Snap Dance Instructors
Our top-notch, certified instructors strive to make each child the best dancer they can be.
Meet the Teaching Team
Miss Alia | Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre
Alia is a fully certified ADAPT jazz and tap teacher and completed her Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA) Gold medal jazz and tap exams with Honours status. She has a BA Dance and a BKin General Kinesiology from the University of Calgary and completed her MSc in Dance Science (with distinction) at Laban in London, England. Alia is also Certified in the Acrobatic Arts training syllabus.
Alia’s Master thesis “Correlations Between General Joint Hypermobility and Joint Hypermobility Syndrome and Injury in Contemporary Dance Students” was published in the Journal of Dance Medicine and Science. She also presented her thesis at the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science conference in The Hague, The Netherlands where she was received the “Student Research Award”. While she was completing her Masters degree in England she performed in a charity showcase of the musical, “Me and My Girl” at the famous London Palladium, and also participated in the Jack Petchey Theatre Challenge at Her Majesty’s Theatre.
Alia has attended the Dance Teacher Summit in New York City, as well as the Dance Studio Life Conference in Arizona. As a member of Healthy Dancer Canada, Alia recently presented at their fall conference in Calgary. Continuing education is important to Alia and she had also taken the following teacher training courses: Progressing Ballet Technique, Lisa Howell’s Perfect Form Physiotherapy, and International Dance Teaching Standards. The world of dance is constantly progressing and Alia strives to continue learning and educating herself in as many ways as possible.
Alia has been based in Alberta for the last 10 years working as a competitive dance program director at a successful studio. Her students have continued on to dance post graduation with DaCosta Talent, Modus Operandi, Harbour’s ITP, and The Source as well as training programs with Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Alberta Ballet and YYC Dance Project.
Mr Clarence
Mr Clarence is a seasoned breakdance instructor with over 14 years of dedicated experience in the world of breakdancing. Known by his alias, Bboy Chips, he has cultivated his passion for this dynamic art form over the years, becoming a prominent figure in the local dance community.
While Bboy Chips trained under the guidance of one of the most influential Bboys globally for just a year, his commitment to perfecting his craft is unwavering. His journey extends beyond dance moves as he has extensively studied judging systems for breakdancing at the Olympic and global levels. In 2023, Bboy Chips achieved a remarkable feat by clinching victory at the Alberta Break League Draft competition, solidifying his reputation as a skilled and innovative breakdancer.
As an instructor, Bboy Chips shares his wealth of knowledge with aspiring dancers. He had the privilege of teaching one of the top Bgirls in Calgary and continues to mentor competitive breakdancers, nurturing their talents and helping them reach new heights. Join Bboy Chips in his classes, where you’ll not only learn the art of breakdancing but also gain insight into its culture, history, and the dedication it takes to master this electrifying dance form.
Miss Emma | Tap
Emma started dancing at the age of 4, training and competing in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and lyrical. She has always had a strong passion for tap dance in particular and joined the Tri-Tone Rhythm Ensemble in 2016. Through this ensemble she has travelled and performed in many places such as New York, Seattle, and San Antonio. In 2019, Emma took her training to the next level and travelled to Barcelona to study in the Professional Training Program for Tap Dancers at the Luthier School of Music and Dance. While here she worked closely with renowned artists from around the world and was fully immersed in the world of tap dance. Emma returned to Calgary this summer and completed Tasha Lawson’s teacher training program. She is so excited to be a part of the Snap Studios team this year to share her passion of tap dance.
Jamie Stock
Jamie started dancing at age 4 and immediately fell in love with it. Originally from the Edmonton area, Jamie grew up at her studio taking various styles such as ballet, jazz, contemporary and lyrical. Her passion for dance grew stronger as she attended various competitions and festivals throughout the years. In 2020, she made the decision to move to Calgary to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at the University of Calgary. In her 4th and final year, Jamie anticipates teaching, choreographing and performing dance after graduation. She is currently working towards her Healthy Dance Practice Certificate to develop her teaching practice. Jamie is beyond excited to have the opportunity to be a part of the Snap team!
Miss Jill | Hip Hop, Sampler, Foundation
Miss Jill began dancing at the age of four, completing the majority of her instruction here in Cochrane. She has been a member of the Snap Dance Studios family since its inception in 2010, training and competing in Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Ballet, Acro and more. Jill was fortunate to join the studio on a trip to L.A. and Vegas in 2018, where she performed at iconic locations such as Disney’s California Adventure and the Santa Monica Pier.
During her time at Snap, Jill was an active member of the Student Teacher Education Program, which led her to her passion for teaching. Her work within the program earned her recognition from the community in the form of a ‘Cochrane Leaders of Tomorrow’ Award in 2018. She was also named Canada’s National Academy of Dance Education’s Dance Assistant of the Year in 2019. Jill is currently working toward her International Dance Teaching Standards certification, and is pursuing a dual degree in Dance and Education from the University of Calgary.
Miss Kelli | Jazz, Foundation, Acro, Cheer
Miss Kelli is a native Calgarian who has been dancing since the age of 5. She has successfully competed both locally and nationally and has trained in New York at The Broadway Dance Center and in Los Angeles at the Edge Performing Arts Center.
Miss Kelli has been teaching and choreographing dance recreationally and professionally since the age of 20, most recently with the Calgary Stampeder Outriders Cheer & Dance Team. Starting in 2002 as an Outrider herself, she moved into a coaching/choreographing position in 2006 and held that position for 5 years with the club. She continues to be a guest choreographer for the Outriders. During her time with the Stampeders, Miss Kelli continued to teach dance and has received special awards for my choreography through many regional competitions. Miss Kelli was also a member of the Calgary Roughnecks Drill Crew during the 2001 – 2007 seasons. She has danced professionally in a country music video, which was aired on CMT, and has been part of many other dance productions and benefit shows in the Calgary area.
Miss Kelli’s energy and love for dance has attracted many students to her classes and she can’t wait to get dancing with you!
Miss Kelsie | Jazz
Miss Kelsie’s roots in dance began in Northern Alberta. She has since trained at The Edge, Debbie Reynolds and IDA on Hollywood Blvd, studios in Los Angeles, Harbour Dance in Vancouver, O2 The Dance Company and WM2 Dance Company in Calgary as well as Onyx Dance studios, Base Studios and The Hub Studios in London, UK. She has choreographed for various dance companies across Canada and the UK. Performances include theatre productions, Broadway Live Broadway’s Beauty and the Beast, music videos and live performances including the 2017 Juno Awards, Alessia Cara, Gord Bamford, Rita Ora, Marianas Trench, Google, Mini Cooper, Marry Poppins and many more. She has trained in all classical styles since the age of three and has competed all around the world. She has spent the last 19 years teaching and choreographing and most recently lived in London where she taught and choreographed and performed for various studios and projects. She is beyond excited to be on board this year’s faculty and loves sharing her passion for dance and performance with others!
Miss Kennedy | Hip Hop
Miss Kennedy will be team teaching intensive hip hop with Miss Sakshi this season. Kennedy is a street style dancer and choreographer and comes from the Universe Soul Community. She currently trains in hip hop, house, w*acking, dancehall, afro, vogue, popping and flow styles.Kennedy started dancing in junior high and has been in love with it ever since. She has experience as a competitive dancer, festival performer and a dancer for the Calgary Surge basketball team. In addition to the choreography world, she has begun to explore the battle, vogue ball and freestyle scenes in Calgary. She is very excited to be a part of the Snap team and to see you all learn and grow!
Miss Megan | Ballet
Megan holds Registered Teacher Status with the Royal Academy of Dance after completing the Certificate in Ballet Teaching studies, and is also an RAD Silver Swans Licensee as well as an RAD Approved Tutor for the Assistant Teacher Award. Megan is also certified In Progressing Ballet Technique and Acrobatic Arts. She is thrilled to be able to share her love of dance with her students and is looking forward to an amazing season!
Miss Michelle | Ballet
Michelle is a dance educator and choreographer with almost 10 years of experience. She has been passionate about dance from a very young age and is trained in ballet, modern theatre, contemporary, jazz, and recently began training in tap. Michelle completed most of her training at Alberta Ballet School where she participated in annual examinations in both ballet and modern theatre. She currently holds her Licentiate teaching qualifications in ISTD Ballet, her Advanced 2 in ISTD Ballet and is working towards achieving her Fellowship teaching qualifications in ISTD Ballet and Associate teaching qualifications in ISTD Modern Theatre.
In 2011, Michelle traveled to China to perform in an international arts exchange. In 2013, she attended ballet master classes in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Here, she studied under world-renowned teachers in Vaganova ballet. Michelle also attended classes at ISTD2 Studios in London in 2016 to study Modern Theatre. She has danced in Alberta Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” for five seasons as a member of the children’s cast. Most recently, Michelle spent nine months in London, UK studying and working at Pineapple Dance Studios.
Michelle is excited to teach at Snap. With her fun-loving spirit and passion for dance, she hopes to pass on the same level of excellence in training to her students that she received from her teachers.
Miss Sakshi | Hip Hop
Sakshi is a dancer and choreographer from Calgary, Alberta. She specializes in street choreography, where her style is primarily inspired by hip hop.
Sakshi began dancing in high school, where she joined illFX Education upon graduating after being awarded a scholarship at Eastside Dance Festival. She has since been training with Illfx Education under the mentorship of Edgar Gilbert-Reyes and Katherine Burrowes. She has – and continues to – train in styles such as hip hop, dancehall, soca, afro, house, wa*cking and voguing. Sakshi began choreographing in 2019 and has had a love for teaching since. She has competed, and has had her work featured, in competitions such as the Peak Invitational, Artists Emerge, The View, Represent, Monsters, and Dancer’s Paradise. She currently is a co-director for an advanced competitive crew at illFX Education named Nemesis. She also sits on the advisory board for Calgary’s Eastside Dance Festival.
Outside of dance, Sakshi is passionate about clinical health research. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Health Sciences (Honours), and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Neuroscience.
Miss Victoria | Acro
Miss Victoria is a celebrated teacher and choreographer known for her passionate work in the classroom and unique, progressive choreography. Her career has taken her throughout Canada and the United States. Miss Victoria has trained with some of North America’s leading teachers and choreographers at The Quinte Ballet School of Canada (Professional Division), Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre, School of Toronto Dance Theatre, Joffrey Ballet School and the Limon Dance Company. She has studied mainly in the styles of Ballet (RAD and Cecchetti), Modern (Limon and Graham) and Contemporary. As a teacher Miss Victoria has had tremendous opportunities working with a multitude of studios, public schools and dancers throughout Ontario and Alberta. Dedicated to the instruction of dance and education through arts programming, Miss Victoria believes introducing children to movement and dance at a young age can play a key role in the development of a child’s gross and fine motor skills, musicality, social development and build self confidence all while getting active and having fun! Most recently Victoria has achieved her teachers certification in Progressive Ballet Technique and is working towards obtaining her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies from the Royal Academy of Dance.
Is this you? We're hiring!
Snap is always looking for top-notch instructors and choreographers. Email us your resume and quick video (1-3 minutes) telling us why you’d like to teach at our studio: info@snapdancestudios.com
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