Ashley BerryWe are fortunate to have some of the most qualified teachers in the country to work with our students. Each teacher brings unique talents to the school, allowing students to receive a well-rounded dance education in many different disciplines. Parents or students who wish to meet with teachers other than at Parent/Teacher interviews, should call the office to book an appointment. Our teachers are required to have first aid training and their teaching qualifications include University degrees and teaching certificates in many different disciplines. The following teachers are currently on staff at the Edmonton School of Ballet and at Vimy Ridge Academy in the Dance Program:
Click on on a name to read a bio and see a photo.
Ashley Berry | Tanya Berry | Jacques Bourgouin | Josephine Cavaco | Judy Chan
Maria Chia | Tina Covlin-Dewart | Sylvia Delluniversidad | Lysa Downey | Laura Fleming
Margaret Flynn | Janet Hagisavas | Nancy Hamilton | Julie Homister | Hannah Ilkiw
Cally Kuebler | Erin Madsen | Terra Mahood | Anne McCready | Carmelle McKinlay
Devin McFarlane | Yukie Muraoka| Ester Tran | Suzanna Wagner | Elizabeth Walker
Linsday White-Thornton | Alyssa Wiebe | Charlie Wilson | Sarah Yadlowski
Ashley Berry
began dancing as a young child in Edmonton, Alberta. With extensive
training in the I.S.T.D. Ballet, Tap and Modern Theater syllabus Ashley has
received numerous examinations, awards and scholarships in dance. Ashley is an
alumni of Victoria School of the Arts where she attained the highest achievement
level in the International Baccalaureate Dance Program and since her graduation
has completed two years of education towards a BFA with a major in Contemporary
Dance at Simon Fraser University. She furthered her dance training in
Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Vancouver.
Ashley is currently the Dance
Director of The Common Ground Art Society and Artistic Director of the Ashley
Berry Dance Company. Ashley has also had the opportunity to collaborate on
multiple projects with Skyward Motion Pictures, a non-profit independent film
company. These works include experimental underwater dance film "HtoO", feature
films "Algorithms" and "Silhouette". Ashley has completed the Edmonton School of
ballet Junior Grades Teaching course and continues to engage in professional
development through workshops and seminars. Ashley loves teaching students of
all ages and all levels and is looking forward to another wonderful season at
The Edmonton School of Ballet.
Tanya was
born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta and has been training in the art of dance
since the age of 3, with experience in Cecchetti ballet, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical,
Musical Theater, and Hip Hop. She started her training in the Grant McEwen
children’s dance program, eventually transferring to Lecky’s School of Dance.
She has participated in a number of various dance competitions and workshops. As
time went on she discovered her love for teaching children and encouraging them
in the art and a talent and extreme passion for choreography. She decided to
come to ESB to train in the Teacher Training program where she received her
Cecchetti Associate qualification.
Jacques Bourgouin
L.I.S.T.D. (Cecchetti Branch)
Born and raised in
In 1990, Jacques moved to
Now residing in
Jacques has trained in all three major ballet syllabi, Vaganova, R.A.D. and
Cecchetti.
Teaches Ballet, Pas de Deux, Repertoire and Jazz.
He is an examiner for the Edmonton School of Ballet “Junior Grades” program. He
has taught at several dances studios in
Josephine Cavaco A.I.S.T.D.(Cecchetti
Branch)
Born and raised
in Montreal, Josephine trained at L’ecole Superieur de la danse du Quebec. She
holds her Associate Diploma in Cecchetti and has been teaching in Edmonton for
the last 7 years. She also enjoys teaching modern/contemporary and has
adjudicated several dance festivals in Alberta.
Judy Chan A.I.S.T.D. (Dip)
(Cecchetti Branch), B.Com.
Judy
began her ballet training at a young age in Hong Kong and has loved it ever
since. In Hong Kong, she studied under the Royal Academy system and
completed her Teacher's training in Edmonton in the Cecchetti system, when she
moved to Canada to further her studies. Over her student years
at Hong Kong, with the Jean M. Wong School of Ballet (www.jmwballet.org), Judy
performed in many performances and festivals with the school. With a
strong passion to teach, she seeks every opportunity to expand her knowledge in
ballet, history, teaching style, dance science, cross training activities, etc.
Judy is a graduate of the Edmonton School of Ballet's Teacher Training
Program and has been teaching at the school since 1990s. She has
also taught ballet at other local studios including Lecky School of Dancing,
Dance Unlimited, and Casey School of Dance.
Judy has 2 children, holds a full time job and is an active volunteer member of the Alberta Ballet House and Garden Committee since 2009. She has also volunteered for the Cecchetti Society of Canada Alberta Branch as the Treasurer since 2005.
Maria began dancing professionally in 1988 after
completing her BSc at the University of Alberta and her Diploma (Dance
Performance) at Grant MacEwan. She
performed across Canada and studied with various teachers including David Adams,
Peter Boneham, Peggy Baker, Irene Dowd, Gary Masters, Debra Shantz and Brian
Webb. Maria has taught modern dance
since 1989, in professional programs, recreational programs and summers schools
in BC and Alberta. She currently
teaches at the Edmonton School of Ballet.
Her classes blend the development of strong diverse technical skills with
a compelling personal sense of expression and artistry.
Dance is taught as a means of communication and performance as a dialogue
through movement. Maria’s students are consistently acknowledged for their
professionalism and commitment to their performances.
She has received numerous choreography awards, and her students have been
recognized with high honours and various scholarships. Many of them have
continued on to schools or professional careers in Canada, the United States and
Europe.
Tina
Covlin, B.Ed., M.A., B.P.E. (Dance) - Director of
Contemporary Dance
Ms.
Covlin-Dewart is the Director of Contemporary Dance at the Edmonton School of
Ballet and Vimy Ridge Academy. She trained in Edmonton, graduating from the
Edmonton School of Ballet and the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of
Physical Education (Dance) and Master of Arts (Dance). Ms. Covlin furthered her
dance education in New York, Los Angeles, Germany, Winnipeg and Vancouver. She
has taught students from three years to adult, including teaching at the
University of Alberta and the Kings University College. She is the recipient of
numerous teaching and choreography awards, including an Excellence in Teaching
Award and the Dorothy Harris Award, both from the University of Alberta. Her
choreography has been presented both nationally and internationally, in Germany,
Australia and at the National Cecchetti Conference in Winnipeg. She is the
founder and director of Edmonton Contemporary Dancers, a performing company for
aspiring professional dancers which has represented Canada at the Jazz Dance
World Congress. Ms. Covlin-Dewart completed her education degree with
distinction.
Sylvia began her ballet training at the age of 7 at the Edmonton School of Ballet and her flamenco training at the age of 4 with Conchita de Pectel. Sylvia completed her advanced Flamenco training in Spain with Berta Valencia and she completed the ESB teacher training program with RAD RTS and AISTD (National Branch). Ms. Deluniversidad has also enjoyed adjudicating Ballet in various competitions. Sylvia’s Flamenco students danced in the opening ceremonies of the IAAF World Track and Field opening games. She has taught at ESB for more than 10 years in both the after school program and the Vimy Ridge Academy dance program.
Lysa
Downey is an award-winning performer and choreographer. Following more than two
decades of training and graduation from the Edmonton School of Ballet
Professional Program and the Grant MacEwan College Dance Program in 2003, Lysa
has taught and coached dancers in Edmonton, Vancouver, Stony Plain, Bonnyville
and Morinville at the community, competitive and academic levels. With a strong
background in jazz, modern, ballet and improvisation, Lysa is also trained in
tap and creative movement . She continues her training through workshops and
community classes.
Her
choreographic achievements are many, including “Prairie to Gothic Striptease” at
a Wendy McNeil CD release, Stageworks Academy of Performing Arts production of
Cinderella, Grant MacEwan and Main Dance Vancouver Public Showcases, Visualeyes
Festival and Dance Explosions, plus the preparation of students of all ages for
festivals and competitions. Since 2007 Lysa has received four choreography
awards. Lysa has performed and competed throughout her dance career including
the World Jazz Dance Congress in Wiesbaden Germany, Main Dance Showcases in
Vancouver, Day of the dead October Parade in Vancouver, NextFest, Dance
Explosions, Wendy McNeil CD release, Alberta Ballet’s Nutcracker, International
Dance Day in Churchill Square Edmonton and numerous festivals.
Lysa
currently instructs at the University of Alberta and Edmonton area dance
schools.
Laura Fleming started dancing as a child in the beautiful Shuswap Valley of British Columbia. She has studied jazz, tap, modern, ballet, musical theater, swing, and more. In addition to dance, Laura has a strong background in music performance and composition, as well as visual arts.
Laura has been teaching for 15 years in BC and Alberta, and has recently taken a break from her training to start her family. Laura has loved dance from an early age, but has found her passion in teaching her art.
Margaret Flynn L.I.S.T.D.
(Cecchetti Branch) - Artistic Director
Margaret is the author of the Junior Ballet Preparatory Grades and is the chief examiner of this syllabi. She often adjudicates at festivals across Western Canada, and was elected to the National Council of the Cecchetti Society of Canada for 3 terms. Her choreographic credits include opera and many full length ballets.
In recognition of her dedication to the arts and community service, Mrs. Flynn has received numerous awards including the City of Edmonton Cultural Award and the Y.W.C.A. Tribute to Women Arts Awards.
Janet Hagisavas
-
Fellow, Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, Cecchetti Faculty - Director of
Teacher Training,
ESB
Graduate, Teacher Training Program, National Ballet School; Director of Teacher Training, Edmonton School of Ballet
Janet has
taught at Edmonton School of Ballet for over 25 years beginning back in the late
'70's. She also owned and operated her own school in St. Albert for four years
before returning to ESB. She enjoys
teaching young students through to the challenges of senior Cecchetti training.
She also enjoys continuing to develop the Teacher Training Program and mentoring
young teachers.
Janet was the
International speaker at the Australian National Cecchetti Congress in 2001
where her presentation showed how the Cecchetti principles relate to Modern
Dance. The video which she made with the talents of Tina Covlin-Dewart, showing
these principles, has been acclaimed by dance professionals in North America,
Europe and Australia. Janet was a coach at the Cecchetti International Classical
Ballet Competition in Australia in 2001 and was a member of the Organizing
Committee of the 2008 Cecchetti International Competition held in Canada.
Nancy graduated from the ESB professional program in 1990 and went on to
Montreal to continue her training with the school for Les Grands Ballets
Canadiens. Upon graduation from that program, she moved to the United
States to dance professionally with Cincinnati Ballet.
Nancy returned home in 1995 to attend the U of A, where she received her B.Ed.
in Special Education and was hired by Edmonton Public Schools. For the
next 6 years she worked as an elementary teacher at various schools around the
city, before joining the staff of Vimy Ridge's dance department.
Nancy has been Ballet Mistress for Edmonton Festival Ballet and Citie
Ballet, rehearsal assistant for Alberta Ballet’s Nutcracker children, and a
ballet teacher at various studios around the city. Currently in her fifth
year at Vimy, Nancy is teaching fitness, phys. Ed, theory, non-syllabus,
variations, pointe and repertoire as well as co-directing Edmonton Festival
Ballet with her friend and colleague Terra Mahood.
Julie Homister - Director of
the ESB Junior Ballet
Program
Julie is the current director of the Junior Ballet Program at ESB. She teaches Ballet and has been teaching for 18 years – the last 16 at ESB. Her accomplishments include attaining her teacher training program certificate from ESB and Junior Grades teaching certificate from ESB, as well as attending and competing at the Jazz Dance World Congress in Germany, in 1997. Julie is a newly appointed ESB Junior Grades examiner.
In addition to being a mom to two young children, Julie has experience as a classroom assistant at Lansdowne Nursery school and is currently the co-director of Holyrood Playschool.
Soon, Julie hopes to continue her education in teaching young children by attaining her Early Childhood Development certification in order to teach Preschool (Nursery) and Kindergarten.
In the past, Julie has taught Ballet, Jazz, Musical theatre and Modern but she now focuses on teaching ballet to our youngest dancers, as well as technique and choreography classes to our Preparatory program dancers. Before becoming a mom she also taught within the ESBS daytime dance program.
Julie strives to inspire young dancers to love movement and music and hopes the experience will benefit her students no matter where life takes them.
Cally
Kuebler is a choreographer, performer, teacher, and is currently an instructor,
choreographer, examiner and adjudicator in Edmonton.
Cally
began dancing at the age of 6 in Sherwood Park. She continued her training as a
student at the Edmonton School of Ballet,
and subsequently joined the Edmonton Festival Ballet as a soloist at the
age of 14. She performed with the Edmonton Festival Ballet for one year prior to
attending the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School’s
professional division.
For
the next 2 years, Cally performed in such ballets as La Bayadere, Les Sylphides,
and Don Quixote as well as participating in First Steps productions, both as a
performer and choreographer. She later graduated from the Edmonton School of
Ballet, receiving Honors and the Edmonton School of Ballet’s
senior award. Her ballet training led her to perform with Ballet British
Columbia's mentorship program.
Throughout her career, she has developed her artistry by training in Ballet,
Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Tap, Musial theatre, Contemporary, Street Jazz,
Improvisation, and Pilates. Cally later taught at Dancefusion Academy of dance
for 6 years and went on to become a faculty member at Star Baton and Dance
company and Dance explosions in Calgary for 4. She has completed her Associate
in Cecchetti teachers, as well as completing her Associate Diploma in 2007.
Cally's training and performances have aided her in becoming a very
passionate and enthusiastic teacher. Cally is looking forward to her continued
studies as an instructor and continues to share her drive, passion and love of
all forms of dance.
Erin
Madsen, ARAD, RAD RTS
Erin Madsen
has been teaching for almost 20 years and with Edmonton School of Ballet since
2003. She has extensive training in ballet, jazz, and modern dance, but ballet
has always been her passion. Erin has attended many summer courses and master
classes across Canada, including Banff Centre of Fine Arts, Grant MacEwan
College, Harbour Dance Centre, Edmonton School of Ballet and Alberta Ballet
School. She achieved Advanced RAD at the age of 15 and has been striving for
more education ever since. Some of these achievements have been Registered
Teacher status with the Royal Academy of Dance, Certificate of Higher Education:
Dance Education through the Royal Academy of Dance and University of Durham, and
most recently Graduation with Honors from Grant MacEwan’s Arts and Cultural
Management Program. Life long learning is extremely important to her as it
allows her to bring more to her students and to the organizations she works
with.
Mrs. Madsen
has a strong passion for dance and a dedication to the development of future
artists. She enjoys using her newfound skills to help her students achieve more.
She truly enjoys sharing her love of dance with her students and learns as much
from them, if not more than they do from her.
Ms. Mahood has been teaching ballet for more than 20 years. Terra graduated from the teacher training program at the Edmonton School of Ballet in 1991 after achieving her Associate exam in the Cecchetti method. She achieved her Advanced 2 exam in 1992 and Licentiate exam in 1993 (both in the Cecchetti Faculty). Terra teaches Cecchetti exam classes, pointe, variations, non-syllabus, pre-ballet, etc. She is a senior teacher in the dance program at Vimy Ridge Academy and at the Edmonton School of Ballet. Ms. Mahood is a Senior Examiner of Margaret Flynn’s Junior Preparatory Grades, is the current Production Manager for the Edmonton School of Ballet, and is an experienced Stage Manager for dance performances. She is also co-director of the Edmonton Festival Ballet gratefully sharing the job with Nancy Hamilton.
In 1997 Terra graduated from the University of Alberta achieving a B.A. with Distinction with a major in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. In 2008 she also graduated with a B.Ed. from the same institution. In June 2000, Terra also achieved her Advanced 2 and Associate examinations in the I.S.T.D. National Branch. Her future goals include achieving the Diploma, Licentiate Diploma, and Fellowship examinations in the Cecchetti Faculty.
Miss McCready
received her early training at the Alberta Ballet School and the Edmonton School
of Ballet. She performed with Citie Ballet in its inaugural season and became
the Company Ballet Mistress in 2001. At the age of 14 she was accepted into the
Edmonton Festival Ballet Company, where she danced for four years. Through
Cecchetti Dance Theatre she completed her teacher training and was awarded her
Associate from the ISTD London England in the Cecchetti Method in 2005.
Carmelle McKinlay ARAD RTS.
Carmelle
McKinlay grew up in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta with the fortune of a family that
was passionate for the arts. She trained in Edmonton at the Alberta Ballet
School as well as throughout Canada and the United States under the tutelage of
many teachers including Arnold Spohr, Ross Brierton, Gerard Theoret, Anette av
Paul, Mary Jago, Margo Sappington, Jennifer Muller, Michael Vernon, Serge
Benthan, Julia Sasso and Brian Webb. Her training and professional performing
experience has included Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Voice, theatre and musical theatre
productions.
She is
currently the Director of Ballet at Variations Academy of Performing Arts in
Edmonton, as well as a certified Royal Academy of dance Teacher holding the
Advanced examination certificate (currently the Advanced 2), the music diploma
course and anatomy diploma course both through the RAD system. Carmelle
continues to choreograph, guest teach and examine throughout Alberta and British
Columbia.
Over the
span of her dance and teaching career she has been known for clean technical
ability as well as producing out of the box choreography in classical,
character/ demi-character and contemporary works and has developed a large
repertoire including the same. Carmelle prides herself in allowing each dancer a
voice in the choreographic process to encourage creativity and ownership.
Devin McFarlane has danced with the Edmonton School of Ballet for 15 years, and has been teaching at the school since 2003. She enjoys working with children of all ages, in disciplines of dance including jazz, musical theatre and ballet. Devin looks forward to beginning a degree in Science at the University of Alberta in the fall of 2005, and hopes to continue teaching dance for many years to come.
Yukie is from
Japan and this is her 4th year at the Edmonton School of Ballet. She started her
classical ballet training in the Russian method in Japan at the age of 6. She
attended intensive courses of classical ballet and character dance taught by
Russian teachers from 1991-1993 in Tokyo. She has done most of her ballet
training in Japan. After graduating from an American college in Wisconsin, she
studied the dance program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and also
obtained her Pilates instructor certification accredited by UNLV. She graduated
from the Teacher Training Program at the Edmonton School of Ballet in 2010 when
she achieved her Associate exam in the Cecchetti method. Now she is also working
on her Associate Diploma and Advanced 2 exam in the Cecchetti method, and is
enjoying teaching at ESB.
Esther Tran began her dance training at the age of 8
at the Edmonton School of Ballet, and has developed a love for dance of all
disciplines. This is her ninth season dancing with ESB and she is very excited
to be teaching her own classes, as well as to continue assisting in other jazz
and tap classes. Esther looks forward to finishing her International
Baccalaureate and high school diplomas and hopes to continue dancing and
teaching for many years to come.
Suzanna began her dance training at
the age of fourteen in Stony Plain.
After graduating high school she spent 3 years in the Edmonton School of
Ballet’s Teacher Training Program, and while student teaching she danced with
the Edmonton Festival Ballet. For
the last 4 years Suzanna has taught many ages and levels of ballet in Stony
Plain and is very excited to teach for the Edmonton School of Ballet. Suzanna
has completed her Intermediate National Dance exam, Intermediate Cecchetti exam
and ESB’s Junior Grades Teacher’s course.
She is currently studying at the University of Alberta.
Elizabeth started ballet
at a young age in Port Alberni, BC. She studied the Cecchetti method of ballet
at MacKenzie School of Dance. Later, she studied R.A.D. at Dance Images in
Coaldale, AB. She has received her Junior Grades Teaching certificate, and is
currently in the Teacher Training Program at ESB working towards receiving her
Associate.
Lindsay White-Thornton
B.A. (Hist)
Returning to the Edmonton School of Ballet for an
eighth season, and teaching in the disciplines of Tap and Jazz, is Lindsay
White-Thornton. Lindsay has over twenty two years of teaching and dance
experience in the disciplines of Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Contemporary,
Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, and Ballet.
As a dancer, Lindsay trained under some of North
America’s most well known teachers and choreographers, won numerous scholarships
and top awards for her dancing, and participated in workshops and shows around
As a teacher and choreographer, Lindsay has taught
for five studios in and around
Lindsay is well known for her high energy classes
and creative teaching methods, and loves to work with students of all ages. She
has completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree and is currently attending the
Alyssa has been training for many years in hip hop and loves this dance
form. Her hip hop training has been
with Third Street Beat and she has been student teaching with Daniel Andries of
White Chocolate for the last four years.
One of her biggest accomplishments as a dancer was touring China with
Third Street Beat as one of their performers in the production “Hip Ho Saved My
Life” in summer 2010.
This is Alyssa’s second year of teaching.
She is looking forward to teaching her students here at ESB many
different steps and styles in hip hop and is excited to prepare choreography for
performances and competitions.
A Graduate from San Francisco Circus Center
Aerial Program, Charlie, a native to Alberta and the Edmonton School of Ballet,
is a highly skilled entertainer, choreographer, and teacher. He has
performed as a professional Dancer for the past 12 years. Cruise Liners, Tokyo
DisneySea, and Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago to name a few. After years of
traveling around the world performing, Charlie started his Circus/Aerial/Acro
training. Trained by Cirque de Soleil, Aerialize in Australia, and
Circus Center in San Francisco, Charlie is well rounded. To date, Charlie is a
Head Coach and Choreographer for Edmonton’s FireFly Circus Theatre. He looks
forward to training new and talented students.
Sarah Yadlowski began dancing at the age of 9 with Amanda Fiddler in a small
community dance program. With Amanda, she trained in jazz, tap, lyrical, ballet,
hip hop and musical theater.
In 2004, Sarah continued her training at the Edmonton School of Ballet in
the professional program, where she completed ballet exams in the Cecchetti and
RAD syllabus. In 2006 she joined the Edmonton Contemporary Dancers where she
found her true love of modern and jazz dance. While with the company, she also
had the opportunity to travel to Los Angeles and San Diego to perform and study
dance, and was able to compete and perform all around Alberta. Sarah
graduated from the Edmonton School of Ballet’s program in 2008.
Since then, Sarah has been teaching at Amanda’s and the Edmonton School of
Ballet, and has won numerous choreography awards. She was also fortunate enough
to have the opportunity to train and study dance in Vancouver for 4 months.
Sarah continues to grow and learn as a teacher, and is always happy to share her
passion for dance and performance with whoever she’s able to share it with.
