Summer intensive

Jessalyn has had a lifelong passion for dance. She holds a B.A. in Contemporary Dance with distinction from the University of Calgary and danced with Decidedly Jazz Danceworks Professional Training Program for three seasons. Upon graduation, Jessalyn danced professionally with dance theatre company kloetzel&co. for several seasons where she performed in Professional Series, Toronto’s Dusk Dances, and in the full length work "The Alice Odyssey.” Jessalyn was also a Corps Bara company member as well as company manager. Independently, she has had the opportunity to perform and choreograph in dance events throughout Alberta and B.C, has self-produced three full length shows CrossCurrents, and co-created the dance company ESIRA.  Jessalyn is currently co-Artistic Director and General manager of Alberta Dance Theatre and teaches in YYC studios and schools. 

Connor Denison is an award-winning tap dancer, choreographer and teacher. Growing up as a company member of Calgary’s Tri-Tone Rhythm Ensemble he has had the opportunity to study the history of Tap Dance, learn repertoire of the masters, as well as participate in the development of new contemporary works under the artistic direction of Tasha Lawson. Connor is also a graduate of the Tri-Tone teacher training program. He has had the honor to teach and perform at a multitude of studios, workshops, and festivals across Western Canada as faculty, guest artist, and choreographer.

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Highlighted performance credits include touring BC with the cast of “Love.Be.Best.Free” (Danny Nielsen), dancing as a lead in “Caravan” (Derick Grant and Tasha Lawson) and performing in “The Cholly Project” in Vancouver (Travis Knights). Recently Connor was featured in Danny Nielsen’s full-length production “On Foot," premiering in the fall of 2019. In the fall of 2020 Connor was an understudy in Lisa Latouche’s piece “Fool’s Gold” presented virtually by Fall For Dance.

In the spring of 2019 Connor began producing his own work entitled “Fourteen” which he debuted at Calgary’s Rhythm Body and Soul tap dance festival and was later asked to showcase the piece at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks’ Black and White Ball. Audiences were later captivated in the summer of 2020 when Connor was given the opportunity to extend the piece into a half hour set, presented by Springboard receiving rave reviews from industry professionals. Connor is currently developing the set into his first full length show.

Jessica discovered her love for the performing arts at a young age. She believes sharing her passion through performing or teaching, is one of the best experiences in life. When Jessica is not performing, she is very proud to be an award-winning choreographer for the Youth Singers of Calgary, as well as teaching students from across the city to hone and discover their passion for the performing arts through various classes and private lessons. She has had the pleasure of performing across Canada, Europe, South America, and the United States and is a Betty Mitchell Award nominated performer. She holds a performance diploma from Mount Royal University (Calgary, AB) and BFA from Concordia University (Montreal, QC).

Catherine graduated from the Toronto Metropolitan University dance program, earning a BFA with Honours, and continued her training for two years in DJD's Professional Training Program (PTP). Catherine has been a dancer with the DJD professional company since 2007. With DJD, she has performed in more than 30 original productions and created choreography for 5 of these productions. She was the Artistic Director of DJD's dancer-choreographed shows, Velocity in 2017 and Borderland in 2015. In 2021, Catherine premiered Don't Wake the Lions, a new full-evening work featuring live music by Tom Richards with Votive Dance (Halifax). Catherine is the Co-Artistic Director of the Bodied Indivisible ensemble with Shayne Johnson; in 2020, they presented their debut production including four works, Polyhedron, Podia, Guarded, and Starbored. Catherine was a founding Dancers' Studio West (DSW) Dance Action Group member. With DSW, Catherine pursued choreography using original musical compositions and live musical performances. She presented, form, act, cease, ensue in collaboration with musician Jeremy Gignoux as part of the Dance Action Lab in July 2017 and Tethered, musical composition by Rubim de Toledo in 2016. Upcoming projects include releasing a new short film; Everybody's Heading for the Exit featuring established artist Davida Monk and musician Jon McCaslin and bringing a live stage version of this work to audiences in September. Catherine completed five seasons as a choreographer with Alberta Dance Theatre for Young People (ADT) and has 25 years of teaching experience, working with students of all ages in various disciplines. This season, Catherine continues to mentor dancers training in DJD's recreational school, PTP program and Youth Training Program.

Originally from Ontario, Terra trained at California Pacific College of the Performing Arts (California), at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks in the Professional Training Program and completed her BA in Dance at the University of Calgary. Terra has performed with dance company kloetzel&co., Front Row Centre Players, Storybook Theatre and The University of Calgary’s Operetta Company.  Terra has danced in Alberta Dance Festival, Fluid Festival, Footprints, Nextfest, Shoes Off Cabaret, Pro Series, Soulocentric and Variety Pack Cabaret.

Terra is passionate about fitness and nutrition. She competes as in IFBB Fitness Pro and holds a certification with Precision Nutrition.  

Terra works as a Physiotherapist at her very own Physiotherapy business, Pulse Physiotherapy where she loves to educate and support her clients to reach their goals and live their healthiest lifestyle.

When she’s not at work Terra loves strength training, Muay Thai, dance and hiking with her dog, Stella. 

Meghann Michalsky is a dance artist working in Alberta. She is the co-creator of Project InTandem and YYC Contemporary Technique Training, two programs that offer opportunities to emerging artists in Canada. She was awarded the 2019 RBC Emerging Artist Award - she is the first Dancer/Choreographer to receive this award.

Since completing her BA in Contemporary Dance, with a concentration in Choreography and Performance, at the University of Calgary. She has rigorously pursued her training in Canada, Europe, and Israel. As a dancer, you’ve seen her dance for an array of individual artists and companies, including Karissa Barry, Laja Feild of LajaMartin, Davida Monk, Linnea Swan, kloetzel&co, & Dancers' Studio West to name a few.

Her movement signature has been described as vigorous, raw, and intricate. Her knowledge of Hip-Hop and Krump movement principles has influenced her development of isolated, rhythmic, bound, and fast-twitch movement qualities into her contemporary choreographies.

Alicia Ward is an enthusiastic human being who loves teaching and promoting a passion for performance art. Throughout the year Alicia finds herself instructing drama and dance to all ages at various studios throughout the city.

She also loves large amounts of organizational tasks! Alicia works administratively for a number of education and arts focused companies including Dancing Parkinson's YYC, co-founding the Young Adventurer Society, and holding the position of Co-Artistic Director and General Manager of Alberta Dance Theatre. Alicia is passionate about growing the artist community in Calgary and fostering opportunities for dancers of all ages to develop a love for movement.

Alicia can be found performing throughout Alberta with her storytelling series for young audiences, Colour Me Sad, which won YYC Music Awards Children' Recording Of The Year in 2022.