Meet Our Faculty

Melissa Klassen

ADTA founder & president

Sports Management & Recreation Diploma MRU, ADAPT, NCCP Level 3, Tumbling/Trampoline Level 2, YPAD, First Aid Certified, Child Protection Certified

Melissa Klassen is an Acrobatic Dance specialist and Mentor. As creator of the Acro Dance Teachers Association, Melissa spreads her message of the importance of positive role modelling and mentorship for our youth. Melissa is a mentor, and Acro is her method.

Bri Zubick-BitonTI

office Administrator

ADAPT, AA M1 M2, AF M1, IDA CP, House of Jazz ADP, Decidely Jazz PTP, ISSA Personal Trainer, TDLI M1 and M2, PAA

Bri Zubick is a Calgary-based dance professional whose diverse background in performance, education, and choreography brings a dynamic perspective to her role as the ADTA Office Administrator.

In addition to her creative work, Bri is a dedicated educator and adjudicator. As the founder of The SHiFT, a performance-based company in Calgary, she continues to support dancer development both in the studio and the wider community. In her role at ADTA, Bri combines her industry experience with strong administrative skills to support teachers, dancers, and studio teams with clarity, care, and professionalism.

Patty-jean felletti

PREMIERE JUNIOR COACH

Patty-Jean Felletti has a background in dance, music and theatre spans over 40 years, with over 25 years of teaching experience in the Arts. Professionally trained at Winnipeg’s School of Contemporary Dancers (UofW), some of her training includes; RWB’s Summer Teacher’s Courses, Granville Ferry Summer Professional Dance Program, Instructor accreditation in Acrobatic Arts, Alixa Flexibility teacher training, and Kindermusik accreditation. She is currently in the ADTA Premier program. Patty-Jean is founder of iCreate Movement; creative, healing, and artistic movement serving all ages and dance levels. Several of Patty-Jean’s former students have gone on to University dance programs, becoming dance professionals and teachers themselves. Her passion for a process versus performance environment is evident; she believes that, “In some capacity everyone is an artist, a dancer, a creator.”

Maddision Meierhofer

premiere intermediate coach 

I began dancing at age three and later completed the Royal Academy of Dance Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies in London, England. My teaching path expanded into acro through Acrobatic Arts, before finding my professional home with the Acro Dance Teachers Association. The ADTA has played a major role in my development through ongoing mentorship and professional education focused on safe, progressive acro training. I am passionate about evidence-informed teaching, injury prevention, and helping dancers better understand their bodies. In 2021, I opened Proclamation Studios, where I continue to teach and mentor dancers of all ages. I am proud to also serve as an ADTA Coach, supporting and mentoring fellow acro teachers.

Allison San Martin-Feeney

PREMIERE advanced COACH AND CERTIFICATIONS DIRECTOR

BSc, ADAPT, ADTA, AAC 1&2, AF1-3, Aerial Dance Academy F-M1

Allison is an experienced dance educator and choreographer from Edmonton, AB. She grew up dancing at Edmonton Dance Factory, Edmonton School of Ballet, and spent time training at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

Amanda Hillman

adta live event coach

 

CAT(C), BHPE, ADAPT, ADTA

Amanda is from Calgary, Alberta and has trained since a young age in styles such as ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre and Acro. Her students range from beginner to advanced acro dancers and have continued to receive top marks at competitions across Canada.

kara Haley

aDTA LIVE EVENT COACH

Kara Haley is a highly accomplished dance instructor with a rich background spanning over two decades in the industry. Her journey began at a young age, where she demonstrated exceptional talent across various dance disciplines, earning prestigious certifications, awards, and scholarships. It was because of the exclusive 5678 Showtime Hollywood Summer Tour Scholarship, a distinguished dance career intensive in Hollywood held at Millennium Dance Complex, that she continued in the dance industry as performer, instructor, examiner and now adjudicator.

MICHELLE GODIN

ADTA LIVE EVENT COACH

Michelle’s Acro Dance training began at the age of 8, under the tutelage of Ida Sauve (CDTA Acrobatic examiner and life member).  She performed and competed in Acro Dance at an International level for many years.

Giselle Wilson

CERTIFICATIONs ASSISTANt

ADTA, ADAPT, RAD (RTS), AF1 

Giselle started dancing at the age of three and began her examination process at the age of 7. I completed examinations in ADAPT Jazz and Tap to the Intermediate 3 level; RAD Ballet from Primary to the Advanced 1 level; CDTA Ballet, Tap, and Jazz, achieving Advanced levels in all three.

Ana valeria calero

Central America Liaison

A professional with 8 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Specialist in digital marketing (B2C, B2B and OTAs), Operations management and customer service optimization. Dynamic person with organizational and management skills. Flexible and analytical with special attention on details. Passionate about learning and self-development because the more you learn, the more you have to share, teach, help the community around you.

Jamie Bessant

ATHLETIC THERAPIST Consultant

BKin, CAT (C), FMS Certified, DNS-A

Jamie specializes in Athletic Therapy, which rehabilitates active individuals with musculoskeletal injuries. She believes in using a combination of innovative techniques that will help individuals return to normal as quickly as possible.