Crossings Dance Studio Faculty

MSC DANCE SCIENCE

FOUNDER/DIRECTOR

Karen Sudds is the founder of Crossings Dance and a certified dance educator. She holds an MSc in Dance Science, certifications in Pilates, and dance-specific supplementary training protocols. Karen works locally and internationally with organizations to advocate for and promote healthy dance practices within the studio setting. She is a published researcher and recipient of numerous awards in the dance and faith sector. Karen’s greatest passion is creating an empowering environment where students and faculty can explore their movement and leadership potential.

“Tell me and I forget; Teach me and I may remember; involve me and I learn” Unknown

MA DANCE PEDAGOGY

STUDIO DIRECTOR

CYDC DIRECTOR

MODERN

Ainsley Sudds M.A is a dance educator and director who has worked in the Calgary dance community for the past 20 year. She holds a Master of Dance Technique Pedagogy from Middlesex University (UK), B.A in Dance from the University of Calgary, and Certificate from the Limon Institute (NYC). Ainsley is passionate about mentorship and as a strong believer of the potential of the human body as an instrument to express and communicate through movement, Ainsley approaches dance holistically, believing that all aspects of dance training and performance are interwoven physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual experiences.

“We are never more truly and profoundly human than when we dance” ~ José Limon

BFA DANCE

OPERATIONS MANAGER

TINY TOES, JAZZ/MODERN, ACRO

Kathryn has a zest for life and aspires to share the gift of movement with everyone! Kathryn holds a BFA in Dance from Belhaven University, is certified with Acrobatic Arts and Acrodance Preschool, and has completed several courses and certifications supporting early childhood development and dance pedagogy. Kathryn dances professionally a freelance artist, and as a company member with Corps Bara Dance Theatre. She is a passionate advocate of the great joy and fullness that dance can bring both for the individual and the community.

“I believe that the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity is daring to dare.” - Maya Angelou

OFFICE MANAGER

Brooklyn grew up dancing at Crossings and performing in the Crossings Youth Dance Company. Here, she developed a love and passion for dance that has stayed with her through the years. Despite pursuing a career outside of the dance realm, Brooklyn has returned to Crossings to provide Administrative Support. Crossings has always felt like home to her and she looks forward to fostering an environment that supports, encourages and facilitates dancers to experience the fullness of their creative potential.

“We’ll become in our lives what we do with our love.” ~ Bob Goff

BFA DANCE, TTP DIP (NBS), ISTD, RAD RTS

CYDC DIRECTOR

BALLET COORDINATOR

BALLET, MODERN/JAZZ & TINY TOES

Rae-Lee is a dance instructor who is devoted to aspiring young dance artists. With over ten years of teaching experience, Rae-Lee considers teaching dance her passion.

Rae-Lee holds her Teacher Training Diploma from the National Ballet School of Canada, registered teacher status with the Royal Academy of Dance and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance from Simon Fraser University.

"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge." ~ Albert Einstein

A.I.S.T.D. MODERN

CYDC DIRECTOR

MODERN/CONTEMPORARY

Laura Barcelo has been an educator, choreographer and director of dance in Calgary since 2013. She holds a BA in Psychology with minors in Dance, Neuroscience and Ministry. Laura is certified in Modern Theatre with the I.S.T.D. and in Acrobatic Arts. Her training and freelance career in contemporary dance has taken her across North America, fuelling her everlasting love of learning and inspiring the next generations of dancers.

“You are unique, and if that is not fulfilled, then something has been lost” - Martha Graham

A.D.I.S.T.D. BALLET

BALLET

Kristen grew up dancing at Crossings. Her passion for dance’s technical, artistic, and performance aspects inspired her to become a professional dance educator. Kristen holds her Associate and Associate Diploma in Ballet from the ISTD. She teaches Ballet and Modern and is an advocate for the power of dance to enrich children’s lives. She is currently the Artistic Director of Crossings Youth Dance Company and leads the Teacher Education and Mentorship (TEAM) program at Crossings.

"Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.” ~ Unknown

BA DANCE

MODERN/CONTEMPORARY

Deanna Witwer BA Dance is a contemporary dance artist based out of Mohkinstsis (Calgary). As the Artistic Director of Corps Bara Dance Theatre, a choreographer, educator and performer she is committed to facilitating rich, formative experiences for students, artists and audiences through engagement of the whole person in creative experiences. As a teacher her work draws heavily on Zambrano's "Flying Low" technique, which she studied for two years in Brussels, Belgium. www.corpsbara.com

"I praise the dance, for it frees people from the heaviness of matter and binds the isolated to community. I praise the dance, which demands everything: health and a clear spirit and a buoyant soul." ~ St Augustine

VOCATIONAL BALLET

Daniela is excited to return home to Calgary and Crossings after being in BC for the last 15 years. Her dance journey started at the age of four, training classically in both ISTD and RAD, of which she received her Solo Seal Award. Upon graduating High School, Daniela joined Alberta Ballet where she danced for 9 years. She then turned her focus to freelance dancing, teaching and choreography and has created commissioned works for Alberta Ballet, U of C, Ballet Victoria and Ballet Kelowna. In 2004, Daniela joined the Crossings teaching faculty where she also choreographed for and led Corps Bara Dance Theatre as their Artistic Director. Daniela hopes that through discipline, respect and love of movement, her combined experiences may ignite confidence and passion for those that she teaches.

“The body says what words cannot.” - Martha Graham

BALLET

Originally from Calgary, Alberta Beth grew up dancing at various local studios including Crossings Dance Ministries. Upon completing her formative training at H/W School of Ballet in Calgary, Beth went on to complete the Arts Umbrella Dance Diploma Program in Vancouver, BC. While an active part of the Vancouver dance scene, Beth had the opportunity to work in-studio with and perform works by various renowned artists including Crystal Pite, Emily Molnar, Medhi Walerski, and Lesley Telford, amongst others. Beth has performed internationally with Ballet BC, and locally with Inverso Productions, Calgary Opera, and Corps Bara Dance Theatre. Beth had the opportunity to attend several renowned summer intensives including Alonzo King LINES Pre-Professional Summer Program, Banff Centre for the Arts: Creative Gesture, and Arts Umbrella International Summer Dance Intensive.

Recently, Beth has choreographed several commissioned works for Corps Bara Dance Theatre and CB II, Crossings Youth Dance Company, and Ballet Bodies YYC. Also, a dance educator in Calgary, Beth looks to share her experiences with young dancers. Beth is an advocate for movement and health through all stages of life. Her experience interning with X-Factory Athlete Wellness Centre allowed Beth to work in an elite level strength and conditioning environment. Currently a student of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary and a member of Ballet Bodies YYC, Beth continues to pursue her passion for movement and learning.

“Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.’ ~ Oscar Wilde

TAP & MUSICAL THEATRE

Emily has been dance training since she was 3 years old in Valleyview, Red Deer, Innisfail and Calgary (at Crossings!). She is trained in tap, ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical and musical theatre and has successfully completed many RAD, ADAPT, ISTD dance exams and a Trinity College London musical theatre exam. She has performed and trained at various competitions, classes, workshops, parades and local events in Alberta, British Columbia and Anaheim, California, and Walt Disney World. She attained a tap teaching certificate from Tri-Tone Rhythm Ensemble under Tasha Lawson and has been teaching since 2019.

"Everybody can dance. It's the drive and the passion that makes you a dancer." - Unknown

TINY TOES, BALLET

Janine grew up dancing at Crossings since she was 4 years old. Training in ballet, modern, jazz, and contemporary, she also completed multiple RAD and ISTD ballet and modern exams. For many years she took part in Crossings' T.E.A.M. program and danced with Crossing Youth Dance Company. In addition to dance, she does weight and strength training to help prevent injuries and improve movement patterns. She has attended Ballet Magnificat's Summer Dance Intensive, performed with Jeunesse Classique Ballet Society, as well as studied under Störling Dance Theater in Kansas in their Störling Conservatory program. Currently, Janine is dancing with Ballet Bodies YYC. She enjoys teaching and being able to watch the next generation grow in the beautiful art form that she fell in love with so many years ago.

"The only one you should compare yourself to is you. Your mission is to become better today than you were yesterday." ~ John C. Maxwell

F.I.S.T.D. BALLET, MODERN, TAP, NATIONAL

BALLET

Mrs. Proust brings to Crossings students a wealth of knowledge and a legacy of dance education expertise. With over 45 years of experience, she is one of the few dance teachers worldwide to have been a quadruple examiner with the ISTD. She holds Fellowship status for Ballet, Modern, Tap, and National with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. Mrs. Proust was awarded the ISTD International Theatre Award 2017 for her contribution to the field of dance education and dedication to the ISTD. She continues to mentor teachers working on upgrading their teaching status and coaches students for competition and examinations.

"Her dream becomes reality, her passion is ignited, her future is bright. Dance is about more than the steps, it is about life lessons." ~ Unknownoes here