Instructors

With over 20 years of experience as a professional dancer, dance educator, international adjudicator and choreographer, holding a BPE with a major in Dance, from the Universities of Alberta and Otago (New Zealand) Breanna Willis is thrilled to bring her love, passion, and dedication to dance into her new role as tour director of the Canadian Dance Awards. Originally from Sherwood Park, Alberta, Breanna’s passion for dance and travel has led her to perform and choreograph in film, TV, and on stages across Canada and the world, including The Stratford Festival (Guthrie Award Recipient), Canadian Opera Company, Vancouver Opera, and Drayton Entertainment to name just a few. Her love of teaching and choreography began at a young age and in 1997, she began her teaching career. Over the past 23 years she has honed her skills as a dance educator, working with all ages and skill levels, and is committed to the development and growth of every performer with whom she works. She is an award winning choreographer both nationally and internationally, working with dancers from across Canada, the US, Germany, South Africa, Slovenia, Russia, Australia and New Zealand. She has travelled and danced her way to nearly 60 countries, and Breanna now calls Stratford, Ontario home. In 2018 she founded the Stratford Dance Collective, a drop in dance and training program for aspiring and professional dancers.
In 2003, Breanna began adjudicating dance festivals and competitions across Canada. In 2009 she obtained her license with The International Dance Organization, and currently represents Canada as a judge and choreographer for their events in Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, South Africa and Mexico. Her choreography has brought home 5 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze medals in jazz, tap and streetdance show categories. In 2012, Breanna began working with ADA as judge at the Nationals in Florida, and since that time has judged regional, national and international events in South Africa for the company. Breanna is now branching out into the role of Tour Director of the Canadian Dance Awards and could not be more excited for this endeavour.
Fostering growth, and creating opportunities for dancers to realize their potential, to deepen their connection to their art, and strengthen the Canadian Dance community as a whole is what drives and motivates her. She values and cares deeply for everyone in the dance community, and hopes to inspire each and every dancer that takes the stage with CDA, creating positive experiences and memories that will last a lifetime. Select performance credits include: Film/Television: “State Like Sleep”, “Warehouse 13”, “Bomb Girls”, “The LA Complex”, “MMVA’s” (Psy) Theatre: “Crazy For You”, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (Stratford Festival), “West Side Story” (Vancouver Opera), Maometto II (Canadian Opera Company), “Return to Grace” (Fallsview Casino), “9-5”, “Sister Act”, “Dance Legends”, “Canadian Legends”, “Legends of Rock & Roll” (Drayton Entertainment), “The Super Groovy 70’s part 1 & 2”, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” “Chicago”, (Mayfield Theatre), “Chicago” (Palace Theatre New Hampshire), “42nd St” (Troika Asia Tour), Princess Cruise Line.
Choreography credits include: 9-5, The Musical (Mayfield Theatre), It’s Always Something (Eric McCormack Sony Centre), “Strictly Dancing” (Australian Broadcasting Co), Divas of Broadway, New Faces (St. Lawrence College), “Mass Exodus” (Ryerson University), “Degrassi: The Next Generation” (assistant choreographer), “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" (Drayton Entertainment/assistant choreographer). 

Mackenzi has been dancing for over 15 years, training in many styles including RAD ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical, musical theatre and hip hop. Mackenzi has taken exams in many levels of ballet and jazz to help in her training. 

Mackenzi started her dance career at Minto Dance Academy in Harriston at the age of 3, then moved to Dance Aarts Academy in Stratford and started competing in many styles, she then moved to Innovative Dance in Baden. Mackenzi has also been a part of Drayton Entertainment and increased her training at many different types of workshops. 

Mackenzi has helped with younger students dancing since she was 12 and has continued to now teach at West Perth Dance Club.

Mackenzi is excited to work with students and share her passion for dance with new dancers.

My name is Miss Grace, I am 14 yrs old and dance is everything to me. I began my dance journey in 2009 at the age of 4. I started my training with Ballet and Jazz, quickly adding in Tap, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Contemporary and Acro. I began taking exams in Ballet, Jazz, Acro and Tap. I began assisting in all genres at my former studio 5 yrs ago, with a focus on Acro, Ballet and Jazz.  

My Competitive journey began when I was 5. My first solo was Jazz at the age of 6.  I love to compete! There is nothing better than dancing with your "family"!  I hope to make dance my career. I want to perform if I am lucky enough to get the chance, become a Choreographer or even assist an amazing choreographer.  As long as I'm dancing, I'm sure I'll be happy.  I hope dance brings you as much happiness as it has brought me, and I can't wait to share that with everyone at West Perth Dance Club! 

Miss Allie started dancing at the age of 3 and joined the competitive team at 4 at Dance Aarts academy. She later went to Innovative Dance in Baden where she continued to compete with the team there. She has also taken classes at Stratford Dance Company. She loves all styles of dance but Ballet is her favourite. 

At the age of 11 she auditioned and was accepted to the Quinte Ballet Summer Dance Intensive Program. She has trained in RAD ballet and has completed up to her Intermediate level exam. She looks forward to sharing her love of dance with all the kids at WPDC.