Teaching dance is at the heart of Krista; she has always known it is her calling to teach. Her training started at a young age in many genres including Royal Academy of Dance Ballet, Imperial Teaching Society’s of Dance Modern Theatre.
In 2012, Krista began at Brigham Young University-Idaho as a Dance Major with emphasis on teaching and contemporary. She also toured internationally with Brigham Young University-Idaho Dance Alliance in 2013.
Krista has been privileged to see many students win scholarships and awards at dance competitions and received a choreography award for her advanced Ballet number entitled “Roaring 20’s”.
Since moving to Fort McMurray 2 years ago she has furthered her education and has become certified in Acrobatic Arts – Level 1, Barre Above – Barre Fitness and Progressing Ballet Technique. Krista has also joined the board of the new Fort McMurray Dance association representing the Uptown studio.
She loves seeing her students develop confidence and technique, and enthusiastically brings her passion, creative ideas and education to the teaching faculty at UpTown.
Alexandra is a born and raised Fort McMurrayite, and is no stranger to the stage. She started dancing at 11 years old at Taylor Dance Studio, and then moved to Keyano Conservatory dance program to study Modern. The dance program quickly grew and she was able to train in many styles of dance under the instruction of: Nola Antony, Leah Moen, Julie Funk, Kim Hurley, and Linda Hovagimian.
She started teaching dance in 2008 at the Keyano Conservatory, and in 2012 helped open UpTown! at the Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts where she currently teaches Modern, Musical Theatre. She was also the Choreographer for Theatre; Just Because performance of Evil Dead, Keyano Theatre’s performance of The Great Gatsby, and the Waypoints Dinner Theatre productions in collaboration with Theatre; Just Because.
As both a dance teacher and the Assistant Manager at the Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts, Alexandra is very excited to welcome all students and to share in their delight and passion for the Arts.
Emily’s love for dance started back in 2003 at Keyano Dance Conservatory. She has experience in many different genres of dance, including Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Pointe and Modern. She has been dancing with Uptown! At SECPA since 2016.
Currently, Emily is attending Keyano College for a Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education. She has attended DTU in Nevada for her Level 1 teaching certificate. As her dance career progresses, she intends to gain more experience and widen her knowledge of dance.
Emily has been teaching dance with Uptown! At SECPA since 2018 in various styles including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Hip Hop. Teaching is Emily’s passion. She loves helping her students enhance their knowledge of dance and watching them flourish.
Starting classes in 2006, Grayce’s passion for dance has grown immensely every year since. She started her dance career at Keyano Dance Conservatory in Fort McMurray. Grayce has been training in all different genres including, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Modern, Hip Hop, Pointe and Contemporary. Grayce has been with Uptown! At SECPA since 2013 when the studio first opened.
Her first year of teaching starts in the 2020/2021 season and she could not be more excited. She loves being able to help guide her students and see the students’ dedication for dance grow throughout the season.
Originally from Edmonton, Kayla is passionate about the education and learning of dance and its history as a dance educator for over 15 years. Kayla is a certified ADAPT teacher, (Jazz and Tap education), Acrobatic Arts, the comix hip hop method, and has extensive theatre and performing arts experience. Kayla has specialised preschool training in Acrobatic Arts, discover dance,twinkle stars and intellidance. Kayla has attended numerous conventions and workshops all over North America in her life as a dancer and educator.
Kayla is the founder of the Fort McMurray Dance Association and the owner of Northern Dance Apparel. Kayla has won numerous awards for her choreography and group performances. When Kayla isn’t being a dancer, she spends time with her husband, daughters, and dog.
Mackenzie’s training started at five years old at Keyano Dance Conservatory in Fort McMurray. She has always been very passionate about dance, training in genres including Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Modern, Musical Theatre and Heels, and has travelled across Alberta, and to Las Vegas and Seattle for various different dance conventions. She has been dancing with UpTown! At SECPA since 2016, and the studio feels like home for her.
This is Mackenzie’s second year of teaching, and she cannot wait to dance with you and share her passion and enthusiasm.
Tineesha’s love for dance and the arts began at 3 years old, when first she danced in the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Throughout her life, Tineesha has performed, competed, and taught many different dance styles (Ballet, Hip-hop, Jazz, Salsa, and others.). In her youth, she also enjoyed performing and helping with dance numbers in school musicals. Graduating from the University of Manitoba, and leaving the Winnipeg Dance Force (WDF) team, Tineesha moved to Fort McMurray in 2012. After moving to Fort McMurray, she taught at Uptown! Music and Dance and Holy Trinity dance classes. Since then, Tineesha has spent time raising her two little girls, volunteering, writing, and studying Art Therapy.
She is thrilled to be teaching hip-hop again this year!
Holly began dancing in 2007 at Keyano Conservatory at the age of 4. She moved to UpTown! at SECPA when it opened, and continued her dance training there, in styles such as: Musical Theatre, Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Pointe and Lyrical until her graduation in 2021. But she wasn’t ready to leave UpTown! yet, and stuck around to complete her International Dance Teaching Standards training course. She also choreographed and performed in BRJ Theatre’s production of Ghost Quartet. She is extremely exited to have the opportunity to teach at the studio she grew up in. She can’t wait to share her passion with her students and grow as teacher.
Allie has been dancing for 17 years. She has had the privilege of dancing at many studios in town, and learning under a variety of incredible instructors. She started her dance career at Generation Dance Studio at 3 years old. She then moved to Keyano Dance Conservatory and later to UpTown! at SECPA. Allie then danced competitively through YMM Dance Company. Allie also danced under PEAK Athletic Academy.
Through dance she has been able to travel, training and taking classes, as well as attending conventions in New York City & Las Vegas. She is trained in many genres including; Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Contemporary, and has completed two years of training through Adapt Syllabus Teacher Training School.
Allie is so excited to start her first year teaching at UpTown. She can’t wait to keep learning alongside you all!