OUR FACULTY

The Shuswap Dance Center is dedicated to a professional classroom atmosphere that provides each student with the optimum opportunity to progress to his or her full potential. The faculty is comprised of skilled and highly motivated instructors, each of whom instills the highest standards of their given discipline and goals of the school.

	Carolyn Wonacott, Artistic Director - (A.(Dip) I.S.T.D., ARAD) Having attained her Advanced RAD & Cecchetti Exams as a student, Carolyn danced professionally for eight years in Toronto, Ottawa & Calgary. During this time Carolyn also taught at Lindsay Walsh School of Dance/Alberta Ballet & Mount Royal College obtaining her teaching credentials in the I.S.T.D. Syllabus and entering students for exams. She headed the Ballet program at Freehouse Dance Plus for five years training 3 year olds to professional levels. Her marriage took her to Long Beach, California where she continued to teach all levels at Long Beach Ballet Arts for two seasons. The family then headed to Manzanillo, Mexico where she started a dance (Ballet & Jazz) studio catering to children of all ages & giving master classes to the professional performing groups at the Karmina Palace & the Hotel Sierra. Her love of the stage brought Carolyn to professional theatre in 1988 when she performed and toured with Arete Physical Mime Company and portrayed lead characters in several stage productions with Theatre 80 & LATA. Her lengthy list of choreography for musical theatre productions include Grease, Little Shop of Horrors & The Wizard of Oz.
	Natasha Mikelait (Tap) Natasha began studying & performing dance at Mick's School of Dance as a young girl in her home town of Timmins, Ontario. Although her primary focus was Tap(14 yrs), it soon grew to include Ballet(5 yrs) and Jazz (4 yrs). Over the years her passion for rhythm and movement also drove her to explore traditional German folk dance, Flamenco and Yoga. Natasha is a B.C.R.P.A. certified fitness instructor as well as a certified Hatha-Sivananda Yoga instructor (children & adults). She has been leading Yoga Classes in Salmon Arm for 2 years. When not dancing or practicing Yoga, Natasha works for Leaf and Thisle Organics(a local organic box program). We are excited to have Natasha with us for a 4th season as she has WOWed us all with her great classes !!!!!!!
	Dianne Van Nostrand (Highland) Dianne is originally from Prince George, BC and has just moved to Salmon Arm with her husband and young son.  She began Highland dancing formally at 7 years of age and comes from a family of Highland dancers, teachers and bagpipers. Dianne was a competitive Highland dancer for over 12 years, throughout BC and Alberta and in Scotland in 2000. During her dancing career, Dianne has attended numerous schools and workshops in which she has been lucky enough to study under past world champions and respected international judges. Dianne has completed all levels of Highland exams and has her Associate membership with The British Association of Teachers of Dance (B.A.T.D.). With her family history, it was no surprise that Dianne took up tenor drumming and traveled to Scotland to compete in the World Pipe Band Championships in 2004, with the Prince George Pipe Band placed 3rd in their division. Dianne is a BC certified teacher and has taught grades K-7, specializing in teaching primary and special needs children. Dianne’s ultimate aim is to create a pleasant environment for students to feel welcome and eager to explore the unique skills, culture and pleasure of Highland dance.
	Laura Paiement (Jazz / Hip - Hop) In her youth, Laura danced at the Okanagan School of Ballet in Vernon focusing on modern jazz. Laura has always maintained her interest in dance and recently returned to formal lessons in jazz and her new passion, hip hop. Laura started teaching at Shuswap Dance Center last year and is excited about teaching combined jazz/hip hop classes once again in the fall program. Her energy & enthusiam inspired her students and we are delighted to have her back with us. Laura is an expert at children's development and physical movement through her role as a pediatric physiotherapist. Laura has a special ability at engaging children in activities and making learning FUN. She is very excited to be teaching your children this fall.