Star Instructors

 

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Instructors

Mandy Yip (Director)

Loren Dermody (Dance and Baton Twirling Instructor)

Melanie Edwards (Dance Instructor)

Kendra Masters (Baton Twirling and Dance Instructor)

Cally Kuebler (Dance Instructor)

Kristen Wuschke (Dance Instructor)

Cayla Bliss (Dance and Cheer Leading Instructor)

Kendal Masson (Acrobatics and Cheerleading Instructor)

Mandy Yip (Director)

Mandy began baton twirling and dancing at Martin School of Dancing and Baton Twirling (Regina, Saskatchewan) when she was four years old.  Involved in competitive Tap, Jazz and Ballet dancing, she was a member of the successful ‘Martenettes’ dance team.  While twirling with the Optimist Buffalo Gals, she attended the national championships seven times and represented Canada at the world championships in the team event twice (Silver in Toronto, and Bronze in Switzerland). 

Mandy began assistant coaching in 1990, and began running the Balgonie Dance and Twirling club in 1992.  Upon moving to Calgary in 1998, Mandy opened STAR Baton Company (Now STAR Baton and Dance Company) in Airdrie.   She has coached members of the Manitoba and Alberta provincial teams to the national championships (in individual, freestyle, group and team events).  Mandy has also coached members of the Canadian national team for the international cup.  She is a certified Coach (CBTF and NCCP - level two) as well as a certified CBTF Badge Adjudicator.  Mandy is also a certified ADAPT Tap and Jazz teacher.

Mandy strives to keep Star Baton and Dance Company in the cutting edge, employing industry leaders who are qualified, certified and experienced in their fields.  She also hosts several programs to promote excellence in the studio, including the annual "Get in the Swing" Dance Camp, Dance Exams, and the Pre Event Challenge. 

Loren Dermody (Dance Instructor)

Loren trained for 15 years with the Martin School of dancing and baton twirling where she studied in all disciplines of dance and twirling.  Her individual achievements include being on the National Junior Team competing at the 1985 World Championship in Germany.  Loren was also a member of the multi-award winning Sundown Optimist Buffalo Gals world team that competed at the world championships for 5 consecutive years including a bronze, two silver and the gold medal in Padova Italy, in 1991. This team was also inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.

Loren is an independent coach and choreographer.  She has a BFA in dance studies from the University of Calgary.  Loren has also been responsible for choreographing award winning solo, duo, trio, small and large group routines for competitions and recitals for over 15 years.  Loren has coached members of the Canadian national team to the world championships, including the 1999 gold and bronze medals in Jr. woman’s freestyle and the 1999 gold medal in Jr. Pairs.

In addition, Loren is a certified judge, adjudicator and coach of the Canadian Baton Twirling Association and a certified judge of the World Baton Twirling Federation.  She is a certified ADAPT Tap and Jazz teacher, with a 100% pass rate for examined students. 

Melanie Edwards (Dance Instructor)

Melanie began dancing at Martin School of Dance and Baton Twirling when she was 3 years old. In the 15 years she trained there, she competed and took examinations in Tap, Jazz, Ballet and Baton Twirling.  Melanie has studied in CDTA, ADAPT, and RAD and achieved honors in many of the examinations in these syllabuses.   Melanie was a member of the famous Martinette’s dance troop in Regina, where she assisted the group in winning numerous festival honors.

Melanie studied dance teaching under Maureen Johnson as an assistant teacher for 4 years.  Following her training, she began teaching tap, ballet and jazz dancing at a dance school in Balgonie, Saskatchewan.  Melanie has been responsible for choreographing groups, duets and solos in many different age groups and ability levels.  She has also coached many students to the highest possible marks in ADAPT tap exams.  

Kendra Masters (Baton Twirling and Dance Instructor)

Kendra Masters got her start in twirling and dancing at Martin School of Dancing and Baton Twirling.  Under the instruction of Maureen Johnson, Kendra became skilled in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Baton Twirling, Musical Theatre, and Acrobatics.  She was a member of the Martinettes Dance Troup and the Sundown Optimist Buffalo Gals for 10 years.  Following her family's move to Calgary, Kendra was independent, training under coaches Loranne Meek and Loren Dermody.  During the years of 1994 though 2001, Kendra placed the finals in the freestyle event of Canada's national championships every year!  Kendra represented Canada at 3 World Baton Twirling Championships - 1996 (Italy), 1998 (France) and in 2000 she competed in both Team and Pairs at the World Championships in Holland.  Continuing her dance training, Kendra attended Drewits Dance Productions in Calgary until she was 18.

Kendra completed all of her ballet exam certificates under the RAD syllabus, receiving ‘distinction’ in grades 3 though 8.  She also holds her intermediate ADAPT Jazz certificate.  Kendra is a certified level 2 CBTF and NCCP coach.  She performed professionally in several venues, and then decided to share her passion for dance and baton by passing it on to the students she teaches.  Kendra has been teaching dancing and baton twirling for 5 years, preparing children in solos as well as small and large groups for competitions and recitals.  Kendra has graduated from Teachers Training School through Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers, completing her ADAPT Teachers Certification in Tap and Jazz.

Cally Kuebler (Dance Instructor)

Cally Kuebler is a choreographer, performer, teacher, and is currently the director of the ballet program at dancefusion Academy of Dance.

Cally began dancing at the age of 5 in Sherwood Park. Under full scholarship, she continued her training as a student at the Edmonton School of Ballet, training under renowned ballet master David Adams, and subsequently joined the Edmonton Festival Ballet as a soloist at the age of 14. She performed with the Edmonton Festival Ballet for one year prior to attending the Royal Winnipeg Ballet school's professional division.

For the next 2 years, Cally performed in such ballets as La Bayadere, Les Sylphides, and Don Quixote as well as participating in First Steps productions, both as a performer and choreographer. She later graduated from the Edmonton School of Ballet, receiving Honors and the Edmonton School of Ballet’s senior award. Her ballet training led her to perform with Ballet British Columbia's mentorship program, where she performed such works as Brandburg Concerto, Three Rights, Principals, and additional works by Barbara Bourgier.

Throughout her career, she has developed her artistry by training in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Improvisation, and Pilates. Cally has taught at workshops, the Edmonton school of ballet, and, most recently dancefusion academy of Dance.  She has completed her Cecchetti Associate Teacher’s Diploma, and successfully prepared students for Cecchetti exams though the graded and professional divisions.  Cally has also taken courses in anatomy for dancers as well as psychology and application to dance class. Her performances with the Edmonton Festival Ballet, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet school, the Alberta Ballet, and Ballet British Columbia have aided her in becoming a very passionate and enthusiastic teacher. Cally is looking forward to her continued studies as an instructor and continuing to share her drive, passion and love of ballet with her students at Star Baton and Dance Company.

Kristen Wuschke (Dance Instructor)

Kristen began taking dance classes at age 3 in Saskatoon and continued dancing when her family settled in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan.  In her ten years at 'Dance Images' she trained extensively in Jazz, Tap, and Ballet, also taking classes in Lyrical, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre. Kristen has completed her ADAPT Jazz and Tap exams (pre advanced levels) and CDTA Ballet exams. During her 10 years as a competitive dancer Kristen won many awards and scholarships at all of the major competitions in Saskatchewan as well as some out of province. 

Kristen enjoys attending dance workshops and has traveled Canada and the USA learning from some of the best teachers and choreographers in the world.  Most recently she was at 'The Pulse' in NYC this July and attended workshops with famed instructors including Mia Micheals, Brian Freedman and Shane Sparks.  Kristen completed the assistant teaching program at Dance Images and is currently in her 3rd year of the ADAPT teachers training course to complete her certification as an ADAPT Tap and Jazz teacher.  She has moved to Calgary in pursute of continuing education and training in dance and find opportunities for performing and teaching.

Cayla Bliss (Dance and Cheer Leading Instructor)

Cayla Bliss started twirling at the age of 11 with STAR Baton and Dance Company, adding Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Musical Theatre shortly after.  During her time as a competitive baton twirler, Cayla participated in many provincial and national competitions culminating in being chosen to represent Canada at the International Baton Twirling Cup in 2006.  Cayla recently passed her intermediate 2 ADAPT jazz exam and her grade 5 Checetti ballet exam, and is currently training to complete the intermediate levels in both syllabi.  Cayla has received many scholarships at competitions though out Canada, including a scholarship to LADF (Los Angeles Dance Force) convention in Los Angeles, California. She has assisted classes under the direction of Miss Loren and Miss Mandy as part of Star’s teacher training program for the past 4 years.  She has also completed her level one coach’s course though the Canadian Baton Twirling Federation.   Cayla is currently enrolled at the University of Calgary in pursuit of a degree in Kinesiology.  She is very excited to be part of Star Baton and Dance Company’s teaching staff this year.

Kyla Wilson (Substitute Dance Teacher)

Kyla has been dancing and twirling for 16 years and has loved every minute of it.  Originally from Oshawa, Ontario she moved to Calgary Sept 2006 to attend the University of Calgary as a Dance Major.  She fell in love with the City and its people and is enthusiastic about working with the Baton and Dance Company.

 Kyla is a certified Level 1 CBTF coach and has her Level A NCCP certification.  .  She has attained her Intermediate RAD Ballet Syllabus, Intermediate 3 ADAPT tap and jazz syllabus and her ISTD Intermediate Ballet level.  Kyla has been coaching baton and dance for 3 years now and is truly adored by all her students.

Kyla was proud to be a member on Team Canada in 2004 at the World Championships in Osaka, Japan as Sr. Women’s Alternate then again in 2006 at the World Championships in Rome, Italy where she finished 12^th in Sr. Women.  Kyla has performed in several Musical Theatre numbers including Annie, The Wiz and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers where she was also the choreographer.  She was a performer for the 2003 Ontario Summer Games, performed at the Toronto Raptors half time show and was awarded a James Worrall Scholarship for her baton twirling achievements from Sport Ontario. 

Kyla is a welcome addition to the Star Baton and Dance Company Family.

Assistant Teachers

The following students have been accepted into our Class Assistant Apprenticeship Program.  These students volunteer their time, and are in turn rewarded with knowledge and experience.  Students who have completed one year in the apprenticeship program are also eligible to receive free dance lessons in subsequent years.  Please contact Miss Mandy if you are interested in our apprenticeship program.

Star's Assistant Teachers!
	Miss Allison	Miss Angel	Miss Cayla
Miss Diana	Miss Erika	Miss Katherine	Miss Kristine
Miss Morgan	Miss Shelby	Miss Taylor	Miss Victoria
Miss Hannah			Assistants 2007-2008