Balance Teacher Faculty 

Balance Dance Centre features diverse and experienced instructors who are sought after due to their accreditation and professionalism.  Our teachers are dedicated to offering a healthy learning environment, which will challenge and encourage your dancer to the best of their ability. It is our utmost priority to provide a positive and professional learning environment for all dancers and families.

Founder & Director

Kristine initially discovered her love of dance while she grew up training and performing competitively in ballet, lyrical, contemporary, jazz and hip hop. She has enjoyed opportunities to train in a number of cities in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Over the last ten years, Kristine has become an experienced dance instructor, choreographer, studio director, and adjudicator. 

During high school, Kristine focused primarily on her technical ballet skills and proudly completed her Royal Academy of Dance Advanced II Exam in 2009 through the International School of Ballet, as well as training at the School of Alberta Ballet Summer Intensive. Kristine broadened her dance education further by moving to Vancouver, BC the following year to attend Harbour Dance Center’s yearlong Intensive Training Program. While in Vancouver, she continued her university studies, and completed her Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education from the Royal Academy of Dance in association with the University of Surrey, England. Kristine had the amazing opportunity to venture to New York City, to train at the Broadway Dance Center, as a full-time student in the International Student Visa Program.

Dance has always been Kristine’s true passion, which is why she has long devoted herself to the pursuit of her dream to teach others. She has aspired to establish a dance studio that offers professional quality training in a positive atmosphere that fosters encouraging, life-long relationships. Kristine is thrilled to see the pieces of the puzzle finally come together, and she is truly excited to share her knowledge and passion for dance with students, families, and teachers once again for the sixth year at Balance Dance Centre!

“Everything in the universe has a rhythm, everything dances.” - Maya Angelou

Administrative Director

Brenna is a dance instructor with a 15-year teaching journey in the world of dance. Her training spans across various dance styles, including jazz, lyrical, ballet, tap, modern, contemporary, and musical theatre. She holds a fine arts diploma, with a primary focus on dance and drama. Growing up in the Okotoks area she developed her skills through dance exams, performances and competitions  both locally and in the United States.

Specializing in jazz and lyrical dance forms, Brenna is dedicated to nurturing the talents of both recreational and competitive dancers. Her teaching philosophy centers around fostering creativity, discipline, and a deep love of dance.

In addition to her teaching abilities, Brenna is known for her exceptional organizational and administrative skills. She is behind the scenes ensuring the seamless flow of events and classes.

Beyond the studio, Brenna is a devoted mother to her two children. She also explores her artistic side through photography, capturing the beauty of life through a different lens.

With her diverse background, unwavering commitment, and infectious enthusiasm, Brenna strives to inspire her students to dance with their heart and soul every time they take a step on the dance floor.

“To dance is to be out of yourself. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful. This is power, it is glory on earth and it is yours for the taking” - Agnes de Mille

Artistic Director

Breagh’s love of dance started at the early age of 3 years old and has continued into her adult years. She trained for 15 years in ballet, jazz, tap and lyrical. During these years, she studied under the R.A.D, I.S.T.D & Cecchetti Ballet Syllabi. She has performed and competed in and around Calgary and the United States with Starcast Dance Academy’s competitive team. In 2015, Breagh had the honour of being awarded Starcast’s “Dancer Of The Year''. She graduated from Holy Trinity Academy with Drama and Performing Arts/ Musical Theatre electives. Breagh has successfully completed her Acrobatic Arts Teaching Certification and continues to develop her passion for working with the youth by having obtained a Bachelors of Psychology, specializing in child & adolescent development with a minor in biological science. Breagh also holds a Graduate Bachelors Degree program in Elementary Education.

Teaching is a passion Breagh has pursued since a very young age, as this will be Breagh’s tenth year in teaching dance. When she is not in the studio teaching, she is spending her time teaching within a classroom to her grade 5 students. Breagh has extensive experience as an assistant teacher and co-teacher which has provided Breagh with the opportunity to develop Balance Dance Centre’s Assistant Teaching Program. This program is developed with the intention of passing on the joys of teaching our intermediate and senior students who are interested in pursuing a future dance teaching career.

Her child-like heart, creative passions, and child-centered education has guided her to specialize in teaching preschool, primary and junior recreational classes. Breagh loves connecting with each of her students and feels incredibly grateful to continue to watch them grow and achieve their goals each and every year! Breagh has also been a part of Balance Dance Centre’s administration team for the last 5 years offering her leadership and artistic direction as Balance continues to grow.

She continues to embrace her passions as a life-long learner, a dancer, an artist and a teacher, and is looking forward to her sixth year at Balance Dance Centre.

“Behind every dancer who believes in themselves is a teacher who believed in them first.” - (Unknown)

Competitive Team Director

Katie is a choreographer, dance educator and former professional dancer in Calgary, AB. Her over 20 years of experience in all areas of professional dance brings a unique perspective to her teaching.

Katie is overjoyed to pass her knowledge on to the next generation of dancers focusing on technique, performance quality, and building a passion for dance. Katie’s choreography and competitive dancers have won numerous awards throughout her career. Katie also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance (with a focus on Ballet) from the University of Calgary, in conjunction with the School of Alberta Ballet.

Katie’s lifelong love of dance began at the age of three when she saw The Nutcracker for the first time. Her early training consisted primarily of ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern, adagio, tap, and musical theatre. As a high level competitive dancer herself, Katie has received many awards, scholarships and titles.

Katie danced professionally for over ten years performing to crowds around the world. A highlight of her career was as a dancer for Carnival Cruise Lines where she performed as both Dance Captain and Lead Dancer.

Katie is excited for her seventh year with the Balance Dance Centre dance family.

“Dance is the hidden language of the soul of the body.” - Martha Graham

Michelle is a dance educator and choreographer with almost 10 years of experience. She has been passionate about dance from a very young age and is trained in ballet, modern theatre, contemporary, jazz, and recently began training in tap. Michelle completed most of her training at Alberta Ballet School where she completed annual examinations in both ballet and modern theatre. Throughout her training, Michelle studied under the instruction of Shirley Agate-Proust, Lynette Fry-Abra, Aram Manukyan, Jennifer Mariani, Julie Coleman, Maria Crothers, and world-renowned Nancy Kilgour. Although primarily trained in ISTD, Michelle is also familiar with RAD, Cecchetti and Vagonova methods. She currently holds her Licentiate teaching qualifications in ISTD Ballet, her Advanced 2 in ISTD Ballet and is working towards achieving her Fellowship teaching qualifications in ISTD Ballet and Associate teaching qualifications in ISTD Modern Theatre.

In addition to her formal training, Michelle has taken several workshops in dance both locally and internationally. In 2011, she travelled to China to perform in an international arts exchange. In 2013, Michelle attended ballet master classes in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Here, she studied under world-renowned teachers in Vagonova ballet. Michelle also attended classes at ISTD2 Studios in London in 2016 to study Modern Theatre. She has danced in Alberta Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” for five seasons as a member of the children’s cast. Most recently, Michelle spent nine months in London, UK studying at and working at Pineapple Dance Studios.

Michelle is excited to teach at Balance Dance Centre. With her fun-loving spirit and passion for dance, she hopes to pass on the same level of excellence in training to her students that she received from her teachers.

“People have asked me why I chose to be a dancer. I did not choose. I was chosen to be a dancer, and with that, you live all your life.” – Martha Graham

Sarah has been dancing since the age of 4, training in tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, contemporary, and musical theatre. Growing up just outside of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Sarah has been teaching dance for the past 14 years. New to Calgary this year, Sarah is excited to continue inspiring students to challenge themselves and enjoy dancing in a variety of styles.

Some highlights of her performing career include being a cast member of Winnipeg’s Rainbow Stage, dancing alongside the Arkells, Johnny Reid and Hedley, and competing two years in a row at the International Tap Dance Competition in Reisa, Germany. She has also experienced many teaching highlights including taking students to perform alongside Niko and Vinz at the Russel Athletic Bowl in Orlando, Florida, guest choreographing for local drop-in dance studios, and receiving recognition and receiving numerous awards for her work.

Sarah received a Bachelor of Arts and Education while at university. For the past 5 years, Sarah has been a teacher in Winnipeg public schools, specializing in dance as a course credit for senior years students. Here, Sarah has been able to work with students of all ages and levels in multiple styles, as well as develop extra-curricular teams to perform at community events.

Sarah is excited to continue teaching at Balance Dance Centre and work with so many talented students!

Chiarra started dancing at three years old in Okotoks, Alberta, where she found her love for dance. As her passion for dance grew, she increased her hours of training and competed in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip-hop, contemporary, musical theatre, and acrobatics.

At 16, Chiarra had the opportunity to be employed with Calaway Park as a dancer and entertainer for the season, which enhanced her love of performing immensely. Chiarra has completed up to Advanced 1 with the Royal Academy of Dance, trained in the Al Gilbert tap syllabus, and completed exam levels 6 & 7 in the Acrobatics Arts syllabus.

She has received numerous scholarships from competitions and conventions including Nuvo Dance Convention and many overall awards for individual, small and large group dances at various competitions across Alberta. Chiarra has had opportunities to perform in many settings, the most memorable being California Adventure Park at Disneyland.

She is certified in Acrobatic Arts Module 1 & 2, Alixa Flexibility Modules 1 & 2, First Aid, and CPR. Chiarra is also working on her Developing Dance Teacher certification program with International Dance Teaching Standards as well as completing her Healthy Dance Practice Certificate with Safe in Dance International.

Chiarra is currently working on finishing up her 5-year program at the University of Calgary, working on her Bachelor of Arts majoring in Dance combined with a Bachelor of Kinesiology. As she continues to study under many professionals in post-secondary, she has and will perform in Dance@Noon and Mainstage.

As Chiarra continues to grow as a dance educator and a person, she looks forward to sharing her passion for dance and inspiring her students to reach their full potential in and out of the studio.

“Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.” This Martha Graham quote sums up Kayla’s dance career, as well as her teaching philosophy. Kayla’s passion for dance has been a consistent part of her life, starting very early. She grew up training in jazz, ballet, contemporary, hip hop, acro, and tap. Through practice in the studio to competing on stage, she’s been through it all. Her most meaningful dance experience comes from the PVA dance program at Central Memorial High School. Through this experience she got to partake in styles such as West African, Swing, and Cuban. She also got the opportunity to partake in student choreography, and was commended for her natural ability to work through movement. Through these unique experiences, she has been able to further pursue her passion of dance. 

Since then she has been Module One certified in the Acrobatic Arts syllabus, and has been teaching Acro for the past few years. Kayla is currently finishing up her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Law and Society, and Sociology, with plans to pursue law school. 

As Kayla continues to grow as a dance educator, as well as a person, she is thrilled to be teaching the next generation and sharing her love and passion for dance. 

Callie’s devotion to dance started when she was 5. Ballet has always been her favourite but at the age of 8 she found jazz, lyrical and acro, which quickly found a way into her heart. Callie graduates highschool in 2024, and she wishes to continue her dancing career and spread the love of dance to others. Teaching is something Callie has always aspired to do and she is extremely eager to complete the ISTD ballet exam to receive her teaching qualification this season. Having been an assistant teacher at Balance Dance Centre and awarded ‘Most Dedicated Assistant’ at the end of the 2020 and 2023 season as well as the ‘Most Improved - Ballet’ award in 2018, Callie is committed and hardworking in order to help dancers reach their goals. 

Callie has been a part of the Balance Dance family since the studio's opening and joined them on their first trip to Disneyland, California in 2019 to be a part of Dance The Magic, an experience that will be forever remembered and she hopes that every dancer has their opportunity to fulfil a dream.

Callie is so excited to take this next step in her journey, becoming a member of staff and continuing as an assistant teacher and constantly moving forward by challenging her own personal growth and goals.

Paige has been dancing since the age of 3 and started dancing competitively at the age of 5. Paige has trained in tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, ballet and acro. She has been assistant teaching for 6 years and is dedicated to helping students grow with unique ideas to inspire them.

Paige has performed in the Disneyland parade and excelled at numerous competitions. Paige has also completed multiple tap, jazz, and ballet exams.

Paige is excited to bring her love of dance to all her students and inspire them to become the best versions of themselves.

Mrs.Proust received her early training in England at the Arts Educational School and Graduated from the London College of Dance and Drama with Distinction. During this time she gained her Associate qualifications in Ballet, Modern, Tap, National and Ballroom. She has taught throughout the world spending time in New Zealand helping to develop the modern work that was newly introduced.

She has continued to further her qualifications, holding Fellowship status and Examiner for Ballet, Modern, Tap and National for the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.

She is the only Quadruple examiner in Canada, and very few hold this status. She travels extensively as an Examiner for these faculties visiting such places as Australia, South Africa, Portugal, Mexico, Italy and Malaysia to name a few, as well as North America. In the past she has taught for the University of Calgary, was Dance Mistress for Decidedly Jazz, ran the Imperial Baroque Dance Company and ran her own school, Calgary Imperial School of Ballet. Shirley worked with the School of Alberta Ballet for 25 years and was Head of the Regular Division. Now semi-retired, Shirley continues to examine internationally, visiting Japan and China and Mexico in recent years.

Along with teaching, Shirley enjoys working with teachers aspiring to upgrade their teaching status and coaches students for competition and examinations. Mrs Proust was Awarded the ISTD International Theatre Award for her contribution to the field of dance education and dedication to the ISTD 2017.

"Dance is about more than the steps, it is about life lessons." - Unknown

Britanny is a professional dance educator and choreographer in Calgary, AB with close to 20 years of experience. She specializes in Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary and Hip Hop. She is an ADAPT certified instructor and also holds certification in Acrobatic Arts Module 1 & 2.  Britanny loves to move and inspires others to do the same. She encourages creative movement and engages her students with an innovative and energetic approach to movement and dance.

Britanny is originally from Saskatchewan and moved to Calgary to attend the University of Calgary where she trained in the dance program to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Dance and Kinesiology.  During her university years she performed and toured with local dance projects across Western Canada.

To further her training and education, Britanny has traveled across Canada and the USA where she has had the opportunity to take class and learn from dance artists and dance masters from around the world. She attends workshops and dance teacher seminars on a regular basis in order to provide high quality instruction to her students.

Throughout her career, Britanny has been involved in the competition circuit as a dancer, a teacher and choreographer. She promotes a positive competitive atmosphere and encourages her students to be the best they can.  She has received recognition and has won numerous awards for her work.

Britanny knew at an early age that her passion was for creating and educating. She wanted to instil the love and passion for dance in others. Britanny promotes positivity and self-wellness along with a strong work ethic. She is committed to motivating dancers, providing high quality training to students of all ages and abilities and to helping individuals achieve their goals.