At YYCDP we pride ourselves in our educated and motivated faculty. We have high expectations for our dancers as well as our faculty. Teachers are continually learning and adapting to the ever changing dance industry.
Tanja Rosner- Artistic Director and YYC Dance Educator- B.Ed Majoring in Dance
Bio coming soon...
Lara VanBelleghen - YYC Dance Educator and Technique Specialist
Bio coming soon..
Claudia Sanchez- Head of the YYC Ballet Division- Educator and Private Coach
Bio coming soon..
Aram Manukyan - Ballet Educator and Private Coach
Artistic Coordinator & Director, Alberta Ballet II
Aram Manukyan began his ballet training at the Armenian Choreography Academy where he studied the Vaganova method under Rafael Avnikian and Maxim Martirosian. At age 17, his aptitude for teaching was recognized and he was selected for a scholarship at the Russian University of Theatre Arts, GITIS, in Moscow. He returned to Armenia and danced with the Armenian National Ballet. He then danced as a soloist with the Ukrainian State Opera Ballet Theatre in Donetsk. He danced all the great classical ballets and was critically acclaimed for his portrayal of Tibalt in Leonid Lavrovsky’s Romeo and Juliet.
Subsequently, Mr. Manukyan went to the United States and danced principal and soloist roles with companies in Annapolis, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Sarasota, teaching all the while. Mr. Manukyan then became Artistic Director of the BGLV/Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. From there, Murray Kilgour invited him to Alberta as a ballet and character dance teacher. The School of Alberta Ballet has enabled him to broaden his knowledge of ballet pedagogy in studying Cecchetti with Nancy Kilgour and pas de deux with Murray Kilgour.
With the launch of Alberta Ballet II in July 2014, Mr. Manukyan was appointed the program's Director. Mr. Manukyan delights in teaching today’s students the rich history of dance through the development of character work and its impact on ballet technique. His extensive experience as a professional dancer and his work around the world have enabled him to bring a unique perspective to the School. His ability to re-stage excerpts from the classics for younger students allows them to gain an appreciation for very complex movement and characterization appropriate to their abilities. Through developing a strong technical foundation, Mr. Manukyan’s students become adaptable, versatile, and open to the tremendous range of expression anticipated of today’s professional dancers.
Tasia Cullen- YYC Dance Educator
On top of our regular faculty we bring in many choreographers and choreographers to work with our dancers. Below are some of the master teachers we have brought in.
- Danny Lawn, Stacey Tookey, Gene Gabriel, Travis Wall, Teddy Forance, Megan Lawson, Channing Cook, Michelle Dawley, Jen Stafford, Jessie Riley, Bree Wasylenko, Sarah Brinson, Amy Gardner, Chantel Aguirre, Jamie Goodwin, Adrian Lee, Andrew Winghart, Blake McGrath, Krista Miller, Kristen Carcone, Thomas Colford, Scott McCabe, Alexa Moffett, Molly Long, Darren Lacey and many more!
Our faculty also extends with access to the School of Alberta Ballet expertise. Faculty of SAB are always willing to work with our dancers and teachers. Access to physiotherapists, massage therapy, acupuncture and the school dance store all create a professional and educational dance program.