ABOUT

Debra has an extensive background in dance. As Director, she oversees the development of all Ultimate Dance Company students. She opened Ultimate Dance Company, in Calgary, Alberta in 1996. Debra has a strong passion for dancing, teaching and choreographing and is trained in various segments of the art. In addition to attending summer intensives with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet school, Debra has trained in both the Cecchetti and Vaganova methods of ballet and has achieved a number of certifications in ballet, including credentials with the Royal Academy of Dance and British Association of Teachers in Dance. Debra is currently a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance and is a certified teacher with Progressing Ballet Technique. Debra has performed in Ballets such as Swan Lake, Coppelia, Les Sylphides, and Nutcracker to name a few. She has participated in several competitions throughout Calgary, Lethbridge and Red Deer, and performed in the opening ceremonies for the 1988 Olympics. Her Love and Passion for dance brought her to open up Ultimate Dance Company.

Amy began dancing at the age of 7 and trained extensively in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Tap and Hip Hop. Amy has studied and trained up to the Advanced 2 level with the Royal Academy of Dance. Over the years, Amy attended many dance conventions and competitions all across Canada, where she developed her love for Jazz, Lyrical and Contemporary. Amy has been teaching dance for 13 years, and has been teaching with UDC since 2011. Outside of the dance studio, Amy has a Bachelor of Kinesiology and a Bachelor of Commerce and is currently working in public relations. Amy is looking forward to another year of sharing her passion for dance with the students at Ultimate Dance Company.

Megan began dancing at the age of 4 in Stratford, Ontario studying Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary and Lyrical, and competed for many years. She then attended the Professional Training Program at the Quinte Ballet School of Canada, followed by the School of Alberta Ballet, graduating from the Professional Graduate Certificate Program in 2015. She has participated in several summer intensives with both of these schools, as well as American Ballet Theatre, Cincinnati Ballet and ProArte Danza and has worked with Ballet Jörgen and Alberta Ballet. Megan is a certified teacher with both the Royal Academy of Dance and Progressing Ballet Technique. Megan loves to share her passion for dance with the students at Ultimate Dance Company.

Heather began dancing at the age of six and has loved it ever since. She has studied, completed exams and competed in Ballet and Jazz while also studying and competing in Modern, Lyrical, and Tap. Throughout her dance training she has also studied Pointe, learned various styles of Hip Hop and has recently branched out into learning and instructing Ballroom dance. In High School she took part in and completed the Performing and Visual Arts Dance Program at Central Memorial where she was able to learn various types of dances from Contemporary to African, Irish and Latin while also learning from many talented Dance Artists. Throughout her dance career, Miss Heather has had the opportunity to meet and dance with many phenomenal dancers but her biggest passion now is to pass down what she has learned and inspire her students. Miss Heather started sharing her love of dance with her students in 2007 with the hopes of being able to inspire others to pursue what they love.

Nikki has been teaching full time dance for 10 years. Starting dance at the age of three in Grande Prairie, AB, she fell in love with Tap. From there she added Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern and Hip Hop. As a dancer Nikki won many awards for her solos around Grande Prairie, Edmonton and interior BC. Nikki has won many awards for her choreography and her students have been named as most outstanding, and most promising at many competitions. In addition to teaching Nikki is also a Graphic Designer and enjoys the creativity that comes with each design. Nikki is excited to be part of the UDC dance family and share her love of dance with everyone.

Alex was born and raised in Surrey, BC where she started her dance training with Panorama School of Dance. While being a part of this dance school she accomplished her Solo Seal Royal Academy of Dance Examination. Shortly after, Alex moved to Calgary to start her professional dance training at the Alberta Ballet School. In 2018, she graduated from the Professional Graduate Program with the Alberta Ballet School while being honoured with the Most Improved Award and the Most Committed and Dedicated Award. At the Alberta Ballet School, Alex performed in the classical ballet “Les Sylphides” while also receiving a soloist role in the ballet “Paquita.” She had multiple opportunities to perform original contemporary works by Edmund Stripe and Graham McKelvie. Alex also had the opportunity to work with Jean Grand-Maître as he immersed dancers into the Calgary Opera’s production of “Roméo and Juliette.” To continue her passion and explore more variety within the dance community, Alex moved to Vancouver to join the Performance Research Project under the direction of Lesley Telford. While being a part of PREP she had the opportunity to perform in Chor Leoni’s Holiday production and create material with multiple choreographers. In the past year, Alex had the pleasure to be a dancer for a production with the Vancouver Film School, “I Can See You.” To conclude her time with PREP she was able to perform two short films created by Lesley Telford and another PREP member, Sully Malaeb Proulx. While being a dance artist in Vancouver, Alex wanted to share her passion of dance with others so then she started teaching ballet to young children and built an instant connection. Alex is very grateful for all the inspiring artists she has been able to gain knowledge from and she is looking forward to being a part of the Ultimate Dance Company team.

Hope began dance training at the age of 3, and has trained in Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap and Musical Theatre. Hope has competed in many competitions in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Phoenix, Seattle, and Las Vegas. She has attended several conventions including the Dance Awards and West Coast Dance Explosion, where she received numerous tap and hip hop scholarships. She has had the opportunity to work with many remarkable choreographers including Nick Lazzarini, Mia Michaels and Alexander Chung. Throughout her years of training, Hope has been apart of a few local productions of broadway classics Thoroughly Modern Millie, Fame jr and Cinderella. Hope is excited to share her love of dance with her students at Ultimate Dance Company.

Joey Braunwarth has been a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher for 15 years. In 2008 he co-founded the Calgary based Hip Hop crew and entertainment company, ILLFX. Together they opened up for Danny Fernandes, Boys To Men, MC Hammer, Girlicous, Jazzy Jeff as well as back-up danced for international platinum recording artist, Raghav. Since then Joey has choreographed opening acts for local musicians & dance crews in festivals like One Love Music – featuring artists such as Migos, Ty Dolla Sign, Lil Wayne, Big Sean, Lauryn Hill, Wale, Lecrae & Blackbear. He also pursues his own music career and was the artist behind Virgin Radios 2022 playoff anthem, “WIN THE CUP”. Joey studied for 5 years in the Professional Training Program at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks where he immersed himself in African, Jazz, Funk, Ballet, Afro Cuban, Salsa, Swing & Contemporary and traveled as far as Sweden to study Lindy Hop, a swing dance style from 1930s. Although his primary focus is Commercial Hip Hop, being a diverse dancer, teacher and choreographer allows him to train dancers from multiple genres with a more well rounded, knowledgeable approach.