Our Instructors

Heather Beauvais

Co-Director, Certified ADAPT/Acrobatique Teacher

"Miss Heather's" dance career began 22 years ago when she attended her first ballet class. From there she trained intensely in other styles of dance: jazz, modern, lyrical, gymnastics and musical theatre, receiving many awards during her teen years for her absolutely captivating solo performances. Not only was Heather born to dance, but born to teach. That dream of combining the two became a reality when she started teaching at Excalibre (now dansko studios). Through teaching, and creating dynamic, award winning choreography, Miss Heather is fortunate, as are the students she inspires, to keep her spirit of dance alive!

Allison Charlton

Co-Director, Certified ADAPT Teacher

Allison trained since the age of 3 at Dancentral Studio in Red Deer. For many years she successfully competed throughout Alberta in tap, jazz, musical theatre, highland & ballet as well as completing with honors, all levels of tap & jazz exams through the A.D.A.P.T. syllabus, and every level of highland dance exams. Playing the role of "Peter" in Peter Pan got her hooked on live theatre. At 14, Allison added teaching to her professional career and has never looked back. As a young adult Allison moved to Victoria where she performed in local theatre productions of '42nd St.,' 'A Chorus Line', 'South Pacific', 'West Side Story' and 'Evita'. Allison also choreographed 'Brigadoon' for VOS. Allison is well known in Victoria for her truly unique, highly entertaining, award-winning choreography. That, combined with her amazing ability to motivate and inspire her students of all ages makes her a 'teacher extraordinaire

Leigh Neuman

Co-Director, Certified ADAPT Teacher

Leigh grew up dancing here in beautiful Victoria, BC, studying various disciplines including ballet, jazz, tap and musical theatre. From age 12, Leigh’s success as a soloist brought her many top marks, awards, and the privilege each year to represent Victoria at the BC Festival of the Arts in Stage Dance. At age 17, Leigh’s tap performance of “In Threes”, choreographed by Allison Charlton, received the “Dance Olympus Summer Dance National Champion (USA)” title. Leigh’s love and passion for dance led her to teach here in Victoria.

In 2004 Leigh began her career as professional dancer with Princess Cruises. Traveling and performing abroad on many Princess ships, Leigh was promoted to Asst. Dance Captain in 2005. After working abroad for four years, Leigh is excited and proud to return to the awesome dansko faculty to once again share her passion, love and experience of dancing with all of her students.

Kylie Stanton

Contemporary

Kylie Stanton began dancing at a very early age in Edmonton, Alberta. Since then, she's trained in Los Angeles, New York, Toronto and Vancouver. Upon settling on the west coast, Kylie performed with "The Source" and "Ruckus Dance Company". Her credits include contracts with Walt Disney Canada, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and the Canadian Military - travelling to Egypt and Israel, performing for the troops. Kylie now focuses on her passion for teaching and choreography. She's grateful to all of the students she has the opportunity to work with across the county each year.

Carly Heemskerk

Jazz, Ballet and Tap

Carly began ballet at age three and trained exclusively in ballet for the first few years. During this time, she worked her way through the RAD vocational graded syllabus. Carly began taking jazz at Dansko Studios, and eventually began taking tap, modern, contemporary and hip-hop. She was a Danskore company for many years and also got the chance to complete a handful of ADAPT jazz and tap exams before she began teaching. Throughout her time dancing, Carly competed in various local and out-of-town competitions, festivals and shows. Notably, Carly has performed in Ballet Etoile’s shows and as a background dancer in Disney’s “Descendants 2.” . In 2016, Carly travelled to Toronto to complete the ADAPT Assistant Teacher Training program and she quickly discovered her passion for teaching. Currently, Carly is attending the University of Victoria in the Elementary Education Program. Carly is so excited to share her love for dance and she hopes to instil a similar passion into all of her students!

Madison Bains

Jazz and Contemporary, Certified ADAPT Teacher

Madison found her passion for dance at the age of three while taking her first tap class.  Madison has been training in a variety of styles at dansko Studios including jazz, hip hop, ballet, contemporary, tap and modern for the past 16 years. She has been competing in various competitions throughout British Columbia in small & large groups, winning multiple awards. Madison currently dances with the UVIC Dance Company. She is currently enrolled in the Education Program at UVIC in hopes to become a dance teacher in public schools. Madison loves to share her passion for dance with her students.

Meaghan Wilkins

Jazz and Hip Hop, Certified ADAPT Teacher

Meaghan started her first ballet class at the age of three. Year after year she began to take more classes at Dansko Studios including tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, modern, and pointe. Meaghan has also been a part of Danskore for eight years. She has competed in several different competitions such as Peak, Phoenix, Core, and View Dance Competition. For years she has also completed several levels in the jazz and tap ADAPT exams before becoming a dance teacher. In 2018 Meaghan went to Toronto and completed the ADAPT Assistant Teacher Training program. Since then it has been her joy to assist and train her students in jazz and hip-hop. She loves meeting her new students each year and watching them grow and develop in their classes. Meaghan is so proud to have the opportunity to teach at the studio she loves so much and she hopes that her students will find a similar love and passion.

 Jenna Spall

Pre School, Jazz and Ballet

Jenna began her dance journey with dansko studios at the age of three, in Baby Boogies.  Throughout her training she has danced in various styles including tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary, modern, hip hop and pointe. She has been a part of danskore for nine years, and has participated in numerous performances, competitions and conventions as such. Jenna has completed ADAPT syllabus exams in tap and jazz from Pre-Junior 3 to Intermediate 3. She completed her Teacher Assistant training in Toronto in 2018. Outside of her training at Dansko, Jenna dances with Ballet Étoile, and enjoys performing in their seasonal pieces. Jenna is passionate about dance, loves working with children and always looks forward to sharing this passion with young students.