Search

902-423-6995 | maritimeconservatory.com

Register
Calendar
Donate
Instagram Facebook Tiktok Youtube Linkedin

Closed for Holidays Dec 20 through Jan 2

MARITIME CONSERVATORY SCHOOL OF DANCE

Faculty of Dance

Click on the profiles below to read each instructor’s full biography

Janet Bradbury

Janet’s early training in ballet was here in Nova Scotia, followed by studies and performance experience in the UK and US. She began teaching at the Maritime Conservatory in 1995 as a student in the Teacher Training Diploma under Barbara Dearborn, and upon graduating in 1996 joined the Dance Faculty at The Conservatory. She is a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance (Teacher Training Certificate 1996, Teaching Diploma 1998), a Licentiate with the Canadian Dance Teachers Association in Ballet and Stage, and Examiner of Classical Ballet. Janet is also a licensed Silver Swans® Ballet instructor. Teaching all ages and levels for over 25 years, Janet has trained students from Pre-School to Solo Seal. Her latest passion is adaptive dance for dancers of all abilities. ...Learn More

Alexa Cherrett

NBS TTP (Dip.), RAD RTS, AISTD, B.A.

Alexa is a graduate of Canada’s National Ballet School’s three-year Teacher Training Program, a Registered Teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance, and an Associate member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (National Dance). As a young student, Alexa joined the Professional Ballet Program at The School of Dance in Ottawa. With the guidance of Merilee Hodgins and Mary Ross, Alexa had the opportunity to focus on performances, showcases and teaching. Alexa was inspired to pursue...Learn More

Hannah Mae Cruddas

A native of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Hannah Mae began her dance training at the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts School of Dance and the Leica Hardy School of Dance before joining Canada’s National Ballet School. While training, she was fortunate to receive various awards and scholarships, many of which were through the Nova Scotia Talent Trust. Hannah Mae is entering into her 13th season with Ballet Jörgen and has danced in many of Jörgen’s works including Anastasia and Coppélia (in the title roles), Romeo and Juliet (Juliet, Lady Capulet), Swan Lake (Pas de Trois), Cinderella (Stepsister), and created the role of the Lilac Fairy in Jörgen’s Sleeping Beauty. In 2019, the title role of Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet® was created for Hannah Mae by Bengt Jörgen, C.M.. Hannah Mae has taught for Ballet Jörgen, Mocean Dance Company, DAREarts, and numerous dance schools across North and South America. She also acts as an ambassador of community engagement for Ballet Jörgen, running outreach programs for the Art Gallery of Ontario, Sick Kids, St. Michael’s Hospital, and more. For the past decade, she has toured with Ballet Jörgen, bringing dance to all corners of North America through outreach, masterclasses, and performances.

Kathleen Doherty

Kathleen Doherty is a dancer, choreographer, improviser and teacher based in K’jipuktuk/Halifax. After completing her Bachelor's of Commerce degree at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Kathleen moved to Calgary to attend Decidedly Jazz Danceworks’ Professional Training Program. Upon returning to Halifax in 2012, Kathleen co-founded Votive Dance, and has worked as Artistic Director since the company’s inception. She also works as Administrative Director with Kinetic Studio. ...Learn More

Nora Dunn

Nora Dunn is a dancer and educator, from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Nora grew up dancing at the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts, and is a graduate of the school’s Senior Certificate Program. Additionally, she is currently studying Health Sciences at Dalhousie University. Nora has a principal focus in the study of ballet, and has completed graded and vocational ballet exams with the Cecchetti Society and the Royal Academy of Dance, including her RAD Grade 8 exam with ...Learn More

MacKenzie Greenwell

MacKenzie Greenwell is a leading voice in the Canadian Tap scene. Originally from Cochrane, AB he has spent the last 15 years traveling all over the world Performing, Teaching, and Choreographing. He’s a former touring cast member of the Internationally Acclaimed show Tap Dogs. He was also a principal dancer in Rhythm & Sound Tap company in Toronto, as well as Choreographer for the Canadian National Team in 2018. MacKenzie now lives in Nova Scotia where he is an ...Learn More

Chris Van Green

Chris Van Green (he/him) is a multidisciplinary dance artist and educator based in Mi’kma’ki/Nova Scotia. A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Theatre and Dance Performance program, Chris brings over a decade of professional experience spanning contemporary, ballet, jazz, heels, burlesque, and acrobatics. He has worked with celebrated choreographers and companies including David Earle, James Kudelka, Fernando Melo, Ballet Jörgen, Hanna Kiel, Robert Glumbek, Connection Dance Works, Rooted Dance Projects, and Symphony Nova Scotia—to name a few. His career has taken him across the country, living and teaching in cities such as Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver, and Whitehorse, where he has shared his expertise with dancers nationwide. In 2021, Chris founded Sculpt Academy, a wellness-focused coaching business that helps dancers and movers build strength, resilience, and longevity in their training and careers. He is also the founder and Artistic Director of The Pink Pearl Cabaret, Atlantic Canada’s premiere cabaret company. The troupe brings together adult performers from diverse levels and careers, united by a love of movement, artistry, and glamour—polished to perfection and ready to dazzle audiences. Known for his dynamic presence and dedication to his craft, Chris continues to inspire through teaching, creative leadership, and his commitment to wellness in the arts.

Laura van Herk

NBS TTP (Dip.), RAD RTS, AISTD (NB)

Laura is a graduate of Canada’s National Ballet School’s Teacher Training Program (diploma), a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance and an associate member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (National Dance). Growing up in Nova Scotia, Laura trained under Micaela Archer-Shee, Nora Oakey and Diana Rutherford. ...Learn More

Sheilagh Hunt

Sheilagh Hunt graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a Bachelor of Physical Education degree in 1971. Her career has included work as an independent dance artist/choreographer, visual artist, costume designer, and illustrator. She attended Dalhousie University Costume Studies program and worked in the wardrobe department at the Charlottetown Festival for 13 years. She has created costumes for local Nova Scotia theatre, dance and film productions, and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in 1995. Sheilagh was the Artistic Director...Learn More

Meredith Kalaman

Meredith Kalaman is a two time Chrystal Dance Prize recipient, dance educator and enjoys both dancing in other artists work and creating her own. She has created pieces about; giraffes, girl guiding, exploring constellations, superheroes, female identity and the impacts of gender socialization. Choreographers that have left a particular influence on her include; John Ottmann, Noam Gagnon, Farley Johansson, Karen Jamieson, Peggy Baker, Judith Marcuse, Judith Garay, Julie Lebel and Kate Franklin. Her first full length work Femme Fatales toured to Victoria, Edmonton and and was presented at Ufertstudios in Berlin in 2017. Presentation highlights including...Learn More

Emma Kerson

Raised by the sea in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Emma Kerson is a dance artist, choreographer, outside eye, and teacher. Her work has been developed in residencies thanks to adelheid, Arts Orillia, Citadel + Compagnie, Halifax Dance, Mocean Dance, MOonhORsE Dance Theatre, the National Ballet of Canada, Peggy Baker Dance Projects, and Shawbrook Residential (Ireland). She has been commissioned and presented by...Learn More

Michèle King

Originally from Montréal QC, Michèle’s dance journey began over 25 years ago with a love for Tap. Upon moving to Nova Scotia, her studies continued under the Society of Russian Ballet and the Canadian Dance Teachers Association (Jazz and Tap) examinations. During her high school years Michèle participated as a member in Maritime Dance Performance Group, a pre professional youth company at the time here in Halifax. From there, Michèle continued her studies at Montréal’s Concordia University where she completed their Contemporary Dance Program. During her time in Montreal she worked...Learn More

Elena Labartkava

Elena Labartkava has graduated from the Odessa State University in Ukraine with a Master of Fine Arts and Geography degree in 1986. In 1998 she has received a Degree in Education from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, NS. Her early training in character dance was in Ukraine and Russia. She was a member and performer with the professional dance company in Odessa for almost 15 years. ...Learn More

Jana Macgregor

B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Ed.
Certified STOTT PILATES® Instructor

Movement and the study of the human body have always been important to Jana. As a child, Jana was passionate about dance and she trained and performed with the DancEast Young Company in Moncton, New Brunswick. After high school, she completed a bachelor’s degree in Anatomical Sciences at McGill University and continued her dance studies in the professional training program at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre....Learn More

Mabel Macneil

Mabel Macneil is originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia and grew up dancing at the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts. Growing up, she trained in a variety of dance styles including ballet, jazz, modern, and character. Mabel has completed several exams through the Royal Academy of Dance, and the Cecchetti Society. Upon graduation from the Conservatory’s Senior Certificate program, Mabel joined...Learn More

Nick Dzuy-Anh ‘GenNew’ Nguyen

GenNew has started learning about the Breaking Artform, and movement since 2009. He had taken classes with various organizations in Halifax, until starting to teach informally in 2010 and formally in 2011. GenNew believes it to be integral to learning the Original HipHop dance, Breaking, by recognizing the roots of HipHop being born from Black resilience. GenNew’s background in Health Promotion and community engagement...Learn More

Tirene Padget

B.A., B.H.K., R.T.S., T.T.D., C.B.T.S.

Originally from the Maritimes, Tirene received her first Teacher Training Diploma from the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts. She then went on to complete her B.A. in Dance Science and Education at York University, B.H.K. in Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa, and her second Teacher Training Diploma with the Royal Academy of Dance. She has completed examinations in R.A.D., Cecchetti, C.D.T.A., and Russian styles of ballet and has gone on to teach and choreograph at both recreational and...Learn More

Sam Penner

Sam Penner is an independent contemporary dance artist of mixed settler heritage, living and working in Kjipuktuk/Halifax. She performed extensively in her home province of Manitoba before relocating to the East Coast in 2021. Across her career she has worked with Mocean Dance, Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers, Gearshifting Performance Works and Rooted Dance Projects, working with choreographers including Peggy Baker, Susanne Chui, Alexandra Elliott, Jolene Bailie, and Kathleen Doherty. Penner’s choreographic practice explores both stage and screen. Recent creative highlights include premiering her short dance film Cumulus (2023), and remounting her work Nothing Doing (2019) for Coastal Currents 2025.

Cole Richardson​

Cole started ballroom dancing in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, during his final year of high school, and moving to Halifax to continue his development upon graduation. Training under two of Canada's most experienced coaches, Jane Edgett and Barbara Child, Cole represented Nova Scotia in competitions across Canada before shifting his focus to spreading the joy of ballroom dancing to first-time and experienced dancers alike. Cole's goal for you in his classes is to have fun - learning to dance is just an added bonus! With this in mind, Cole approaches each class with energy and enthusiasm, while also striving to create an inclusive environment so you can have the best ballroom experience possible. ...Learn More

Jane Wooding

Fellow and Examiner, CC -CICB

A graduate of Canada’s National Ballet School, Jane performed with the National Ballet of Canada from 1972-78, dancing romantic, classical and contemporary repertoire. During this time, she was privileged to work with exceptional mentors Celia Franca, Erik Bruhn, Rudolf Nureyev, Karen Kain, and Mikhail Baryshnikov.

Ms. Wooding is a Fellow and Examiner for Cecchetti Canada and has taught at Canada’s National Ballet School, York University, and George Brown Dance / Ballet Jorgen. Jane now lives in Nova Scotia, where she teaches at Halifax Dance, and the Conservatory School of Dance. Her teaching style is lyrical and inclusive....Learn More

Andrii Yefremchenkov

Andrii Yefremchenkov’s journey began in Ukraine, where he trained in the European tradition and earned a degree in professional dance instruction. He has spent the last 13 years performing and teaching at a professional level. He studied under world-renowned dancers, including Nataliya Koliada, Stas Portanenko, Arūnas Bižokas, Maksym Bulanyi, Katya Spasitel, and others. These experiences shaped his approach to dance and teaching. His students achieved top results in national and international competitions. He brings professional precision to every class while creating a supportive, fun atmosphere.