THE ADTA FACULTY
Meet the People Behind the ADTA
Experienced acro educators, coaches and specialists who help teachers walk into every class knowing what to teach and how to teach it safely.
Melissa Klassen
Founder & President
Melissa founded the Acro Dance Teachers Association to take the intimidation out of acro and make it safe, technically sound and beautiful.
A former gymnast with more than 30 years of teaching behind her, Melissa spent 15 years as Acro Department Head at The Young Canadians School of Performing Arts, where the ADTA method took shape. She created the ADTA Syllabus and its trick family approach, so every level in a mixed class can progress at once.
She has trained more than 2,000 acro teachers, certified over 1,000 in more than 15 countries, and leads the faculty at AcroLIVE and AcroELEVATE. At the heart of it all is mentorship: helping teachers become the role models their students need.
Sports Management & Recreation Diploma (MRU) · NCCP Level 3 · Tumbling/Trampoline Level 2 · ADAPT · YPAD · First Aid & Child Protection Certified
READ MELISSA'S STORYCertification Coaches
Your coaches inside The Acro Circle, guiding teachers level by level through the ADTA Syllabus and certification.
Maddison Meierhofer
Intermediate Certification Coach
Maddison holds the Royal Academy of Dance Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies and owns Proclamation Studios. As the ADTA Intermediate Certification Coach, she guides teachers through the Intermediate level inside The Acro Circle.
Lead Faculty at AcroLIVE & AcroELEVATE
ADTA CertifiedAcro Dance AdjudicatorRAD Teaching Certificate
Allison San Martin-Feeney
Advanced Certification Coach
Allison is a dance educator, choreographer and adjudicator who trained at Edmonton School of Ballet and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. As the ADTA Advanced Certification Coach, she guides teachers through the final level of certification.
Lead Faculty at AcroLIVE & AcroELEVATE
ADTA CertifiedAcro Dance AdjudicatorBScADAPT
Conference Faculty
Melissa and our certification coaches lead the faculty at every event, joined by these conference coaches.
Michelle Godin
Conference Faculty
Michelle specializes in choreography and mentoring young dancers, backed by her own experience performing and competing internationally. She coaches teachers at AcroLIVE and dancers at AcroELEVATE.
ADTA CertifiedDemo Team Coach
Amanda Hillman
Conference Faculty
Amanda is an ADTA Certified teacher and Certified Athletic Therapist whose students earn top marks across Canada. Her therapy background gives teachers and dancers at AcroLIVE and AcroELEVATE a sharp eye for safe technique.
ADTA CertifiedCAT(C)BHPEADAPT
Marlea van Grinsven
Conference Faculty
Marlea is a certified adjudicator, choreographer and award-winning dance filmmaker. At AcroLIVE and AcroELEVATE, she works hands-on with teachers and dancers, from the youngest beginners up.
ADTA CertifiedKinderACRO CertifiedPAADemo Team CoachDance Leadership Institute
Kailey Robson
Conference Faculty
Kailey brings warmth, kindness and real enthusiasm to every class. She helps students grow in skill and confidence while building a lifelong love of dance.
ADTA CertifiedDemo Team Coach
Bri Zubick-Bitonti
Conference Faculty
Bri is an accomplished adjudicator and choreographer with a background in performance and teaching. At AcroELEVATE, she coaches student dancers in technique and performance.
ADAPTDance Leadership InstitutePAA
Alyssa Krawchenko
Conference Faculty
Alyssa has a background in gymnastics, competitive dance and choreography. At AcroELEVATE, her technical, encouraging coaching helps every dancer build confidence and skill.
Team & Specialists
The people keeping the ADTA running and its training safe.
Jamie Bessant
Athletic Therapist Consultant
Jamie is a Certified Athletic Therapist who rehabilitates active people after musculoskeletal injuries. As the ADTA athletic therapy consultant, she supports the safe progressions that protect growing bodies.
BKinCAT(C)FMSDNS-A
Cersten Lyons
Office Manager
Cersten keeps the ADTA running behind the scenes. As Office Manager, she is the first point of contact for teachers and studios, and she runs the operations behind every AcroLIVE and AcroELEVATE event.
Lead Administrator at AcroLIVE & AcroELEVATE
Jasmine Klassen
Events Administrator
Jasmine is an ADTA Certified assistant teacher who handles event support and ADTA merchandise. At AcroLIVE and AcroELEVATE, she also assists teachers and dancers on the floor.
ADTA Assistant Teacher CertifiedKinderACRO CertifiedDemo Team Coach
Train With Our Coaches
Follow the ADTA Syllabus level by level, with certification coaches guiding you inside The Acro Circle.
TRY THE ACRO CIRCLE FREE FOR 7 DAYS