Julie was born in Glasgow, Scotland and started dancing at the age of four. After completing secondary school, Julie attended the College of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) in London, England where she obtained her diploma in the teaching of ballet in 1988.

 

She came to Canada the same year and has been successfully teaching children and adults the RAD syllabus for the past thirty-seven years. Several of Julie’ s students have been selected to attend the National Ballet School in Toronto, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet summer school and the Alberta Ballet professional program. Julie loves sharing her passion for dance with students, young and old and continues to find teaching an extremely rewarding career.

Miss Natasha brings with her over 27 years of dance experience. Since the age of 3, she has been training in ballet and Ukrainian dance. She has completed RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) ballet exams Primary to Grade 8, as well as vocational exams Intermediate Foundation to Advanced 2.

 

Miss Natasha has been teaching ballet, Ukrainian and lyrical for over 13 years, and has loved every moment. She is a University graduate with a Bachelors in Commerce in Operations Management at the University of Calgary, with a minor in dance. She has since finished her CBTS (Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies) and is a certified instructor with the RAD.

Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Amanda has been dancing for more than thirty years. Growing up as a competitive dancer provided opportunities to perform worldwide, including in the USA, Germany, England, Scotland, Australia, and New Zealand. Amanda has formal training in many styles, including ballet, jazz, lyrical, and musical theatre, and specializes in tap. She has trained throughout Canada and the USA, studying extensively under tap masters in NYC. Amanda was chosen as a soloist and Canadian National Tap Team member to compete at the International Dance Organization's World Tap Dance Championships in Reisa, Germany. She has performed for tap shows in LA, and NYC, and was a dancer in the opening number for the internationally televised Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. Back in Calgary, Amanda has also dipped her toes into the vibrant theatre community.

 

Amanda has been teaching dance to children of all ages and abilities for the past twenty years. From an early age, it was clear that she loved children and shared her passion for dance with them. She has known for a long time that teaching, interacting with her students, and watching them grow is where her heart lies. In addition to preparing her students for competitions and shows, Amanda has sat as an examiner, been on scholarship adjudication panels, and adjudicated at numerous dance competitions across Canada.

Alena Widdup’s love of dance was born in the studio, growing up in a family deeply rooted in the art form. Surrounded by a shared passion with her parents and three sisters, she developed a strong foundation and lifelong connection to dance from an early age. Alena has trained and competed extensively in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre, and hip hop. With over a decade of teaching experience, she brings both technical expertise and a nurturing spirit to every class she leads. Her certifications include ADAPT (Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers), PAEC (Performing Arts Educators of Canada), Acrobatic Arts, and Rhythm Works Integrative Dance, reflecting her commitment to safe, effective, and inclusive dance education.

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A passionate learner and performer, Alena has furthered her professional education through the Professional Training Program at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks and performed as a company dancer with the Next Steps Tap Program in Edmonton. Her performance credits also include dancing in the Disneyland parade, on Carnival Cruise Lines with her team.

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As an educator, Alena strives to create a positive and empowering environment where dancers of all ages and abilities feel seen, supported, and inspired. She continues to pursue growth through ongoing education and movement exploration, always seeking to elevate her artistry and her impact in the studio.

Mikaela is an emerging dance artist, teacher, and current undergraduate student at the University of Calgary, where she is studying both Dance and Sociology. Originally from northern Alberta, she began her training at Footworks Dance Academy in her hometown and later continued her studies at York University in Toronto. While living in Toronto, she immersed herself in the vibrant dance community and collaborated on a range of creative projects.

 

Mikaela has completed ballet exams through the Royal Academy of Dance and holds certifications in both Acrobatic Arts and Spectacle Blue Aerial Arts. In 2024, she trained in the Professional Training Program at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (DJD), further expanding her practice. She has had the opportunity to learn from a variety of artists in Vancouver, New York, and Los Angeles. Mikaela is passionate about teaching and is dedicated to fostering a positive, supportive environment where students can grow both technically and artistically. She’s excited to share her love of dance with her students this year!

Tory was born and raised in Calgary and began dancing at the age of three. She trained at the Calgary City Ballet School and Ballet Arts Centre, completing both ISTD and RAD exams and achieving Registered Teacher Status with the Royal Academy of Dance.

 

Tory has performed in productions including The Sleeping Beauty, La Bayadère, and The Nutcracker with Jeunesse Classique, as well as contemporary works with local choreographers. She continues to perform ballet and Ukrainian dance while sharing her lifelong love of dance with her students.

 

Outside the studio, Tory works as a Labour Relations Officer, is a retired paramedic of over 20 years, and a proud mother of two dancers. She is excited to be part of the Fun ’n Dance family!

Miss Laura is a registered ballet teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance. She has spent most of her life developing her passion for dance, particularly ballet. She believes ballet is for everyone and takes care to support dancers to reach their athletic and artistic goals through technical knowledge, dance history, musicality, and movement. With her holistic approach to dance, Miss. Laura understands the importance of developing a dancer's self esteem, physical capacity, practice, and overall health.

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She is currently in her last year of her Honors Degree in Dance Education at the Royal Academy of Dance and University of Bath and her Licentiate.

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Miss Laura is excited to be a part of the Fun 'n' Dance team and to share her love of dance with her students.

At Fun ‘n’ Dance we are delighted to provide the opportunity for our senior
students to assistant teach. These student teachers provide valuable assistance
to our team and are excellent role models for our younger dancers.

 

We have rotating student teachers every couple months who are eager to learn and assist in building a thriving dance community.