Our mission is to educate youth and adults of any age, ability and body type from a variety of learning backgrounds and forums in the art of dance and focuses on skill development, self-empowerment, and celebrating our differences. Growing positively and breaking the stereotypes about who can dance and what makes a dancer successful. Evolving from the benefits of what dance can do emotionally, physically and spiritually for ones health and quality of life. Welcoming beginners, youth with learning differences, toddlers to seniors. Everyone deserves to experience the joy of dance. [affirmationdance.ca]
Shannon specializes in studio dance instruction, dance choreography and dance fitness. Shannon teaches contemporary, jazz, ballet, lyrical, musical theatre, pre-school and senior ballet, barre fitness and also youth inclusive dance based classes for children with individual learning differences and other special needs. This ground breaking rhythm and dance program focuses on skill development, self-empowerment, and celebrating our differences.
With over 13 years of teaching experience, and two degrees focused on dance and choreography, Shannon has a strong understanding of dance history, anatomy and safe dance practices.
Her education includes BFA in Theatre Performance Dance (Ryerson University) and MFA in Contemporary Dance and Choreography (York University).
During her studies, she danced for Holly Small, Louis Laberge-Cote, Kenny Pearl and David Earle and she has been in several dance festivals and performed in Vienna under the direction of Keith Hennessy at the Impulstanz Festival. Shannon participated in the Society for Dance History Scholars Conference at York University in collaboration with Susan Lee, Don Sinclair and Andra McCartney and “Saudades do Brasil” with Newton Moraes Dance Theatre at the PULSE Youth Dance Conference.
Shannon has taught in Ontario, Newfoundland, China, Spain and Alberta.
Shannon strives to keep up-to-date with current dance trends and has taken class from tWitch, Brian Friedman and Mia Michaels, a few of her mainstream idols. She has been in music videos for Shweta Subrams and Jesse Labelle.
Other credentials are Rhythm Works Integrated Dance certified. Progressing Ballet Technique certified. Certified in Classical Ballet Progressions of Canada from Edmonton School of Ballet. Level one and two facilitator in Contact Beyond Contact Dance Healing. Barre Fitness Instructor. Dance choreographer and instructor. Cecchetti and RAD instructor. TRX certified. Adult synchronized skater.