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'Our strength is in our teachers - Our beauty is in our dancers'

Team

Team

Julie Birmingham

Julie began ballet classes at the age of three, soon to be followed by tap, jazz and spanish dance.  Julie earned her teaching qualifications through Dance Educators of America becoming certified in teaching ballet, pointe, contemporary, tap, jazz, and musical theatre, and acro through the Acrobatic Arts professional syllabus for acrobatic dance. Julie has also taken part in many workshops highlighting all types of dance over the years.  In addition to being a member of the Dance Designs team as both a student and teacher for many years, Julie has also enjoyed working with many local figure skaters, sharing the benefits of dance both on and off the ice.  Julie is thrilled to share her passion and love of dance with her students as Director of Dance Designs.

Director

Joyce Gauthier

Joyce fell in love with ballet at the age of seven. Before long she was practising ballet, jazz, tap and Spanish dance. Miss Joyce graduated from Dance Educators of America in 1990 earning teaching qualifications in Ballet and Musical Theatre Arts. Further studies in dance include the Additional Qualification Dance Course Level I from the University of Toronto in 1995, and various dance workshops. Miss Joyce is also a graduate of Brock University (B.A. 1993) and Niagara University (M. Ed. 1995). She is a secondary school teacher with the District School Board of Niagara. Miss Joyce is pleased to share her love of dance with staff and students at Dance Designs Dance Studio!

Dance Instructor

Audrey Morrison

Audrey started dancing at the age of three. She has been a member of the Dance Designs family, as a student and teacher, for the past 19 years. Along with attending various workshops throughout the years, she has completed the three year teaching program through the Dance Educators of America in New York City. Along with choreographing routines for the studio, she has also choreographed numbers for parades, school plays and charity events. Audrey is also a grade 7 teacher with the NCDSB.

Dance Instructor

Kelly Hayes

Kelly Hayes has been dancing for 24 years and teaching for 10 with her teachers training certified through Dance Educators of America in New york City. Kelly has taught workshops at Dance Designs and has taught dance in elementary schools to children of different ages. Kelly has attended many workshops including programs at the National Ballet of Canada, Can Dance Toronto, Niagara Dance Company and educational classes by Dance Educators of Canada for Acrobatics and Hip Hop

Dance Instructor

Amy Litkowich

Amy started dancing with Dance Designs at the age of 10, where she studied jazz, ballet, tap and spanish dance.  Amy started teaching six years ago with Expressions in St. Thomas where she taught ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre and competitive tap.   Amy also instructed at Dance Pointe in St. Thomas where she taught ballet, tap, and cheer leading.  Amy has also taught cheer leading to high school students.  Amy has choreographed routines for the St. Thomas Santa Claus Parade and audition pieces for university bound students.  Amy recently completed level one of the Dance Educators of America’s Teacher’s Training program in Las Vegas and has attended tap workshops through the Eastern Canadian Tap Conference as well as tap, contemporary and ballet workshops through Sheer Talent Ltd. and Aerial Silks class through Dance Pointe. She has just completed her Level II studies with Dance Masters Teachers Training Program. Amy is excited to be back home and a part of the Dance Designs team

Dance Instructor

Hannah Houtby

Hannah started dancing at Dance Designs Dance Studio at the age of 6. Starting with Jazz in her first year, she soon realized her love of dance and added Spanish, Ballet, Pointe and Tap to her repertoire. Hannah was a dance assistant at the studio for 5 years, prior to joining the teaching staff. Hannah has completed her Level 1 and 2 of the Dance Masters of America Teacher’s Training Program in Buffalo. She is working to further her dance education through this program, as well as attending workshops within the area.  Along with teaching, Hannah is a full time student at Brock University. She looks forward to continuing to share her love of dance with your children!

Dance Instructor

Sydney Gustyn

Sydney has been dancing with Dance Designs since the age of 2, and has practised all genres of dance that the studio has offered. She has attended several work shops over the years, including a student intensive program with Dance Masters of America in 2015. Sydney was an assistant with the studio for 7 years, and is ecstatic to have joined the teaching team. Sydney has recently completed Level I of the teachers training program with Dance Masters of America, and is looking forward to continuing her dance education. Sydney will become a full time student at Niagara College in January, studying Early Childhood Education. She looks forward for an exciting new year of dance, and all that it will have to offer!

Dance Instructor

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