Studio School of Dance Staff Page

Introducing The Studio's
Teachers and Teaching Assistants

All Studio teachers are caring, qualified professionals. Beginning teachers and assistants must complete a work study program and the T.A.P.P. Workshop. They qualify by demonstrating high skill levels in their chosen dance disciplines, above-average organizational skills and first-class commitment.

Janice Crowe, Director, Jazz and Tap

Janice Crowe’s experience as a dancer, choreographer, adjudicator and workshop leader spans five decades. Earlier in her career, Janice studied extensively with Montréal Choreographer John Stanzel and Las Vegas Choreographer Bill Dick. She has appeared as a dancer on CBC and CBOT shows broadcast in Ottawa and Toronto, and has performed in, and choreographed, many local theatre productions. Janice has adjudicated at competitions held in the Ottawa area and led dance workshops in Ottawa, Toronto and the United States. Janice opened The Studio in September 1992. She is certified as a Teacher of Jazz, Tap and Creative Movement by the Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (A.D.A.P.T.).

Jennifer Vorobej, Assistant Director, Jazz and Lyrical

Jennifer Vorobej brings a passion for dance to the classroom—and the aim to inspire every dancer in The Studio. Jennifer’s career in dance began at an early age and continued with workshops throughout North America and classes in New York City’s Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway. Jennifer is certified as a Teacher of Jazz and Tap by the Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (A.D.A.P.T.) An award-winning dance choreographer, she has also choreographed theatre productions. In addition, Jennifer has worked as an adjudicator for dance competitions in Canada. Among the many students she has helped train, several have moved on to pursue professional careers.

Ginger Bertrand, Jazz and Tap

Ginger Bertrand was welcomed to The Studio Faculty in 2006. She has 20 years of experience as a dance student and 6 years as an instructor and choreographer. A former student of The Studio, she continues her training in classes and workshops held locally and in New York City. Ginger is a graduate of The Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers Training School and holds a BA in Film Studies from Queen’s University. We are excited to have Ginger on staff and look forward to her continued good work with The Studio's students.

Jill Pelletier, Jazz, Tap and Hip-Hop

Jill Pelletier brings a love of teaching and choreography to the Hip-Hop program she leads at The Studio. She also brings- appreciation for the talents of the dancers she teaches. Jill trained competitively in Jazz, Tap and Ballet for 19 years, and in Hip-Hop, her favourite dance discipline, for 10 of those years. She has studied dance in the Ottawa area, has won a great many medals in competitions across Canada and the United States, and has completed workshops with renowned choreographers. For the past 4 years, Jill has been a member of “driven,” a professional Hip-Hop dance company that performs in Ottawa, Toronto and Montréal.

Janie Gagne, Ballet

Janie Gagne began teaching at The Studio in 2001 and has been the Ballet coordinator and choreographer here since 2003. Janie studied the art of classical ballet through the Vaganova Method and is now an Associate Teacher with The Society of Russian Ballet. She trained as a dancer with Les Petits Ballets and performed in lead roles with many outstanding dancers in productions such as Sleeping Beauty, Hansel and Gretel, Peter Pan, Wizard of Oz and Annie.

Jillian Lemmen, Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Creative Movement

Jillian Lemmen has studied Ballet and Jazz for 10 years, Hip-Hop for 5 years and Tap for 1 year. She has studied dance at McDonald Wilson Dance Academy, in Calgary, as well as The Studio and in the Canterbury High School Dance Program. An Assistant Teacher for 2 years and a Teacher for 1 year, Jillian holds A.D.A.P.T. Inter 2 Jazz and Junior 3 Tap certificates and a Level 4 certificate with The Society of Russian Ballet. In 2006–2007, she won The Studio’s Most Improved Senior Dancer.

Other Teachers at The Studio

Jessica Taylor, Jazz, Tap, Creative Movement; Tracy Bradley, Acro; Heather Harvey, Tap, Ballet, Hip-Hop; Laura LeClaire, Creative Movement, Jazz, Tap