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, JAZZ, BALLET

Ainsley Sudds (MA) is the Studio Director of Crossings Dance and a dedicated dance educator who has been an integral part of the Calgary dance community for more than 20 years. She holds a Master’s degree in Dance Technique Pedagogy from Middlesex University (UK), a BA in Dance from the University of Calgary, and a Certificate from the Limón Institute in New York City.

Ainsley is deeply passionate about dance education, mentorship, and the transformative potential of the human body as an instrument of expression and communication. Her approach to dance is holistic, recognizing that training and performance are deeply interconnected physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual experiences.

“We are never more truly and profoundly human than when we dance.” – José Limón

B.A, ECE LEVEL II

OFFICE MANAGER

TINY TOES

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, and is certified in ISTD Modern Theatre and Acrobatic Arts. Her training and freelance career in contemporary dance have taken her across North America, fuelling her lifelong love of learning and inspiring the next generation of dancers.

For Laura, dance has always been more than an art form, it has been an embodied expression of her faith and, at times, the deepest and most abiding thread connecting her to Jesus. She is passionate about helping others discover and express their faith through creative movement, believing the body can communicate where words lack and serve as a powerful vessel for worship, storytelling and connection.

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

BFA DANCE

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 Module 2 certified with Acrobatic Arts, including Acrodance Preschool, and has completed several courses supporting early childhood development and dance pedagogy. Additionally holding certifications in mat and reformer pilates, she draws from her diverse background in the movement and fitness world in addition to her dance training. Kathryn dances professionally as a freelance artist, company member, and is the Artistic Director of 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

TAP & MUSICAL THEATRE

Emily began dancing at age 3 in Valleyview, AB, and continued her training in Red Deer, where she studied tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical, and musical theatre. She performed and competed across Alberta, British Columbia, and California, including opportunities to perform and train at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. After moving to Calgary in 2015, Emily joined Crossings Dance, completing ISTD Intermediate exams in tap, ballet, and modern. In 2019, she joined the Tri-Tone Rhythm Ensemble under Tasha Lawson, training with renowned tap artists including Dianne Walker, Acia Gray, Jessie Sawyers, and Leah Silva.

Emily has extensive theatre experience and completed her Grade 6 Musical Theatre exam through Trinity College London. A former participant in Crossings’ T.E.A.M. mentorship program, she also completed professional-level Tri-Tone Tap Teacher Training in 2020.

Emily loves sharing her passion for dance and is excited to see how God continues to use the arts for His glory.

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

BA DANCE

MODERN/CONTEMPORARY

Deanna Witwer (she/her) is a choreographer, director, educator and performer based out of Mohkinstsis (Calgary). In process and performance Witwer holds space for the intersection of artistic rigour and honest humanity through curiosity-driven play, chasing the transformational encounters art can reveal within community. Witwer holds a BA in Dance from the University of Calgary, collaborative with Kinesiology and specializing in performance and choreography (2009). As a teacher her work focuses on a functional relationship with the floor, harnessing power by releasing the joints to channel force through the body in efficient and dynamic ways. Check out her work at deannawitwer.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

BA DANCE

MODERN/CONTEMPORARY/JAZZ

Ms. Kyla began her dance journey on Vancouver Island at age 2 with Highland dance, later training in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Tap, and Musical Theatre. She pursued post-secondary training at the School of Contemporary Dancers in Winnipeg, earning her BA (Hons) in Dance with a focus on teaching. During her decade in Winnipeg, she performed with several companies, including 5 seasons with NAfro Dance Productions, guest appearances with Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers, and tours with the Bill Evans Dance Company.

After moving to Alberta, Ms. Kyla danced with Corps Bara Dance Theatre, also serving as Rehearsal Director, Choreographer, and Company Manager. She has taught for studios across Calgary, the Calgary Board of Education, and both youth & professional dance companies. Passionate about mentorship, she enjoys guiding new teachers and sharing her love of pedagogy. Now a proud mom of two, Ms. Kyla is thrilled to return to Crossings after a decade, excited to be part of such an inclusive and supportive community.

“We can’t choose the music life gives us, but we can choose how to dance to it” ~ Unknown

BALLET

Daniela's dance journey started at the age of four, training classically in both ISTD and RAD. Upon graduating High School, Daniela joined Alberta Ballet where she danced professionally for 9 years. Not ready to 'hang up her shoes', she freelanced and started her teaching career at The Alberta Ballet School. With a passion for choreography, she was commissioned by Alberta Ballet and U of C's Mainstage. Daniela joined Crossings in 2004 where she also led Corps Bara Dance Theatre as its Artistic Director and resident choreographer. In 2008, she moved to BC and created works for Ballet Victoria and Ballet Kelowna. After 15 years, Daniela returned home to her roots and with gratitude, has returned to the Crossings Studios.

Daniela hopes that through discipline, respect and love of movement, her combined experiences may ignite confidence and passion in those she teaches regardless of where their dance journey takes them.

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

BALLET

Lauren Rachel Saunders is a Calgary-based dance do-er, dance teacher, dance maker, and dance lover (performer, educator, and choreographer). She grew up training in the RAD syllabus at the International School of Ballet and performing with Jeunesse Classique Ballet Society where she had the opportunity to dance a variety of roles in full-length classical productions. Lauren also trained with the Alberta Ballet School Professional Division, where she studied the Cecchetti syllabus, and spent a year at The Royal Winnipeg Ballet's Aspirant Program, performing in The Nutcracker, Swan Lake.

Today, Lauren is a freelancer and a member of the Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. She is in her final year of a combined degree in Kinesiology and Dance with a concentration in Pedagogy at the University of Calgary and is working towards the Healthy Dancer Canada Safe Dance Practice Certificate and CSEP Personal Training Certification.

"See the music, hear the dance" - George Balanchine

TINY TOES, BALLET/JAZZ

Kaylin danced at Crossings Dance for several years where she participated in Crossings Youth Dance Company and the T.E.A.M program. She has completed multiple ISTD ballet and modern exams, including Advanced 2 Ballet, and has successfully achieved her Associate and Associate Diploma qualifications in Imperial Classical Ballet. Kaylin has performed in Ballet Bodies’ In Motion and with Corps Bara Dance Theatre Training Company, and she has participated in the Alberta Ballet Professional Division Summer Intensive, YYDC FoCo Contemporary Classes, and A Taste of NDT Summer Intensive. Kaylin has a passion for teaching dance, sharing her love for this expressive art form with her students, and watching as they embark on their own journey. She has pursued many opportunities with teaching and is eager to continue progressing in her knowledge and experience.

“Let them praise His name with dancing” – Psalm 149:3