Instructors

Ms Alexis "Lexi" Dewhirst began dancing at the age of 4 in ballet class with jazz, lyrical
and modern classes soon added. She trained in R.A.D and C.D.T.A., danced in the Opening
and Closing ceremonies for the Canada Winter Games and the Alberta Ballet production of
the"Nutcracker”. Lexi has been teaching for 13 years and is a Member of the CDTA Ballet
and Stage Division. This year Lexi was accepted into the Royal Academy of Dance two year
Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies Program. She has taught for multiple schools in the
Peace Country as well as Grant McEwan and the Edmonton City Arts Centre and was a
Judge at this years Northern Talent Search competition in Edmonton at the Capital Ex.
She has attended numerous festivals,competitions and workshops both as a participant and
an instructor throughout Alberta and BC and has won awards for her choreography.

Miss Loanne began loving dance when she began taking Ballet while competing through
gymnastics nationally and internationally. She continued on and found her way to dance in
jazz, lyrical and tap while being mentored by Mrs. Deborah Judt. This year, Loanne is
teaching Tap and Jazz and has achieved her certification with the CDTA (Canadian Dance
Teachers Association) in both disciplines. Loanne's style of teaching is about giving
students confidence and grace and at the same time having fun. Mentoring under Miss
Lexi and Miss Candace, Loanne is excited to share her love of dance with her students.

Cassie began dancing at the age of 5 and it was apparent from the start that she was
passionate about it. She grew up in a family that loved music and country dancing. Her
training began with ballet and jazz, and lyrical and modern followed at the age of 11.
She danced until she was 18 and then took two years off before getting back into it in
University. She took two modern dance classes at the University of Alberta and knew
then that she would someday like to be a dance teacher and share her love of dance.
Family obligations and a school teacher career took over and now she is ready to fulfill
her dream! Cassie teaches physical education and math and science to junior high
students at I.V. Macklin School here in Grande Prairie. She has planned and instructed
the junior high dance portion of the curriculum there for the past three years, often
teaching 90+ students at a time. Last year she taught a beginner dance option class for
grade 7 students that was hip-hop based. She is very excited to be sharing her love of
dance here at AFDS this year and can't wait to help students express themselves
through movement and music.

Tamara started dancing at the age of four beginning with ballet, with jazz and tap to
follow. Soon after, when she became serious about dance at the age of 13, she started
taking everything she possibly could, including ballet, jazz, tap, modern, lyrical, pointe
and pilates. Tamara became part of the DATA program at The Dancers Academy and
trained to become a teacher. She has completed up to her grade 8 RAD ballet and has
taken many workshops including Jasper's Rocky Mountain Dance Project and Groove Street
Productions. Taking a two year break to move to Edmonton and attend Marvel College,
Tamara graduated top of her class as a hairstylist and started working in Edmonton. Soon
becoming home sick and missing dance she moved back to Grande Prairie and is very
excited to be teaching for her fourth year and her second with Across The Floor Dance
Studio.

Lauren started dancing at the age of 4 taking Ballet and Tap. Moving at the age of
seven, she realized how much she missed dancing and at 9 years old, continued her
training in Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop and Lyrical. She finished her last year obtaining the
Best Overall Dancer Award with her Studio. Not long after moving back to Grande
Prairie, she continued her Hip-Hop training. Her passion for dance has lead her to
Across The Floor Dance and she is eager and excited to start teaching and continue her
training in the dance world.

Jeannine started dancing at the young age of three with tap and soon added ballet, jazz,
modern and lyrical. Having experience with both CDTA and ISTD syllabi, she has completed
her CDTA Gold Star tap exam with a grade of Honours with distinction and has completed her
bronze Jazz Exam. Jeannine started competing at the age of 12 and proceeded to win
numerous awards and scholarships for outstanding and most promising performances which
included solos of her own choreography. She has participated in countless dance workshops and
summer camps all over Alberta gaining invaluable experience and has also completed the Musical
Theatre certificate program at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, NY.

Beginning to teach at the age of 14, Jeannine found another kind of joy in sharing her love of
dance with others. Jeannine is passionate that dance class can be a safe outlet of expression
and can be a strong factor towards the success of children. She is very grateful for the
opportunity to share her passion of dance at AFDS this year.

Kendra was put in dance at an early age. At just five, she started taking ballet and
tap at the Debra Judt School of Dance in Grande Prairie. She continued, fell in love
with the art, and was put into jazz and modern. Kendra began her modern studies with
Ms. Lexi and continued when she later moved studios. Having danced with the GPRC
College and The Dancers Academy, Kendra has been able to learn from and improve her
techniques with many of the finest teachers in the area. Now a part of the AFDS
family, Kendra is excited to teach and pass on what she's learned to new tiny dancers.
She will be teaching the combo classes and Pee wee jazz this year and looks forward
to passing on her love of dance to others.

Megan originally hails from Fort St. John, BC, where she studied extensively in ballet,
tap, jazz & acrobatics. At the age of 12 she began student teaching and quickly
developed a love for sharing her knowledge and passion for dance. Megan has been
teaching continuously since that day. She moved to Vancouver in 2005 to continue her
training with Move! The Company and perform in various shows throughout Vancouver
and the Lower Mainland. Recently, Megan became a certified Yoga Instructor with RYT
Certification as well as a C.D.T.A. certified acro instructor. Megan has worked as a
full-time dance instructor in Vancouver for the past 5 years and her students compete
in festivals across British Columbia. She is very excited to join Across The Floor for
their upcoming dance season and is looking forward to a great year!