Ms. Lorraine (Stapleton) Smith~ Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Modern, Hip Hop
Owner/Director, R.A.D. R.T.S, C.D.T.A. member Ballet and Stage

Ms.Stapleton is a committed motivator and team builder who is the co-founder and co-director of DansConnection Dance Studio. She is a RAD Advanced 1 classically trained dancer. Lorraine is a passionate dance teacher and choreographer of all ages and ability with a vision to inspire dancers to learn, love and develop the art form, while providing a safe, nurturing and fun environment for the dancers to grow. Lorraine is certified teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance and The Canadian Dance Teachers Association and has trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, and Modern. She has been awarded for outstanding choreography at numerous festivals in Alberta. From 1990 to 1995 Lorraine had the privilege of performing numerous roles in the Canadian School of Ballet’s production of the Nutcracker. Most recently Lorraine has co-directed and choreographer for Excel Dance Productions Nutcracker Ballet. Lorraine is currently enrolled in the ADAPT syllabus teaching program to continue her professional development as a dance educator.

Ms.Shelly Haakstad ~ Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop
Owner/Director, C.D.T.A member Stage
Ms. Shelly is co-founder and co-director of DansConnection and has been sharing her love for dance with students of all ages for over 14 years. In 2002 Shelly completed her Canadian Dance Teachers Association Membership Exam in Jazz and Tap. Shelly is currently working on her ADAPT certification and is excited for this new challenge. Shelly grew up dancing in Grande Prairie training in RAD Ballet and CDTA Jazz and Tap. Growing up Shelly had the opportunity to perform in numerous community plays as well as dancing in a CFRN commercial. Throughout her teaching career she has won numerous choreography awards at festivals travelling through Alberta and BC. Ms. Shelly most rewarding experience as a teacher was watching her students dance down Main Street U.S.A in the Summer Dance Classic Parade at Disneyland in California in 2008.

Ms. Colleen Cox ~ Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Conditioning
Registered Teacher R.A.D., A.I.S.T (Dip) Ballet, M.B.B.O (Tap Branch), Member N.Z.A.M.D Former Dancer Royal NZ Ballet Company

Ms. Colleen commenced her Ballet training at the age of 4 ½, followed later by Tap classes. She was competing in Competition Festivals from the age of 7 years. Colleen is trained in the Royal Academy of Dance Ballet syllabus, British Ballet Tap syllabus and NZAMD Jazz Syllabus. Colleen is a former member of the Royal NZ Ballet company. Colleen regularly adjudicates at various competition festivals throughout the country. She has not only choreographed numerous productions for her own studio and also for other organisations such a ‘La Fille Mal Gardee’ for Hutt City Ballet. Many former pupils have been able to gain entry to continue full time training at Victoria College of Arts, Melbourne Australia, NZ School of Dance, Ecole Classique Sydney Australia, National Academy of Singing & Dramatic Arts Christchurch, Excel Performing Arts Auckland and Unitec, Auckland. Many pupils have gone on to become professional dancers and tutors. There were seven pupils studying as Junior Associates with RNZ Ballet Co. during 1994-1995. Junior Associates with NZ School of Dance 2000. Nineteen Scholarship winners at Los Angeles Danceforce Seminars from 1993-2003. At Advanced 1 Ballet level-RAD International Scholarship 1994 and Paul Gnatt Scholarship 1995. Intermediate Level –Wellington Summer School Scholarship and Runner-up. 1996 National Award Ballet Nominee and Young Performer of the Year Ballet Nominee 1998. NZAMD National Scholarship 1996 & 1999. Intermediate Foundation nominee and Scholarship also Advanced 1 nominee, NZ School of Dance Seminar 2003. Runner-up in Alana Haines Australasian Bi-annual Awards 1999. Pupils have appeared in numerous RNZ Ballet Co Productions, most notably her daughter Wendy-Jane’s role as “Clara” in 1987 production of the “Nutcracker.” Wendy-Jane was also one of 34 dancers from throughout NZ to be chosen to perform for and meet the late great legendary Rudolph Nureyev in 1987. Colleen also choreographed and coached the dances for Wendy-Jane’s Solo Diploma in Modern, Jazz and Contemporary, whereby she attained a mark of 98/100. Colleen was awarded Distinction for her Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (a.k.a. ISTD) Associated examination in 1999. Colleen was also successful in being awarded her ISTD, Associate Diploma Professional examination in 2000. Over the years Colleen’s pupils have achieved consistently high results in all examinations, most notably Royal Academy of Dance grade and Major Ballet examinations. Colleen has worked as freelance Dance Teacher and choreographer for many other leading dance studios.

Ms.Carmen Graham ~ Tap, Jazz, Lryical
Certified A.D.A.P.T
Ms. Carmen started studying tap at the age of five in Lacombe, Alberta. She soon added many other styles to her list of weekly classes and by the time she was in high school was taking a full class load. Despite always trying the various styles that came along, tap has always been her favorite. Although much of her dance training and performing has been in Alberta, she had the opportunity to dance on international television as part of the Miss Universe Pageant in Miami Beach in 1997; and as part of the opening act at Rexall Place in Edmonton for Bryan Adams. Dance has always remained a part of her life, and has taught for over a decade. In 2007 she became an ADAPT certified instructor. She enjoys teaching many different dance styles including tap, jazz, ballet and lyrical. Her students have attended many competitions and festivals, and have also had great success in their tap and jazz exams under the ADAPT program. Carmen has been married for nine years and has a three-year-old son. She enjoys teaching because of the reward it brings in seeing young people learn a new skill and simply enjoy what they are doing.

Ms. Frances Russell~ Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern
Ryerson Dance Major

Ms. Frannie is excited to return to DansConnection for the 2009 – 2010 dance season. Frances began dancing at a young age and excelled in everything she took on. Frances grew up in Grande Prairie training in RAD Ballet and CDTA tap and Jazz. After graduation Frances attended Ryerson University in Toronto majoring in dance. While in Toronto Frances had the opportunity to perform in Music Man. Ms. Frannie is a talented energetic teacher with award winning choreography.

Ms.Brooke Wozniak ~ Musical Theatre, Tap, Jazz
Certified A.D.A.P.T, C.D.T.A member
Ms. Brooke comes to us from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan where she taught tap, jazz, musical theatre and lyrical at The Performing Arts Warehouse. Miss Brooke is a certfied ADAPT and CDTA instructor, as well as has extensive training in piano, voice and drama. Along with teaching, Miss Brooke loves to perform and choreograph many musicals. Some credits include: Fiddler On the Roof, Gypsy, West Side Story, Disney's Beauty & The Beast, Willy Wonka, and ...But It's A Dry Cold (Prince Albert's Centennial Musical). This summer Miss Brooke is looking forward to travelling to Toronto with a couple of students who will be competing in the CDTA Nationals. She's also looking forward to just settling in to her new home and city with her new husband, Dallas! Many of Miss Brooke's students have gone on to pursue dance in various areas such as cruise ships, dance companies, cheerleading (Saskatchewan Roughriders), teaching, ballet and performing arts schools, and such shows as So You Think You Can Dance Canada and Triple Sensation (which she's especially enjoying watching this summer!) Miss Brooke is very excited to be joining the DansConnection staff and meeting you all in the fall!