Shelley Shearer School of Dance - Pre Professional Program 2024/2025 Schedule (public)

Pre Professional Program

2024/2025

…for our new season to begin! This year we have a list WORLD CLASS choreographers, guest teachers, master class teachers, private coaching specialist and resident teachers ready to inspire, educate and create opportunities not available anywhere else in Winnipeg.

In addition, our Pre Professional Dancers will have the opportunity to travel and perform in front of the industry’s top leaders.

Get ready for yor 2024/2025 Pre Pro Season!!

PHOTOSHOOT

with dance photography expert

CANNOT WAIT… Krsen Sawatsky

ERFORMANCE SEASON

Conventions & Competitions

Local Competitions

Dancers: Terpsichore

March 21st-25th, 2025

Winnipeg | Fall 2024 | February 14th-16th, 2025 Mandatory for all dancers event for Solos/Duos/Trios , 2025

CHOREOGRAPHERS

Erin Hyman

Assistant Pre Pro Director Ballet & Pointe Choreographer

rin has been a full-time teacher at the Shelley Shearer School of Dance since 1996, teaching Jazz, Hip Hop, Pre-School and specializing in Ballet. She has grown up at Shelley Shearer, having started as a student the first day it opened in 1986. After completing her personal ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) ballet examinations, Erin became a graduate of the school’s Teacher Training Program. Erin has also trained in several teaching courses, workshops and seminars with the National Ballet of Canada and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Along with the preparation of students for internationally recognized ISTD ballet examinations, Erin excels in choreography for competitions and recitals. Her choreography and teaching skills have won her and her competitive and Pre Professional students numerous Provincial, National and Internationally recognized awards including: the Gold Medal for a children’s group at the International Dance Organization (IDO) World Ballet Championships in New York, the Gold Medal and the Silver Medal for her junior groups and the Gold Medal for her children’s duo at the IDO World Ballet Championships in Niagara Falls, numerous Ballet Adjudicator’s Choice performance Awards for the Manitoba Dance Festival Gala Showcase, Scholarship recipients at the Manitoba Dance Festival, and many 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Overall Performance and choreography Awards for Solo, Duets, Trios and Groups at Nuvo and Jump Dance Competitions, the Canadian National Dance Championships, View Dance Challenge, Thunderstruck Dance Competition and Move Dance Competition.

Josh Assor

Intermediate Advanced Jazz Small Group, Elite Jazz

Josh is a New York City based choreographer and creative director. His work extends across a multitude of avenues within the entertainment industry including Broadway, national tours, large scale corporate events, fashion, theme parks, film and television. Choreographic credits include New York Fashion Week, the New York City Knicks, Audi, Celebrity Cruise Lines, Modos Furniture, Cedar Fair, Hard Rock Hotel, Soho House as well as regional productions of Mary Poppins, Anastasia, Fiddler On The Roof, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, Cinderella, Newsies and the world premiere of Medicine the Musical, which ran Off-Broadway. Josh choreographed Cedar Point’s 150th Anniversary Spectacular as well as the televised series DJ Burnt Bannock. He has worked as a Creative Director on projects such as Kings Islands 50th Anniversary, NYE at Soho House, fashion campaigns for Stacey Martin Lifestyle and recently directed and choreographed the launch campaign of the Brand New Tin Building by world renowned chef Jean-Georges. Josh has been featured in Dance Spirit Magazine, Dance Canada Quarterly, Industry Dance Magazine and Dance Plug Los Angeles. He is currently on Faculty at Steps On Broadway as well as the Broadway Dance Center in New York City where he has been a guest choreographer for many of their events.

Stephanie Rutherford

Elite Contemporary Group, Elite Contemporary Small Group

Stephanie Rutherford is a Canadian based choreographer and dance educator who also works internationally. In between jobs, Stephanie has prioritized her continued education through postsecondary programs and movement certifications. This has granted her the opportunity to view and develop her work from many different lenses. In turn, she's received recognition and won many awards for her thought-provoking work. Stephanie is the artistic director and founder of the Canadian dance convention "Rutherford Movement Exchange". The company has successfully sold out 25 events and continues to grow and foster Canadian talent.

International choreography credits include: ‘So You Think You Can Dance Vietnam - Season 3, ‘Capezio Ace Awards’ for Choreographic Excellence-New York City, Team Canada Choreographer at the Modern World Dance Championships- Germany, Poland, Associate Choreographer to Hani Abaza in Orange Mobile New Years Eve Commercial- Cairo, Egypt, The Dish Segment- Los Angeles Canadian choreography credits include: ‘Ascension- The Act Of Rising To A Higher Level’(RMEDirector) ‘Manulife - Stars of Tomorrow’ a Global Awards Show (Debut), ‘General Motors - National Car Show’ (Diversified Productions), ‘Treasure Island’ (Diversified Theatre), ‘Puss and Boots’ (Diversified Theatre), Melissa O’Neil (Canadian Idol Winner) Andrew Austin’s ‘Disappear’ music video, # 1 music video on AUX TV (Director Gary Samson), Lynzie Kent ‘Whoop De Doo’ music video (Bull Dog Productions), The Next Step (Contributing Choreographer- Temple Street Productions), Paul McQuilliam (Diversified Productions) , MTV Canada, Slice TV, Toronto's Choreographer Ball, Fever After Dark, Toronto TD Main Stage, Women In Dance Showcase, Candance Opening Number Choreographer- Ottawa. Stephanie is a certified Pilates teacher (mat and reformer) from Mindful Movement Center in Toronto. Through this program, she continued her education under Leslie Parker and Danielle Dodham Wright. She also studied at The Laban Institute in Brooklyn, completed her theatre major at U of Winnipeg, Restorative Yoga Teacher Training under Nora Benian and Functional Anatomy under Samantha Booker. Stephanie is currently on faculty for Alpha Dance Convention in the USA and is a freelance choreographer and teacher at many dance studios around North America.

Brett Taylor

Junior Jazz, Intermediate Jazz, Intermediate Contemporary Small Group, Intermediate Advanced Contemporary, Elite Open Small Group

Brett is a graduate of the RWB Professional Division, has toured the world with the renowned Contemporary company Ballet Jazz Montreal, and performed with Ballet BC, Les Grands Ballet Canadiens, Wen Wei Dance and Andrew Skeels including Creative Assistant for “Requiem” (Les Grande Ballets Canadien). His diverse career also includes countless professional Musical Theatre productions in every province of this country. Brett is recently a graduate of the acclaimed Teacher Training Program of the National Ballet of Canada, in addition to being a faculty member at the school and at the Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre in Toronto. He has been a dance educator for over 12 years, coaching for students and professionals of all ages in Ballet, partnering, Contemporary, Modern, Jazz, Tap, and Musical Theatre. His choreography has been featured across Canada; including a Contemporary piece for Ballet Edmonton and a multitude of award winning competitive pieces for dance studio across the Greater Toronto Area. Brett is a sought-after judge and adjudicator on the competitive dance circuit. Brett is relocating to Winnipeg to join the Pre Pro Program at SSSOD and we are honoured to have him.

Lori Watson

Elite Open Small Group

Lori's lifelong devotion to dance has culminated in her current role as the proud Owner/Co-Director of three prestigious dance studios in Winnipeg, MB. Her journey in the dance world has been extensive and varied, beginning with rigorous training across all disciplines from North America to international platforms. She has enjoyed a vibrant professional dance career, performing on board Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, touring North America with The Big Comfy Couch, dancing for Disney Canada, Harley Davidson, and Grammy-nominated artist Fresh I.E as well as countless professional Musical Theatre productions. She has modelled for a nationwide print campaign for Ford Motors and was featured in selected films like Hellcats (CW), Shall we Dance (Miramax), Todd and the Book of Pure Evil (Space).

Lori's choreographic brilliance has been recognized on the local and global stage including through the Canadian National Tap Teams, with her pieces earning numerous medals and even World Championships. She is also a certified judge through the International Dance Organization (IDO), lending her expertise to competitions across Canada and Europe. However, the highlight of Lori's career remains in her role as an educator and mentor. She has taught thousands of students, hundreds of whom have gone on to enjoy successful professional careers in dance and related fields. Lori continues to shape the future of dance with her wealth of knowledge and experience, passion, and an unwavering commitment to nurturing talent.

Rachel Cooper

Intermediate Open Contemporary Small Group, Intermediate Advanced Lyrical Small Group

achel Cooper is an independent choreographer and teacher. She is a graduate of the Senior Professional Program at the School of Contemporary Dancers, and holds a B/A/ Honours in Theatre and Drama/Dance and a Bachelor of Education both from the University of Winnipeg, and was awarded the University’s gold medal for her studies. Rachel embarked on her professional career in Toronto performing with Tilt Sound and Motion. She has a strong foundation in many dance disciplines, including modern, ballet, jazz, tap and hip hop. Rachel is the dance director of the Chai Folk Ensemble and operates the dance department at Maples Collegiate Institute. As a choreographer, her work has appeared and been awarded on both local and international stages.

EXCLUSIVE MASTER CLASSES AND MORE

Train with the best in additional opportunities throughout the season

ACRO SESSION EXCLUSIVE

Have you ever wanted to build your Acro skills and strength? Now is your opportunity!

This class will be offered exclusively to our Pre Professional Dancers and will run weekly from September - December.

Dancers will build skills through training that is individually catered to their skill level.

JUNIOR / INTERMEDIATE SUNDAY 9:00AM - 10:00AM

ADVANCED / ELITE

10:00AM - 11:00AM

*dancers must be registered in a Pre Pro group to be eligible to register for the Acro session. Cost: $350

PRE PROFESSIONAL SCHEDULE

Class #104 Junior Jazz Group Friday 4:30PM - 5:30PM

Class #105 Junior Ballet Group Saturday 5:30PM - 6:30PM

Class #106 Intermediate Jazz Group Friday 4:30PM - 5:30PM

Class #107 Intermediate Ballet Group Friday 5:30PM - 6:30PM

Class #108 Intermediate Contemporary Small Group Friday 5:30PM - 6:30PM

Class #109 Intermediate Open Contemporary Small Group Friday 6:30PM - 7:30PM

Class #110 Intermediate Advanced Lyrical Small Group Friday 6:30PM - 7:30PM

Class #111 Intermediate Advanced Ballet Group Saturday 5:30PM - 6:30PM

Class #112 Intermediate Advanced Contemporary Group Sunday 4:30PM - 5:30PM

Class #113 Intermediate Advanced Jazz Small Group Sunday 4:30PM - 5:30PM Friday 4:00PM - 5:00PM Friday 4:00PM - 5:00PM Sunday 5:30PM - 6:30PM Sunday 5:30PM - 6:30PM Saturday 5:30PM - 6:30PM Saturday 5:30PM - 6:30PM Sunday 9:00AM - 10:00AM Intermediate Advanced/Elite Acro Session Sunday 10:00AM - 11:00AM

will be PrePro Choreography Week. All dancers must be available.* *Classes with insufficient enrolment may not be viable and are subject to cancellation

From September to January classes will run bi-weekly alternating weeks (occurring approx. twice per month) and then weekly from February to the end of the season. An exact schedule will be sent monthly.

2024-2025 30, 2024 •