• Co-owner, Studio Director, Teacher
• Ballerina Dreams Program Director
• McGill University Graduate, May 2008
• ADAPT Graduate, July 2016
• ADAPT Presenter – Special Needs Programming
• Acrobatic Arts Module 1 Certification 2022

I took my first dance class at the tender age of 2 years old. What began as a once a week activity quickly grew into a lifelong passion, career and direction in life. Beginning in Ballet classes, I added Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop and Pointe work to my repertoire. I also expanded my dance training from recreational to competitive at 12 years old. For many years, my team and I competed in the United States, winning top awards, scholarships and prizes.

Upon graduating from high school, I continued to expand my knowledge and was accepted to McGill University in the Bachelor of Education program: Major in Kindergarten & Elementary Education, Minor in English Literature. Graduating in May 2008, I felt I had so many tools I could put into practice with my dance students. I continued that path for higher education and learning when I graduated from the Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (ADAPT) organization in July 2016.

Over the years, Powell School of Dance has formed a wonderful bond with the ADAPT organization. Mr. & Mrs. Foley (co-founders of ADAPT), are mentors, cheerleaders and overall supporters of Powell School of Dance. When I was asked to be an ADAPT presenter for the Teacher Training School in July 2020, this was yet another high honour that humbled me in my teaching career.
I am proud to stand with so many dance educators who have had the privilege to present at ADAPT.

I am also so very proud to make the topic of special needs programming accessible to the ADAPT community of teachers and studio owners. The Ballerina Dreams program at PSOD was inaugurated in January 2011. In conjunction with the Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre (Cornwall Site), our programs offer dance classes for children with special needs. Our Volunteers shadow dancers on a one-to-one ratio from arrival, during the class, to dismissal. Our program celebrates 10 years since its inauguration and I am proud to share my knowledge, expertise and experience with the next generation of teachers.

• Co-Owner, Studio Director, Administrator, Teacher, Choreographer
• Diploma of College Studies, Child Studies, Dawson College, 2008
• Bachelor of Arts, Child Studies & Psychology, Concordia University, 2013
• Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers, 2016
• Acrobatic Arts Preschool Certification, 2020
• Dance Safe Membership, 2020
• Acrobatic Arts Module 1 Certification 2021

My dance training began at the age of 4, and it was love at first sight. The arts have always been alive and well in my family. My mother is a trained ballet dancer, and my father is a trained musician. So, when I walked into the dance studio for the first time, it was simply meant be an ever-growing love affair.

Throughout my youth, I committed many of my waking hours to dance. The feeling of walking into the dance studio, and letting the music take me away into another realm was unlike anything I ever experienced. From a young age, I knew that I needed dance as much as dance needed me.

I studied many disciplines of dance, with a primary focus on Ballet, Tap, and Jazz. I danced competitively from the age of 8, where I won top awards at competitions in Montreal, Toronto, and the United States. In my young adulthood, I expanded my training to various dance studios in downtown Montreal, with performances at notable venues such as the Bell Centre, Place des Arts, Salle Gésù, and Cinquième Salle.

In 2008, I completed my Diploma of College Studies in Child Studies at Dawson College; and in 2013, I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Child Studies and Psychology from Concordia University. My focus throughout my post-secondary studies was geared towards early childhood education, child development, and teaching methods. I knew that I wanted to become a dancing teacher, and so my first goal was to achieve a post- secondary education in these subjects.

With my academic goals complete, my next focus was to develop my training as a dance educator. Beginning in the summer of 2014, I travelled to Toronto for three consecutive summers to train under Canada’s top dance teaching masters – Brian and Faye Foley. In 2016, I completed my dance teacher training, received my gold seal, and certified in tap and jazz dance with the Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers.

Also in the summer of 2014, I joined the Acro Dance Teacher’s Association (formerly, Acrobatique). Hoping to expand my teaching repertoire, I developed my understanding of Acrodance and how to teach it. In July 2020, I expanded my dance teacher training once again. I completed a 3-day training course under Acrobatic Arts – Preschool Syllabus. In July 2021, I completed my certification with Acrobatic Arts – Module 1 (Levels 1-6); I am licensed to safely teach acrodance. Finally, I am currently a member of the Dance Safe Ontario association, which is a government-approved industry standard for COVID-19 safety in the dance studio across Ontario.

When I was a young teacher, I read a quote that has left a lasting impression on me and my teaching philosophy. “One hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, nor how much money I had in my bank account. But the world may be a better place because I was important in the life of a child.” With dance as my vehicle, I am committed to being a positive role model to my students; to teach them life lessons that will benefit them throughout the various stages of life. I realize that some students might graduate from my dance school with a desir to become a professional dancer – but I know that so many others will come to dance school wanting to make memories, build friendships, and be physically active along the way. Whatever the end goal may be, my role as a dance educator remains the same:
Commit to building strong, confident future citizens of our world.

• Co-Owner, Administrator, Dancer, Teacher, Choreographer
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & Child Studies, With Distinction, Concordia University 2014
• ADAPT Tap & Jazz – July 2016
• ADTA Certified (Junior Division) - June 2020
• Acrobatic Arts Certified (Module 1) - July 2020
• Dance Safe Ontario Membership - July 2020
• Master of Arts in Counselling & Spirituality, Saint Paul University, In Progress

My dance training began at age 4, and by age 8 I began to dance at the competitive level. During my adolescence, I set out to explore the professional dance circuit in Montreal. Over the years, I have studied various dance disciplines including Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Hip Hop. Highlights of my professional dance career include performances at the Montreal Bell Centre, the Metropolis Theatre, Place-des-Arts, and Salle Gesù.

I believe that in order to be a good teacher, one must first be an exceptional student willing to commit to lifelong learning. I am proud to hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree, having graduated with distinction, in Psychology & Child Studies from Concordia University (June 2014). Over three consecutive summers, I earned my dance educator’s certification from the Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers in Tap & Jazz (July 2016).

My studies in Acro Dance began in 2014, and through theoretical and practical experience, I obtained my certification with the Acro Dance Teacher’s Association (Junior Division) in June 2020. In July 2020, I broadened my studies in Acro Dance through participation of a 3-day certifying course with Acrobatic Arts (Module 1). I am currently a member of the Dance Safe Ontario association, which is a government-approved industry standard for Covid-19 safety in the dance studio across Ontario.

My academic pursuits continued in September 2022 at Saint Paul University, in the Master of Arts program for Counselling & Spirituality. Upon graduation (April 2024), I will become a qualifying licensed member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. My endeavours into graduate school were inspired throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, as my experiences in providing physical activity and emotional support to my students and their families allowed me to learn more about the person behind “Miss Ainsley”. I look forward to extending my warm, empathic, and compassionate nature to the Cornwall & Area community in more ways than one following my graduation.

My teaching philosophy is inspired by the following words of American business magnate, Steve Jobs. "Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do."

Using dance as my vehicle, I believe in nurturing, caring, and preparing young and innocent minds for the future. I believe in providing the tools, building the skills, and nurturing the soul. The ultimate gift is watching my students succeed with poise and grace.

To the parents/guardians who enrol their child in dance: while you are enrolling in a dance lesson, please know that you are enrolling your child in so much more than just dance. You are raising your child into a community that has the power to instill a lifelong appreciation for the performing arts. To me, that is the greatest gift a parent/guardian can give their child.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for giving me the continued opportunity to be a positive role model in your child’s life. I am endlessly grateful.

Dancingly yours,
Miss Ainsley