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DISCOVER THE JOY OF DANCE
ABOUT HIGH POINTE DANCE ACADEMY
WELCOME TO HIGH POINTES DANCE ACADEMY
UNLEASH YOUR PASSION FOR DANCE
At High Pointes Dance Academy, we are dedicated to providing the very best training in various dance forms. Our certified teachers are committed to fostering a positive and fun environment where students can grow in self-esteem, character, and confidence for life. We take pride in offering a wide range of classes for all levels, from beginners to advanced dancers. Our goal is to inspire and empower our students to achieve their full potential and develop a lifelong love for dance.
MEET OUR CERTIFIED TEACHERS
Our team of certified teachers at High Pointe Dance Academy is passionate about sharing their expertise and love for dance with our students. Each instructor brings a wealth of experience and a unique teaching style to create a dynamic and enriching learning environment.
BRANDY
Brandy’s love for dance began at a very young age when her parents enrolled her in dance classes while living in Peterborough, Ontario. She studied many different dance disciplines including RAD Ballet, CDTA Jazz, CDTA Tap, Modern, Hip/Hop, and Lyrical. As well, she has an extensive knowledge in sports injury prevention, anatomy, physiology and kineseology after achieving her Diploma as a Registered Massage Therapist. Brandy furthered her dance training by taking workshops and master classes in Toronto, Buffalo, New York City and Boston with some of the greatest artists in the industry including Frank Hatchett, Ebon Gage, Mia Micheals (So You Think You Can Dance), Tyce Diorio (So You Think You Can Dance), Cris Judd (Performed with Micheal Jackson), and Rhee Gold. She has performed professionally in fashion shows, the Opening Ceremonies’ for the Ontario Summer Games, Canadian National Exhibition, and Cinderella, to name a few. Brandy has also choreographed for local theatre groups including The Peterborough Theatre Guild & VOS.
Brandy has completed numerous teacher training programmes and conferences with Canadian Dance Teachers, Dance Olympus, Dance Masters of America Teacher Training, and Project Motivate.
After completing several training programmes she began teaching for various local schools in the Peterborough area, sharing her energetic and enthusiastic passion for dance. She and her students have won numerous awards for her outstanding and innovative choreography as well as their outstanding performance quality and technical ability at competitions throughout Canada & the US.
In 2002 she became the principle Artistic Director and founder of “High Pointes Dance Academy”. Her high energy, quality training and dedication is reflected in her quality programmes, instructors and facilities. Many of Brandy’s students have achieved excellent success and have continued their studies at professional institutes including Ryerson University, Randolph, Sheridan College, George Brown College, National Ballet School of Canada, Quinte Ballet School and York University. Her goal is to provide all students with an enjoyable dancing experience in a safe, friendly and nurturing environment.
Brandy has completed numerous teacher training programmes and conferences with Canadian Dance Teachers, Dance Olympus, Dance Masters of America Teacher Training, and Project Motivate.
After completing several training programmes she began teaching for various local schools in the Peterborough area, sharing her energetic and enthusiastic passion for dance. She and her students have won numerous awards for her outstanding and innovative choreography as well as their outstanding performance quality and technical ability at competitions throughout Canada & the US.
In 2002 she became the principle Artistic Director and founder of “High Pointes Dance Academy”. Her high energy, quality training and dedication is reflected in her quality programmes, instructors and facilities. Many of Brandy’s students have achieved excellent success and have continued their studies at professional institutes including Ryerson University, Randolph, Sheridan College, George Brown College, National Ballet School of Canada, Quinte Ballet School and York University. Her goal is to provide all students with an enjoyable dancing experience in a safe, friendly and nurturing environment.
DELAINEY
Delainey began dancing at High Pointes at the age of 3. She has trained in Ballet (completing many RAD examinations), Jazz, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Tap, Hip Hop and more. She was a natural on stage and began competing at the age of 4 years and danced competitively until she was 18. She won many overalls, title awards and special judges awards. Delainey assisted with many different classes at High Pointes starting at the age of 10 and naturally transitioned to teaching after graduating high school. Her infectious energy and creativity is felt in all of her classes making her a huge asset to our students and school.
Delainey is now in her 3rd year at the University of Toronto where she is studying English and Political Science. She has furthered her love for dance at U of T by becoming a member of the Varsity Blues Pom Team. Delainey also became a member of the Silhouettes Dance Company, based out of U of T, in her first year, and is now the Artistic Director of the Company. We are thrilled to have her sharing her love of dance with us this season!
Delainey is now in her 3rd year at the University of Toronto where she is studying English and Political Science. She has furthered her love for dance at U of T by becoming a member of the Varsity Blues Pom Team. Delainey also became a member of the Silhouettes Dance Company, based out of U of T, in her first year, and is now the Artistic Director of the Company. We are thrilled to have her sharing her love of dance with us this season!
JANE
Jane Hepburn began dancing at the age of 7, studying the Cecchetti Ballet Method. She has performed in and choreographed for local school productions and has also taught the dance curriculum for several grades at Central Public school in Port Hope.
Jane has furthered her training by pursuing a cross disciplinary Bachelor of Arts in Social Science at the University of Western Ontario, including several courses in Modern Dance Technique and Dance Composition and Production. Jane has also received her certification for PBT (Progessing Ballet Technique) and she continues to update her skills as a teacher and dancer by attending workshops and master classes with the National Ballet School of Canada, Dance Masters of America and Rhee Gold’s Project Motivate.
Jane and her husband John are also the proud owners of Nessie’s British Shop in downtown Cobourg. We are thrilled to have Jane sharing her love of dance with our students.
Jane has furthered her training by pursuing a cross disciplinary Bachelor of Arts in Social Science at the University of Western Ontario, including several courses in Modern Dance Technique and Dance Composition and Production. Jane has also received her certification for PBT (Progessing Ballet Technique) and she continues to update her skills as a teacher and dancer by attending workshops and master classes with the National Ballet School of Canada, Dance Masters of America and Rhee Gold’s Project Motivate.
Jane and her husband John are also the proud owners of Nessie’s British Shop in downtown Cobourg. We are thrilled to have Jane sharing her love of dance with our students.
MELISSA
Miss Melissa has been teaching dance professionally since 2005 in both Cobourg and the Whitby area. As a qualified Dance Instructor, and member of the Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA), Melissa’s access to the most recent dance syllabus’ ensure that her teaching methods remain current, vibrant and relevant to her various students.
Dance and the performing arts have been a way of life for Melissa since the age of three. From that early age, Melissa developed her dance skills in all genres, completing exams in Tap and Jazz and moving on from there to perform in dance competitions at the international level.
In addition to professional dance instruction, Melissa has also choreographed for bodybuilding and fitness competitions, as well as for the Ontario Gymnastics Federation (OGF). Melissa’s choreography for the OGF was showcased during a CFL halftime show at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. Melissa’s competitive dance choreography has earned her numerous special awards, overall high scores, and “Kick It Up” Dance Competitions first ever perfect score.
Dancing is a passion for Melissa and she spends much of her free time developing and furthering her skills as a Professional Instructor. Melissa has actively participated in numerous dance workshops led by extraordinary Artists such as Mia Michaels, Chris Judd, Kenny Wormald, and Everett Smith. Melissa has also upgraded her skills in Tap through instructional classes at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City. Melissa has also recently received her certification with Acrobatic Arts in the Acro Dance Pre-School division.
It is an honor for Melissa to teach and share her love of dance with students of all ages. As a mother of two daughters, she understands the need to provide positive reinforcement and a nurturing environment for new dancers while mentoring the more experienced.
Dance and the performing arts have been a way of life for Melissa since the age of three. From that early age, Melissa developed her dance skills in all genres, completing exams in Tap and Jazz and moving on from there to perform in dance competitions at the international level.
In addition to professional dance instruction, Melissa has also choreographed for bodybuilding and fitness competitions, as well as for the Ontario Gymnastics Federation (OGF). Melissa’s choreography for the OGF was showcased during a CFL halftime show at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. Melissa’s competitive dance choreography has earned her numerous special awards, overall high scores, and “Kick It Up” Dance Competitions first ever perfect score.
Dancing is a passion for Melissa and she spends much of her free time developing and furthering her skills as a Professional Instructor. Melissa has actively participated in numerous dance workshops led by extraordinary Artists such as Mia Michaels, Chris Judd, Kenny Wormald, and Everett Smith. Melissa has also upgraded her skills in Tap through instructional classes at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City. Melissa has also recently received her certification with Acrobatic Arts in the Acro Dance Pre-School division.
It is an honor for Melissa to teach and share her love of dance with students of all ages. As a mother of two daughters, she understands the need to provide positive reinforcement and a nurturing environment for new dancers while mentoring the more experienced.
JOEL
As a child of a dancer, dance has always been a part of Joel’s life. He began his dance training at High Pointes Dance Academy, where his mother taught and sister also danced. Joel then attended the Professional Ballet Program at Canada’s National Ballet School. While at the National Ballet School, Joel performed many roles in the National Ballet of Canadas Nutcracker. When Joel returned to Cobourg to attend high school, he danced with the HPDA competitive team, receiving many overall and special awards.
Now Joel is a graduate from Toronto Metropolitan University (formally Ryerson University) from the Performance Dance Program. While at TMU, Joel trained in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Improvisation, Creative Performance, and Acting and danced in the works of Matjash Mrozewski, Irena Ponizova, Peter Chin, and Vicki St. Denys. Outside of TMU, Joel has furthered his training with Decidedly Jazz Danceworks Summer Intensive, Kenny Pearl’s Winter Intensive, TransFormation Dance Summer Intensive, and Kenny Pearls Emerging Artist Intensive. During his outside training, Joel has worked with dance artists such as Kimberley Cooper, Alysa Pires, Hanna Kiel, and Andrej Petrovic from Akram Khan Company. Joel has presented his choreography twice in Choreographic Works at TMU. In his final year at TMU, Joel choreographed a full-length contemporary dance work titled To Be Determined: A Dance Project which explored the impact of climate change on earths ecosystem through movement, music, text, lighting, and projection.
Joel’s creative practice is inspired by his environment, visual art, and the need for social change. In his choreographic process, Joel frequently works with improvisation and collaboration with the dancers. Joel has also used dance film as an outlet for his choreography. His goal as a teacher is to challenge the dancers and introduce them to new techniques and styles.
Now Joel is a graduate from Toronto Metropolitan University (formally Ryerson University) from the Performance Dance Program. While at TMU, Joel trained in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Improvisation, Creative Performance, and Acting and danced in the works of Matjash Mrozewski, Irena Ponizova, Peter Chin, and Vicki St. Denys. Outside of TMU, Joel has furthered his training with Decidedly Jazz Danceworks Summer Intensive, Kenny Pearl’s Winter Intensive, TransFormation Dance Summer Intensive, and Kenny Pearls Emerging Artist Intensive. During his outside training, Joel has worked with dance artists such as Kimberley Cooper, Alysa Pires, Hanna Kiel, and Andrej Petrovic from Akram Khan Company. Joel has presented his choreography twice in Choreographic Works at TMU. In his final year at TMU, Joel choreographed a full-length contemporary dance work titled To Be Determined: A Dance Project which explored the impact of climate change on earths ecosystem through movement, music, text, lighting, and projection.
Joel’s creative practice is inspired by his environment, visual art, and the need for social change. In his choreographic process, Joel frequently works with improvisation and collaboration with the dancers. Joel has also used dance film as an outlet for his choreography. His goal as a teacher is to challenge the dancers and introduce them to new techniques and styles.
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