The Art of Dance Instructors

Sherri Urkow, Director

Celebrating 33 years of teaching in St. Albert, Sherri brings a wealth of experience to the studio. St. Albert's most established teacher trained in London, UK., and holds her Licentiate as well as other accreditations in the ISTD, and RAD in various dance and drama disciplines. She has worked professionally in movies, TV, theatre and cabaret. Sherri gives workshops and adjudicates throughout Canada and the US. Sherri has students who have gone on to illustrious careers in dance. She is past president of ADEA. and has sat on the executive Board of Directors for the St. Albert Chamber of Commerce and is a member of Rotary. Sherri is founder and director of the Stardust Dance Company which has gained international recognition. She is dedicated to producing well-trained young dancers in a caring environment, and looks forward to working with you and your child this season.

Odessa Wowk, Co-Director

Odessa is a 2007 graduate of the University of Calgary with a degree in Kinesiology and Dance. She also holds a Dance Diploma from Grant MacEwan College in addition to training and certificates in Ballet (RAD & ISTD), Tap (ISTD), Jazz (ISTD), Hip Hop, Modern, Lyrical and Ukrainian Folk Dance. She has also trained in Latin and Afrocuban dance styles at the University of Havana, Cuba, in May 2007. Odessa has taken several classes at The Edge in Los Angeles, and at Broadway Dance Centre and Steps on Broadway in New York. She has worked in St. Albert schools with Learning Through the Arts (LTTA). From 2006 to 2008, she headed up and taught the summer dance program at Camp Manitou, Ontario - a summer sports and arts camp for children. Odessa has competed in Alberta, Florida, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Hawaii and has taught and been a dancer with Sherri Urkow since the age of four.

Tracy Whyte Sestito

A superlative and dynamic teacher, Tracy has trained in jazz, tap and ballet for over twenty years. She has performed in the US, Australia and the Middle East, where she entertained UN troops. She has trained in Canada and the US with top dance masters, and her knowledge and superb dance style make her a leader in dance education. Tracy is Co-Director of the Stardust Dance Company, and performs with Free Fall Dance. Tracy looks forward to working with your child, and has been with the studio for 15 years.

Scotia Wolf

This is Scotia's 14th year with The Art of Dance and she is a great asset to the teaching staff. Scotia holds her Licentiate as well as her RAD majors. She has also studied the Vaganova methods. In addition, Scotia holds her Theatre Arts Diploma and Competitive Highland Dancing. Scotia is a dedicated and caring teacher and will bring out the best in your child.

Erin Kennedy

Erin trained with Sherri and holds an Occupational Therapy degree from the University of Alberta. This will be her 13th year with the studio! Erin has her Associate Modern Exam as well as all her major tap, jazz and ballet exams in the ISTD syllabus. Erin has traveled with the Stardust Dance Company to Florida and England, was an apprentice member of Dance Nouveau, and performed in the Pro Bowl half-time show in 1998. She loves her adult classes and looks forward to another fun-filled year.

Lori Smyth

Lori is now in her 12th year of teaching Irish dance at our studio, and it's become a favourite at our studio. Lori trained in Dublin and holds her TCRG. She had her own studio for 14 years, and has performed with many renowned Irish bands at local events. We are sure your child or you will find the Irish program rewarding and challenging.

Caitlyn Collins

Caity has extensive training in tap (Al Gilbert, ISTD), ballet (RAD, Vaganova), jazz, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre and hip hop. She has performed at Klondike Days/Capital Ex Junior and Youth Talen Quests for many years. Her theatre credits include "Les Miserables", "Westside Story", "A Midsummer's Night Dream" with Alberta Ballet, and the Cital Theatre's "The King and I".

Caity has received numerous dance scholarships enabling her to study with renowned masters across Canada and the US. She has had the opportunity to assist J.T. Horenstein from The Edge in Los Angeles and Kelsey Chace from Vancouver. Caity also competed at the International Dance Championships in Germany as a member of Team Canada's Showdance and Tap teams. She is a performer and choreographer with the five member tap company "Toe Jamm", a production highlighting a fusion of rhythm tap and live jazz music. "Toe Jamm" has performed at the Fringe Festival and International Jazz Festival. Caity can also be seen in Michael Buble's upcoming music video "Haven't Met You Yet".

Currently studying Physiology and Developmental Biology at the University of Alberta, she looks to find balance between both her studies and dance. Caity is continually inspired by her students and loves to share her passion for dance.

Joy Quilala

Joy graduated with a music degree in 2000, majoring in piano and voice. As a musician, she was musical co-director for "Gypsy" with Sherard Musical Theatre in 2007 at Festival Place and appeared as an accompanist in such shows as "Broadway Backwards", "Broadway: The Last 25 Years", and "Pretty Music: Songs of Jason Robert Brown" in the Edmonton arts community. As a vocalist, Joy was involved with Edmonton Musical Theatre for 6 years, and in 2006, she was the recipient of the Dr. Dasha Goody Memorial Scholarship. She was last seen in Edmonton Musical Theatre's production of "Music of the Night: An Evening with Andrew Lloyd Webber". Other appearances include "Sessical: the Musical" and a guest performance at the Canadian Transplant Games in 2007. Her most memorable musical experience was performing across the United States and Canada, and for Pope John Paul II in Toronto in 2002. Joy is presently teaching musical theatre and voice, as well as working on creating original material. We'd like to welcome Joy to her first year with us.

Simone Heatley

Simone has been dancing for 15 years. She has taken a variety of dance including ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, modern and hiphop. Simone has major examinations and has competed extensively. She assisted for 3 years, and has taught with us for 3 years. Simone was a member of the Stardust Dance Company since 2005 and recently returned from dancing with Stardust on the Caribbean Princess Cruise Ship. She also performed at major local events and dance in Disney World, Sea World and aboard the Carnival Glory Cruise Ship. She is currently in her first year at the University of Alberta in the Science faculty, and hoping to get her degree in Animal Biology. Simone is a sincere and caring teacher.

Jodi Thompson

Jodi has training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, highland, and gymnastics along with modeling and voice training. She has won several scholarships and awards including Dance Extreme  (2003) Most Outstanding Lyrical Solo, Most Promising Jazz & Classical Ballet Solo from the Alberta Dance Educators, and numerous awards at the Edmonton Federation Talent Contest from 1997 to 2003. She has also received awards at Dare to Dream, American Dance Awards, 5-6-7-8 Showtime, Edmonton Klondike Days, Dance Power and Can Dance. She attended summer scholl at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the National Ballet and also a 5-week National Ballet program in Romania. Jodi has also completed workshops in New York and Los Angeles. Her major performances have taken her to Thailand, Hong Kong, Disneyland Summer Dance, and Romania (VivaChecetti). She has performed as a soloist in The Little Match Girl in both Edmonton and Calgary with Veronica Tennant narrating. Jodi danced on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line from August, 2004 to May, 2005. She has taught and choreographed at numerous dance studios in Edmonton since 2005. She has also done the Russian Vaganova Teacher Training Program. This is her third year with us.

O.J. Damaso

O.J. is one of Edmonton's top hip hop choreographers and started dancing at the age of 17, at the same time he joined the Edmonton Eskimos Cheer Team, of which he was a member from 1999 to 2002. Since then, he has offered his time to the team with tryout dances that make even the veters scared to dance. He has been teaching in Edmonton and area since 2001. O.J. does many styles of hip hop from Popping and Lockin, to Krump and New School. He derives his training from many choreographers from L.A. and Vancouver to further his dance education. O.J. has performed with many groups such as Mavyn, White Chocolate, Dynasty, 3rd Street Beat, and the newly formed Crew 3D. He continues to share his love for hip hop and dance with all his students. His style has definitely grown to be a distinctive and contagious one. He enjoys teaching dancing as much as performing. His classes are always filled with excitement and new beginnings. O.J. recently went all the way to the finals for the second time on "So You Think You Can Dance Canada". Welcome O.J. to his 3rd year of teaching at our studio.

Carrie Matthews

Carrie was trained at The St. Albert School of Dance and The Art of Dance and has danced for 21 years. She is trained in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical and musical theatre and holds Major Diplomas. She was a member of The Hot Shoes Dance Company and Stardust Dance Co., and traveled to Disney World and England with each of these companies. She has also won numerous awards and trophies in competitions throughout Canada and the US. Carrie taught for a while at The St. Albert School of Dance, then took a hiatus to get married and start a family. This is Carrie's 2nd year of teaching with The Art of Dance.

Jaclyn Bloomfield

This is Jaclyn's 3rd year of teaching at the studio after completing the Teacher Training Program. She holds major diplomas in ballet and tap, and has won numerous awards and scholarships. She has attended several workshops and conventions, and has performed extensively with the Stardust Dance Company in the US and aboard "The Carnival Glory" and more recently on the "Caribbean Princess" cruise ships. She has also performed locally at Festival of Trees, Stars of Hope and the International Children's Festival, as well as having performed with the Alberta Ballet's "The Nutcracker". Jaclyn has a great rapport with young students.

Laura-Lynn Robertson

Laura-Lynn grew up dancing at The Art of Dance. She has advanced training in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop, and musical theatre. After high school, she went on to further her training at Preformers College in England for three years. She graduated with a diploma in Professional Dance and Musical Threatre, and she gained her ISTD Associate Teaching Certificates in both tap and modern. Laura-Lynn has also spent nine months in New York City, where she immersed herself in open dance classes. Laura-Lynn worked for Disney Cruise Line in 2005/06 as a part of the Magic 16 cast. She is thrilled to be back teaching and sharing her passion and love of dance with others.

Amiee Schultz

Amiee has been dancing at The Art of Dance since the age of four, training in ballet, tap and jazz. Having attended various conventions such as Rocky Mountain House Dance Project and Grovove Street Productions, she has had the opportunity to work with various choreographers and instructors. Amiee has also competed extensively. Although this is her first year teaching at the studio, she has assisted in previous years and has complete The Art of Dance Teacher Training Program. Amiee is very excited to be part of the staff. Welcome Amiee!

Mariko Collins

A native of St. Albert, Mariko has been dancing since the age of three. She has extensive training in tap (completed Al Gilbert syllabus certification), ballet (RAD & Vaganova), jazz, lyrical, modern, contemporary, musical theatre, as well as hip hop. Mariko was a member of the "Rhythym Kids" performing group for many years. She has also been invited to perform annually at Klondike Days/Capital Ex Junior and Youth Talent Quests over the past 10 years. Mariko competed at the 2004 International Dance Championships in Germany as a soloist and member of Team Canada's Showdance and Tap teams. As the recipient of numerous dance scholarships, Mariko has been able to further her dance training with renowned teachers/choreographers and studios including "The Edge" in Los Angeles and "The Broadway Dance Center" in New York City. Mariko is excited to be part of The Art of Dance staff and to share her love of dance with her students.

Richard Andries

Richard is one of Edmonton's most sought after hip hop teachers and choreographers. Chris Brown, Ludacris, Boys II Men, Ginuwine, and Shawn Desman are just a few of the international acts that Richard has opened for while performing with his dance group White Chocolate. The group was recently awarded with Top Professional Dance Crew and the Icon Award at Canada's first national hip hop competition "Artists Emerge". This was where Richard was presented with the "Most Outstanding Dancer" title. White Chocolate has also performed at the 2005 Alberta Centennial Celebration for the Queen of England, the NBA's Hoop It Up, many national conventions, the 2004 Juno Kick Off Party, and the Universal Records Juno After Party. Richard has toured with hip hop legend Snoop Dogg, as well as rap artist The Game. Richard also recently returned from a tour across Europe with Urban Metropolis, and 4 Korners, the Toronto Raptors' official DJ's. He has accompanied Canadian stars Kayle and Gary Beals as a background dancer. With his dynamic style and energetic choreography, Richard maintains the true  techniques of hip hop including popping, locking, breaking, tutting and more. Last year Richard traveled to Detroit with the Xtreme Dance Convention Faculty. There he assisted Bradley Rapier of the "Groovaloos" and was alongside some of America's finest choreographers, including Brian Friedman and many more. Richard is currently teaching throughout Alberta and preparing for a dance tour across China with Spice Productions. He continues to train, perform, and teach with North America's finest.

Danica Smith

Danica Smith is entering her 21st year of dancing and her 9th year of teaching. She completed her Advanced II Cecchetti Examination in 2004, received her Associate Teaching Certificate in 2003, and obtained her Associate Diploma Teaching Certificate in June 2006. As well as teaching both syllabus and non-syllabus ballet classes, Danica can be seen performing with Edmonton's own Citie Ballet,. Danica's commitment to her students is evident in their progress.

Lauren Ostrom

Lauren began her passion for dance at the tender age of 3. She obtained her senior dance training at The Art of Dance, has attended numerous dance workshops and received many medals and monetary awards. Lauren is a former member of Stardust, dancing in Disneyland and on the Carnival Ecstasy cruise ship. Her favorite dance discipline is ballet. She appreciates seeing her students work to their full potential. Lauren has a wonderful way with her students, paying great attention to detail and technique. Lauren is completing her Mental Rehabilitation Practitioner Diploma, working part-time with Capital Health along with teaching her dance classes. This is Lauren's 2nd year of teaching with the studio.

MyVahna Ishaq

The is MyVahna's seventh year on staff. She has been dancing since she was three and holds her major diplomas in ISTD and RAD She has performed locally in Alberta Ballet's "Nutcracker", "The Tin Soldier", and "Bridal Fantasy". She is a former member of the Stardust Dance Company and has performed extensively including in Disneyland, Carnival Cruise ship, and has taken classes at The Edge in Los Angeles. She is currently enrolled at the University of Alberta in the Faculty of Secondary Education and will receive her Bachelor degree  in December, 2007. She has performed at the University with the Orchesis Dance Group. Canadian artist, Tanya Wood, selected her to perform in a presentation of her artistic work—The Dysfunctional Clothing Collection at the 2005 "night of Artists Gala" at the Ramada Inn. MyVahna's caring personality makes her a perfect teacher for young students.