In her teens, Sarah moved to Kick It Dance Studio and embraced the world of hip hop. Her hip hop group won nationals and she competed In Germany at Hip Hop Worlds Dance Competition. She also placed third for her hip hop solo at dance nationals. When she came home, she decided to join a Hip Hop crew called Un1te. While dancing with Un1te, she indulged in many different styles of hip-hop including, popping and locking, krumping, breakdancing, and stepping. She found a whole new passion for dance once again through hip hop.
Sarah began assist teaching with her dance company at the age of 13, and was teaching her own competitive dancers by the age of 18. Teaching dance is a calling and passion for Sarah. Miss Sarah hopes to inspire her students and help them find their passion as her dance teachers once did for her.
MISS CARLEY
Instructor
BEd, ADTA
Carley started dancing at the very young age of two years old; after watching her older twin sisters in ballet class, she couldn't wait to get inside the studio!
Carley grew up dancing at Premier Dance Academy and Studio MC (now know as Snap Dance Studios). During her senior year, her award and scholarship winning lyrical solo was choreographed by Lisa Metz. Throughout her competitive dance career, she traveled to Mexico to perform twice and spend time at the Broadway Dance Centre in New York.
While pursuing a Bachelor of Child Studies and a Bachelor of Education, Carley danced with two different groups, the Mount Royal University Dance Team "The Cubs" and Encorps Dance Collective.
Carley has been a dance instructor and choreographer for the past 5 years, choreographing all different styles of routines for competition and recital - with a few choreography awards under her belt. Carley's teaching certificates include Junior Acro from Acrobatique, The Method, and she is working towards her Intermediate ADTA certification.
Miss Carley loves having fun in her classes, allowing dancers to opportunity to just be themselves! She is passionate about teaching, taking the time to understand each individual dancer and discovering their personal potential.
MISS KYLA
Kyla grew up dancing all over the province of Alberta! She has experience with both recreational and competitive levels of ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, open, and musical theatre. Musical Theatre is one of Kyla's favourites; with over 10 years of experience on stage and on film. Kyla was signed to Talent Inc. and got the opportunity to attend their National Conference in 2015. Along with dance and film, Kyla is also vocally trained, singing with many groups and bands. Kyla's teaching experience includes many years as a student teacher, before receiving her own classes.
Kyla is a graduate from Mount Royal University with a degree in Education and has also completed her IDTS certification. She is also certified in children's mental healtht through MRU.
The dance studio has always been Kyla's second home and she can't wait to help her dancers find the same love and passion for dance as she has found!
Instructor
BEd, IDTS
MISS BRIANNE
Instructor
AAC, NCCP, ICU
Brianne’s competitive dance journey began at age 11 and quickly became her passion, and main focus. Brianne has trained and competed in many styles including: Acrobatics, Ballet (RAD), Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz (ADAPT), Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Tap (ADAPT & Al Gilbert), and Cheer. At age 18, Brianne moved to Los Angeles to train and audition. Highlights of her LA adventure include performing with Far East Movement and Wiz Khalifa, performing at a P.E.T.A charity event, providing pre-game entertainment at the Dodgers Stadium, training and performing with an all-girl dancer troupe (PCH), and landing the lead for a local TV commercial. After returning home to Calgary, Brianne trained and performed with local dance crews, Flomatik, and illFX. She also cheered on a co-ed team with the Calgary Pythons. Brianne has been a member of En Corps Dance Collective, an adult contemporary company in Calgary, since 2015. She has been a dancer, choreographer, and artistic director within the company, as well as an active board member currently sitting in the role of Vice President. Outside of dance, Brianne is a photographer specializing in creative dance and movement portraiture.
As an instructor, Brianne believes in a strong foundation and puts focus on technique and safe development through progressions. She is certified with NCCP (Level 1 & 2) for gymnastics, with Acrobatic Arts (Module 1 & 2) for AcroDance, and with the International Cheer Union (Level 1 & 2) for Cheer.
Miss Brianne wants to see her students succeed, build self-confidence, and develop their artistic self-expression.
MISS PAITYN & MISS BRENNA
Instructors
IDTS
Paityn and Brenna were a teaching duo last season but are excited to be teaching separately this year. They have been dancing for many years and have been with Dexterity since opening day. They are both talented dancers who competed in the styles of Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, Ballet, and Acro across the province. They trained RAD, ADAPT, and AAC syllabus in their weekly classes. Their competitive training has paid off as both Paityn and Brenna have won multiple awards and scholarships.
Paityn and Brenna have student taught for years, both getting the opportunity to teach directly under Miss Makenna for multiple seasons. To further develop their teaching careers, they are both International Dance Teaching Standards certified.
Paityn and Brenna have made some of their most cherished childhood memories dancing and can’t wait to share their joy, love, and passion for dance with their future students.
MISS GRACE
Instructor
IDTS, AAC, ACA
Grace was born and raised in Calgary, and has been dancing for 17 years. She has trained in ballet, jazz, tap, acro, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, modern, and pointe. She has completed many Cecchetti ballet exams, under the direction of Natalka Lewis. She has also trained at the Advanced 1 and Advanced 2 levels of RAD. She did The Young Canadians of the Calgary Stampede as a young dancer, as well as the Trip the Light youth training company. She completed the Corps Bara CBII program last year, which gave her incredible modern dance experience. She also completed a semester of Dance at U of C, before deciding to pursue other passions. This year, she will be attending drop-in classes throughout Calgary.
She is Module 1 Acrobatic Arts certified, IDTS certified, and is in the process of completing her Performance Cheer Certification from the Alberta Cheerleading Association.
She has cheered with the Stampeder’s Outriders, as well as the MRU Dance Team. She is a choreographer/teacher for the YYC Dance CONNECTed Nutcracker, and is entering her third year with this production.
She is very passionate about dance education, and plans to continue teaching and learning for a very long time. She wants to inspire her students, and unlock their full potential. She uses play-based learning in her younger ballet classes, and loves using that to engage her students and their imaginations!
Grace is very excited to be a part of the Dex staff, and can’t wait to start the season!
MISS PAIGE
Instructor
AAC, NCCP
Paige started dancing at the age of 5, studying ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, lyrical, acro, and highland.
Paige has travelled to Hawaii, Ireland, Scotland, England, Florida, California, and New York City to perform and take classes.
Paige fell in love with Acrobatics at a young age, and has completed exams up to level 8 in the Acrobatics Art Program.
Paige is a certified in Acrobatics Arts Module 1, Pre School AcroDance, Alixia Strength and Flexibility Module 1, and NNCP Level 1 Artistic Gymnastics.
Paige also has a strong ballet background. She trained RAD growing up and has completed her RAD exams up until Intermediate Foundation.
Paige is currently working as a Recreational Therapist Assistant and studying online through the University of Montana Speech Language Pathologist Assistant and Bachelor’s in Communication Science Disorder Degree.
Paige is very excited to become a part of Dex faculty this season!
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MISS DENA
MISS EMILY
Instructor
AAC
Emily began dancing when she was three years old. She has training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, hip-hop, and acrobatics. She trained and competed in the Calgary area for over 15 years.
Emily worked closely to create original choreography to be performed at international competitions for the Calgary Stampede Showband, ultimately receiving its seventh world championship title.
Emily is Acrobatic Arts M1 and M2 certified and is currently studying at the University of Calgary to complete her Bachelors of Arts degree with a minor in Dance.
She is dedicated to sharing sound dance instruction and developing her own teaching skills. She aims to provide her students a solid technical basis as well as the virtues of accountability, self-assurance, perseverance, and teamwork. o advance her choreography, instructing, experience, and knowledge, she enjoys going to classes, workshops, and observing other teachers classes!
MISS MELANIE
Instructor
The Movement
Mel is the creator and founder of The Movement. The Movement was created out of a burning desire to make a shift in how we view movement. A shift from movement being only of the body to that of our entire being - body, mind + soul. The mission is to offer a brave space for one to move the entire being for vitality, for life, and most importantly for themselves.
Mel was welcomed into the Dexterity Family last dance season, and it was a true honour to have her move with the competitive dancers through The Movement’s dance fitness class, Release. A brave space was cultivated to allow the team to condition their cardio, while doing what they love, dancing….with some burpees and mountain climbers thrown in ;).
Mel is looking forward to the upcoming season with the Dex Team, and is thankful to our Dex parents for trusting her to be apart of it with your amazing kids.