YOUTH BALLET OF SASKATCHEWAN - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Instructor, Choreographer
Job Titles:
- Instructor, Choreographer
Glen Curtis was born in Saskatoon and took his first Ballet Classes at the University School of Ballet under the direction of Sonja Barton.
After attending the National Ballet School in Toronto, Mr. Curtis had a long and successful in career in Germany first as a dancer and then as a teacher.
In 2014, Glen became a Royal Academy of Dance Certified Instructor. Mr. Curtis was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to work with many different choreographers and in a wide spectrum of various styles of dance. This has led him to a great appreciation of dance in all its forms and a firm belief in the importance of a strong Classical Ballet foundation.
Josephine's dance training was completed at Youth Ballet Company of Saskatchewan, Alberta Ballet School, and London Contemporary Dance School (The Place).
She has been working for SQx Dance Company since 2014, participating in projects in Spain, Greece, The Azores in Portugal as well as delivering their award winning Interactive Dance Awareness Program in Canada across BC, AB, SK, MB, NWT, YK.
Josephine is also studying Environmental Engineering at the University of Regina, in contrast to her pursuit of the arts. She has felt that her love of science and research has provided valuable perspective as an artist, building her skills in critical thought, problem solving, creativity, and attention to detail. She hopes to continue to merge art and science as she takes on future projects.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Instructor, Choreographer
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Kennedy Dale-Johnson is a Toronto based dance teacher and choreographer.
Originally from Regina, Saskatchewan, she danced at the Youth Ballet of Saskatchewan, taught on faculty and was part of the Youth Ballet Company. Kennedy is a graduate of Canada's National Ballet School's (NBS) Teacher Training (Dip) Program, holds registered teaching status with the Royal Academy of Dance and has her Associate with the ISTD (National Branch). She has continued to pursue education with Mark Morris Dance Company (Dance for PD), Baycrest Hospital (Dancers not Dementia), Bob Rumball Centre for the Deaf, and more.
As Assistant Director for the Contemporary School of Dance Youth Company from 2018 to 2021, Kennedy's choreography has been seen in collaboration with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Orchestra, and Fuse Arts (previously Vera Causa Opera Company). Currently, Kennedy teaches ballet at Pegasus Studios and works within the Community Dance initiatives at Canada's National Ballet School. This includes offering thousands of Ontario and Canada-wide school students' curriculum-based dance workshops both online and in person, teaching older adults including Dementia and Parkinson's specific classes, and teaching in the NBS Kids- Adaptive Dance program which was created in collaboration with Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer of the Board of Directors
Maxine Heppner is a performer & creator of award-winning large-scale works & intimate chamber pieces in contemporary dance, interdisciplinary performance & media in Canada & internationally.
Job Titles:
- Artistic Director
- Artistic Director, Instructor, Choreographer, Faculty
Michelle has been a part of the Youth Ballet family since 2008, and became Artistic Director in 2013.
She loves to share her knowledge with the students of Youth Ballet, for dance has always been her deep passion.
Michelle trained in numerous dance forms with a primary focus on the Vaganova style of classical ballet. She studied near her hometown in Southern California, with numerous inspiring instructors including Tania Lichine, one of George Balanchine's original "baby ballerinas".
At the age of 18, Michelle was awarded an apprenticeship at the prestigious Kirov Ballet Academy. After dancing in a few regional ballet companies in California, Michelle began a career in Musical Theatre, utilizing her studies in Jazz, Tap and Vocal Music.
Michelle spent the next 10 years dancing throughout the United States and Europe. Some of her favourite credits include: 5 years as one of the famous Radio City Rockettes; Equity productions of The Will Rogers' Follies, Annie Get Your Gun; fire-eater with Penn & Teller in Las Vegas; and an adage specialty act that combined pas de deux and acrobatics. Michelle's favourite role was her last, for it was where she met her husband.
In 2009, Michelle became a certified Stott Pilates method instructor, for she whole-heartedly believes in the tremendous benefits of the conditioning method. It not only helped her become a stronger and more balanced dancer, but also aided her in the recovery of dance related injuries.
Michelle was on the Board of Directors for Dance Saskatchewan Inc. and currently sits on the Board for the Lumsden branch of Inclusion Saskatchewan. She looks forward to broadening her knowledge, helping others find the joy in dance, and supporting our youth to follow their dreams.
Nathan Powell is a dancer, teacher and choreographer based in Boise, Idaho, USA.
Nathan Powell is a dancer, teacher and choreographer based in Boise Idaho. He is the Co-Artistic Director of Idaho Dance Theatre. Originally from Regina, he received his professional training at Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet School and has danced for numerous dance companies such as Festival Ballet Providence, Ballet San Antonio and Ballet Idaho. He has choreographed numerous works for Ballet Idaho, Idaho Dance Theatre, and Ballet Montana. His work "What you Wanted for Me" was selected from a pool of over 200 applicants to be a part of the Dance Gallery Festival at Sam Houston State University in Hunstville, TX in October 2017. He has also choreographed works for Black Hills Dance Theatre, Opera Idaho, Anchorage Ballet, Northern Plains Dance, and the Boise Dance Co-op. He is the winner of the "Esther Simplot Award for Choreographic Excellence'' for his work "Suite." He is also an avid teacher of dance and teaches a number of adult ballet classes regularly. Nathan has taught as a guest instructor for Youth Ballet of Saskatchewan, North Ballet Academy (MN), Sun Valley Ballet, and Anchorage Ballet.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Instructor, Choreographer
Rosa Haynes is the Arts Ed specialist at École Elsie Mironuck Community School, where she creates unique dance and music opportunities for the students.
She is thrilled to return to YBC this year to share her love of Kathak dance with the dancers at this summer's Intensive program.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- President of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Secretary of the Board of Directors
Yevhenii Tretiak is a dance artist, teacher, and choreographer, new to Regina from Ukraine. He has been an organizer of dance events and concerts, and a competition judge, as well.