Our Faculty

 

Our professional, certified and experienced instructors are fully qualified in their expertise and believe in the philosophy of building self-confidence in each individual student in a positive learning environment.

France, past owner and founder of Dance with France Studios, one of Calgary's #1 Dance Studios for 25 years & running, she bases her philosophy from an extensive career in the dance industry. France started dancing at the age of 5, training at Premiere Dance Academy under the direction of Linda Scherger. She is a Graduate of the University of Calgary Dance Degree Program and has choreographed and performed in many TV/movie productions appearing with Billy Ray Cyrus, Dirty Dancing "the movie," was 1st place winner at the competition in Los Angeles Greek Theatre, Legends Alive Tours, BMG Country Music Awards, World Police and Fire Games, 1988 Winter Olympics, Choreographer and sponsor of the Calgary Stampeder Outrider Cheerleaders, Radz Roller Hockey, Entertainment for Calgary Flames Play Off Games, Disney's "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" the series. First Place Awards from The Calgary Stampede Board for The Calgary Stampede Parade. Adjudicator for many dance and fitness competitions. Many of France's students have gone on to professional careers in the dance and entertainment industry.

Micheline has many years of training and performing in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Hip-Hop. Following a career as an international model with numerous professional modelling agencies, she became the dance/modelling consultant and casting agent for a variety of entertainment companies. During that time she designed the Personal Development and Modelling Training Program for High Schools and The Bay’s Teen Council. Some of her dance credits include performing for the BMG Country Music Awards, Legends Alive Tour, DWF Pro Troupe for 9 years, The World Police & Fire Games, and Dance Productions at the Hyatt Regency Hotel (Arizona), Micheline is the owner and Director of Dance with France’s sister company “MAG Models” and has choreographed many dance fashion shows for The Bridal Fair & Expo.

Over fifteen plus years of combined experience as a ballet and highland dancer, Dance with France welcomes back Laura Dupuis to another term as our enthusiastic ballet instructor. Laura started her dance career at age six by participating in her first highland dancing competition. Laura won numerous competitions and channeled her love of highland dancing into ballet. Laura auditioned and was accepted to the Alberta School of Ballet 'Professional Division'. During Laura's three year term at the Alberta School of Ballet she achieved her certification for the Cecchetti dance style. After leaving Alberta Ballet, Laura continued her dance career at several dance studios focusing on modern, lyrical, and tap dance styles and choreographing several show numbers for Artists Elite International Performance Company. As an instructor with Dance with France, Laura will continue to enhance the ballet program.

Sarah has been dancing intensively for fourteen years taking classes in Hip-Hop, Jazz, modern, and contemporary. For the past eight years, she has focused on hip-hop styles including break dancing, popping, locking and house. Sarah has performed in many shows including Slammenberry Jam, Dance Explosions, Calgary Cares, Werk It!, Magical Extravaganza 2, Dance Salad, Destination Unknown and numerous other dance performances. She loves to share her abilities with others, and is looking forward to another exciting year being a part of Dance with France's teaching staff.

These fantastic B-BOYS are heading up our 2012 ALL GUYS breakdance program. They train intensively on their craft, constantly creating new exciting tricks, and are very passionate about this very popular athletic artform. Our talented and enthusiastic Break Dance Instructors are 100% committed to our award winning DWF Guys Floor Team... who took home 1st Place High Gold Award again at competition this year!

Brenna is a high energy and motivated individual with a passion for Jazz dance. She began her career in Vancouver, British Columbia, attending gymnastics at the ripe age of three. She competed for over 12 years, winning multiple awards and attending the provincial championships. While a full time gymnast, she also attended dance classes taking jazz and ballet. Dance really became the focus in her life at the age of 12 when she moved with her family to east British Columbia. She had the opportunity to compete with a company production and ended up show casing her talents in Disneyland’s magic music days. With her favoritism of Jazz, Brenna competed a Jazz solo each year for 5 years and a majority of the time took first place. Most recently, Brenna walked away with a first place High Gold victory, winning second highest mark overall in the competition and a cash prize. Brenna hopes to pass down her enthusiasm and passion for Jazz to those willing to learn and experience her crazy fresh style.

Rochelle started dancing at age 3 and now is an international performer who has over 22 years of professional teaching and performing experience in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Hip-hop. She has performed throughout the world including Japan, North America and Europe. Some of her past credits include: Japan based production "Fantasy Tonight" produced by Farrington Productions (Las Vegas), "Spirit of a Nation" Victoria, BC, choreographer for CBS movie of the week "Papa's Angels", Disney's "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids", 1988 Winter Olympic Opening Ceremonies, "Legends Alive Tour", dancer with Princess Cruises and most recently dancing on the American Movie Channel's TV series "Hell on Wheels." An Alumni with the Young Canadians of the Calgary Stampede and the Calgary Stampeder Outriders, Rochelle is the founder and Artistic Director of the Professional Division "Artists Elite" which is an International Performance Company and Talent Agency. Rochelle holds a BA in Dance from the University of Calgary and has also danced professionally on Princess Cruise line circuits for 7 years performing in over 18 different Broadway Musical and Las Vegas style production shows. Miss Rochelle has an undying passion for dance and performance. She absolutely loves witnessing the growth in her students from year to year!

With years of extensive dance training in Hip-Hop, Jazz Funk, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Ballet, Modern and lyrical, Miss Jackie plans to bring her fresh style and flair to Dance with France. She is an alumna of the Young Canadians School of Performing Arts where she spent seven years performing in shows for audiences up to twenty thousand. Some of her other accomplishments include performing in the 2009 Gemini Awards show on live television, World Skills Calgary 2009 Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the Labour Day Classic Half-Time Show, the “Season of Wonder” presented by the Downtown Calgary Association, the opening ceremonies for the Alberta Special Winter Olympics, February 2007, and a special production for HRH Queen Elizabeth II in celebration of the Alberta Centennial. Miss Jackie looks forward to providing challenging classes with intensive technique and demanding choreography that will push the student’s limits for them to succeed as a strong dancer and a confident performer.

Dancers are young when they first dream of dance; Cailin started dancing at age of 11 in Jazz and quickly expanded into Tap, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Modern, and Lyrical. She danced competitively in many Western Canadian events such as Dance Power, Rhythms, Wild Rose, Dance Works, Dance Power Western Finals and remained active in competition until age 18. Cailin is strong leader and loves every opportunity to combine her creativity and talent with others who have their own dreams and share her aspirations and love of dance.

Rebecca has been dancing since the age of six, focusing on Jazz and tap technique. She has been teaching at various studios including preliminary dance classes in Germany and adult Jazz in New Zealand. She has over five years of professional dance group experience including various performances in Calgary and Area and intense training. Rebecca has finished all her "Canadian Dance Teachers Association" exams in both Jazz and Tap and has completed performance exams for Jazz and Tap from the "British Association for Teachers of Dance". Rebecca has a passion for performance and teaching performance routines and technique. She enjoys working with children and helping them to discover themselves through the expression of dance.

Sarah has been teaching dance and swimming for over 8 years. She has bachelor degrees in Education and Fine Arts and has been active in dancing, swimming, drama, and gymnastics for over 20 years. With her positive personality, Sarah is extremely excited to be back for her 6th year of teaching at Dance with France and she is looking forward to another great year of dancing.