Crossings Dance Studio Faculty

MSC DANCE SCIENCE

FOUNDER/DIRECTOR

Karen Sudds is the founder of Crossings Dance and a certified dance educator. She holds an MSc in Dance Science, certifications in Pilates, and dance-specific supplementary training protocols. Karen works locally and internationally with organizations to advocate for and promote healthy dance practices within the studio setting. She is a published researcher and recipient of numerous awards in the dance and faith sector. Karen’s greatest passion is creating an empowering environment where students and faculty can explore their movement and leadership potential.

“Tell me and I forget; Teach me and I may remember; involve me and I learn” Unknown

MA DANCE PEDAGOGY

STUDIO DIRECTOR

CYDC DIRECTOR

MODERN

Ainsley Sudds M.A is the Studio Director for Crossings Dance as well as a dance educator who has worked in the Calgary dance community for the past 20 year. She holds a Master of Dance Technique Pedagogy from Middlesex University (UK), B.A in Dance from the University of Calgary, and Certificate from the Limon Institute (NYC). Ainsley is passionate about mentorship and as a strong believer of the potential of the human body as an instrument to express and communicate through movement, Ainsley approaches dance holistically, believing that all aspects of dance training and performance are interwoven physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual experiences.

“We are never more truly and profoundly human than when we dance” ~ José Limon

B.A, ECE LEVEL II

OFFICE MANAGER

Brooklyn grew up dancing at Crossings and performing in the Crossings Youth Dance Company. Here, she developed a love and passion for dance that has stayed with her through the years. Despite pursuing a career outside of the dance realm, Brooklyn has returned to Crossings to provide Administrative Support. Crossings has always felt like home to her and she looks forward to fostering an environment that supports, encourages and facilitates dancers to experience the fullness of their creative potential.

“We’ll become in our lives what we do with our love.” ~ Bob Goff

BFA DANCE, TTP DIP (NBS), ISTD, RAD RTS

CYDC DIRECTOR

BALLET COORDINATOR

BALLET, MODERN/JAZZ & TINY TOES

Rae-Lee is a dance instructor who is devoted to aspiring young dance artists. With over ten years of teaching experience, Rae-Lee considers teaching dance her passion.

Rae-Lee holds her Teacher Training Diploma from the National Ballet School of Canada, registered teacher status with the Royal Academy of Dance and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance from Simon Fraser University.

"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge." ~ Albert Einstein

A.I.S.T.D. MODERN

CYDC DIRECTOR

MODERN/CONTEMPORARY

Laura Barcelo has been an educator, choreographer and director of dance in Calgary since 2013. She holds a BA in Psychology with minors in Dance, Neuroscience and Ministry. Laura is certified in Modern Theatre with the I.S.T.D. and in Acrobatic Arts. Her training and freelance career in contemporary dance has taken her across North America, fuelling her everlasting love of learning and inspiring the next generations of dancers.

“You are unique, and if that is not fulfilled, then something has been lost” - Martha Graham

BFA DANCE

TINY TOES, JAZZ/MODERN, ACRO

Kathryn has a zest for life and aspires to share the gift of movement with everyone! Kathryn holds a BFA in Dance from Belhaven University, is Module 2 certified with Acrobatic Arts, including Acrodance Preschool, and has completed several courses and certifications supporting early childhood development and dance pedagogy. Kathryn dances professionally a freelance artist, as a company member, and recently stepped into an exciting role as Artistic Director of Corps Bara Dance Theatre. She is a passionate advocate of the great joy and fullness that dance can bring both for the individual and the community.

“I believe that the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity is daring to dare.” - Maya Angelou

A.D.I.S.T.D. BALLET

BALLET

Kristen grew up dancing at Crossings. Her passion for dance’s technical, artistic, and performance aspects inspired her to become a professional dance educator. Kristen holds her Associate and Associate Diploma in Ballet from the ISTD. She teaches Ballet and Modern and is an advocate for the power of dance to enrich children’s lives. She is currently the Artistic Director of Crossings Youth Dance Company and leads the Teacher Education and Mentorship (TEAM) program at Crossings.

"Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.” ~ Unknown

BA DANCE

MODERN/CONTEMPORARY

Deanna Witwer (she/her) is a choreographer, director, educator and performer based out of Mohkinstsis (Calgary). In process and performance Witwer holds space for the intersection of artistic rigour and honest humanity through curiosity-driven play, chasing the transformational encounters art can reveal within community. Witwer is a sessional instructor in the division of dance at the University of Calgary and holds a BA in Dance from the University of Calgary, collaborative with Kinesiology and specializing in performance and choreography (2009). As a teacher her work focuses on a functional relationship with the floor, harnessing power by releasing the joints to channel force through the body in efficient and dynamic ways.

"I praise the dance, for it frees people from the heaviness of matter and binds the isolated to community. I praise the dance, which demands everything: health and a clear spirit and a buoyant soul." ~ St Augustine

BSc KINESIOLOGY

BALLET & CONTEMPORARY/MODERN

Originally from Calgary, Alberta, Beth Durnie graduated from the Arts Umbrella Dance Diploma Program in Vancouver, BC. While an active part of the Vancouver dance scene, Beth had the opportunity to work with and perform works by various renowned artists including Crystal Pite, Emily Molnar, and Michael Schumacher, amongst others. Beth has performed internationally with Ballet BC, and locally with Inverso Productions, Calgary Opera, and as a company dancer and choreographer with Corps Bara Dance Theatre. Recently attaining her BSc in Kinesiology at the University of Calgary, Beth is incredibly excited to join the Crossings Dance community again!

“Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.’ ~ Oscar Wilde

TAP & MUSICAL THEATRE

Emily has been dance training since she was 3 years old in Valleyview, Red Deer, Innisfail and Calgary (at Crossings!). She is trained in tap, ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical and musical theatre and has successfully completed many RAD, ADAPT, ISTD dance exams and a Trinity College London musical theatre exam. She has performed and trained at various competitions, classes, workshops, parades and local events in Alberta, British Columbia and Anaheim, California, and Walt Disney World. She attained a tap teaching certificate from Tri-Tone Rhythm Ensemble under Tasha Lawson and has been teaching since 2019.

"Everybody can dance. It's the drive and the passion that makes you a dancer." - Unknown

TINY TOES, BALLET, HOMESCHOOL

Janine grew up dancing at Crossings since she was 4 years old. Training in ballet, modern, jazz, and contemporary, she also completed multiple RAD and ISTD ballet and modern exams. For many years she took part in Crossings' T.E.A.M. program and danced with Crossing Youth Dance Company. In addition to dance, she does weight and strength training to help prevent injuries and improve movement patterns. She has attended Ballet Magnificat's Summer Dance Intensive, performed with Jeunesse Classique Ballet Society, as well as studied under Störling Dance Theater in Kansas in their Störling Conservatory program. She enjoys teaching and being able to watch the next generation grow in the beautiful art form that she fell in love with so many years ago.

"The only one you should compare yourself to is you. Your mission is to become better today than you were yesterday." ~ John C. Maxwell

TINY TOES, BALLET/JAZZ

Kaylin danced at Crossings Dance for several years where she participated in Crossings Youth Dance Company and the T.E.A.M program. She has completed multiple ISTD ballet and modern exams, including Advanced 2 Ballet, and is currently working towards her ISTD Associate Certification in ballet. Kaylin has participated in Corps Bara Dance Theatre Training Company, the Alberta Ballet Professional Division Summer Intensive, YYDC FoCo Contemporary Classes, and A Taste of NDT Summer Intensive. Kaylin has a passion for teaching dance, sharing her love for this expressive art form with her students, and watching as they embark on their own journey. She has pursued many opportunities with teaching and is eager to continue progressing in her knowledge and experience.

“Let them praise His name with dancing” ~ Psalm 149:3