FACULTY EXPERTISE
DancEast’s senior faculty is composed of established dance professionals whose backgrounds combine not only performance, choreographic, and teaching experience, but also advanced training in movement therapy, health sciences, education, psychology, and early childhood development.
SENIOR STAFF
SHELLEY CHIASSON-COLLINS
Artistic Director & Owner
A graduate of DancEast’s Pre-Professional program and the DancEast Young Company, Shelley has trained under and performed with, a virtual who’s-who of Canadian dance notables. Her career has allowed her to perform, on stages around the world, including; Abano Italy, Sorrento Italy, Paris France and Toronto Canada. She has attended both, York University and Mount Allison University, to further her training in Dance and Education in Child Psychology. Shelley assumed her role as Artistic Director and Owner in 2007.
DENISE BELZILE
Ballet Mistress, Professional Training Program – Junior and Senior Company level
A graduate of DancEast’s Pre-Professional program and the DancEast Young Company, Denise furthered her training, by completing the Teacher Training Program at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, graduating with special merit in 2013. Denise, also successfully completed her Advanced 2 Cecchetti Ballet Examination and became an Associate with the Cecchetti Society of Canada. She has taught at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, for 5 years in both the Recreational and Professional Divisions, as well as, guest taught in schools in Canada and the United States. She is so excited to be back at her home studio to work with the talented dancers in the Pre-Professional and Recreational programs.
MARY-ANNE B. LECLERC
Ballet Mistress, Professional Training Program – PV & Aspirant Levels & Recreational Program
A graduate of DancEast’s Pre-Professional program and a former member of the Atlantic Dance Theatre (a precursor to the DancEast Young Company), Mary Anne has been a pivotal component of our teaching staff since 1982. She developed DancEast’s Demonstrator Training Program – a mentorship program for young up-and-coming dancers; as well as, Perfect Fit – a fitness program for women that embodies both the emotional and physical components, of overall health. Mary-Anne, has taught dance in public schools and has been a movement coach for both figure skaters and synchronized swimmers. In 2003 she was the recipient of the New Brunswick Award of Merit (Cultural Category). In addition to her many dance accolades, Mary-Anne also holds a Bachelor Degree in Nursing from the Universite de Moncton.
FACULTY – 2020/2021 SEASON
TEACHING FACULTY:
MALLORY BELZILE – Jazz – Pre-Professional Program & Recreational Program
SAYDEE CHAMBERLAIN – Tap & Primary Ballet 2 – Pre-Professional Program & Recreational Program
MARISSA COLPITTS – Hip Hop & Tap – Pre-Professional & Recreational Program
JANELLE FOUGERE – First Dance, Hip Hop, ACRO – Pre-Professional & Recreational Program
TAYLOR FURY – Lyrical & ACRO – Pre-Professional Program
EMILY HEBERT – Hip Hop, Pre-Professional Program
MELISSA LEBLANC – Tap, Pre-Professional & Recreational Program
LEXI MACMILLAN – Primary Ballet 2 & Hip Hop – Recreational Program
EMMA McSHEFFERY – Primary Ballet 1 & Primary Ballet 3 – Recreational Program
ADMINISTRATIVE FACULTY:
KARI GOODWIN – Registrar & Office Administrator
GUEST FACULTY
DancEast’s Guest Faculty, are ALL alumni of the Pre-Professional Training Program and the DancEast Young Company. All are actively involved in the Dance Community as professional dancers and movement educators. Their dedication to the program is immeasurable for our dancers, as a resource, as a mentor and above all, as an inspiration.
FRANÇOIS RICHARD
ANDREW HARTLEY
ANDREA BAYNE
BRIGHTON COLLINS
EMMA COLLINS
GRACE COLLINS
ALYSIS NAVATO DAVIS
KATHERINE TOOGOOD
DANIEKA LECLERC
EMMA LLEWELLYN
ERIN ATKINSON