Faculty Bios
Nicole Cowley
Nicole Cowley is a catalyst for life-altering change! With certifications in hypnotherapy, life coaching, health coaching, personal training, and extensive study in the Law of Attraction, she is an empowerment coach with unparalleled expertise. Nicole's journey began less than a decade ago when she transitioned from being a stay-at-home mom to a single parent facing an uncertain future. Inspired by her love for people and a determination to set an example for her children, she rebuilt her life through relentless dedication and learning from top mentors like Maya Comerota, Marisa Peer, Bob Proctor, and Jim Fortin.
Today, Nicole is a founding member of the Los Angeles Tribune Women's Journal and a speaker on stages around the world. As the visionary behind Next Step With Nicole Renee, she empowers individuals to chase their dreams fearlessly and unlock their mind's potential. Nicole specializes in helping people transform their health, wealth, and relationships with tangible results. Recently, she has also formed an exciting partnership with a leading Health and Wellness company, further enhancing her ability to support her clients' transformational journeys. With Nicole's guidance, you'll discover what's holding you back and take bold, empowered steps towards your goals. Your transformation starts the day you say yes to yourself!
Julie Dionne - CDTA
Julie Dionne is a visionary force of passion, exuding boundless energy and unwavering commitment and dedication to dance. Her passion for dance blossomed in Ontario, leading her to become a studio owner in Alberta for more than two decades. Teaching all disciplines, ages and levels she has mentored many dancers who have gone on to become successful teachers, judges and performers in the industry.
Julie has trained in jazz, tap, ballet, pointe, lyrical hip hop, contemporary, musical theatre, modern and many different styles of national dance. She has studies dance across Canada and the USA. This provided her the opportunity to grow, brainstorm, and interact with many great dance masters.
Julie has made it a priority to be a qualified dance teacher and values the Canadian Dance Teachers’ Association (CDTA) for its mandate to advance education in the field of dance and to maintain an inspired an organization of qualified dance instructors throughout Canada. She also holds professional teaching qualifications in tap, jazz, ballet acrobatic dance, and modern. She is not only an honorary member, but also an examiner. Julie is a member of the team who develops syllabi and contributes to the growth of a truly national association. As CDTA’s Public Relations Director, she attends dance expos to network and showcase the organization.
She loves to share her knowledge and teaching tips with all who attend her classes, encouraging dancers and teachers to be the best that they can be, to be successful, proud and confident individuals!
Sarah Dolan
Since the creation of O2 the Dance Company in 2010, Sarah Dolan has served as the Artistic Director. Her commitment to the art and its artists provides a critical framework in which the contemporary company and its members thrive. She has had the privilege of being part of numerous works and diverse dance shows.
Since 2008, Sarah has had the honour of assisting Sean Cheesman on CTV’s So You Think You Can Dance Canada (Season One, Two, Three and Four), Fox America’s So You Think You Can Dance (Season Six, Seven, Eight, Nine and Ten), BBC’s So You Think You Can Dance UK (Season One and Two) and CBC’s Over the Rainbow. Also with Mr. Cheesman, Sarah worked on the Peter Andre Revelation Tour 2010 in the UK. Sarah has had the pleasure of choreographing for Paul Brandt, Hockey Canada and Michael Bernard Fitzgerald. Her energy, talent and knowledge of the moving art form have made Sarah a teaching commodity.
Sarah has worked with and influenced countless students, dancers and artists, many of whom have continued their pursuit of a professional career in dance with great success.
Jill Ford
Jill was originally from Regina, Saskatchewan where she danced competitively in the areas of ballet, jazz, tap, acrobatics and baton twirling for 17 years. She went on to teach dance, baton and acrobatics in her home city and now resides in Edmonton, Alberta where she has opened her own studio specializing in Acrobatics and Baton Twirling. She completed her bachelor of Education (k-5) at the University of Regina which has furthered her expertise as an acrobatic and dance teacher. Jill has traveled the world as an athlete and coach representing Canada at eight World Baton Twirling Championships and now continually is committed to keeping young children involved in the areas of acrobatics, dance and baton twirling. She is very happy and honored to be part of the Acrobatic Arts staff and loves sharing her passion and knowledge with students and teachers!
Jill's credentials include: Bachelor of Education, Canadian Dance Teachers Association Certified Teacher, Canadian Baton Twirling Association Level 2 Coach, Inductee of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.
Olivia Robertson
Olivia has been dancing for as long as she could walk, and her love of dance has motivated her quest to continue to educate, empower and inspire her students, peers and collaborators across North America.
As a dancer and performer, Olivia has trained in all areas of concert and studio dance. She has received her RAD Advanced II certification, trained at advanced levels in hip hop, tap, jazz, lyrical, theatre, modern and contemporary. She has been the recipient of multiple provincial, national and international dance, music and voice awards during her years as a competitive performer. Olivia has also had the pleasure of performing leading roles in Cats (“Munkustrap”) and Seussical (“The Cat in the Hat”). Olivia has had the opportunity to study at some of the top dance training facilities in the industry, including in Los Angeles, New York City, Vancouver and Paris.
As a choreographer, Olivia has regularly been the recipient of multiple choreography awards over the past two decades. Her choreography was featured at a global conference in Stockholm, Sweden in partnership with the work of Emmy Award Nominee, Stacey Tookey. Olivia has recently worked with Big Apple Productions “Cabaret” (2023-Choreographer), “This is Me” (2024-Choreographer, Director, Co-Producer), and “Rocky Horror Show” (2025-Co-Choreographer & Production Consultant).
As a dance educator, Olivia is entering her 10th year as a studio owner, with teaching experience that spans across two decades with students from ages 18 months to 65+ years. Olivia has received her CDTA, TLDI, IDTS, DEEA, and YPAD certifications and commits to annual continuing professional development within the dance industry. Olivia was most recently elected as the Chair of the CDTA Hip Hop Dance Studies division and can be found bridging the gap between the street and the studio with The Dance Leadership Institute as the facilitator of the Deconstructing Dance: Hip Hop Edition Courses. Olivia also hold a PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and now works globally with performing arts professionals to strategize and optimize ways to find lasting career success in this industry with her company SOPRO Consulting. Her mission is to integrate her passion for dance, with her commitment to the study of mental wellness, motivation and the power of team dynamics, to further serve the dance industry.
Danny Nielsen
Danny Nielsen has emerged as one of the leaders of tap dance in Canada. Originally from Calgary, he began to further his knowledge of tap studying at various festivals throughout Canada and the U.S. around the age of 14. His prolific technical skill and musical sensibility launched him on to the international stage at the age of 23. Danny has taught and performed at many national and international tap festivals including Zurich Tap Fest, Tap Ahead in Germany, North Carolina Rhythm Tap Festival, Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Taptastic Festival in Germany, and Portland Tap Fest.
Danny was an integral part of Vancouver based dance company Radical System Art's (Shay Kuebler) production Telemetry. The show was a hit and toured for over 3 years at notable venues such as the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Place Des Arts in Montreal, the White Bird Dance Series in Portland, the Suzanne Dellal Centre in Tel Aviv, and Schritmacher Festival in Germany.
In 2012, Danny was the recipient of the Santa Aloi Award from the Scotiabank Dance Centre. He used the grant to create and direct his first full-length production Love Be Best Free, which toured BC for a month in February of 2017. He also co created Night Cap with Joel Hanna which featured American tap icons Martin ‘Tre’ Dumas III and Jason Samuels Smith. He later created his second full length production entitled ‘On Foot’ which premiered in both Vancouver and Calgary in the fall of 2019. Danny just completed a sold out run of his newest creation 'In Conversation' at the Dance Centre in Vancouver in collaboration with Bulgarian pianist/percussionist Kristian Alexandrov, directed by Houston's Matt Shields.
Cara Moeller Poppitt
Cara Moeller Poppitt is an accomplished leader dedicated to helping professionals break through barriers, take bold action, and achieve their highest aspirations. With 20 years of
experience as a dancer and choreographer, she understands the powerful connection between mindset, movement, and transformation — both in individuals and organizations.
As the founder of two award-winning companies, Cara ranks among the top 2% of female entrepreneurs and her Podcast Big Freakin' Change ranks top 5%, a testament to her visionary leadership and strategic insight.
She has guided over 10,000 entrepreneurs toward unlocking their full potential, combining creativity with business acumen to drive growth and innovation.
Cara's accolades include being named Global TV’s Woman of Vision and CIBC’s Entrepreneur of the Year, along with features on Global News. Based in Calgary, Canada, she continues to inspire professionals worldwide, delivering results-oriented coaching and speaking that drives meaningful change.
Her recent book Big Freakin' Change was titled Indigo's most anticipated wellness book for summer 2025 and featured in Forbes.
Carrie Robins
Ms. Robins has been a member of the Alberta dance community for many years. As a dancer she competed extensively as well as performed in several musicals such as Grease and The Buddy Holly Story. She was also a performer in AXIIS- a modern dance company and the Opening Ceremonies of the 1995 Canada Winter Games televised on CBC. Ms. Robins’ love of dance led her into a career of teaching and choreography. She completed all her requirements to become a fully registered and certified teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance as well as with ADAPT. She has also studied SugarFoot and Perfect Form Physiotherapy Dance Teacher Training. Ms. Robins has been teaching all forms of dance for over 25 years with great positivity and passion for this art form. She seeks to develop dancers' mind, body, and spirit. She was Dance Director of The Academy Dance Program in Grande Prairie Public School District for 13 years. Currently she is teaching at Prestige Dance Academy in Calgary, Alberta. As well, recently Ms. Robins has completed her first year of the Royal Academy of Dance and Bath University’s Masters in Arts Education (Dance Teaching) program.
Ms. Robins has focused on developing young dancers for many years and is incredibly proud to say that past students have been accepted into The National Ballet School, The Alberta Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet School, The Young Americans, Arts Umbrella, Intensive Training Program at Harbour Dance Center, Broadway Dance Center Professional Semester, and The Rockettes Summer Intensive.
Ms. Robins has been invited to share her knowledge as a guest teacher and speaker at events such as the DSOA Inner Circle, CREATE The Dance Teacher Workshop and Method Dance Teacher Training. As well, Ms Robins adjudicates extensively throughout Canada.
She is always excited to have the opportunity to work with young dancers and to share with her fellow educators!!
Chantel Sampson
Jenna Brenan
Bios Coming Soon!
Mariah-Jane Thies
Mariah-Jane Thies is an award-winning dance educator with a 40-year career dedicated to innovative and holistic training. Specializing in ballet and modern, she draws from brain science on stress, learning and developmental movement to create The Radiant Dance Teacher course suite to enhance both technical skills and embodied and real learning.
A registered RAD teacher, mentor, and teacher supervisor, Mariah-Jane holds a dance teacher degree from GMCC and is a certified Evans Laban-based Modern teacher. Her expertise and certifications extend into Brain Gym and Rhythmic Movement Training, where she focuses on integrating primitive and postural reflexes to optimize movement, learning, and performance.
In 2024, she was honoured with the RAD Innovation in Dance Teacher Award for her groundbreaking work on the ideal brain state for learning and performance and her leadership in building The Radiant Dance Teacher, a thriving community of 3,000 educators. She is also a requested content creator for The Library Aesthetic Dance Media, an exciting new online platform for dancers and teachers.
A sought-after speaker, Mariah-Jane presents internationally at conferences such as IADMS, NDEO, RAD, Body-Mind Centering and the World Congress of Dance, continually pushing the boundaries of dance education.