Our teachers make the difference! While we are proud to offer a state-of-the-art facility and comprehensive program, it is the talented teachers who work hard to deliver a program of excellence that make the difference for our students. The Creative Edge professional dance team is dedicated to fostering a safe and fun environment for dancers of all levels. Meet our staff:
Monique Armstrong (Miss Mo) is an award winning hiphop choreographer that started dancing at 14. Trained under the tutelage of SYTYCD Canada’s Luther Brown, Monique toured with artists such as, Snoop Dogg, Drake, J-man of Camp Rock and various other Canadian performers. Noted for her choreography internationally, Miss Mo lead the way as the Assistant Artistic Director of the McMaster Urban Dance Company from 2002-2004. She graduated McMaster with a degree in Mass Communications combined with Theatre and Film. Monique has been an integral part of translating the hiphop culture through dance in the Hamilton, Burlington and Mississauga area. With her program Dance is my MO, she has had an active role in the community, visiting a total of 25 schools and afterschool programs teaching hip hop dance workshops, to motivate students and at risk youth. As dance is her life’s passion she is looking forward to further developing her programs at her new home Creative Edge!
Caitlin Wilson has an extensive background in the dance industry throughout North America. She has trained at prestigious dance studios in both New York City and Los Angeles. Throughout her career she has received outstanding results for her performances and her choreography. Caitlin has appeared in Nationally Televised commercials for shows such as So You Think You Can Dance Canada, as well as appearing in SYTYCD Canada’s finals week for Season’s 1 and 4. Her passion for dance is an inspiration for many young dancers. Caitlin continues to update her teaching techniques and knowledge by regularly attending workshops with Internationally acclaimed Choreographers such as Mia Micheals, Tyce Diorio and Brian Friedman. She has received her B.A.T.D. exams in Ballet and annually participates in The Pulse Teacher Workshop receiving recognition from Dance Teacher Magazine. Cait has also received a Certificate of Achievement from Broadway Dance Centre a prestigious studio in New york City. Not only is Cait an accomplished performer, teacher and choreographer, she has also had time to complete her BA from McMaster University. Cait is excited to inspire dancers and assist them in their love and passion for dance.
Katie McLeish:
Katie McLeish – O.C.T., B.F.A., B. Ed.
Katie has been dancing since the young age of five, when her mother won a set of free dance lessons. Katie began training in the Russian style of ballet (vaganova) at the age of nine, and has won many scholarships and awards for her technique and performance. After graduating high school, she went on to study dance and received her B.F.A. from the renowned Theater-Dance program at Ryerson University. While at Ryerson University Katie had the opportunity to work with many top teachers and choreographers such as Nadia Potts, Robert Glumbek, Marie-Josée Chartier, David Connelly, Karen Duplisea, Vicki St Denys, Allen Kaeja and many others.
Katie has performed in The Nutcracker with the Moscow State Ballet and the Kiev Ballet as well as in movies and music videos. Katie has also had the honour of representing Canada at the IDO world championships as a soloist and a member of the Canadian National show dance and tap teams. During her teaching career Miss Katie’s students have won numerous regional and national awards. Her choreography has also been recognized for its creativity and age appropriateness. Katie is delighted to be joining the staff at Creative Edge and wishes everyone a fun filled and successful year.
Shauneese Morrison B.A.T.D., R.A.D. (Alternate)
Shauneese studied dance at Joanne Chapman’s School of Dance, a well known studio in the dance community. She has extensive training in Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Ballet, and Acro. Shauneese has her teaching certificate in Stage and Acro with B.A.T.D. and is a member of R.A.D. As a former competitive dancer, she obtained numerous overall standings and scholarships in both national and international competitions.
One of her most memorable was being chosen to represent North America in Italy for the Prix de Italia 2006. Shauneese has choreographed numerous award winning routines; most recently the first place routines at O.U.C.H (Ontario University Competition for Hip Hop) 3 years running.
Shauneese makes sure her choreography and knowledge ofdance is always at the forefront; as she teaches and attends various workshops throughout North America. With her various roles in film and music videos, Shauneese is able to provide her students who wish to pursue the arts recreationally or professionally with valuable knowledge. Her goal as teacher and choreographer is to bring her students talents and
abilities to new heights.
Barbara Kerr
Barbara’s first dance class was at the age of 3 in Burlington,Ontario. It was love at first step and she never looked back! With over 25 years of training, she has excelled in various exams including R.A.D. ballet, C.D.T.A. and P.A.E.C. ballet, jazz, and tap. Barbara has also performed competitively in jazz, tap, and modern across Ontario and the United States.
Teaching children was the natural progression for Barbara as she graduated the ECE program with Honours from Sheridan College in 2002. During her schooling, she acquired her full teaching certificates for ballet and tap with Performing Arts Educators of Canada (P.A.E.C.). Her dedication doesn’t stop with children as she also choreographs for the seniors performing troupe “The Burlington Footnotes”. Her extensive dance knowledge and her kind, patient demeanor make her an inspiring teacher to children and adults alike.
When she is not on the dance floor, you can find her as a Nursery school assistant supervisor in Burlington where she continues to follow her passion for educating creative young minds. “We dance for laughter, we dance for tears, we dance for madness, we dance for fears, we dance for hopes, we dance for screams, we are the dancers, we create the dreams.” – Albert Einstein
Olga Krymchanska
Olga graduated from the State Specialized Choreographic School in the Ukraine. She has danced for the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Moldavia, the Kiev National Theatre, The Kiev Classical Ballet Theatre in the Ukraine, and the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow, Russia. She has performed all classical repertoire for over 20 years throughout Europe, North America and Asia.
Not only is Olga well rounded as a dancer, teacher and choreographer she has also had time to produce beautiful and unique costumes, owning her own business with her daughter called the Tutu Gallery.
Isabel DesRoches, B.Sc, Canfitpro certified Personal Trainer, Canfitpro certified Group Fitness Instructor, Jump Rope Specialist
Isabel has danced all of her life recreationally and competitively. As an adult her love of dance transitioned her into the fitness world and as a group instructor she created programs that incorporated both dance and fitness. Isabel’s specialty is adult learning so she naturally fit into the role of jazz and tap teacher for our adult program. She focuses on fun in her classes to de-stress from everyday life.
Isabel also teaches our one of a kind skipNdance classes. She has been the team choreographer for Jump Rope for Heart’s Kilbride School team for nine seasons and has brought all of her team skills to our studio. Her classes incorporate music, eye hand coordination and fitness through jump rope. All of her classes are full and the kids love this unique format. Each year her classes put together a unique recital routine to wow our dance audiences with their jump rope tricks.