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.
NOW HIRING DANCE TEACHERS AND PERFORMERS for our exciting 2010/2011 season! Employment Opportunities are Available for Dance Instructors and Choreographers! E-mail your Resume to info@dancewithfrance.ca
Rochelle Gartner (B.A. Dance, S.T.A.R.S)- Artistic Director
Rochelle 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 in Japan, North America and Europe. Some of her past credits include the Japan based production "Fantasy Tonight", "Spirit of a Nation", Victoria, BC, choreographer for CBS movie of the week "Papa's Angels", "Disney's "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids", the 1988 Winter Olympic Opening Ceremonies, the Legends Alive Tour and Princess Cruises. She is 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!
France Gartner Johnson (S.T.A.R.S, ADAPT, RAD, GILBERT)
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" 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 Rae, S.T.A.R.S- Instructor
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.
Laura Dupuis - Instructor
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 Trawick - Hip-Hop Instructor
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 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.
Julian Johnson, Chad Doherty, and Matt Mozil - Breakdance Instructors
These fantastic B-BOYS are heading up our 2010/2011 ALL GUYS breakdance program. They train intensively on their craft, constantly creating new exciting tricks, and are very passionate of 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!
Rebecca Leong - Instructor
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. Rebecaa 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.
Jacquelyn Zvanciuk- Instructor
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 alumni to 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.
Cailin Smith - Instructor
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.
Brenna Goertson - Instructor
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.
Suzanne Demers - Instructor
Suzanne Demers was born and raised in Calgary and has been dancing since the age of five. She has been teaching dance in Calgary for 11 years in a variety of styles including, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Ballet, Tap and Hip Hop. She is an energetic dancer and teacher with a great passion for teaching and seeing her students succeed. She attributes her passion for dance to all of her training and teaching experiences with dancers of ages and abilities. Throughout her years of training, Suzanne has participated in many dance competitions and traveled throughout Canada and the USA for performances. When not teaching dance, Suzanne works as a professional fundraiser and event planner, raising money for a variety of charities in Calgary.
Sarah Katz - S.T.A.R.S-Instructor
Sarah started dancing at age 4 in ballet, tap, and gymnastics. She competed in syncronized swimming for 10 years and then advanced to being an instructor for kids, teens and adults for the past 7 years. Sarah is certified and completed the 2 year S.T.A.R.S Syllabus Teaching Program and Dance with France welcomes back Sarah's vibrant positive personality to its teaching staff for the exciting dance season.
Rochelle 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 in Japan, North America and Europe. Some of her past credits include the Japan based production "Fantasy Tonight", "Spirit of a Nation", Victoria, BC, choreographer for CBS movie of the week "Papa's Angels", "Disney's "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids", the 1988 Winter Olympic Opening Ceremonies, the Legends Alive Tour and Princess Cruises. She is 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. 
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 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 2010/2011 ALL GUYS breakdance program. They train intensively on their craft, constantly creating new exciting tricks, and are very passionate of 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! 
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. Rebecaa 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. 
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 alumni to 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. 
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. 
Suzanne Demers was born and raised in Calgary and has been dancing since the age of five. She has been teaching dance in Calgary for 11 years in a variety of styles including, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Ballet, Tap and Hip Hop. She is an energetic dancer and teacher with a great passion for teaching and seeing her students succeed. She attributes her passion for dance to all of her training and teaching experiences with dancers of ages and abilities. Throughout her years of training, Suzanne has participated in many dance competitions and traveled throughout Canada and the USA for performances. When not teaching dance, Suzanne works as a professional fundraiser and event planner, raising money for a variety of charities in Calgary. 
Sarah started dancing at age 4 in ballet, tap, and gymnastics. She competed in syncronized swimming for 10 years and then advanced to being an instructor for kids, teens and adults for the past 7 years. Sarah is certified and completed the 2 year S.T.A.R.S Syllabus Teaching Program and Dance with France welcomes back Sarah's vibrant positive personality to its teaching staff for the exciting dance season. 
