Dance West Faculty

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	Caroline Waters - Director of Dance West AISTD (Cecc.), AISTD (N.B.), NBS Dip Cecchetti Ballet Exams, Pointe, Kinder Ballet and Adult Ballet Artistic Director Caroline Waters is a graduate of the prestigious National Ballet School  teacher training program Toronto, Ontario . In addition to her specialization in Cecchetti Ballet instruction Caroline has also instructed, studied, and performed in a variety of dance disciplines, created award winning choreography, adjudicated dance competitions, and has many years of both performing experience and dance instruction expertise. Caroline’s vast experience with children as both an instructor and parent, along with her artistic expertise and leadership is complimented by the exceptional Dance West faculty of highly skilled instructors and guest choreographers within each discipline of dance offered.
	Michelle Gisby Tap, Musical Theatre, Jazz Michelle is one of the lower mainland’s most dynamic teachers/choreographers and she has been on Faculty at Dance West for 12 years. Discovering dance at the age of six, by age ten Michelle knew that her passion for the arts would continue to be a part of her life, always. Trained by many top local and internationally known professionals, Michelle’s extensive training includes tap, jazz, musical theatre (stage&song and dance), lyrical and ballet. Michelle’s proficiency in tap led her to the opportunity to be selected for solo choreographed works by world-renowned tap legends William Orlowski and Malcome Gayle. As a student, the result of Michelle’s combined talents and studies won her numerous scholarships to train in Los Angeles, Florida, Las Vegas and more. Michelle now passes on her knowledge to some of the most talented dancers of the next generation! Michelle is loved by her students and colleagues for her vitality, creativity and incredible sense of humour she brings to each day in the studio and at every event! Her wit and enthusiasm has a way of motivating all around her with tremendous positive energy, and her musicality and keen eye for technique has brought her numerous awards for her choreography
	Brianne Maxwell Brianne has been dancing since the age of three. She has trained extensively in ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern, contemporary, hip hop and musical theatre. Throughout her years of training she has found that lyrical and contemporary are her passion. She has won numerous awards and scholarships for her performances and choreography at a variety of competitions and conventions. She has also traveled to Los Angeles and New York to further her training. She recently was a part of the Surrey Celebration Dance Team directed by Dance West Alumni Kelly Konno where she performed at events for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Brianne shares her experience, love and passion for dance with her students here at Dance West.
	Tiffany Carlson Tiffany was introduced into the world of dance at the age of 3. Her passion continued to grow as she was gradually exposed to the many different genres of dance. Her primary training began with ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre and polynesian and later expanded onto contemporary and hip hop. The majority of her teenage and adult training has focused mainly on jazz and contemporary styles. Tiffany's performance credits include dancing at the PNE in 'Fire in the Night,' 'Bring On the Night,' 'Cirque Pop 2K,' and 'Outrageous'. She has also performed locally and overseas with world champion magicians such as Julianna Chen, Shawn Farquhar, Kevin James and Omar Pasha. Additionally, Tiffany has performed in numerous industrial shows for corporate events throughout the Lower Mainland. Tiffany now carries with her over 20 years of training and performing experience and is excited to join the teaching staff at Dance West. Her passion for dance and obvious love for children is expressed in the classroom through structured classes in a fun environment. She believes in building a strong technical foundation for dancers at a young age in order to allow t hem to successfully improve and grow as dancers.
	Melissa Medalla Hip Hop Melissa Medalla began dancing a the age of 13 and after learning the basics to many dance forms she quickly found her passion in Hip Hop. Melissa has been privileged to compete and perform throughout North America and Europe including: The International Edegem Folk Festival in Belgium, at The Centre of Performing Arts and The Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver, Canada. She has won numerous awards at competitions and dance conventions including a Monsters of Contemporary Scholarship and winning nationals at the International Dance Challenge in Boston, Massachussetts. Melissa furthered her training as a member of the Souldiers Dance Company. She currently performs with Kinesix Dance Crew, The Surrey Celebration Dance Team, The Drive Dance Centre Scholarship Program and Project Soul Productions.
Guest Teachers
	Kelly Konno
	Sarah Hoffman
Natalie and Mackenzie

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