Amy Forrest - Studio Owner / Instructor
Amy started dance at the young age of 3. She trained with the Edmonton School of Ballet for 15 years in their professional program where she completed many exams in the R.A.D. and Cecchetti syllabus. Amy also has her Junior Grades teaching certificate.
In 1998, Amy moved to Calgary to pursue her teaching career. She taught many levels of ballet and jazz with a local dance studio as well as various schools throughout the city. Amy then became a dancer with a local entertainment dance company that focused on preforming at different venues around Calgary including the Calgary Stampede.
Residing in Beaumont for the past 16 years with her husband and 2 young girls, she is extremely excited for the 8th successful season. Her students are her passion and dance is her love.
Beaumont is a wonderful community with so many young families. She hopes to continue to grow her business in the town she calls home.
Emma Reay : Instructor
Emma has been dancing since the age of 4, spending her first few years with Flexpointe, training in ballet and jazz, before moving to Beaumont and dancing with BSSD where she first established her love for lyrical. Shortly after she found her true home with Turning Pointe Dance Company.
Over the past few years Emma has assistant taught and taught in ballet, jazz, and creative combo classes, with kids aged 3-11. She has also helped some local Scouts groups earn their creative movement badge.
Emma is currently homeschooled and will be starting grade 12 in the fall. She will also be continuing with her regular classes at Turning Pointe, which includes ballet, jazz, lyrical, pointe, and now trying something new in variety. Ever since those first ballet classes at 4 years old, her passion has grown immensely, and continues to do so.
During the last couple of seasons, Emma has been part of the intermission show, “Stage Experience”, at the Oil Kings games, the half time performance at an Edmonton Elks game, and a week of summer dance intensive with Ballet Edmonton.
In June of 2024, Emma did her first Junior Grades ballet course, and is excited to incorporate her new found knowledge with her little ballerinas.
Shae Lyn Kielly : Studio Manager / Instructor
Shae Lyn Bates started dancing at the young age of 4 and she has loved it ever since. She started her training at Dance Unlimited for the first few years and then proceeded to train at Amanda's Academy of Dance. She trained intensely in tap, jazz, lyrical, ballet, modern, hip-hop, and musical theatre.
Shae Lyn has been trained in both the Al Gilbert tap syllabus and the ADAPT syllabus. She has also completed all of her ballet exams under the tutelage of Amy Forrest.
With such a strong passion for the art of dance, Shae Lyn started teaching at the age of 17 years old where she was in charge of the primary children's programs and taught adult classes. Now she is working with kids of all ages as well as adults in all genres of dance. Shae Lyn has also worked with, choreographed, and taught children with Down syndrome in a non-competitive class.
Shae Lyn is a certified teacher in the ADAPT syllabus. She is also currently working through courses under the International Dance Teaching Standards where she will learn about anatomy, strength, flexibility, and dance related injuries as well as becoming certified in First aid.
Throughout her dance and teaching career, Shae Lyn has had many priceless opportunities to travel and learn. In 2005, she had the opportunity to compete in Las Vegas. In 2011 and 2015 she performed numerous dances in the Disney Preforming Arts program. Shae Lyn has also had the opportunity to take part in workshops in New York including Steps on Broadway and Alvin Ailey. Locally, Shae Lyn has participated in workshops working under well renowned choreographers such as Blake McGrath, Ian Eastwood, and Miguel Zarate.
Shae Lyn has a strong passion for the art of dance and loves sharing her passion with her students and seeing them flourish and excel in something they love. She loves being a part of the Turning Pointe Dance Company family, and is excited to see what the future holds.
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Courtney Woods : Guest Instructor / Choreographer
Involved in the Alberta dance community for over 30 years, Courtney Woods has had the amazing opportunity to train under some of the most influential individuals in the diverse dance industry all over Canada & the United States, and in numerous styles including Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip Hop, Funk styles, Modern, Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, African and Latin. With over 20 years of experience on the competition circuit, completing Advanced exams in both A.D.A.P.T. Jazz & Tap, and training with a specialization in Tap, Musical Theatre & Hip Hop, her passion for the Art ensures a desire that the Canadian dance scene is not only a great place to learn and grow as an artist but remains a cultural hub for the Performing Arts.
While ensuring today's dancers learn and master the steps is her principal goal. Courtney hopes to also clarify the roots and history behind the Art form so that her students begin to fully appreciate how dance has evolved and where it is undoubtedly headed.
Kaitlyn Bates : Instructor
Kaitlyn has been dancing for 17 enjoyable years. She has substantial training in tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, modern, hip-hop, and musical theatre. Throughout her dance career, Kaitlyn has had the opportunity to perform in multiple Disney Performing Arts programs. Kaitlyn has also attend workshops hosted by VIP Dance Events and workshops in New York City, learning from top notch dance professionals including; Steps on Broadway, Alvin Ailey, Blake McGrath, Ian Eastwood, and Miguel Zarate. In 2012, Kaitlyn was a part of the Alberta Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker”.
Kaitlyn has been training in Al Gilbert Tap Syllabus, and has also completed all of her ballet exams under the training of Amy Forrest. Kaitlyn is also certified in Basic First Aid Training.
In addition to her dance accomplishments, Kaitlyn has earned her event management certificate in post secondary through Mount Royal University. She is actively planning and decorating for Weddings & Corporate events in the Edmonton Area.
As a dance teacher, Kaitlyn feels that it is important for her students to feel confident, motivated and inspired at all times and that they are growing in an environment they feel comfortable in. Looking ahead, Kaitlyn aims to further develop and share her knowledge as a teacher/ choreographer and mentor at Turning Pointe Dance Company.
Anne Mccready : Instructor
Anne McCready is a classically trained Ballet teacher from Edmonton, Alberta. She has taught classes in Pointe, Repertoire, Strength/Stretch and Cechhetti Syllabus for twenty plus years. Currently residing at the Edmonton School of Ballet (Vimy Dance program) and Dancefusion Academy of Dance, Anne has also taught at Alberta Ballet (Edmonton Studios) and Dance Unlimited.
Holding her Licentiate qualification from Cecchetti Canada, she has trained and attended workshops throughout Canada, the United States, and Italy. Ms. McCready has taken great pride in watching her students pursue professional training and scholarships in programs such as the National Ballet of Canada, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. Her greatest pleasure comes from knowing that her students are artists with the discipline and confidence to pursue anything their hearts desire.
Brennah Bodnaruk : Instructor
Brennah began her dance journey at the age of four, quickly developing a deep passion for the art form. Over the years, she has trained extensively in a variety of dance disciplines, including ballet, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, tap, and musical theatre. Her diverse training has provided her with a strong foundation and versatility in her dance technique, where she also achieved her Junior Grades Teaching Certificate.
Brennah's dedication to dance has led her to numerous festivals, competitions, and workshops around the world where she has continually honed her skills and expanded her knowledge. Throughout her career, she has had the privilege of learning from some of the most influential choreographers in the
industry, whose guidance has shaped her into the dancer she is today.
In addition to her dance accomplishments, Brennah recently graduated from MacEwan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Sociology. Her academic achievements have enriched her perspective and added new dimensions to her understanding of dance and its impact.
Today, Brennah channels her experiences and enthusiasm for dance into teaching. She finds immense joy in passing on her knowledge to the
next generation of dancers and is excited to continue sharing her love for this art form with her students at Turning Pointe.
Kelly Sawatzky : Instructor
Kelly has been dancing for 13 years at Dance Xtreme, Dance Unlimited, and Amanda’s Academy of Dance. With her experience of dance, she has trained and competed across western Canada, and performed in Disneyland. Kelly has been trained in Cecchetti and Al Gilbert. Kelly has received her Junior Levels Teaching Certificate.
From 1998, she has trained in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, lyrical, hip-hop and musical theatre. Kelly has assisted in teaching dance from ages 4-10 for 3 years. In 2013 she stopped dancing and teaching to become a nurse and has been practicing for 7 years.
Kelly has two fur babies; Cash and Dolly and has recently welcomed a human baby Rees. Kelly has been teaching at Turning Pointe for 4 seasons and is looking forward to her 5th. She is hoping all of her dancers have a fun, educational, and successful season.