About Us

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An accomplished dance instructor and mother to two dancers, Jill is the Owner and Studio Director at Leap Studios. Beyond managing the studio, she enjoys leaping in to produce performance choreography and provide technique training to all ages. Jill is proud to have acquired her dance training at Showtime Dance Promotions - known as Canada's leading dance talent production company and founders of the Great Canadian Dance Challenge competition. 

In addition to learning and experiencing the joys dance for over 40 years, Jill enjoyed a successful corporate career that spanned continents, in finance and marketing management in oil & gas and manufacturing industries.  She is passionate about creating consistently exceptional experiences for all of our students, their families, and our community.  Above all, she loves watching the gifts of being a dancer unfold for each student (her own children included!).  

Jill holds certifications as a Rhythm Works Integrative Dance Instructor, Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (Y.P.A.D.), and Leap 'N Learn ballet Instructor.  She is currently obtaining Teacher Certification in the ADAPT tap and jazz syllabi and Acrobatique acro syllabus.  

Besides building a positive community within the studio, she also enjoys giving back to the community at-large. Jill is an active member of the local non-profit "Wild Rose Dance Arts Association" (WRDAA), and serves internationally on the Board of Directors for YPAD (www.ypad4change.org). Leap Studios is a proud sponsor of local school foundations such as the Battalion Park Carnival, and hosts studio events that support the The Calgary Food Bank.

Miss Allie grew up dancing in her home town of Innisfail, Alberta, dancing competitively and completing exams in Adapt Jazz & R.A.D. Ballet. She had the opportunity to attend many dance festivals and competitions around Alberta as well as participate in two dance trips to Disney Music Days in Disneyland. In 2016, Miss Allie helped train Leap’s performance dancers for our Disneyland Parades trip, teaching choreography and performing in the parades herself! 

Allie is a Junior Acrobatique Certified Instructor and is currently working on her Intermediate Acrobatique Certification. She holds the honour of being an Associate Member of the Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA), earning her designation in the Stage Division (jazz). Allie has completed her Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (YPAD) and Leap N' Learn (ballet and creative movement) certifications through Leap Studios' -sponsored faculty development program.

Allie has been teaching for over 8 years and is excited to enter her fifth year with Leap Studios. She enjoys teaching at Leap because it has a small studio feel and teaches solid technique, focuses on fun and prides itself on building community. Her overall goal as a dance teacher is to share “the love of dance”, igniting the passion within students to achieve while providing the highest level of dance training possible to her students !

Miss Chelsea's love for dance began when she took her first dance class at the age of three in her home town studio in Lloydminster.  As a dedicated technique and performance dancer, Chelsea completed all R.A.D. Ballet exams and all C.D.T.A. Tap exams. Her talent and commitment earned her exciting opportunities to travel and showcase her artistry: she has performed as a dancer with Caribbean Cruise Lines, on stage with Shania Twain and in a Jason Blain music video. 

Chelsea obtained her Bachelor in Education from the University of Saskatchewan in 2011, and has taught in elementary and middle schools in Saskatchewan and British Columbia.  She recently moved to Calgary from Kelowna with her husband and daughter (who celebrated her second birthday this past summer!).  Chelsea has completed her Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (YPAD) and Leap N' Learn (ballet and creative movement) certifications through Leap Studios' -sponsored faculty development program.

Chelsea is excited to be back in her home province, bringing her 7+ years of dance teaching and choreography experience in all genres to our studio and to contribute to our "small town" studio culture.  Her areas of expertise are vast: Chelsea is teaching  tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop/street, lyrical and contemporary dance styles, in both the non-competitive and performance competitive divisions.

Miss Carley continues her great momentum from last season, teaching our Mini Company Tap and Acro programs, Crew Performance Jazz, plus Hip Hop/Street, Ballet, Jazz and Musical Theatre in our non-competitive division.  

Miss Carley has been dancing since she was a young child, taking classes in Calgary and Cochrane.  Outside of the studio, she was captain of the “Cobra’s Dance Team" at Cochrane High School. She has continued her dance career since by dancing on the Mount Royal Cubs as well as Encorps Dance Collective. 

Miss Carley enters her second year at Leap Studios as a lead dance teacher, further showcasing her skills and knowledge acquired from her own dance experiences plus her childcare education studies at University. She believes in teaching children the importance of pursing something that you love, the amazing aspects of growing up, how to harness your potential, and go for gold in everything you do!

This past Summer, she completed her Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (YPAD) and Leap N' Learn (ballet and creative movement) certifications through Leap Studios' -sponsored faculty development program.

Outside of dancing and attending Mount Royal University, Miss Carley delights in putting on costumes and tiaras as a "Princess" for children’s birthday parties and is a volunteer swim instructor for children with disabilities.

Miss Kristy has been dancing and teaching in the Calgary area for the past 20 years.  She has created, nurtured and grown successful recreational and competitive programs and students. Kristy began her training in Ballet and continued on to master styles such as Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, African, Street Jazz, Funk & Contemporary and more!

As a dancer, she achieved numerous top score awards at dance competitions throughout Alberta and achieved high levels of success in ADAPT Jazz & Tap examinations.  In addition, she has won numerous choreography awards at local festivals and successfully entered students into Tap & Jazz exams. Throughout the years, Miss. Kristy has attended numerous workshops and master classes to stay current in the ever-changing dance world, including a trip to New York City for the renowned Dance Teacher Summit.

Kristy has completed her minor in Dance from the University of Calgary focusing on Ballet & Contemporary dance. In addition to technique classes, she attended and excelled in classes on Kinesiology, Body Conditioning, Sports Injury, Teaching Skills, Music for Dance, Improv, Composition & Choreography and Dance History. Most recently, Miss. Kristy has completed her certification in Acro Dance and is an accredited Acrobatic Arts instructor.

Miss Kristy has also achieved her certificate for teacher training in Zumba and Zumba Kids. She is endearingly known as “Miss Kristy” and has a special place in her heart for each and every student she works with. 

Vickie joins us this season to lead the jazz and acro training of our Junior and Pre-Intermediate Company dance teams. Her enthusiasm and outgoing personality is perfectly matched to Leap - she inspires her peers and students alike! 

"For as long as I can remember, I have always aspired to become a dance teacher. I started dancing at the age of three in Caroline Dance West, and later danced with the award-winning Sylvan Studios in Sylvan Lake, Alberta. Over the course of my 10 years as a dance teacher, my students have received numerous awards including Most Outstanding, Most Promising, Best Choreography and, in most recent years, have taken home the 1st place Grand Championship award and Best Overall Choreography at Danceworks Shine Festival in Red Deer.

My accomplishments and qualifications include being a fully certified ADAPT Instructor upon completing three years of training in Toronto through the guidance of Mr. and Mrs. Foley, a certified Junior Acrobatique Instructor as well as training toward my Intermediate Acrobatique Acro dance syllabus certification. 

I continued my training and development this past Summer through Leap Studios by becoming one of the first certified Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (YPAD) and Leap n' Learn Certified instructors in Canada! I am currently working toward my Alixa Flexibility Level 1 and level 2 Certifications and look forward to bringing all of these highly-regarded industry certifications in to my studio classroom.

I am extremely overjoyed to be a part of the Leap Studios team and can't wait for the fun and exciting dance moments this new season will bring!"

Ms. Arlene teaches our Mini Company teams this year in Tap and Ballet. Her kind, generous nature and passion for teaching children is a great match for our studio and our youngest performers, and we are thrilled to have Ms. Arlene on our faculty team!

Ms. Arlene grew up in Calgary where she trained in jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, musical theatre and gymnastics. As a young dancer, she participated in dance exams and festivals. Her passion for dance excelled when she became a member of the Young Canadians School of Performing Arts.

With the Young Canadians, Arlene performed in the Evening Grandstand Show at the Calgary Stampede. She was invited to perform in Las Vegas, numerous corporate events and a Grey Cup Half Time Show. Throughout this time, she worked with guest artists and choreographers from around the world, gaining valuable professional & theatrical experience.

Arlene has studied dance at the U of C, Edge Performing Arts Centre in Los Angeles and Decidedly Jazz Danceworks. Recent training programs include Dance Teacher Web Conference in Las Vegas, Yoga Kids Foundations Training, Alberta Dance Educators Workshop and numerous Acrobatic Arts training events.  

Arlene is certified with Acrobatic Arts, the Intellidance Method and Alixa Flexibility. This past Summer, she completed her Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (YPAD) and Leap N' Learn (ballet and creative movement) certifications through Leap Studios' -sponsored faculty development program.

Over the years, Arlene has instructed children & adults throughout Alberta and internationally in Bangkok, Thailand and Stavanger, Norway. She also spent time living in Dubai. For inspiration, she has travelled to New York & London to experience the magic of Broadway Theatre. Arlene is passionate about working with children and always looks forward to inspiring the next generation of dancers!

Kassidy began dancing at the age of 4 at her hometown studio in Trochu, Alberta. She travelled all over Alberta to attend competitions with her team and went on three Disneyland trips to perform on-stage and in the Dance the Magic parades. She has also danced on a cruise ship with her studio team. Kassidy was a competitive dancer throughout her childhood and until she graduated high school in 2016. 

Kassidy recently moved to Calgary to attend Mount Royal University. She has danced on the Mount Royal University Cubs Dance Team, completing many performances and fundraisers with the Club. She continues to dance with the Cubs and loves the opportunity to train and perform with such passionate dancers. 

Kassidy is currently completing her Junior Certification in the Acrobatique syllabus. This past Summer, Kassidy completed her Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (YPAD) and Leap N' Learn (ballet and creative movement) certifications through Leap Studios' -sponsored faculty development program.

Working with the dancers and helping them accomplish their goals and growing their confidence has been her highlight of joining the Leap Studios team. Getting to know the families and their children has been a fun and rewarding experience, and she looks forward to an amazing season!

More info coming soon!

We are always looking for fun, enthusiastic and skilled members to contribute to our stellar programming and team! Interested teaching candidates are welcome to send a cover letter and resume to jill@leapstudiosdance.com for consideration.