Our Instructors

CHANTELLE
Dance Program Coordinator

Chantelle  has been the Dance Program Coordinator for the Canterbury Dance Centre for over 10 years. She has over 16 years of experience teaching Tap, Jazz, Ballet and Lyrical at the recreational and competitive level. Chantelle received her training in the Durham Region successfully completing ADAPT (Tap and Jazz) and RAD (Ballet and Modern) examinations. She participated in a competitive training program for over 10 years and upon completion of her training moved to Ottawa and continued her love for dance through various performance opportunities (local Musical Theatre show and CFL performance team). Chantelle is passionate about sharing her knowledge of dance, promoting positive self-image and inspiring youth!

ELIZABETH (LIBBY)

Libby has been teaching at the Canterbury Dance Centre since 2009. She is a choreographer and dancer for the Ottawa entertainment company Toptyr Productions. She was with the dance company DRIVEN Dance Ottawa for 6 years competing and performing all around Canada. She graduated from the University of Ottawa with a double Major in Psychology and Anthropology. She trains and choreographs for the University of Ottawa GeeGees Dance Team and was a member of their team for 5 years. Libby received her formal technical training in Ottawa at Greta Leeming Studio of Dance where she completed many levels of RAD and ADAPT syllabuses as well as competed and won many awards. She is an accomplished Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary and Lyrical dancer. Libby eats sleeps and breaths dance. She attends as many workshops as she can that run in Ottawa and Montreal. Libby has been in several music videos, performed with international singer Mohombi, performed for top DJ’s at the Escapade Music Festival and performs regularly at many events in Ottawa, Gatineau and Canada. Libby might be little, but her enthusiasm makes her presence very large!

MADISON (Maddie)

Madison began her dance journey at the tender age of three and continued to dance competitively into her late teens. She explored a wide range of dance genres, including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, and musical theatre, but her true passion lay in tap dancing, which became her favorite genre. Madison received her formal training at the Canadian School of Dance, where she achieved many levels of the RAD and ADAPT syllabuses. Madison has been substituting dance classes for the past three years and is thrilled to have her own classes, where she can share her love for dance. In addition to her dance background, Madison holds a bachelor’s degree from Carleton University, majoring in Communications and Media Studies, and has been working full time since 2020.

SADIE

Sadie has been dancing at Canterbury since she was five, developing a deep passion for dance and competitive experience in jazz and contemporary. She was also a part of the Canterbury High School dance program for 2 years, and has gained experience in other dance styles such as ballet, modern, acro, and hip hop. With several years of volunteer experience at Canterbury, Sadie has discovered a love for teaching and inspiring young dancers. She is excited to share her love for dance with the students at the Canterbury Dance Centre, helping them learn, thrive, and have fun!

EDEN

Eden has danced since she was 3 and attended the Canterbury Dance Center for 13 years. She was a competitive dancer at Canterbury, pursuing tap, jazz, contemporary, and ballet. She graduated from the Canterbury High School dance program where was trained in classical modern and ballet. She has volunteered for the Canterbury Dance Center for years and has experience teaching a variety of age groups. She is now a student at Carleton University and wishes to continue her passion for dance. She is committed to fostering a positive dance experience and helping youth enjoy every moment of their dance journey!

CASSIDY

Cassidy began dancing at the age of 2, doing ballet in the Ottawa Twinkle Toes program before continuing to follow her passion for ballet at Allegro Dance Works. After joining a studio, she even discovered a deep love for other styles, including jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and musical theater. Moving on to Capital City Dance, Cassidy trained intensively in RAD ballet and ADAPT jazz, with some highlights including having the opportunity to perform with the Royal Winnipeg and Alberta Ballet. Since training, she has spent 6 years assisting the younger students before moving on to teach her own classes. Cassidy is now in her third year with CCA and remains incredibly excited and enthusiastic to share her love for dance with the younger students and have fun!

ANGIE

Angie began her career in the discipline of classical dance in the city of Mérida, Yucatán, at the dance school of Meilyn Fuentes Paz, the first ballerina of the Cuban ballet. Later she began reggaeton, hip hop, jazz, and gymnastics.

In 2014 she began studying Contemporary Dance at the El Claustro Cultural Center in the city of Campeche. She has had the opportunity to step on the most important stages of Mexico. She is currently taking different classes and courses in various parts of Mexico and Canada, where she seeks to increase her level as a commercial dancer, and find new ways of teaching theater and dance.

MATT

Coming Soon

KEYANA

Keyana is a passionate and dedicated dance educator with deep roots in the Canterbury Community Association. A proud alumna of the CCA Dance Program, she has come full circle—returning not only as an instructor but as a driving force behind the growth of the dance community. In 2017, Keyana launched the very first musical theatre program at the CCA, combining her love of dance, theatre, and youth mentorship. Since then, she has built a welcoming and dynamic space where young performers can explore their creativity, build confidence, and grow as artists.

Keyana specializes in musical theatre dance and jazz funk, with a strong emphasis on performance, storytelling, and self-expression. Her choreography is vibrant, accessible, and designed to empower students of all levels. In addition to her recreational teaching, Keyana worked with a competitive dancer in 2025 in the musical theatre category—an experience that further showcased her ability to elevate dancers’ technical skills and stage presence in both recreational and competitive settings.

Known for her supportive and energetic teaching style, Keyana strives to make every dancer feel seen, valued, and inspired. Her own journey from student to instructor is a testament to the lasting impact of the CCA Dance Program, and she is proud to continue fostering a love of the arts within the very community that helped shape her. Whether in class, on stage, or at competition, Keyana is committed to nurturing the next generation of performers and helping them find their voice through movement.

MICHELLE

Michelle began her teaching career 56 years ago when, while in the middle of a 3-year ballet teacher’s training at L’Academie des Grands Ballets Canadiens, she was given a ballet school. Her search for more knowledge took her to Europe every summer for a few decades visiting major ballet schools and learning for the world’s best ballet masters. She has directed ballet schools in Canada and the US.

For 10 years, she was the rehearsal mistress for the Ottawa local cast of the Nutcracker with Ballet Jorgen. Michelle performed in Nureyev’s Sleeping Beauty with Canada’s National Ballet with Nureyev as the Prince, a Ruth Page production at Jacob’s Pillow and the Nutcracker with Les Grands Ballets Canadien for many years, amongst others. She is the founder and director of the Ballet Society of Ottawa.

Michelle has created, directed and taught an enrichment ballet program for gifted dancers here in Ottawa, successfully presented dancers to the YAGP in Toronto, and at the International Ballet Competition in Quebec City. She has given numerous Master Ballet Classes and Company Classes around the world as well as having developed and directed a ballet teacher’s training at the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria.

This summer she has completed a certification in Brain Compatible Dance Education & Brain Dance that brings an additional tool to aid the development in dance training.

SYDNEY

Sydney has been dancing at Canterbury Dance Centre since the age of 3, training and growing within the studio for 15 years. She spent several of those years acquiring valuable experience in both Jazz and Contemporary on a competitive level. In addition to her competitive background, Sydney has trained in Ballet, gaining more knowledge and versatility in dance. She has also assisted many classes and taught dance at summer camps, where she discovered a love for teaching and mentoring young dancers. Sydney is passionate about sharing her energy, knowledge, and love of dance with the next generation at Canterbury!