Melanie has many years of teaching and performing experience. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Arts, Education and a Post Baccalaureate in Special Education.  Starting at age 6, Melanie's formal training in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, lyrical and musical theatre was completed through the Academy of Dance and The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. She received her jazz and tap training through the ADAPT syllabus and attended many workshops and seminars in both Canada and U.S. Travelling the NYC for the New York Dance Teachers Summit to attend workshops given by Master teachers from across the globe was a definite highlight. Melanie has performed in local performances at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival, Club Regent Casino, The West End Cultural Centre, The Pyramid and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet adult program. Miss Mel enjoys sharing her love and passion for dance with her students. She provides a high energy class that focuses in developing dance technique, musicality and confidence as a dancer.

GLORIA CHEN

Ballet, Pointe

Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Gloria Chen started dancing at the age of 6, studying various dance forms including Chinese dance, modern and ballet. Her dance journey led her to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet where she graduated from the Professional Division Teachers' Course program in 1998. Gloria holds certificates in Intermediate, Advanced I and Advanced II Cecchetti as well as Associate and Associate Diploma degree's in teaching from the Cecchetti Society of Canada. For the past 19 years, Gloria has been dancing with Bolero Dance Theatre, performing Flamenco, Spanish Folk, Classical Spanish and Bolero.As a member of the company, she has performed in the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra's Indigenous Festival Concert with the Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers as well as many Winnipeg Fringe Festival. Gloria has been with the SPACE since 2003/04.

MELISSA BAERT

Tap

Melissa started her dance education at the age of 4 with CCDA. After starting her training in our Mentorship Program in 2008/09 she joined our Faculty in 2013/14. Melissa has been a member of the Canadian Junior Formation Tap Team travelling to Riesa, Germany in 2008 and 2011 placing 3rd overall in 2008 and 2011 and placing 2nd overall on the Production Team in 2011. In 2012 she began her involvement with the Springfield Theatre Company as a student and then in 2014 she started as the Assistant to the Director. In 2015 Melissa received the Senior Tap Scholarship at the Dance Manitoba Provincial Festival and performed at the annual Dance Manitoba Gala Night. Melissa has taken on many different roles and can't wait to continue her future at the SPACE!

DAYNA LADD

Ballet, Jazz, Combo Tap/Ballet, Pre-School, Lyrical, Acro, Dance Fit

Dayna has been dancing with CCDA since she was nine years old. She started her training in our Mentorship Program in 2009/10 and joined our faculty in 2014/15. In 2015, Dayna received the Senior Tap Scholarship at the Dance Manitoba Provincial Festival and performed at the annual Dance Manitoba Gala Night. Dayna has recently graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a 4 year Bachelor of Kinesiology degree and is now working towards becoming a certified Fitness Leader.

KARLEY MELSTED

Tap, Jazz, Combo Tap/Ballet

Karley started her dance training with Cooks Creek Dance Academy at the age of 3. She studied many different styles including Tap, Jazz, Ballet, and Pointe. Karley travelled as part of the Performing Program Team for two years, competing in Minneapolis multiple times and attending many competitions/conventions around Winnipeg. She joined the Mentorship program in 2010/11 and graduated to join the faculty in 2015/16. Karley currently teaches tap as well as combo ballet/tap classes. With the completion of her studies at the University of Manitoba, she has graduated on the Faculty of Science Dean's Honour list and has received her Bachelor of Science with a Major in Psychology.

HANNAH SHIBOU-SAVOIE

Combo Tap/Ballet, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Jazz

Hannah started her dance journey at Cooks Creek Dance Academy when she was 7. She continued to grow with dance, taking ballet, jazz, tap, hiphop and lyrical over the years. She joined the Mentorship Program in 2012/2013 and joined the faculty in 2016/2017. Hannah has taught Hip Hop, Combo Tap/Ballet, Lyrical, and Jazz. She is currently studying to become a Nurse at UofM!

Kenzy starting dancing at the age of 5 and competing at the age of 7. Slowly adding more styles to train in; including Ballet/Point, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, and Contemporary. She continued her training in those styles for 10 years which earned her a scholarship with the Manitoba Dance Festival. Dancing allowed her to travel to compete in California, Chicago, Toronto, Minneapolis in the different styles studied.  Learning from some of the best Choreographers in the industry. At the age of 15 she started to dance with B.O.S.S Dance Team making her the youngest dancer to make it on to the team.  During that time she helped organize free dance sessions to introduce kids to hip hop, this includes participating in Move ’N Groove-a-Thon with The movement Centre of Manitoba. She moved on to be apart of Wolves Dance Team, which helped her travel and continue to compete. She is currently still taking classes in the hip hop community to further her knowledge and growth.