Our teaching faculty is committed to excellence, personal attention and nuturing the individuality of each student. It is important for students to enjoy themselves as well as have a sense of accomplishment for their efforts. A fun and structured atmosphere is encouraged where building the students self-esteem is top priority.
Janice Winter is the Artistic Director of The Edmonton Dance Factory. She was the co-founder and director of the former Blue Quill School of Dancing for the past 19 years. Janice has choreographed for various companies, instructed at home and abroad, and recently started adjudicating.Trained extensively in tap, jazz, ballet and musical theatre; Janice has a dance minor from the University of Alberta and has attended professional studios, seminars, workshops, competitions and performances across Canada, Los Angeles and New York. Janice is a certified teacher of Al Gilbert and Brian Foley dance syllabus and has completed major RAD dance syllabus. She has performed with Kompany and The Alberta Dance Company for several years. With over 30 years of dance experience her forte is jazz dance. Her passion for dance has inspired her students to progress into professional careers.
Teresa Bayrock has instructed ballet at the former Blue Quill School of Dance for the past 17 years. She has studied ballet and Ukrainian for 25 years and jazz and modern for 19 years. Teresa has attended various Royal Academy of Dance workshops and has earned a Teacher’s Diploma with the RAD. During her first year at Grant Macewan College she received the only scholarship awarded to the Arts Department for her achievmentsin ballet, jazz and modern dance. Teresa is an Honours Graduate from Grant MacEwan College with a diploma in Dance Instruction.
Kelsey D’Agostini has been dancing for 13 years and has been awarded numerous scholarships from the Alberta Dance Festival, Dancing From The Heart, Dance Power, Talent Show and other competitions. Kelsey has traveled to both Saskatoon and Banff to compete in the Dance Power finals. Kelsey performed at Disneyland and studied at The Edge Workshop Program and was a member of the dance team at her Highschool in Virginia Beach. She trained at Virginia Beach Ballet Academy for her final year and at The Blue Quill School of Dance winning the Senior dance Scholarship. Kelsey is currently enrolled in the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Alberta. Kelsey loves children and especially enjoys sharing her love of dance.
Megan D’Agostini has been dancing and performing since she was 3 years old. She has trained in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical, Modern, Contemporary, and Musical Theatre. She has had the opportunity to attend many local workshops as well as train at The Edge in Los Angeles, Broadway Dance Centre in New York and Tokyo, at the Virginia Beach Ballet Academy, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and at The Leningrad State Ballet School in St. Petersburg, Russia. After graduating from high school, Megan went on to dance and perform on Cruise Ships with Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruise Lines. She also had the opportunity to spend a year performing as “The Little Mermaid” in an Under the Sea show in Tokyo DisneyLand. Since returning home, Megan has continued her dance training and graduated from the University of Alberta with a B. Ed. She is currently a teacher at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, where she is starting their Performing Arts Academy.
Debbie England began her dance training at a private dance school in Edmonton. She continued her dance training at Grant MacEwan College, various workshops and studios in New York and Los Angeles and continually upgrades her skills by participating in workshops and seminars. Debbie’s natural ease with children makes her a sought after adjudicator and teacher. She has been a guest instructorm choregrapher, examiner and adjudicator for workshops, competitions and festivals across Western Canada. Debbie is an active member of the Alberta Dance Educators Association, the Jazz Dance Association of Alberta and recently put her tap shoes back on to become a member of 4 Tap. Debbie has successfully entered students into competitions for over 20 years and is a recognized instructor of the Al Gilbert tap syllabus.
Kristina Garbaria started dancing at age 3 and has loved it ever since. She started in Hawaiian dancing and by age 4 was dancing jazz, tap and ballet. Kristina has trained for over 15 years at the Blue Quill School Of Dance and is currently attending classes at Shelly’s Dance Company studying jazz, ballet and lyrical. Over the years Kristina has participated in a variety of competitions and has won numerous medals and scholarships. Kristina had the opportunity to meet and dance with singers, dancers and characters from the Disneyland Theme park. This will be Kristina’s 8th year on the teaching staff and she looks forward to the upcoming year.
Stefanie Lambley began dancing at the age of 8. She has studied in the areas of tap, jazz, ballet and musical theatre. She has participated in many competitions, workshops, talent shows and examinations. Stefanie has received “Most Promising Dance” scholarships from The Alberta Dance Festival in both jazz and lyrical soloist work. Stefanie has performed at the Disney Magic days in Los Angeles and studied at the Edge Performing Arts Centre. Stefanie has organized a community based dance program teaching young students. She recently returned from Romania where she had a teaching contract for the past 3 months. Stefanie is excited to be home and hopes to share her love of dance with her students.
Kelsey Snow has studied the disciplines of tap, jazz, ballet and musical theatre. She has participated in many competitions, workshops, opening ceremonies, and talent shows both locally and in Los Angeles including a performance in Disneyland. She was a guest performer in the Feats Festival and had the honour of dancing in “Stars Of Hope” benefiting those coping with the devastating effects of cancer. Kelsey has completed her Al Gilbert syllabus up to and including grade 9 in which she received highest honours. She has also successfully completed her RAD grade 8 award. She is currently enrolled in her second year at the University Of Alberta as a student in the School Of Business. Kelsey is looking forward to once again sharing her passion for dance with her students and is eager to begin this exciting year.