Miss Courtney Smith
Creator & Director, Instructor/Choreographer
Current Qualifications of Teaching
~ CDTA Tap Licentiate
~ Acro Dance Teachers Association (ADTA) Junior, Intermediate, & Advanced Certifications
~ Acro Dance Adjudicator Certification
~ Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT) Certification
~ Alixa Flexibility - Module One
~ Pointe Safe Certification
Miss Courtney Smith grew up in Unity, Saskatchewan and began dancing at the age of four. Miss Courtney received her dance training at Unity School of Dance and Revolution Dance. Miss Courtney has had several years of training in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, and Contemporary under the instruction of many professional teachers. Miss Courtney began teaching at the age of sixteen and has taught at Biggar School of Dance (Biggar, SK), Alison Lamont School of Dance (Lloydminster, AB) and Revolution Dance (Unity, SK).
Miss Courtney grew up training under the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA) syllabi and successfully completed the Advanced 1 Ballet exam (RAD) and Advanced Tap exam (CDTA) during her time as a student. Miss Courtney enjoyed her time as a dancer attending competitions each year and performing for her home town at annual Showcases and year-end Recitals. Miss Courtney recognizes the bigger picture when it comes to dance training. Dance class is not a place to just learn steps, it is a place to learn how to value teamwork, respect, determination, perseverance, and become a life-long learner. Miss Courtney is also an award-winning choreographer and is incredibly excited to continue teaching in her hometown and provide local dancers with an amazing studio experience at STAND OUT Dance Collective.
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Courses and Professional Qualifications
~ IAP Career College - Dance Studio Owner Certificate Online Course
~ Dance PossAbilities Modules (Promoting an inclusive dance environment to students with disabilities)
~ CDTA Summer Syllabus Intensive
~ Anatomy, Music, Dance History, & Pedagogy
~ Considering Gender Diversity and Inclusion in Dance Spaces (Hosted by CDTA)
Future Aspirations
~ RAD Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies
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Miss Maleeka Beaulieu
Instructor/Choreographer
Maleeka Beaulieu is a trained dancer of over 15 years and a seasoned instructor of 5. Maleeka has training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern, contemporary, hip hop, tap, acrodance and musical theatre but began to specialize in jazz, lyrical and hip hop when she entered the teaching space at eighteen years old.
Maleeka first began dancing at a very young age and was sure of her passion the first time she performed in front of an audience. Maleeka then continued her training for years to follow all over Saskatchewan. She eventually ended up at Dance Ink in Saskatoon where she honed in on her technique, knowledge and overall love of dance. During this time Maleeka became familiar with the CDTA and RAD syllabus and took on exam work in both ballet and jazz. More recently, the bulk of Maleeka’s training has been in the hip hop and street dance style. This is why she is so excited to bring her passion and knowledge of the style to the dancers at Stand Out. Maleeka’s strengths lie in her performance quality, there is nothing she loves more than being on stage in front of an audience. She is always trying to foster that same love within her own students. Maleeka now teaches at multiple studios and has received many choreography awards and recognitions for her work.
Maleeka is thrilled to be joining Stand Out Dance Collective this season. She is ecstatic to be taking on more classes and connecting with new students. She cannot wait for what this year will bring as she takes another step further into her teaching career.
Miss Jo Smit
Instructor/Choreographer
Miss Jo Smit grew up in South Africa and started her Ballet journey at age 2. Miss Jo grew up training under many highly esteemed Ballet syllabus associations. Miss Jo trained in RAD (Royal Academy of Dance), Cecchetti, and DASA (Dance Academy of South Africa). Miss Jo completed her Advanced 2 Ballet exams under both RAD and DASA. Miss Jo has also achieved teaching qualifications through the DASA and the RAD. Miss Jo studied at the Royal Academy of Dance in London, UK for a period of time where she also studied Contemporary, Music, Nutrition, and Choreography. Miss Jo also has profound knowledge in areas, such as pointe shoe fitting and safety, anatomy, movement, stage makeup, hair, and costume. Teaching from the age of 17, Miss Jo has taught at various dance academies in South Africa and is passionate about bringing her knowledge to her new students in Canada at SODC! Miss Jo is very excited to join the SODC team and help our dancers fall in love with dance as she did when she was young.
Mr. Boyd Thunberg
Instructor & Choreographer
Mr. Boyd Thunberg grew up in Provost, AB, where he began dancing at the age of seven. Boyd received dance training from an abundance of instructors across Alberta and Saskatchewan. Most notably, he trained under Revolution Dance and Wilkie School of Dance in his ladder years of competitive dance. Boyd has had several years of experience in Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, Ballet, Acro, and Pom, under the direction of many professional teachers. Boyd has teaching experience, as he co-coached the Evan Hardy Collegiate (Saskatoon, SK) Pom Team in their inaugural year.
While training, Boyd advanced his skills under certified training such as the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA) syllabi, allowing him to thrive under professional education. Boyd loved growing up competing, as he found ways to express himself in forms words cannot. Alongside learning more about the art, Boyd found dance as a way of enhancing intrapersonal skills such as confidence, respect, humility, and perseverance.
Boyd attends the University of Saskatchewan, with efforts to obtain a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance. During his University career, he has been on the University of Saskatchewan Dance Team, dancing on both the Jazz and Pom teams. This team has allowed him, as well as other university students, to compete across Canada.
Boyd is extremely excited to teach at Stand Out Dance Collective, as he plans to inspire younger dancers and continue to grow his appreciation for the art. He strives to foster an inclusive atmosphere, where dancers are able to discover their passions and potentials.
Mrs. Crystal Gilbert
Musical Theatre Instructor
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Crystal Gilbert has been an arts educator for over 25 years at the Unity Composite High School, where she has directed many plays and a few musicals. In addition to this, Crystal continues to be involved in drama through Unity Little Theatre and Battleford Community Players. She graduated university with a BED as an art major with drama & English minors. She is excited to teach drama skills to the students of STAND OUT dance studio this year in conjunction with her daughter, Madison, and good friend, Mrs. Chrystal Fawell.
Mrs. Chrystal Fawell
Musical Theatre Instructor
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Chrystal grew up in Unity, Saskatchewan and began taking music lessons at the age of 7. She continued piano and voice lessons throughout her life and has completed her Grade 8 voice, Grade 9 piano and is a Certified Teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music.
Chrystal started teaching voice lessons in 2002/2003 while in High School, then started back when she moved home from Saskatoon in 2005. Chrystal’s students over the years have competed in Unity Music Festival, Saskatchewan Provincial Music Festival Finals and one student, Madison Gilbert, went on to continue Musical Theatre at Randolph College for the Performing Arts in Toronto.
Musical Theatre has always been a big part of Chrystal’s life dating back to Elementary School when she was cast as Beauty Lou in “Beauty Lou and the Country Beast”, a musical put on by Missoula Children’s Theatre and Unity’s Arts Council. She currently teaches Musical Theatre to her private voice students and helped with UCHS’s “The Wizard of Oz” musical in 2018.
She looks forward to teaching Musical Theatre along side Miss Madison and Mrs. Gilbert this year.
Miss Shelby Martin
Choreographer
Shelby’s love of dance began at the age of 3 when she began her dance education in Unity Saskatchewan. She trained in various styles at both Revolution Dance in Unity and Dance Connection in North Battleford, where she reached high levels in Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA) and Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) certification. She has since danced with professional dance companies such as Abiding Lines Dance Company, Saskatchewan Rush, and choreographed for the Saskatchewan Rattlers. She is currently a second year member of Level Up Dance Company. Shelby is certified with Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA) in tap, is Premier certified with Acro Dance Teachers Association (ADTA) and is on her 1st year of Teaching Training School in jazz and tap with Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (ADAPT). In addition to SODC, Shelby also teaches various styles at Dance Ink and Brenda’s School of Baton & Dance in Saskatoon. Her favourite thing about teaching is being able to continue to learn about all things dance, and getting to share that with dancers. Shelby is excited to be teaching 2 days a week this season at SODC and can’t wait to see what this season brings.
Miss Cori Udell
Choreographer
Miss Cori Udell is a dancer of over 15 years, with training in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Lyrical, Heels, and more. Her competitive training includes Envisions Dance Club in Colonsay, Impact Dance Company in Humboldt, Pure Energy Dance Company in Saskatoon, and Dance Ink in Saskatoon. Cori has completed dance examinations in CDTA Tap and Jazz, RAD Ballet, and ADAPT Jazz. Cori was sure of her passion and love for dance at a young age and emanated this dedication inside and outside of the studio. She started teaching at just 14 years old and has received numerous awards, scholarships, and acknowledgements for her achievements as both a dancer and choreographer.
Cori still trains in a variety of classes today, and continues to further develop her skills as both a professional dancer and choreographer. A few of many notable career highlights are; Saskatchewan Rush Original 16 Electric Crew, opening for world-renowned drag queen Aja LaBeija, Guns N Roses tribute The Nightrain, Summer Of Sound music festival, and OUTSaskatoon’s Glitter Gala.
Cori loves sharing her passion of dance with her students. She teaches high level dance technique, motivating each student to perform their best, while honouring their body, mind, and spirit. Cori recognizes dance and movement as a therapeutic vessel for self-expression and healing, and she creates a safe space for those to exist in her classes.
Miss Myah Strueby
Choreographer
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Myah was born and raised in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. Myah began dancing at the age of 4. She has since studied ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, acro, contemporary, and pointe. Dancing and competing, she has been awarded for many performances over the years. Myah has danced all her years and assisted in dance classes at Alison Lamont School of Dance (ALSD). She has completed the Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA) tap exams from Primary to Advanced and the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) from grades 1 to 8. Myah plans to take her Intermediate ballet exam this year, from the RAD syllabus as well. She has completed the CDTA Tap Syllabus Intensives from Preliminary to Elementary and is working towards getting certified as a CDTA tap teacher. Myah continually takes courses and finds opportunities to expand herself through her teaching. She always strives to learn more and encourages her students to do the same. She has been awarded for her choreography this last season and is excited to work at more this upcoming season. She loves fostering connections with her dancers and helping them work towards their goals. Myah wants to create an environment where dancers can explore and grow into the best versions of themselves, on and offstage.
Miss Madison Gilbert
Choreographer
Madison Gilbert grew up in Unity, Saskatchewan, and has been lucky enough to train under both the staff at Revolution Dance and Dance Connection. Madison has been dancing since the age of four, training throughout the years in genres such as tap, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, jazz, musical theatre, open/acrobatique, jazz-funk, and contemporary/modern. She has had the pleasure of partaking in dance events such as Groove street, Street Groove, and Triple Threat, as well as a number of dance camps and competitions over the years. Madison has completed up to and including her CDTA Advanced Tap Exam, as well as up to and including her RAD Intermediate Ballet Exam. During her time as a competitive dancer, Madison received the title of ‘Top Performer Runner-Up’ at “The Performer” dance competition. She also had the honour of receiving scholarships such as “Be Discovered.” This allowed her to perform and train in New York City for a week with industry professionals, where she was lucky enough to fulfill a lifelong dream of performing on a Broadway stage. Madison also trained at “The Edge” in Los Angeles, California for a week.
Madison was a member of the 2016/2017 company production of ‘Abiding Lines Dance Company's show, “The Girl With Kaleidoscope Eyes”. Abiding Lines also travelled to Vancouver that season, and put on a show in coordination with ‘The Source Dance Company’, as well as performed in that year's “WE Day” event. After graduation, Madison went on to attend Randolph College for the Performing Arts in Toronto, Ontario where she received her specialized diploma this past December upon graduating. Madison has had the honour of teaching at Revolution Dance in 2020 and continued to provide choreography in the following years. Madison has loved watching her students grow and hone their skills this past season, and can’t wait to continue to watch them evolve in the upcoming dance season!
Miss Emily Smith
Choreographer
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Emily Smith is originally from Unity Saskatchewan and is a graduate of STAND OUT Dance Collective. Miss Emily has been trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Pointe. Miss Emily has experience assisting in CDTA tap exam classes as well as Acro classes under the ADTA syllabus. Miss Emily also took on a larger role at SODC in her graduating season teaching some of our junior level classes. Miss Emily completed the Associate Teacher Training Program under the Acro Dance Teachers Association (ADTA) in the summer of 2022. Miss Emily has also received her Respect in Sport, as she believes creating a safe space and promoting inclusion is very important in dance classes. Miss Emily has completed, up to and including, her Royal Academy of Dance Advanced One Ballet Exam and she has also taken, up to and including her Advanced CDTA Tap exam. Miss Emily is currently attending the University of Regina to obtain a bachelor's degree in secondary education and is extremely happy to continue to be part of our choreography team for this season.
Miss Brittaney Herbertson
Yoga Instructor
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Brittaney was first introduced to studio yoga in her mid teens; she formally began studying in 2004. Dedicating time to daily practice at home and in a studio, she sought out workshops, conferences and esteemed teachers to broaden her understanding of varying philosophies and practice methods. She became a certified asana and meditation teacher in 2014 and started to grow what would eventually become a yoga studio community of 5000+ students and a teaching team of 10+ in a suburb of Greater Vancouver. Brittaney has participated in many unique teaching opportunities including leading school events, workplace wellness talks, international yoga retreats and private practices. Practicing yoga with Brittaney can be both relaxing and challenging, with alone time and togetherness. People can expect brief conversing, verbally guided movement, optional adjustments and guided rest/meditation in a scheduled class.
Our Assistant Team
