Staff

Bachelor of Arts with distinction

ADAPT certified jazz and tap instructor

Since the age of 4, dance has been an integral part of Miss Crystal’s life. She has been dancing for over 25 years, studying jazz, lyrical, tap, ballet, musical theatre, hip hop, modern, and variety. She completed her degree in psychology, with distinction, while continuing to dance for the University of Alberta Dance Team. During her last year of University, Miss Crystal started the 3 year process of becoming an ADAPT accredited tap and jazz teacher under the direction of Brian and Faye Foley. She graduated from the ADAPT Teacher Training course in 2012 becoming an accredited instructor. During this time she operated and taught at her own dance studio in Fort Saskatchewan. Miss Crystal is an award-winning choreographer that has taught all ages of dancers from 3 years to adult in recreational and competitive programming. Furthermore, she has successfully prepared dancers for ADAPT examinations. She was even nominated by her students to receive a “High Five” award for being a positive role model for youth in Strathcona County.

Miss Crystal not only teaches at Dancer’s Edge Studio in Lacombe and Blackfalds, she is also the Health & Wellness Director for both locations. Miss Crystal is passionate about integrating mental health into the studio and helping youth of all ages. Furthermore, Miss Crystal is a frequent guest choreographer for a Burlesque/Cabaret Company in Edmonton—Razz Ma Berries Productions. She has also had the honor of adjudicating a dance festival for Sparkle Dance Festivals in Central Alberta.

When Miss Crystal is not dancing, she enjoys hanging out with her son and daughter, reading, and drinking coffee with friends.

Miss Angie grew up training in artistic gymnastics and has always loved all things upside down and flippy! She later discovered her love of dance and joined a studio where she studied competitive Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, and Musical Theater as well as taught gymnastics skills classes for students to use in their dances. Miss Angie coached Artistic Gymnastics for seven years and holds certificates in both NCCP Artistic Gymnastics and Trampoline Coaching. She holds both her level 1 and 2 Acrobatic Arts Certifications and loves implementing the curriculum into her classes at DES.

Miss Angie has had the opportunity to dance in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Alberta Winter Games and has danced professionally with “Kompany Dance” in Red Deer while attending RDC in the kinesiology program. She moved on to university where she was a member of the U of A competitive cheerleading team and attended competitions throughout Canada as well as USA collegiate nationals in Las Vegas. She obtained her Bachelor of Physical Education Degree from U of A and also holds her Level 2 child care certification.

When she is not at the studio Miss Angie can be found working at the elementary school in pre-k, driving her twins to and from dance, attending her son’s basketball games, or spending time with her family. This is Miss Angie’s 10^th year with the studio and she continues to enjoy growing and learning with her students and fellow staff members every day.

Ms. Aalbers was the owner and artistic director of the Academy of Dance in Wetaskiwin and for many years has been a freelance teacher for studios throughout Alberta. Her greatest rewards as a teacher are the accomplishments of her students. Many of her dancers have graduated from renowned performing arts programs including the Julliard Academy. Former students can be seen in companies such as Les Ballets Jazz De Montreal, the Alberta Ballet, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, Radio City Rockettes, Disney Productions, as well as a variety of cruise lines around the world. She also takes great pride in knowing that many of her past students have developed into fine teachers and choreographers with wonderful creativity and compassion for children.

Dancers trained by this warm and caring teacher can often be recognized by their emotional quality and strong sense of performance. A perfectionist, Mrs. Aalbers’ choreography stands out because of its originality, attention to detail, and professional quality. Her artistic versatility allows extremely varied works that always showcase dancers in their best light.

Her positive, sensitive approach encourages dancers of every age to work to their individual potential. For this reason, Ms. Aalbers is always in demand as a guest teacher and adjudicator. She is passionate about her art and genuinely enjoys sharing her knowledge and love of dance with teachers and students of every age.

“You just feel so great in her care… you feel like you can do anything.” Jenna Hanson

Dancer 14 years

Miss Madyson

Miss Taylor

Miss Taylor has been dancing since she was 2 years old. She started her dance career at DES studio, then moved to Sylvan and finishing at Joys School of Dance. She’s been trained under the ADAPT syllabus and taken the ballet, jazz, tap, and also acro exams. Miss Taylor has performed in Disneyland and trained at different dance programs in the states while in California. Miss Taylor has also been training with the Maddox Dance Company for 2 years now, learning, expanding and performing her knowledge of the art of contemporary. Miss Taylor had taught dances for competitive, recreational, and the future stars program teaching a mixture of each dance style. Miss Taylor loves working with each of her students and seeing them grow as dancers and reaching goals they have set.

Miss Teagan