Meet Our Faculty
Melissa Klassen – ADTA founder & president
Sports Management Degree 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.
Lexy Cox – Certifications Director
BFA Ryerson University, CDTA, PAEC, ADTA, AAC, AF, PAA, YPAD
Lexy is a diverse performer, choreographer and instructor specializing in a variety of dance styles. She is a graduate of Ryerson University’s BFA program, majoring in Theatre Performance and Dance.
Mackenzie Hollinger – Office administrator
BBA (GM) MRU, TheatDip MRU, ADAPT, ISTD (IMB), ADTA, AA1&2
Mackenzie started dancing at Elite Dance Academy in Calgary when she was three years old and completed her dance education there in 2012. She trained in many disciplines including tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, contemporary, modern, lyrical, hip hop and musical theatre.
Allison San Martin-Feeney – Community manager
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
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.
Katelyn Ettinger
NCCP, AAC, AF, ADTA, ADA
Katelyn Ettinger was born and raised in the beautiful Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Canada. Her story begins as a young 6 year old competitive gymnast training and competing in Artistic Gymnastics, as well as Trampoline and Power Tumbling.
MICHELLE GODIn
 CDTA, ADTA, DMA
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.Â
Jamie Bessant
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.
Meet Our mentors
Rebeccah Harder
BA (Hons) Psychology, Master of Social Work, RAD (RTS), ADTA, AF1&2
Rebeccah discovered dancing later in life and quickly fell in love with the art form. She has trained at many studios throughout Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph and Toronto in a variety of styles including Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop and most extensively in Ballet
Kelly Ann Aarts
Kelly Ann Aarts was the owner and artistic director of a successful dance studio for the past 18 years in Stratford, Ontario. Recently Kelly has closed her studio and has returned to Ryerson University to further her education in the arts while continuing to teach dance at local dance studios in her area.Â
Jenna Ashby
ADTA
I have been a part of Giselle’s ShowTyme Dance Studio (GSD) since the age of 7 as a dancer and then I moved to Assiniboia to become a part of the teaching staff in 2012. I am a Certified ADAPT Jazz & Tap teacher, I have my Junior Level of Certification in ADTA, with my Intermediate Level in Progress.
Courtney Odelein
ADAPT, ADTA, AAC1&2, PAA
Courtney began dancing at the age of three in her hometown of Quill Lake, Saskatchewan. Studying under RAD, ADAPT, CDTA, and NHDA. Miss Odelein is now a certified instructor with ADAPT, Acrodance Teacher Association, an ADTA Mentor teacher, Acrobatic Arts, Army of Sass and developer of Heels 101.Â
Allie Morris
CDTA, ADTA
Allie has been competitively dancing since the age of 6 and have completed exams in ADAPT Jazz & R.A.D. Ballet. She has had the opportunity to attend many dance festivals and competitions performing in various styles of dance.
Deanna Cormier
ADAPT, ADTA, RAD
Deanna has trained extensively in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary and Acro. She is a certified RAD Ballet, ADAPT Jazz and Tap and ADTA Junior Acro Teacher. She has completed her Advanced 2 and Grade 8 Ballet Examination (RAD) and Pre-Advanced Jazz and Tap Examinations (ADAPT).
Giselle Wilson
ADTA, ADAPT, RAD (RTS), AF1Â
I started dancing at the age of three and began my 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.
