teachers
Our knowledgeable, certified and award-winning instructors provide professional training in a caring and motivational atmosphere.
Our teachers encourage every student to reach their personal best.
The teachers at Protégé Dance Company believe in positive role-modelling, love to teach and respect the needs of all!
teaching faculty
Bernett, LeShaun
Associate B.A.T.D, BHSc
LeShaun Bernett, though a relatively young and new instructor, has been a member of the dance industry for over 18 years. He sets out to provide a positive approach in class that awards students with the confidence, encouragement, willingness, and desire to practice their dance skills.
Beginning his journey at the age of four, most of his life has revolved around the discipline of dance. Throughout his competitive days, he won numerous special awards, overall awards, and scholarships for his performances. LeShaun’s skills quickly extended from areas beyond the stage. At the age of 14, he became a teacher’s assistant, where he established his fondness for educating upcoming dancers and allowing them to discover their expression, poise, and passion. Later in life, he became a certified ballet instructor under the B.A.T.D syllabus.
More recently, LeShaun graduated from the University of Ottawa with an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences, and a minor in Psychology all taken with the French Immersion Stream. Throughout his university career, he assumed the role of Assistant Captain for uOttawa’s GeeGees Dance Team.
LeShaun’s creativity, musicality, and nurturing nature have established an approachable atmosphere for his students. He is excited to bestow his insight of the competitive world onto his students and is beyond elated to be a part of the Protégé Dance Company.
Best, Kristy
Dance Performance Diploma & Member B.A.T.D.
Kristy began dancing at the age of 5. She joined a competitive team shortly after that and competed in all styles of dance across North America for the next 10 years. At 17, she competed as a soloist at the IDO World Tap Dance Championships where she placed 2nd. She then attended the Dance Performance Foundations program at George Brown College and started her professional career. Kristy has performed as a company member of What’s On? Tap!, TDC Entertainment, aboard Carnival Cruise Lines, and at the Pan Am Games, Ontario Summer Games, Ffida, Deerhurst Resort, Breakfast Television, and the Chicago Human Rhythm Festival. She has extensive training in tap and has trained with Kim Chalovich, Lane Alexander, Jason Samuels Smith, Dianne Walker, Chloe Arnold, Ted Louis Levy, Brenda Bufalino, Bril Barrett, and Lisa La Touche among many others.
Kristy has over 20 years’ experience in teaching dance and is a full member of BATD in tap and jazz. She has taught competitive teams at various dance studios across the GTA and is excited to join Protégé Dance Company and share her love for tap!
Bird, Lexie
Acrobatic Arts, Associate B.A.T.D.
At the age of 3, Lexie started dancing better than she could walk, so much so that her competitive career had taken flight soon after the age of 7. She was known to be a well-rounded dancer immersing herself in all styles of dance inclusive of but not limited to Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Hip Hop and Acro. Along with her passion for dance and spending most of her free time at the studio, Lexie used her acro technique to her advantage and became involved in gymnastics. During her competitive years, Lexie earned high titles along with scholarships through judge’s choice awards. Completing her competitive career at Protégé in 2012, Lexie has attained her B.A.T.D teaching examinations in acro, jazz, tap and ballet, has trained under the Cecchetti syllabus and is also a certified Acrobatic Arts instructor (Module One).
Lexie continued her studies at Guelph University where she was a two-year member of the competitive hip-hop team: Atcha Crewand graduated with her Commerce Degree majoring in Economics and Finance.
Over the years Lexie has performed in numerous galas and fundraisers including Starlight Children’s Wish Foundation Gala, Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Gala and United Way Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser. Continuing her performance experience in 2014, Lexie was chosen to be a member of the Argos Cheerleading team, where she performed in all CFL Argos home games and in Vancouver for the 102nd Grey Cup. The Argos' community further connected Lexie with additional opportunities with entertainment companies such as Magen Boys Entertainment and Cotton Candy Events. Lexie has also performed with TDC Entertainment and Wavestage Theatre Company.
Lexie’s love for dance continues to grow each day. Not only does she enjoy performing but is very passionate in teaching others and watching them grow. Her classroom is always guaranteed to push each student accordingly, encourage confidence, promote kindness and build great work ethics, all within a very positive and safe environment.
Eskins, Holly
Dance Performance Diploma
Holly started dancing at the age of three in the Durham region. She quickly began competing at the age of six and went on to win numerous special awards, scholarships and overall awards for her group and solo numbers. When Holly was fifteen years old, she became the creator, director and choreographer for the Pickering High School Dance Team which went on to win high scores at competitions such as Strive Dance Challenge and Attitude Dance Challenge. She then began her teaching career at the young age of sixteen. Holly has since graduated with a diploma in dance from the Centennial Dance Performance Program where she studied numerous genres and learned from some of Toronto's best including Lineen Duong, Leah Totten and Jamie-Lynn Harper. Since beginning her journey as a dance teacher, Holly has taken every opportunity she can to work with the best mentors in the industry. She has worked with well-known choreographers such as Mark Samuels, Kojo "Tuch" Mayne and Amanda-May Wilson. She also continues to attend international conventions and workshops like Buildabeast 2017 and Road to Buildabeast 2019 where she learned from amazing choreographers and dance moguls like Janelle Ginestra, Robert Green, Tricia Miranda, Nicole Kirkland and many more! Holly has continued to train and perform in the style of hip hop with her performance team "Keystone" which has achieved high titles including 3rd place at Prelude Dance Toronto 2019 as well as choreography and performance special awards. One of Holly's most recent accolades would be the year she spent in the Yukon teaching dance and immersing herself in the surprisingly large dance community, especially the breakdance community! Holly wishes to never stop learning as she believes all dance instructors should always remain students as well. She is very excited to be returning to Protége to work alongside some of her favourite mentors, fellow teachers and amazing dancers!
Gibbs, Chelsea
Acrobatic Arts, ADA, ADAPT, BA, MA, DMA, PAA
Chelsea Gibbs started her dance training at the young age of four at the Sandra Amodeo Dance Studio. At the age of six she started competing and won numerous special and overall awards for her performances. At age eleven, she was the youngest to audition and become a member of the semi-professional tap company “iTap Youth Company,” based in Hamilton, Ontario, under the direction of, the late, Kimberley Timlock. She also successfully completed her B.A.T.D. Tap and Jazz Exams, R.A.D. Ballet Exams and her P.A.E.C. Tap Exam. She is a fully certified teacher under Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (Tap and Jazz), Dance Masters of America, Chapter #38 (Tap and Acro), Acrobatic Arts (Module 1). She is a certified Acro Dance Adjudicator through the Acro Dance Teachers Association and a member of the Professional Adjudicators Alliance. Chelsea obtained her Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto and her Master of Arts in Leadership degree from the University of Guelph.
Chelsea’s performing highlights include: the International Modeling and Talent Association (IMTA) in New York (own choreography), the Olympic Torch Relay Performance Team, the Canadian National Tap Team, Chicago Human Rhythms Project and Montreal Tap Fest. She had the opportunity to perform with professional tap companies such as Bringing Tap Back and What’s On? Tap!. In 2018, she was invited to perform with Andrew Prashad and Travis Knights at the Young People’s Theatre gala called, “Imaginarium: Jewel in the City.” She has also taken Master classes from tap enthusiasts such as Savion Glover, Jason Janas, Bril Barret, Starinah Dixon and Lisa La Touché. Chelsea’s mentors are Emmy award winner Ted Louis Levy, and sisters Chloe and Maud Arnold of the Syncopated Ladies. Over the years, Chelsea has appeared in numerous commercials and television shows such as “The Next Step”, “IIFA Awards”, “Breakfast Television”, “Motives and Murders” and “Voice of a Child” to name a few. To further her professional development, Chelsea has attended workshops and conventions such as The Dance Teacher Summit (Long Beach, CA), Broadway Dance Center’s Dance Teacher Workshop in (Manhattan, New York), Toronto Teacher Expo (Toronto, ON), Jump Start Intensive: Radar Techniques with Rebecca Davies, and Krista & Autumn Miller (Toronto, ON).
Chelsea is thrilled to be returning to Protégé Dance Company for her fifth season and looking forward to a fantastic season with the students, families, and faculty!
Helm, Candice
FCC-CICB, TTP Dip. (NBS)
Ms. Helm received her professional training at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School’s Professional Division, and Canada’s National Ballet School’s Teacher Training Program. She has Fellowship standing with the Cecchetti Society of Canada, and has an extensive background in music. Ms. Helm has worked as a ballet accompanist and teaches music for dancers and teachers. Her classes are considered to be technique-based and fast-paced, with a strong musical focus.
Teaching credits include York University, Ryerson University, University of Toronto’s Hart House, Canada’s National Ballet School’s Teacher Training Program, the Quinte Ballet School of Canada, Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, and Metro Movement. Ms. Helm also regularly teaches children’s classes and is invited to adjudicate and guest teach across Canada. We are very honoured to have Ms. Helm join our faculty this year, as she is equally excited to join Protégé Dance Company.
Kobyleckyj, Olexa
ADA, ADAPT, BKin, PAA, PBT
Olexa is an accomplished dance educator, an award-winning choreographer and a certified adjudicator. She grew up as a competitive dancer and artistic gymnast with over 20 years of extensive training in Jazz, Acro and Tumbling, Ballet and Pointe (Vaganova, RAD and Cecchetti methods), Contemporary, Tap, Lyrical, Modern, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Song and Dance and Character. As a versatile dancer and triple threat performer, Olexa has won many prestigious awards and scholarships at major competitions in Canada and the United States. She trained with some of the industry’s top choreographers and expanded her artistry through intensives with the National Ballet School, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Radio City Rockettes and many more!
As a lifelong learner, Olexa continues to enhance her dance education through certifications, conventions and workshops. She is an ADAPT certified Jazz and Tap teacher, holds Acro certifications with Acrobatic Arts and Acro Alliance and is a Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) certified teacher. Olexa’s Bachelor of Kinesiology degree from the University of Toronto and her STOTT Pilates training enable her to enhance her students’ mind-body awareness through proper conditioning and injury prevention techniques.
For ten years, Olexa has been teaching a wide range of dance styles to a variety of ages, at both the competitive and recreational levels. Recently her work has been awarded “Adjudicator’s Choice of All Entries,” “Best Choreography of the Competition” and recognized for its entertainment, creativity and innovative use of musical dynamics. She has a talent for tailoring her choreography to best suit the dancer’s age, strengths, artistic style and level of technique.
Moreover, Olexa is an adjudicator for dance competitions, festivals and Performing Arts High School Dance programs. She is a certified Acro Dance Adjudicator (ADA) and a member of the Professional Adjudicator Alliance (PAA).
Olexa is excited to be a part of the faculty at Protégé Dance Company. She makes it her focus to develop dancers into confident yet humble individuals while inspiring them to reach their fullest potential.
MacMillan, Lauren
Lauren MacMillan is currently a senior competitive dancer at Protégé Dance Company. She started dancing at the age of 3, competing since the age of 7 and is a proud member of Protégé's award winning competitive team. Lauren currently trains in ballet, jazz, tap, pointe, lyrical, contemporary and hip-hop and has completed Cecchetti ballet exams (Grades 2 through 6 with Commended) and Acrobatic Arts (Primary to Grade 5 with Distinction).
Lauren began assisting classes at Protégé Dance Company at the age of 11, where she discovered her love of teaching dance. Most recently, Lauren taught two successful 6-week Mini Munchkin Sessions, under Protégé mentorship, in the Spring of 2022. As a full-time competitive dancer, Lauren continues to maintain honour roll status at school and is presently entering her Grade 11 year.
Lauren is excited to share her passion for dance with all the young children at Protégé Dance Company while continuing to learn from Protégé's amazing faculty.
Webster, Aeyla
Aeyla Webster has been training at Protégé Dance Company since the studio first opened it's doors in 2010. She has been an integral part of the competitive team for the last 10 years growing up with the amazing Protégé community receiving many awards, accolades and scholarships. Aeyla trains in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop and acro and has completed her Cecchetti ballet exams in grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 with Honours and grade 4 Highly Commended. She has also completed her Acrobatic Arts exams in grade 4, grade 5, and grade 6 with Distinction and grade 7 with Highly Commended.
In 2016, Aeyla began assisting the recreational classes with the younger dancers, including: Mini Munchkins, Creative Combo, Wee-Acrobats, Acrotastic and Mini Acro, as well as classes in the Junior Summer Dance Intensives. In the summer of 2021, Aeyla was also the co-leader of the inaugural Creative Arts Day Camp at Protégé Dance Company, aiding in developing the program and leading the children as a positive role model and counselor. Aeyla has also been a substitute teacher for some classes at the studio during the past year, and most recently taught two days of the Mini/Junior Summer Dance Intensives this year.
While training full time at the dance studio, Aeyla has maintained high academic standards. Graduating grade 8 as Valedictorian, she received the Academic Achievement Award and since then continues to be on the honour roll maintaining a 95+ average throughout high school, receiving highest proficiency awards year-after-year. Aeyla is entering her graduating year with goals of applying to university for Astronomy and Astrophysics for fall 2023.
Aeyla is very passionate about teaching and leading the younger children at Protégé Dance Company. She believes in creating and maintaining a healthy, positive, and fun environment for them, and being the kind of role model she looked up to when she was younger.