Heather Thomas
Studio Founder/ Teacher/ Choreographer
Heather is the owner and Artistic Director of Expressions the Dance Gallery now in its 37th dance season in Alberta.
She has extensive training and knowledge in BATD (British Association Teachers of Dancing), ADAPT (Associated Dance Arts and Professional Teachers) AG (Al Gilbert), RAD ( Royal Academy of Dancing) covering Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Tap, Ballet, Acrobatics, and Musical Theatre. She has personally trained with well known dance masters such as Joe Tremaine, Bryan Foley, and Al Gilbert. And continues to immerse herself in diverse studies around the globe.
Mrs. Thomas has had the opportunity to choreograph over twenty full length stage shows, which have been performed in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, England, Scotland, Germany, France, Spain, Greece and the USA.
Heather believes strongly in exposing herself, and her students to new challenges. In turn they have been awarded many high-score and title awards. As a direct result of Heathers professional and personal nurturing many of her students have gone on to enjoy professional careers performing with Brittney Spears, Queen Latifah, and Wayne Brady just to name a few. Other students have loved performing with numerous Cruise Lines, The Second City in Toronto, On and Off Broadway productions incorporating dance, theatre, Ariel Acrobatics, Circus Arts often whilst travelling to all corners of the world.
Ms. Thomas is in constant demand across Canada and the USA as an adjudicator, teacher and choreographer, but her heart always lies within the studio!
She has extensive training and knowledge in BATD (British Association Teachers of Dancing), ADAPT (Associated Dance Arts and Professional Teachers) AG (Al Gilbert), RAD ( Royal Academy of Dancing) covering Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Tap, Ballet, Acrobatics, and Musical Theatre. She has personally trained with well known dance masters such as Joe Tremaine, Bryan Foley, and Al Gilbert. And continues to immerse herself in diverse studies around the globe.
Mrs. Thomas has had the opportunity to choreograph over twenty full length stage shows, which have been performed in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, England, Scotland, Germany, France, Spain, Greece and the USA.
Heather believes strongly in exposing herself, and her students to new challenges. In turn they have been awarded many high-score and title awards. As a direct result of Heathers professional and personal nurturing many of her students have gone on to enjoy professional careers performing with Brittney Spears, Queen Latifah, and Wayne Brady just to name a few. Other students have loved performing with numerous Cruise Lines, The Second City in Toronto, On and Off Broadway productions incorporating dance, theatre, Ariel Acrobatics, Circus Arts often whilst travelling to all corners of the world.
Ms. Thomas is in constant demand across Canada and the USA as an adjudicator, teacher and choreographer, but her heart always lies within the studio!
Jasmine Goulet
Teacher/ Choreographer
Born and raised in Banff, AB, Jasmine has been dancing and performing since the age of four. She began training in ballet and quickly expanded into other disciplines including jazz, modern, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop and tap. She has obtained her Advanced 2 ballet exams with both the Royal Academy of Dance and International Dance Teachers Association, completed Advanced levels of jazz and modern and has attended conventions and competitions throughout Canada. While following her passion for dance she began her journey as a teacher passing on her knowledge, experience, dedication and energy to each of her students. Jasmine has worked to obtain multiple certifications in various disciplines while completing her Bachelor of Science Degree at the University of Victoria. She is a Registered Teacher with the RAD, IDTA, Acrobatic Arts and Progressing Ballet Technique and continually partakes in professional development and performance opportunities. As a teacher she strives to develop a passion for dance through upbeat and motivating classes, and inspire students to achieve their personal goals.
Nico Gelderblom
Teacher/ Choreographer
Nico “TechNeeks” Gelderblom After seeing “The Jabbawockeez” dance their way to victory on the first season of America’s Best Dance Crew in 2008, Nico joined up with the local dance studio in the small town of Caroline, AB. What seemed then like a youtube-driven fancy, would end up turning into the most unlikely of careers. After successfully competing in high school at Caroline Dance West, and Move Yourself Dance in Sundre, Nico would move to Calgary for more advanced dance training. He would receive instruction in Hip Hop, Funk Styles, and House, and create a solid foundation for his dance career to come. From here he would join “The Tomorrows” a dance crew mentored by Toronto choreographer and founder of “FLAVORSHOP” Lenny Len. For the next three years he would train, perform, and compete with The Tomorrows - experience that would profoundly shape him as a dancer. In 2016 Nico returned to Move Yourself Dance as a Hip Hop instructor, and over the past three years has received numerous choreography awards for his pieces. His choreography routinely makes its way into the top scores of competitions, as it did in Drumheller, AB in Spring 2019 - his piece “Special Delivery” taking the top score overall. Nico is excited to be joining the Expressions team for the 2019-2020 season!
Britney Standing
Teacher/ Choreographer
A student of Expressions the Dance Gallery from the age of five Britney has held EDG in her heart as her second home for many years. Working along side her teachers and fellow classmates now as a member of the faculty is a joy she can barely contain. Having two siblings in attendance with EDG she spends almost all her free time involved at the studio. She was overjoyed with the opportunity to work for her idol and "second mother" Heather Lawrence and hopes to uphold the amazing image that Heather has created for EDG, and looks forward to sharing her love of the arts with kids starting dance the same age as she did.
Kayla Hagel
Teacher/Choreographer
Kayla's first steps into dance were clad in tap shoes at the age of two; thus sparking her passion for tap dance. Over the years, Kayla has branched out into jazz, ballet, lyrical, and contemporary; training and competing with various studios within Calgary. Kayla finds tremendous joy in passing her knowledge to her students and seeing their success in the studio and on the stage. Kayla has been a part of the Expressions dance family since 2011 and is looking forward to teaching her fifth year at the studio.
ANNE-mARIE hIVERT
Teacher/ Choreographer
Anne-Marie started circus as a recreational activity when she was 7 years old. In high school, she was part of a wind orchestra as a saxophonist and, with some friends created their own theatre troupe. In 2009, she started to teach and to train as a circus artist at Verdun Circus school in Montreal. She completed two years of their preparatory program where she focused on hand stands, trampoline, acro, hand to hand, aerial, juggling, acting and dance.
In 2013, she enrolled in the teacher training program at the National circus school in Montreal. With this course, she had the opportunity to complete her internship with École nationale de cirque de Châtellerault in France, a circus school that run a circus-studies program for students between 15 and 17 years old.
Since then, as a circus artist, she has been performing in benefits shows, the Festival international de Jazz de Montréal, street entertainment programming and festivals. One of Anne-Marie’s passions was realized when she created a silk duo. This unique and dynamic act was performed all around Quebec before being hired by Cavaland, an equestrian circus company. Anne-Marie worked for 5 years with Cavaland as an aerial acrobat and dancer. As a teacher she has taught in nearly 10 circus studios, high schools and kindergarten classes in Montreal. In December 2017 she completed her university studies in cultural project management.
Karen sarafincian
tEACHER/cHOREOGRAPHER
Originally from Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Karen grew up dancing at Dance Innovations studying RAD ballet and ADAPT Jazz and Tap. Growing up with Ukrainian parents, Karen also danced with the Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Ensemble for 14 years, with the Yevshan Ukrainian Folk Ballet in Saskatoon, then later worked as Ukrainian dance teacher and guest instructor at Troyanda’s Ukrainian Summer Dance Camp. Karen has had incredible opportunities to work with and learn from some of the most renowned choreographers and instructors from Ukraine.
Accepted to study fashion at The New School (formerly Parson’s) in NYC, Karen originally intended a career in fashion. However, a career opportunity in dance came along in her 20’s and she has been pursuing it ever since. Karen loves understanding technique and the anatomy and function of the body. She is always eager to expand her learnings and passion for alignment and longevity and safety of the body. Her trainings include:
• Association of Dance Arts for Professional Teachers Gold Seal
• Acro Dance Teachers Assocition, Jr Certification
• Progressing Ballet Technique Certification
• 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training in Asanas and Foundations of Hatha Yoga + 30 hour Vinyasa training
• True North Alignment Yoga Training
• Barre Teacher Training at Barre West and Barre Body Studio in Calgary, Alberta
Karen is excited to join be joining Expressions for the upcoming season!
