Chelsea Wainwright
Founder / Director: Niagara Ballet Company & Niagara Ballet School
Teaching: Professional Ballet, Pointe, Private Lessons & Choreography
Certified Ballet Instructor - BBA Vaganova Elementary & Intermediate Levels
Certified Pilates Instructor - LindaFit Pilates NYC
Mrs. Chelsea Wainwright is certified by Bolshoi Ballet Academy Vaganova Method Elementary & Intermediate Levels under the direction of Vera Kulikova Head of Classical Ballet at Bolshoi Ballet Academy and Bolshoi Ballet Academy teacher Yevgenia Kazeeva. Bolshoi Ballet Academy is one of the worlds most esteemed Ballet Companies. Chelsea is a certified pilates instructor under LindaFit Pilates NYC. Chelsea also attended The School of Holistic Nutrition in Toronto Canada, she brings her knowledge of nutrition to her students.
Director and Choreographer of Niagara’s own "The Nutcracker" & “Cinderella” Chelsea thrives on bringing the Ballet Dancers of Niagara the best in training and performance opportunities.
Mrs. Wainwrights students have received numerous awards & scholarships at prestigious competitions including Youth America Grand Prix, World Ballet Art Competition & more. Students under the direction of Mrs. Wainwright have received acceptances & scholarships to some of the worlds most esteemed Ballet Schools, including; The Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg Russia, Paris Opera Ballet, Canada's National Ballet School, American Ballet Theatre, Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, Royal Danish Ballet School, Bolshoi Ballet Academy of Moscow, Tivoli Ballet School, Ellison Ballet NYC, Ballet West, Boston Ballet School, Hamburg Ballet, Houston Ballet School, Joffrey Ballet School, Cary Ballet Conservatory, School of Alberta Ballet, Quinte Ballet School, Ballet Jorgen, Martha Graham Contemporary School NYC and The Juilliard School.
Chelsea studied as a full time student at Canada's National Ballet School as a young dancer. Chelsea has danced alongside some of the worlds most esteemed Ballet Companies including The Kiev Ballet, The National Ballet de Cuba under the direction of Alicia Alonso, as well as Ballet Ouest of Montreal and Neglia Ballet Artists. Chelsea is trained in RAD Ballet (Royal Academy of Dancing) holding her Intermediate Certificate, she is also trained in Cecchetti and Russian Vaganova Ballet methods. Chelsea spent three years performing as a Dancer/Illusionist Assistant in the show "Imagine" and "Beyond Belief" at the Greg Frewin Theatre in Niagara Falls and Television appearances in New York City. Chelsea has trained with and been the protege of Stelio Calagias former owner of Metro Movement in Toronto, Ont. working intensely under his wing.
Mrs. Chelsea Wainwright is known for her in depth outlook on the technical elements when training young dancers and prides herself on allowing her students to reach their fullest and greatest potential.
Tanya Cronin
Teaching: Professional Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Conditioning, Modern, Acro Dance, Private Lessons & Competitive Choreography
Teaching Certifications: Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), ADAPT, Kaeja Elevations
Tanya discovered her love of dance at age 7 and was determined to pursue her passion for it. She attended Intensives in Canada and the United States, and in her youth she toured as a soloist with Buffalo City Ballet. She obtained her Intermediate Certificate in both Cecchetti, and R.A.D. ballet before expanding her passion for dance into other genres. She had the opportunity to perform with the Danny Grossman Dance Company for two seasons in the Niagara Residency Program. She then continued her studies at Ryerson University graduating with Honours from the Theatre Dance Program. After graduation, Tanya joined Jean Ann Ryan Productions, where she was Dance Captain aboard several cruise ships for Norwegian, and Regal Cruise Lines. While aboard Tanya choreographed a new show for the cruise ships fall foliage tour through the Maritimes & St. Lawrence Seaway in Canada. She has also presented her own work at festivals in Toronto, choreographed for theatre companies, as well as worked on television.
She decided to take a break from traveling and try her hand at teaching. She obtained a position at the Medicine Hat College Conservatory of Music and Dance where she discovered her love of sharing her passion for dance with future generations of dancers. Tanya became the director of the dance program shortly after arriving and built a strong pre professional, competitive and recreational program within the conservatory. She is a strong believer in giving back, and while at the conservatory was able to raise over $20,000 for charities through dance. Students of hers have been accepted into professional programs such as Ryerson University, York University, UNLV, AMDA, George Brown, University of Calgary, National Ballet School, School of American Ballet, Quinte Ballet School, and are dancing throughout North America and beyond.
Tanya has worked and trained with choreographers and Dance Masters including, Nadia Potts, Jean-Aimee LaLonde, Vicki St.Denys, Stelio Calagias, Karen Duplisea, Audrey Looker, Randy Glynn, Brian and David Scott., Paul Vasterling, Janek Schergen, as well as many others.
Tanya believes in life long learning, and continues to further her knowledge of dance, by attending conventions, workshops and seminars as often as possible.
Emma Barker
Teaching: Primary Ballet & Parent & Me Classes, Recreational Ballet. Professional Prep Ballet, Jazz, & Character.
Born in the UK Emma’s love of dance started at the young age of 3 and from then on she never stopped! Her training began at private dance schools studying disciplines which followed curriculums set by, ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) and IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association) to advanced levels. She graduated from the prestigious school Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. While studying there she had many opportunities including working with Darren Suarez at The Liverpool Style Awards, joining a popular English band on tour as a back in dancer, partaking in flash mobs, being involved with choreography, narrative and production. Emma furthered her training at Phil Winstons Theatre College obtaining a distinction in IDTA modern.
Throughout her career Emma has danced on the West End, worked professionally in Greece performing 6 nights a week, as well as performing to over 20,000 people at stadiums across the UK as part of the Leeds Rhinos Dance Team and within a dance troupe performing numerous styles such as Bollywood, at many social events. Emma’s true passion lies within teaching she teaches, ballet, pointe, tap, modern, jazz, contemporary, acrobatic arts, commercial, baby ballet, adult classes, street dance, musical theatre, show class and pre school classes. Within Emmas 15 years of teaching experience she has choreographed for many dance school productions, designed and instructed workshops, created 1st place competition performances and assisted 40 children performing at Disney Land Paris. Emma created a successful company in the UK providing music and movement classes to pre schoolers at private groups, nurseries and schools. Additionally within the company Emma designed popular adult dance fitness classes providing a fun and new way to keep fit. Within her classes she has an ability to create an atmosphere in which both dancers and non-dancers can achieve, enjoy and reach their own highest potential.
Teaching is her passion and she endeavours to nurture and develop each child and adults love for dance within every class she teaches.
Mandy Wyrcimaga
Teaching: Primary Ballet & Primary Dance
Teaching Certification: Dance Educators of America
Mandy was introduced to the wide and amazing world of dance at the young age of three and has been active in the industry in one way or another ever since. She recently sold the dance studio she founded and successfully operated in the Niagara Region for Twenty One Years but continues to study and learn (as well as) teach the art of dance. Over the past twenty five years, Mandy has attended many classes, workshops, certification courses and training programs - studying, dancing and training with many of the best dance educators and programs in the industry - including (but not limited to) Dance Educator’s of America, Leap ‘N Learn, Charles Kelley, Al Gilbert and Rhee Gold making her a well rounded and sought after dance instructor and educator. Mandy brings with her many years of professionally directing and teaching her students from the young age of two all the way up through the adult years. She teaches many styles of dance to a wide variety of levels and abilities (beginner through advanced) including, Pre-School, Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre and Ballet. Mandy also brings her enthusiasm and energy to young students in a school setting as she proudly teaches her dance curriculum in a Private Montessori School. She also has her Vulnerable Police Sector Check. Mandy is very much looking forward to bringing her love and fun spirit to the Niagara Ballet classroom and is so proud to be joining the amazing NB Faculty!
“Dance happy, shine bright and be YOU!”
Danielle Stark
Teaching: Recreational Ballet, Acro Dance & Hiphop
Danielle Stark is a professional dance artist. Miss Danielle is a Human Kinetics honours graduate from the University of Guelph, now pursuing a Masters in Science studying the anatomy and movement mechanics of the body.
Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, she trained in all disciplines of dance. Competing all throughout North America and Europe starting from the young age of 6, Danielle has made her way as a performer onto Broadway at the Dance Awards, as a reoccurring member of Team Canada Dance, a Jump Dance Ambassador, in addition to film features on family channel as a dancer.
Her experience working professionally in stage and film has allowed her to become an accomplished choreographer and teacher, aiming to bring joy to our dancers by guiding them through the gift that dance is. The irreplaceable values, friendships, confidence and work ethic that dance has brought to her life, she aims to pass on to the new generation of dancers.