Carousel Faculty
The Carousel Dance Centre prides itself on offering a top notch teaching staff. Our instructors are experienced, certified and committed to providing a positive dance experience for each one of their students. The teachers bring a wealth of experience are looking forward to returning to the studio to continue to share the art of dance with their students. To read a bit more about our amazing team, click on the photos below!
DIRECTOR: Heidi Churchill, BA, BEd, RAD TC
Heidi has been the Director of the Carousel Dance Centre for 14 years. After completing her undergraduate degree in Dance (University of Waterloo) and her Bachelor of Education (Queen’s University), Heidi was excited to join the Carousel Team and combine both her love of teaching and her love of dance. Heidi’s teaching experience includes teaching ballet, modern dance, creative dance and jazz to all ages and ability levels with a special focus on the development and teaching of programs for toddlers and pre-school age children. Heidi holds her Teaching Certification with the Royal Academy of Dance and has attended teaching courses and seminars at the National Ballet School, Royal Academy of Dance and daCi International Conferences in Regina, The Netherlands and Taipei. With a vision that dance can and should be for EveryBODY, Heidi has been instrumental in developing adapted dance programs at Carousel. This knowledge has been shared with University students in her teaching of the dance component of Music 380E at Wilfrid Laurier University and is put into practice each year in her role as the Artistic Director of Arts Express Day Camp, an arts camp for children with special needs.
Laura Prada, BSc, ARAD, RAD Adv. Teaching Diploma
Laura has been a faculty member at the Carousel Dance Centre for more than 30 years. After completing her Bachelor of Science Degree in dance at the University of Waterloo, Laura went on to pursue her teaching certification with the Royal Academy of Dance. Laura holds her Advanced teaching certificate with the RAD and specializes in teaching upper level ballet classes. Laura has taught and entered several students for the RAD Advanced 2 exam and has also entered students for the Solo Seal Examination, which is the highest of examination levels and is only pursued by a handful of students in Canada each year. In addition to her specialty teaching Advanced ballet levels, Laura is very interested in Carousel's Dance for EveryBODY program and has been working on establishing both a program for adult students with disabilities and a section of dance company for teens with disabilities. Laura's dedication to providing dance opportunities for individuals with disabilities led to her being nominated for Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region's 1st Annual Inclusion Award in 2011.
holly linkert, BA, BED
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Holly is a professional dancer and teacher. Originally from Waterloo, Holly trained at the Waterloo Dance Centre and the Moree School of Dance where she completed her RAD Elementary ballet exam. Holly is trained in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop and partnering. Holly was a dancer and dance captain for International Entertainment (Regal Cruise Lines) and Jean Ann Ryan Productions (Norwegian Cruise Lines). In 2003, Holly was a member the World Bronze medal Canadian Showdance Team that competed in Dresden, Germany. She has also been involved in a variety of Dance organizations and Non-profit dance companies such as DanceOntario and Ballet Creole (Toronto) where she organized membership and fundraising programs. Holly has taught at various competitive and non-competitive studios throughout Ontario. She has won various choreography and overall awards at National and International competitions. In 2001, she graduated from King’s College at the University of Western Ontario with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in History. Holly then went on to graduate from the teacher training program at D’Youville College (Buffalo, NY) and is a certified dance, drama, history and guidance teacher with the Ontario College of teachers. Currently, Holly is completing her ADAPT teaching certification as well teaching high school with the Waterloo Region District School Board.
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KALENE TICKNOR
Kalene began her dance training at the Carousel Dance Centre and continued
to follow her passion for dance as a student at Eastwood Collegiate's Integrated Arts Program. After graduating from the Arts Program, Kalene studied dance at both Ryerson University and The School of Toronto Dance Theatre. During her post-secondary studies, Kalene studied many styles of modern dance technique including Graham, Horton and Limon. Kalene joined Carousel's teaching team in September 2008 and currently teaches ballet, jazz, pointe, modern dance and children's programs. When she is not in the studio teaching, Kalene still loves to perform and has recently performed with Michelle Hopkins and the Toronto based company, Dancemakers. Kalene has many fond memories of her years as a Carousel student and is delighted to now be a member of the teaching staff!
to follow her passion for dance as a student at Eastwood Collegiate's Integrated Arts Program. After graduating from the Arts Program, Kalene studied dance at both Ryerson University and The School of Toronto Dance Theatre. During her post-secondary studies, Kalene studied many styles of modern dance technique including Graham, Horton and Limon. Kalene joined Carousel's teaching team in September 2008 and currently teaches ballet, jazz, pointe, modern dance and children's programs. When she is not in the studio teaching, Kalene still loves to perform and has recently performed with Michelle Hopkins and the Toronto based company, Dancemakers. Kalene has many fond memories of her years as a Carousel student and is delighted to now be a member of the teaching staff!
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ELIZA MILLS
Eliza (Heeney) Mills has been teaching and choreographing professionally at Carousel since 2017, after graduating from the school in 2015. During her fourteen years as a student at Carousel, Eliza trained in ballet, jazz, modern, and composition, and performed with the Carousel Dance Company. In her final year in the school, Eliza achieved Distinction on her Advanced II Ballet Exam and performed the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy for the KW Symphony Yuletide Spectacular. Since joining the staff team at Carousel, Eliza has specialized in teaching modern and contemporary classes, and choreographing in a variety of styles for the company. In April 2020, she is on track to graduate from Wilfrid Laurier University with a major in Global Studies and a minor in Community Engagement. |
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BRIANNE MAURO, BScN RN
Brianne has been dancing since the age of two. Growing up in the competitive dance world, she trained in jazz, tap, musical theatre, hip-hop, ballet and Lyrical, and has been recognized many times with special awards for her stage presence and performing. Brianne also excelled in dance exams and received honors in many Jazz, Tap and Ballet examinations through the Canadian Dance Teachers Association. At the young age of 17, Brianne started to transition from student to teacher, and began choreographing for her high school Dance Team and won awards for her solo and group choreography at the annual Ontario Secondary School DanceFest. From there, Brianne attended Nipissing University where she was the President of the recreational dance program and danced on the University competitive dance team. She ultimately graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and received the Presidents Award for Leadership and campus involvement. Brianne is currently working on a Cardiology unit at Oakville Hospital while also completing a Critical Care Nursing course to one day work in the Intensive Care Unit. Brianne has been a member of the Carousel Staff since 2017 and is excited for the opportunity to continue to share her love for dance while pursuing her career in Science. |
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DEANNE BINGLEMAN, B.A. (DANCE)
Dee happily joined the staff at Carousel in September 2016 where she shares her love and knowledge of dance to all ages. Dee has enjoyed many years of participation in local and area festivals, creating dance shows for Rogers Cable and performing on Breakfast Television and the 8:08 Dance Series in Toronto and has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities to create works through Carousel. She graduated with a B.A. in Dance from the University of Waterloo in 1995. In 1998 she received a Leading Edge K-W Arts Award for her contributions to the K-W dance community. In 2013 she became one of only two certified instructors in Canada to teach Maor Dance Workout. In 2014, Dee was honoured with the Mentor Award through KW Arts Awards and with Volunteer of the Year award through the Federation of Teacher’s of Ontario for her work at Lexington PS. On top of her teaching position at Carousel as a tap, modern, jazz, PBT and ballet instructor/choreographer, she is also the mother of 3 boys, the Assistant Manager at the Northfield Chopped Leaf restaurant and is a Reiki Master & transformational life mentor. Community is an important core value of Dee and she loves all the opportunities she's experienced in her various jobs to be able to connect with the KW Community. She believes everyone can learn whatever they put their minds to. We might not all be Karen Kains or Monet, but we most certainly can learn to and enjoy the process and experiences each brings. Dee aims to inspire all of her students and hopes it is as rewarding for them to incorporate dance in their lives as it is for her to teach it. Keep playing, dreaming, creating, having fun, follow your heart and NEVER STOP MOVING!!!! |