OUR TEAM

Miss Melanie is already entering her 21th dance season at EDL and her passion for sharing the art of dancing with her students keeps growing every day. After studying at the Randolph School of the Performing Arts and her career as a professional dancer in Toronto, she was certified with two internationally acclaimed syllabi such as the British Association of Teachers of Dancing (B.A.T.D) and the Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (A.D.A.P.T) in ballet, jazz and tap.

Today, Miss Melanie continues to perfect her art with annual conventions in Canada and the United States with world renowned dancers and choreographers. In her early career as a teacher, she shared her knowledge with local students through Central Eastern French Catholic School Board, the Prescott-Russell School Board and several dance studios in Ottawa area.

Through her years at EDL, she has guided the competitive dance troupe with great success, winning impressive prizes such as Top Studio Award at several competitions and Top Dancer (Title Soloist). Today Miss Melanie is proud to offer a quality service to each and every dancer and allow them to discover in a positive, enriching and francophone environment for all!

Mr. Jean discovered his great passion for dance here in Ottawa and it was at Ryerson University in Toronto that his passion took on a new life.

He later worked as a professional dancer with an independent troupe associated with the National Arts Centre in Ottawa and later with the prestigious modern dance companies Danny Grossman and Timothy Spain in Toronto.

He takes great pride in his teacher’s certificate in Jazz and Tap and today works across Canada as an ADAPT examiner to assess the young dancers who follow this syllabus. Mr. Jean remains a perfectionist and continues to improve his technique and education through conferences and workshops in Canada and the United States.

His great goal in life is inspiring in its simplicity: to improve himself and encourage his students to do the same.

Miss Kathleen began dancing at EDL at the age 3 and joined the competitive team at age 8 where she explored several styles such as jazz, tap, ballet, acro-dance, hip-hop, broadway, lyrical, modern and pointe.

She completed her Elementary Ballet with the British Association of Teachers of Dancing (B.A.T.D.) and her Intermediate III in Tap and Jazz with the Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (A.D.A.P.T.). Like all teachers at EDL, Miss Kathleen continues to expand her technical knowledge and education through conventions and dance workshops across Canada and the United States.

Miss Kathleen trained under several renowned choreographers such as Ian Eastwood, Blake McGrath, Miles Faber, Showtime, Dimitri Chaplin, Bobby Newberry, Twitch, Tyce Diorio etc…

Among her many awards and achievements, Miss Kathleen was selected by the B.A.T.D. to attend their National Scholarships Competition where she was ranked among the Top 10 in 2009. She was also selected for her Junior Jazz solo at the Footloose competition to attend their International Extreme Team in Orlando, Florida in 2003. The following year she was selected for the Summer Intensive Professional program at the Quinte Ballet School of Canada which she attended in Belleville.

She has won numerous competitive titles such as Miss Starpower 2010, for the highest score amongst senior solos, at the Starpower competition in Syracuse, New York for her tap solo; Senior Miss Candance 2011, for the highest score amongst senior solos , at Candance in Vaughan, Ontario for her tap solo and finally Senior Miss Candance 2012, for the highest score amongst senior solos, at the Candance competition in Montreal, Quebec for her tap solo.

Miss Kathleen loves sharing her passion for dance with her students while offering structured, positive and rewarding classes.

Miss Danika has grown her knowledge and passion for dancing and teaching since the age of two. From the very beginning, first as a student at EDL and then as a faculty member, she has explored several disciplines such as jazz, tap, acro-dance, hip hop, lyrical and broadway.

Miss Danika obtained her Intermediate III certification in Jazz through A.D.A.P.T. She continues her studies as a teacher by attending conventions in Canada and the United-States in order explore the most current trends in the world of dance. She still enjoys practicing the art of dancing herself while sharing her passion with her students.

Outside the studio, Miss Danika holds an Early Childhood Education certificate and is currently pursuing her BA in Education. She loves working with youth and is known for her patience with young children and works hard to develop confidence in her students.

Sabrina started dancing at École de Danse Louise (EDL) when she was 8 years old, learning a variety of dance styles ranging from jazz, acro, hip-hop, ballet, Broadway, lyrical, modern and pointe.

She has completed her Intermediate level in ballet with the British Association of Teachers of Dancing (B.A.T.D.), as well as her Intermediate Level II in jazz with the Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (A.D.A.P.T.). Although she’s transitioned from a full-time dancer to a teacher for EDL’s recreational and competitive teams, Sabrina continues taking classes and competing as a hip-hop dancer. Sabrina has performed as a back-up dancer for local artists in events such as the Canadian Tulip Festival and the Talent Nation show.

Having a background in gymnastics and a passion for acrobatics, Sabrina specializes in acro and is working towards her certification in all levels of the Acrobatic Arts program.

As a dance teacher, Sabrina celebrated a number of achievements with her students. In 2016, her acro soloist placed first overall for the Intermediate Novice Division at Starpower International Talent Competition. In 2017, she, along with Danika Maisonneuve, won top choreography for their acro number at On the Floor the Ultimate Dance Experience. Also in 2017, at Shine Dance Competitions, two of Sabrina’s acro soloists placed in the top acro category, which qualified them for the Junior and Intermediate Miss Shine Acro at Nationals. At Nationals, one of them placed second overall and took home the title of Miss Shine Acro.

Outside of dance, Sabrina is completing her honours bachelor’s degree in social services at the University of Ottawa and plans to follow up with teacher’s college, as she wants to pursue a career in education.

Sabrina believes that a good dance class consists of both hard work and fun, and she aims for her students to learn something new every week, because true dancers never stop expanding and improving their skill set. Similarly, as a teacher, Sabrina always tries new approaches to better her teaching and ignite passion and perseverance in her students.

“You never lose, you learn.”

Bio to come.

Juliane Dénommé is passionate about dance and is a member of the École de danse Louise team since she is 5 years of age. After being a part of the competitive team for 9 years, she joined the faculty as a teacher and a receptionist in 2016.

Juliane is specialised in tap but has also trained in jazz (A.D.A.P.T.), ballet (B.A.T.D), acro, lyrical, and contemporary. She is certified with an Advanced level in tap with the Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (A.D.A.P.T.), and has a level 1 certification with Acrobatic Arts for acro-dance. She now specializes in those two disciplines.

Outside of the studio, Juliane is currently finishing her bachelors degree in linguistics and psychology at the University of Ottawa. She hopes to one day become a speech therapist and keep teaching at the studio.

Juliane always shows her smile and happiness at the front desk and her positive energy and dedication in her dance classes. She considers École de danse Louise like her second home and second family!

Miss Mel has been sharing her passion for dance with her students since 1992! In 1999, she co-founded The Academy of Dance Arts Inc. where she remained an owner and Artistic Director until 2009. In 2018, Miss Mel was thrilled to join the wonderful dance family and Faculty at École de Danse Louise!

Miss Mel is a certified member of the Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (A.D.A.P.T) and holds her Elementary Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) Ballet certificate. With her detail-oriented teaching style, her students have thrived at all levels of the A.D.A.P.T. examinations.

Miss Mel is a remarkable dance instructor and choreographer. Her students have excelled both on competitive stages as well as in professional platforms, gaining distinction awards from Dancer of the Year, to Top Studio, and have shined on stages in Greece, Los Angeles, Quebec, Cirque du Soleil, Les Grands Ballet Canadiens, Tree House TV, Culture Shock, as well as pursued their education in dance at various distinguished universities.

Miss Mel has also produced the annual CHEO Just for Kids fundraising gala.

Outside of dance, Mélanie graduated in 2002 from the University of Ottawa’s French Common Law program where she received her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), and has been practicing law since her call to the Bar in 2003. Mélanie is also the proud mother to her two beautiful children, whom also share her passion for dance.

Her energy, enthusiasm, and dedication make her an outstanding dance teacher and she is thrilled to continue to share the art of dance with her students!

Valérie has been dancing since the age of 3 and has been part of a competitive team, training in the styles of jazz, ballet, tap, lyrical and contemporary. She had her ballet training through the R.A.D. passing the ballet and pointe exams from Primary level to Advanced level 2. His jazz and tap dance training was done with the A.D.A.P.T. starting with Junior 3 level in both styles and passing the Pre-Advanced Jazz and Tap exams.

Valérie is a certified teacher with the A.D.A.P.T. since 2017. She has found a passion in teaching and training students to achieve the highest technical standards as possible. In each class, she strives to impart her knowledge and love of dance to each dancer as well as bring her positive energy to the learning environment. She is always looking for opportunities to learn and develop as an individual and as a teacher. To do this, she always takes classes, learns from her peers, and finds new programs to learn. Valérie is also an early childhood educator and loves to use her two passions to pass her knowledge of dance on to future generations.