Meet the Team
Our Teaching Philosophy
At Balance Dance Centre, our instructors combine professional dance training with a passion for teaching. Many of our teachers have trained through internationally recognized syllabi such as RAD, ISTD, ADAPT, and Acrobatic Arts, and bring years of performance and teaching experience to the studio.
Our goal is to create a supportive environment where dancers can build strong technique, confidence, discipline, and a lifelong love of movement.
Balance 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.
Miss Kristine Martin - Founder & Director
A.R.A.D., B.A.D.E. A.R.A.D., B.A.D.E.
Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Dance EducationBallet & Jazz Instructor
Kristine discovered her love of dance while training and competing in ballet, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, and hip hop. Her training has taken her across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, shaping the strong technical foundation she brings to her students today.
She completed her Royal Academy of Dance Advanced II Exam, trained at the Alberta Ballet Summer Intensive, and continued her education at Harbour Dance Centre in Vancouver. Kristine later earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education through the Royal Academy of Dance in partnership with the University of Surrey (UK) and further expanded her training at Broadway Dance Center in New York City.
With over a decade of experience as a dance instructor, choreographer, studio director, and adjudicator, Kristine is passionate about providing high-quality dance training in a positive, supportive environment where students can build confidence and a lifelong love of dance.
Miss Brenna Lebrun - Administrative Director
Brenna brings over 15 years of teaching experience and a lifelong passion for dance. Her training spans a wide range of styles including jazz, lyrical, ballet, tap, modern, contemporary, and musical theatre. She holds a Fine Arts Diploma with a focus on dance and drama and grew up in the Okotoks area, where she trained through exams, performances, and competitions both locally and in the United States.
Specializing in jazz and lyrical, Brenna loves working with both recreational and competitive dancers. Her classes focus on building confidence, creativity, strong technique, and a genuine love of movement.
Behind the scenes, Brenna also helps keep things running smoothly at the studio with her strong organizational and administrative skills.
Outside the studio, Brenna is a proud mom of two and enjoys exploring her creativity through photography.
Jazz, Lyrical & Contemporary Instructor
Miss Breagh Chiasson - Artistic Director
Acrobatic Arts Certified
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (BA)
Bachelor of Education – Elementary Education (BEd)Tap, Jazz, Ballet & Acro Instructor
Breagh’s love of dance began at age three and grew through 15 years of training in ballet, jazz, tap, and lyrical under RAD, ISTD, and Cecchetti. She competed across Calgary and the U.S. with the Starcast Dance Academy competitive team, earning Dancer of the Year in 2015.
An Acrobatic Arts Certified instructor, Breagh holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology focused on child and adolescent development and a Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education. With 14 years of dance teaching and 5 years of classroom teaching, she brings a unique blend of artistic training and educational expertise.
At Balance Dance Centre, Breagh specializes in preschool, primary, and junior programs and created the studio’s Assistant Teaching Program. Now in her tenth season with Balance, she continues to inspire dancers through creativity, encouragement, and a passion for helping every student reach their potential.
Miss Katie Burns - Competitive Team Director
Bachelor of Arts in Dance – Ballet University of Calgary in conjunction with the School of Alberta BalletCompetitive Jazz, Tap & Contemporary Instructor
Katie is a choreographer, dance educator, and former professional dancer based in Calgary with over 20 years of experience in the dance industry. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a focus on Ballet from the University of Calgary in partnership with the School of Alberta Ballet.
Katie trained extensively in ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern, tap, adagio, and musical theatre, and was a highly accomplished competitive dancer earning numerous awards, scholarships, and titles. She later spent over ten years performing professionally around the world, including as a Lead Dancer and Dance Captain with Carnival Cruise Lines.
As Competitive Team Director, Katie is passionate about helping dancers develop strong technique, performance quality, and confidence. Her choreography and students have earned numerous competitive awards.
Miss Michelle Guyette
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Imperial Classical Ballet Licentiate – L.I.S.T.D.Ballet & Contemporary Instructor
Michelle is a dance educator and choreographer with over 10 years of teaching experience and extensive training in ballet, contemporary, modern theatre, and jazz. She completed much of her training at the Alberta Ballet School, studying under renowned instructors and completing annual examinations in both ballet and modern theatre.
Michelle holds her Licentiate teaching qualification in ISTD Ballet and her Advanced 2 certification in ISTD Ballet, and continues to pursue further teaching qualifications in both ISTD Ballet and Modern Theatre.
Her training has taken her around the world, including performing in an international arts exchange in China, studying Vaganova ballet in Saint Petersburg, and training at Pineapple Dance Studios in London.
Michelle is passionate about sharing high-quality dance training and inspiring students to grow in confidence, technique, and love for dance.
Miss Paige Timmer
Ballet, Jazz & Tap Instructor
Paige has been dancing since the age of three and began competing at just five years old. She has trained in tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, ballet, and acro, and has spent the past seven years assistant teaching, helping younger dancers grow in confidence and skill.
Paige has performed in the Disneyland Parade and has earned numerous achievements at dance competitions throughout her training. She has also completed several dance examinations, including her International Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD) Intermediate Ballet Exam with Merit.
Paige loves bringing her passion for dance into the classroom and enjoys inspiring students to build strong technique, creativity, and confidence while developing a lifelong love of dance.
Maia Stothert
Bachelor of Arts – Contemporary Dance
Bachelor of Kinesiology (Hons)
Undergraduate Student – Bachelor of Science, PsychologyTap, Lyrical & Jazz Instructor
Maia began dancing at the age of three on Vancouver Island and brings over 20 years of formal dance training. She has completed her RAD Advanced II ballet exam and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Dance with Distinctionand a Bachelor of Kinesiology with First Class Honours from the University of Calgary. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with the goal of becoming a Clinical Sport Psychologist specializing in aesthetic sport.
With over six years of teaching experience, Maia focuses on musicality, safe movement practices, and supporting each dancer’s individual growth. Her choreography has earned a Judges’ Choice Award for Musicality at Shine Dance Competition, and she brings more than 10 years of formal music training into her classes.
Maia is excited to be joining the Balance Dance Centre team for her first season.
Miss Suzanne Demers
Acrobatic Arts (Modules 1 & 2)
ADAPT Jazz & Tap
Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT)
Alixa Flexibility
Mental Skills Teacher Training
Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (YPAD)Suzanne, or “Suzy” as she’s known in the studio, has over 20 years of teaching experience and has inspired dancers throughout Calgary through her energetic choreography and supportive teaching style. She believes dance is for everyone and is passionate about helping students build confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of movement.
A certified yoga and reiki practitioner, Suzy brings a holistic approach to dance education, blending technical excellence with body awareness and well-being. She holds certifications in Acrobatic Arts, ADAPT Jazz & Tap, Progressive Ballet Technique, Alixa Flexibility, Mental Skills, YPAD, and Acro Dance Adjudication, with additional training in ISTD, RAD, Cecchetti, and Vaganova methodologies.
Suzy has trained across Canada and internationally, including New York, Los Angeles, London, and Vancouver. She holds a degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Education and currently teaches in the PVA Dance Program at Central Memorial High School with the Calgary Board of Education.
Hip Hop & Musical Theatre Instructor
Rylee began dancing at the age of two and began competing in various genres at the age of eight. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the University of Calgary with a minor in Sociology. She has a huge passion for musical theatre and has performed in multiple musical theatre productions, including Chicagowith StoryBook Theatre in Calgary. With over five years of teaching experience, Rylee specializes in Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, and Jazz.
Rylee is passionate about watching dancers grow throughout their journey and discover themselves through dance. She strives to create a supportive and encouraging environment where each dancer can build confidence, develop their artistry, and find their own unique voice as a performer.
Miss Samantha Eves
Administrative Assistant & Pre-School Instructor
Sam has been dancing since the age of three and trained competitively in lyrical, tap, ballet, and jazz, with additional experience in hip hop and acro. Her ballet training includes the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus, helping build a strong technical foundation.
She began assistant teaching at age 14, gaining valuable experience working with dancers of all ages. Sam has completed her Acrobatic Arts Module One certification and is currently working toward Creative Dance for Early Childhood Development certification.
Sam specializes in early childhood dance, creating fun and engaging classes that help young dancers build confidence, coordination, and a lifelong love of movement.
Miss Rylie James
Miss Chiarra Garet
Undergraduate Student – Bachelor of Arts (Contemporary Dance) & Bachelor of Kinesiology
Acrobatic Arts & Alixa Flexibility Certified
Jazz & Acro Instructor
Chiarra began dancing at the age of three in Okotoks and has trained competitively in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop, contemporary, musical theatre, and acrobatics. She completed up to Advanced 1 with the Royal Academy of Danceand has earned numerous scholarships and awards through competitions and conventions, including NUVO Dance Convention.
At 16, she performed professionally as a dancer and entertainer at Calaway Park and has also had the opportunity to perform at Disney California Adventure Park.
Currently completing her combined Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Dance and Bachelor of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary, Chiarra is passionate about helping dancers build confidence, technique, and a love of movement.
Miss Britanny Burchill
Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Dance & Kinesiology
ADAPT & Acrobatic Arts Certified
Jazz, Contemporary & Acro Instructor
Britanny is a professional dance educator and choreographer with nearly 20 years of experience specializing in jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, and acro. She holds certifications through ADAPT and Acrobatic Arts Modules 1 & 2and is passionate about creating energetic, engaging classes that inspire dancers to grow in confidence and creativity.
Originally from Saskatchewan, Britanny moved to Calgary to complete her Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Dance and Kinesiology at the University of Calgary, where she also performed and toured with local dance projects throughout Western Canada.
As both a competitive dancer and choreographer, Britanny has received numerous awards for her work and is dedicated to providing positive, high-quality training for dancers of all ages and abilities.
Miss Sarah Kantyluk
Bachelor of Arts & Education
Competitive Hip Hop Choreographer
Sarah has been dancing since the age of four and trained in tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, contemporary, and musical theatre. Originally from Manitoba, she brings over 14 years of teaching experience and is passionate about helping dancers challenge themselves while building confidence and creativity.
Some highlights of Sarah’s performance career include dancing alongside artists such as The Arkells and Johnny Reid, performing with Winnipeg’s Rainbow Stage, and competing at the International Tap Dance Competition in Germany.
Sarah also spent several years teaching in Winnipeg public schools, specializing in dance education for senior high school students while leading extracurricular performance teams and community events.
As a choreographer and educator, Sarah has received numerous awards for her work and loves inspiring dancers to grow both technically and artistically at Balance Dance Centre.
We’re thrilled to have an incredible team of Assistant Teachers this season! Our Assistant Program offers dancers ages 12 and up the opportunity to work alongside our instructors in a unique mentoring role. Through assisting, dancers give back to our community, gain valuable teaching experience, and build meaningful connections within our Balance dance families!
Balance Assistant Teaching Team
