Ms. Viegas trained with the National Ballet School in Toronto. She is an Associate member of the Royal Academy of Dancing and has her Advanced and Teacher's Certificates. Ms. Viegas has attended numerous dance seminars in Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Calgary. Her past credits include being the local children's ballet mistress for the Alberta Ballet's Grande Prairie production of The Nutcracker, co-choreographer for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1995 Canada Winter Games and 2000 Alberta Summer Games.

Mrs. Taylor is a graduate of the Grant McEwan Dance Program. She is a registered and certified teacher with the Royal Academy of Dancing. She has professionaly trained with the Toronto Dance Theatre for four years and is certified Stott* Pilates Instructor. She was the co-choreographer for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1995 Canada Winter Games and the 2000 Alberta Summer Games.

* STOTT Pilates is a trademark of Merrithew Corp.

Nadine Stewart-Smith (Jazz, Hip-Hop)

Nadine Stewart-Smith started dancing at the age 7, training first in jazz and ballet at The Dancer’s Academy and later in tap, lyrical, modern and hip hop. After graduation, Nadine was a member of Orchesis Dance Company while obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Alberta. She has also danced in the opening ceremonies for the IAAF World Track and Field Games in Edmonton, AB.

Showing an early interest in dance instruction and choreography, Nadine started teaching jazz and hip-hop at the age of 16.! She has since taught in a number of schools throughout Alberta and the GP Dancer’s Academy is excited to have her back teaching more classes in jazz and hip hop this year.

Keeping up with current dance trends, Nadine has attended multiple conventions/conferences, most recently in New York and Orlando. Her students benefit with new and challenging work each year and she has received numerous choreography awards for these works. Nadine LOVES dancing and sharing that passion with her students!

Mandi Sutherland Olivier, BA (Dance)
LLB, ARAD RTS, CDTA Jazz & Tap Member
(creative dance, tap, ballet, jazz, jumps & turns)

Mandi is a dedicated and accomplished dance educator. Her teaching experience includes 15 years of instructing ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, and modern dance to students ages two to adult in dance studios across Alberta. She has trained at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, the Walnut Hill School of Fine Arts, International School of Ballet, Alberta Ballet School, the Dancer’s Academy, and the University of Calgary. In 2000, Mandi graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance (with distinction) from the University of Calgary. During her time at University, she performed in various productions including Dance Montage for which she also later choreographed for. Her choreography has received Outstanding Choreography awards at dance festivals throughout Alberta.

As a former studio owner and the present Dance Director at the Edge School Skills Academy North in Grande Prairie, her teaching style is one that embraces achievement through hard work and dedication. She takes pride in being a positive role model for her students, and strongly believes that the study of dance teaches invaluable life skills which are transferable to any path her students may choose to follow. Mandi is eager to share her love of dance and passion for learning with her students.

Melissa Nonkovic
(Jazz)

Melissa trained at The Dancer’s Academy in the disciplines of ballet, jazz, tap and modern before moving to Edmonton where she attended college and continued dancing. In 2004, Melissa pursued her dream of dancing abroad and was offered a position dancing professionally for Princess Cruises. Over the course of two years she rehearsed in Los Angeles and had the privilege of performing live production shows for audiences at sea.

Since returning to Grande Prairie, Melissa has taken great joy in sharing her experiences and passion for dance with her students. She continues to enjoy travelling to various dance destinations, most recently to New York City and Orlando, in order to spark new inspiration for herself and her students.

Mrs. Rhonda Figel
Tap

More information coming . . .

Miss Kylee Hart
Junior/Beginner Tap

More information coming . . .

Sabrina Viegas
(Hip Hop)

Miss Sabrina Viegas has been dancing all her life. This will be her second year as a teacher at the GP Dancer's Academy. Prior to joining our teaching staff, Sabrina spent 5 years in the student teaching DATA program. Knowing that new material and moves are constantly coming out, she tries to attend as many workshops and classes as possible in order to broaden her dance vocabulary. She has recently returned from studies in Los Angeles where she took classes at The Edge, Millenium, IDA (International Dance Academy Hollywood) and the Debbie Reynolds studio. She was thrilled to attend a taping of 'So You Think You Can Dance' and even got the chance to dance for the audience in between takes.

Sabrina studies any style of dance that she can and is excited to be able to share her passion for hip hop with the dancers at GP Dancer's Academy.

Jeannine Younger, C.D.T.A.
(Musical Theatre)

Jeannine Younger started dancing at the age of 3 with tap and soon added ballet, jazz, modern and lyrical. She completed her Gold Star CDTA tap exam with Honours with distinction and has finished her Silver level exam in CDTA Jazz. Jeannine has competed at multiple dance competitions winning numerous awards for outstanding and most promising performances as well as choreography and has participated in numerous dance workshops and summer schools. Jeannine is an American Musical and Dramatic Academy graduate in Musical Theatre and has been teaching for more than 10 years.