We are so proud of our Miss Chantel. Our former student guest teaches when she can during breaks from her University studies.
Chantel started dancing at the age of 5, and began attending competitions at the age of 6. She started her training here in Stratford in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Acro. At the age of 12 she joined the competitive team at Infinity Dance, where she trained in styles such as Ballet, Pointe, Acro, Contemporary, Jazz, and Musical Theatre. When Chantel was 12 she began auditioning for professional ballet schools. She was accepted into Canada’s National Ballet School summer intensive at age 13, and trained there for 3 wonderful weeks. The following year she was accepted to the Joffrey Ballet School summer intensive, and trained in New York for 3 weeks. When Chantel was 15 she was accepted to the Quinte Ballet School summer dance intensive, and trained in Belleville for 3 weeks. After the intensive, she was asked to join their year round professional training program. She accepted the offer and moved to Belleville for her grade 10 year.
Chantel trained at the Quinte Ballet School of Canada for 3 years, in styles including Ballet (RAD, Russian, Cecchetti, Bournonville), Pointe, Flamenco, Jazz, Modern, and Hip Hop. Chantel had the privilege of training under Catherine Taylor, Gizella Witkowsky, Alina Adjemian, and Henning Albrechtsen. During her graduating year she had the honour of performing for the mayor of Belleville, as well as performing the role of Sugar Plum in the Quinte Ballet School’s annual Nutcracker.
After graduating Chantel was accepted into the Joffrey Three Year Professional Program, with a 75% scholarship for the summer intensive. She was also accepted into Alberta Ballet Professional Program, Jorgen Professional Program, Arts Umbrella and Royal Winnipeg Ballet Professional Program. She attended the Winnipeg Royal Ballet for a four week program and was accepted into the full time professional division. We are thrilled that she will be sharing her passion and knowledge with our students. Welcome home Miss Chanie!