Courtney Niebergall

Ballet Pre-Primary - Ballet Grade 7; Intermediate Foundation & Intermediate Ballet; Competitive Choreographer.

Courtney Niebergall began her dance training in Regina at the age of five. She completed the Grade 8 Award, and Advanced Certificate in Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) ballet exams, as well as the Advanced Canadian Dance Teachers Association (C.D.T.A.) tap and jazz exams. In 1996 & 1997 she performed during the summer with Saskatchewan Express, a young people's musical theatre performance group, and returned the summer of 2000 to work as Rehearsal Director for the group.

Courtney attended Ryerson University's Dance Performance program in Toronto, and she graduated in 2001 with an appreciation for modern dance. While in Toronto, Courtney performed at Dusk Dances and Series 8:08, and appeared with the Chimera Project and IDAC Dance Collective. In 2003, Courtney performed with City Centre Dance Company at the Stream of Dance Festival, and the Cathedral Village Arts Festival. She also danced in the Casino Regina commercial "Two of a Kind".

In 2006, Courtney completed the Royal Academy of Dance teacher's training program. She was awarded the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies, which allows her to enter students in RAD ballet exams. She enjoys teaching the art of classical ballet, and incorporating contemporary ideas, movement and music into her choreography. Courtney is the proud Mom of two young girls, and is thrilled to be back teaching at ADA this year!!

Erica Harding

Artistic Director/Owner; Acrylics Director; Creative Movement; Conditioning Grade 3 - Grade 5; Contemporary Grade 4 - Grade 7; Jazz Primary - Grade 3; Lyrical Grade 3 - Grade 7; Competitive Choreographer.

Erica Harding has studied dance for 25 + years, exploring Contemporary, Jazz, Lyrical, West African, Tap, Ballet, and Musical Theatre forms. She has always felt that dance is more than steps, but rather a special language, an outlet for expression and emotion.

In 2007 she received her Collaborative Degree in Contemporary Dance and Kinesiology from The University of Calgary. Erica has also studied at the School of Decidedly Jazz DanceWorks in Calgary; The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and Broadway Dance Centre in New York; and Guinea, West Africa during a travel intensive. Erica has always enjoyed sharing her passion for dance with other, owning a studio was always a long-term goal. After teaching at the Alberta Dance Academy for 6 years, Erica took over the role of owner/director. Now heading into her fifth year as owner, she welcomes all dancer and parents to share another wonderful year of dance!

Charli Atkins

Adult Hip Hop; Adult Tap; Hip Hop Boyz & Intro - Grade 7; Jazz Grade 4; Competitive Choreographer.

Charli Atkins has spent as long as she can remember dancing anywhere from a stage in the middle of Disney Land to the living room with her little sister. At the age of three her mom enrolled her in ballet classes, now, fifteen years later she has continued those ballet classes as well as taken lessons in Hip Hop, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Musical Theatre, Belly Dancing, and Salsa. She has had the opportunity to complete a number of A.D.A.P.T. tap and jazz examinations as well as R.A.D. ballet examinations.

Although dance competitions have played a main role in her more recent dance life, Charli had spent three years performing in Kel Soloway's Company Production, taken part in a California Dance Tour, and attended numerous workshops throughout Alberta. After experiencing different studios in Calgary and Las Vegas, Charli moved to Okotoks. This led her to The Alberta Dance Academy, which she has called 'home' for the past five years. During this time she had the opportunity to assist classes for many of the studios talented teachers. Charli has been mentored in teaching through subbing and teaching summer camps. She is now in the process of being certified in the Al Gilbert Tap Dance Technique. She will be a certified Al Gilbert Instructor by the end of the season!

Tiffaney Chin

Ballet Pre-Primary - Grade 7; Ballet/Jazz/Tap Combo; Beginner Pointe, Intermediate Pointe; Jazz Grade 2/3 - Grade 7; Lyrical Grade 4/5; Tap Grade 2/3; Zumba; Competitive Choreographer.

Tiffaney Chin, dancing since she was three years old, has trained intensively in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Tap, and Contemporary. Tiffaney has been teaching for the past seven years at dance studios in the city of Calgary. In 2007, Tiffaney choreographed a group of 20 dancers who performed in Japan.

Tiffaney is finishing off her first of two years, working towards obtaining her Royal Academy of Dance Ballet teaching certificate. She has completed her second of three years in the ADAPT Teacher's Training School certification program. Tiffaney holds her Zumba certificate, a dance inspired fitness program; Zumba Gold certificate, Zumba for the mature adult; and Zumbatomic certificate, Zumba for kids. In June 2010, Tiffaney performed in Calgary's local theatre company, Mob Hit Productions musical rendition of Shakespeare's "As You Like It". Tiffaney also had the privilege of dancing in the 2009 Grey Cup pre-game and half time show.

Tiffaney holds a BEd majoring in secondary English and a BA in Communications and Culture with a Minor in English from the University of Calgary. Tiffaney is grateful to be part of the faculty at Alberta Dance Academy. She looks forward to sharing her love and passion for dance to all of her students.

Elise Janz

Adult Ballet/Lyrical; Adult Jazz; Ballet/Jazz Combo; Ballet Grade 2/3 - Grade 4/5; Contemporary Grade 4/5; Jazz Primary; Recital Choreographer.

Elise Janz - Bio coming soon

Sarah Broadley

Ballet/Jazz/Tap Combo; Parent & Tot; Tiny Toes; Recital Choreographer.

Sarah Broadley started at the age of three developing a strong passion for ballet, dancing on pointe at age eleven, and completing the Advanced level of the RAD ballet program. She's enjoyed many years of ballet, jazz and tap dancing and completed a few years of belly-dancing in between! Some of her special highlights were; dancing under the instruction of Umran Sumen, Turkish Ballerina and founder of Jeunesse Classique Ballet; performing in the Nutcracker and Cinderella; being accepted to dance at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet; teaching Song and Dance and competing in ballet and jazz. She has danced with McDonald Wilson, International School of Ballet, City of Calgary Ballet, Foothills Academy of Dance and The Dance Factory.

On a personal note, she also has two beautiful girls that brighten her everyday and she adores immensely. Miss Sarah welcomes the opportunity to teach and help children develop the passion and love for dance as she has.

Melissa Klassen

Ballet/Jazz/Tap Combo; Parent & Tot; Tiny Toes; Recital Choreographer.

Melissa Klassen's love of gymnastics began as a child and continued throughout her training until, at the age of 17, she began mentoring other young gymnasts as a coach in her local community. Over the last 18 years she has continued her career as a gymnastics coach, judge and choreographer; she merged into the Acro/Dance field in 2000. She has extensive experience and has worked with students and teachers from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Bahamas. Her most recent position was with performing arts school "The Young Canadians" where she served as the Acro/Dance Director for 10 years.

While training in Acro/Dance Instruction, Melissa was mentored by Brian Foley (ADAPT), and Acro industry leader Andrea Partridge at the Performing Dance Arts Studio in Toronto. Melissa's credentials include: ADAPT (Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers) Certification; NCCP (National Coaching Certification Program) Level Three Certification in Artistic Gymnastics; Level Two Gymnastics Judge Certification; CPR/First Aid trained; Child Safety trained; Sport Administration and Recreation Diploma (Mount Royal University).

Meghan Bailey

Ballet/Jazz Combo; Ballet Grade 2/3 - Grade 4/5; Contemporary Grade 4/5; Parent & Tot; Competition Choreographer.

Meghan Bailey has always loved to perform whether it be dancing, singing or acting. These art forms have taken her all over the UK and now to Canada! She has recently moved 'across the pond' from Cornwall to pursue her dream of teaching dance.

After studying ballet, tap, jazz and flamenco, Meghan successfully auditioned for dance colleges in London gaining a scholarship at The Centre, deciding to attend the University of Bedfordshire, where she recently graduated with a First Class Honors degree in Dance and Professional Practice.

Meghan has been lucky enough to gain principal roles in musicals and pantomimes including 'Sandy' in Grease and most recently 'Val' in A Chorus Line. She has also danced with Duchy Ballet in which she had the opportunity to dance with principals from the English National Ballet and danced a duet with Danny Ryan, an artist from the Texas Ballet Theatre.

Meghan has worked with Rogue Theatre Company and Bedfordshire Youth Dance Company, where she ran workshops for children aged 7-15 years old, aiding creative development. Meghan has also worked closely with Music and Dance Education in Cornwall where she assisted with classes ranging from 'Bouncing Babies' to A-Level rehearsals.

Meghan believes a supportive teaching approach is necessary to enable students to reach their full potential. Quite simply she wants to help develop young peoples' talent and enrich their lives through the art of dance.

Meghan is very excited about meeting her new students and working with such an amazing team of teachers. She is proud to be part of such a nurturing and positive school.

Alison Mercier

Creative Movement; Tap Primary; Recital Choreographer.

"On my priority list; dance claims the #1 spot, right next to breathing". Dance has always been a major component in Alison's life. It all began fourteen years ago, at the age of three, when she was first enrolled at the Alberta Dance Academy, and has been around ever since. Alison has current training in many styles of dance, including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Pointe, and has dabbled in Swing, West African, and Musical Theatre. As well, Alison has completed many A.D.A.P.T. jazz and tap, and R.A.D. ballet exams. Performing has always been a passion, performing in numerous recitals, competitions, school plays, and in the Disneyland Parade.

Alison has also always had a great love of working around children. Becoming a teacher has been in Alison's career path since even before she can even remember. Throughout the past 5 years, Alison has been training as an assistant teacher, substituting classes, teaching summer camps and dance birthday parties in order to prepare for becoming a part of the ADA faculty. In the future, she plans on continuing her dance education at the University of Calgary. Alison is looking forward to all that that the upcoming year has to offer, and hopes on instilling the same drive and passion for dance in her students, that she has acquired.

Emily McKay

Hip Hop Ages 5 - 9; Recital Choreographer.

Emily McKay has been dancing for twelve years, eleven of those at ADA. For the past four years she has been assistant teaching with the pre-school students on Saturday mornings. In addition, Emily has been assisting and teaching summer camp classes for the past two summers. She is now excited to be teaching her own weekly classes of young dancers. Her dance experience has included every genre offered through the studio, and she has enjoyed participating in competition for many years now. One of many highlights of her dance career was dancing down "Main Street USA" at Disneyland, California in 2006 with fellow students of ADA.

Tasha Shukys – Administrative Director

Lindsay Boucher – Assistant to the Director