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 the RAD, ISTD, and Cecchetti syllabi. She competed across Calgary and the United States with the Starcast Dance Academy competitive team, where she was named Dancer of the Year in 2015.
Breagh is Acrobatic Arts Certified and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology focused on child and adolescent development, along with a Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education. With 13 years of dance teaching experience and 4 years as a classroom teacher, she brings both artistic training and educational expertise to her classes.
At Balance Dance Centre, Breagh specializes in preschool, primary, and junior programs and developed the studio’s Assistant Teaching Program, mentoring dancers interested in future teaching opportunities. Now entering her ninth season with Balance, she continues to inspire students as a teacher and mentor.
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 Arles Penner
Royal Academy of Dance (RAD)
ADAPT Tap & Jazz
Acrobatic Arts Module 1
Performing Arts Education of Canada (PAEC)Ballet, Acro & Jazz Instructor
Arles began dancing at the age of four in Calgary and has trained extensively in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, musical theatre, lyrical, and hip hop. She completed her RAD Ballet Grades 1–8 and Vocational exams along with Advanced ADAPT Tap and Jazz, and brings eight years of competitive dance experience in solos, duets, and group performances.
She has continued expanding her training through programs such as Triple Threat Dance Convention, International School of Ballet Summer School of Excellence, and ADAPT TTS with Brian Foley, and has performed with Alberta Dance Theatre as well as events such as the Canmore Canada Day Parade and Disney Dance the Magic Parade in California.
Arles holds teaching certifications through RAD, ADAPT, Acrobatic Arts, and PAEC, and is passionate about creating a positive, inclusive environment where dancers build strong technique, confidence, and a love of movement.
Rylie James
Hip Hop, Contemporary & Musical Theatre Instructor
Rylee began dancing at the age of two and entered competitive training by eight. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she continued training independently, working with choreographers and competing virtually. At 17, she was selected for Team Canada Acro Team, highlighting her dedication and skill.
She trained for three years with VibeTribeYYC, a Calgary-based hip hop company, and further developed her contemporary technique and choreography through the University of Calgary, studying pedagogy and performance. Rylee has performed at Dance@Noon, the Alchemy Dance Festival, and choreographed for Dance@Noon in 2024.
With over four years of teaching and competitive choreography experience, Rylee is passionate about helping dancers grow in technique, creativity, and confidence.
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.
Raine-Te-Memeke Sinton
Administrative Assistant
Raine has been dancing for over 15 years, including 12 years in competitive dance, and has trained in a wide range of styles including jazz, ballet, acro, lyrical, contemporary, and modern. She is currently working toward completing her ISTD Intermediate Ballet exam.
Raine has performed in the Disney Parade, at numerous dance competitions, and at community events throughout Okotoks, earning awards for her strong stage presence and performance quality.
Alongside her training, Raine has gained valuable experience as an assistant teacher, working with dancers of all ages and supporting performance teams. She hopes to pursue a career in dance while continuing to grow as both a performer and mentor.
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
