Kirsti Bennett

Kirsti Bennett, the owner of Studio K Dance Gallery, was born and raised in Camrose and started dancing at the age of 5. She studied Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Musical Theater, Hip Hop and Lyrical. She has studied the Al Gilbert tap syllabus, RAD and Vaganova Ballet. Kirsti is also Acrobatic Arts certified. Kirsti has had the opportunity to work with many different choreographers and instructors to enhance her dance expertise. She has worked with faculty and choreographers of Groove Street and Street Groove Productions, Blake McGrath, Alixa Sutton, The 605 Collective, the Northern Alberta Dance Association and Alberta Dance Educators Association. Kirsti has taught dance at a few different schools around Alberta and is requested for guest and summer school teaching. She recently started adjudicating at festivals in central Alberta and loves sharing her passion, energy and enthusiasm for dance with dancers across the province. Kirsti shares her love of dance with her sister who teaches in central Alberta. They enjoy working together to give their dancers the best possible experience. They team up to operate successful dance festivals in central Alberta. Kirsti’s award winning, creative choreography has brought her awards across the province. Kirsti has been teaching dance in Sundre for 17 years, making life long connections. She strives to create the heartfelt family atmosphere at SKDG, where all dancers are part of one big family. Her students love her energy and passion for dance. She is thrilled to see all the dancers shine in life as well as in the classroom and on the stage!

Antoinelle Leibel

Antoinelle started dancing at the age of 6; training in Camrose, Alberta. A competitive dancer, she is well trained in Jazz and Lyrical, both Vagonova and RAD Ballet, the Al Gilbert Tap Syllabus, has completed the Level 1 Acrobatic Arts Certificate Program. She has taught students of all ages & abilities at multiple studios in Central Alberta for over 15 years, receiving many top awards including Outstanding, Most Promising and Choreography Awards, as well as Overall Top Group Awards & Division Champions for her routines. Antoinelle has created her own distinct style of dance and her choreography is original and engaging. She worked with her instructor team to create and choreograph a show aboard Carnival Cruise Lines in 2013, and again to bring a fleet of dancers to perform in Disneyland in 2015. She has also worked with local gymnasts and equestrian vaulters by training and creating choreography for them, as well as judging gymnastic fun-meets. Antoinelle is a very enthusiastic teacher who strives to take a creative platform in her instructing by allowing her dancers to see, feel, and both physically and mentally understand their movements and motions while dancing. She has enjoyed the opportunity to work with and learn from many different choreographers & instructors; she stays current by attending conferences and conventions around Alberta & the US. Being sisters, Antoinelle & Kirsti regularly collaborate on ideas, music, costumes & choreography. Together, the two own & operate “Sparkle Dance Festival”- a passionate project for them both!

Kim Pettie

Born and raised in England, Kim received her foundational training through winning a scholarship to attend The Royal Ballet School, White Lodge at age 11. It was here that she performed in a multitude of performances at The Royal Opera House (Covent Garden) along with gaining Distinction in her vocational RAD Exam’s and training in the Cecchetti and Vaganova styles by world renowned teachers.
Kim completed her training at Central School Of Ballet where she was part of the Ballet Central Touring Company. Here she gained a diploma in classical ballet and performing arts.
Upon graduating Kim appeared as a dancer with Jean Ann Ryan Productions in various countries. Back in London, England Kim appeared as a professional dancer in commercials, TV, music videos and fashion shows for - T-Mobile, The BBC, E4, MTV, The World Cup in Dubai, The Prince Of Brunei, Hurts, Aveda, and Jones Bootmaker.
In May 2011, Kim was delighted to be asked to perform in a one off performance for the Queen at Buckingham Palace titled ‘ A Celebration of Young People In The Performing Arts.’ Kim has also performed for the Queen in a private contemporary dance performance for the opening of Southook LNG terminal.
Kim has taught at various prestigious Ballet and Performing Arts Schools internationally including The Kensington Ballet school, Regal Ballet school, The Rona Hart School Of dance, Perform Art Studios, Dance Collective and Danzmode Productions.
Kim is passionate about passing on her knowledge and enthusiasm for dance with a strong focus on ballet as a solid foundation of technique that leads to success in all other styles of dance.
This is Kim’s 7th season with us and she is thrilled to be back with the youth of Sundre.

Tanille Rock

Tanille grew up in Sundre and began dancing at age 10. She has been trained in musical theatre, jazz and hip hop. Her biggest passion and favourite style during her dance experience, was always hip hop. She has enjoyed learning several different styles of hip hop over the years from numerous instructors, that have all inspired her and contributed to her love for it.

While always having stage freight growing up, hip hop made her the most comfortable and was where she thrived. She recently joined an Adult Hip Hop Group in 2023 where she danced on the stage again and that brought back her favourite memories of dance: having fun in class, the backstage nerves and excitement of performing! Tanille won a “Most Outstanding in Hip Hop” Award from Studio K Dance in 2015, and was also awarded “Most Promising” in her hip hop solo category at Sparkle Dance Festival in 2018. Tanille is so excited to embrace her love of hip hop in other forms this year - teaching, which is something she’d always hoped to do one day! Outside of dance, Tanille works in management in the hospitality industry, and also runs her own small candle business, called Scentral Creations. She has always loved getting to meet people through her work, and using her artistic abilities through her small business. She enjoys music, hiking, road trips, golfing, coffee and laughing with others! Tanille is looking so forward to meeting all of the kids at Studio K, helping them grow in their skills, and just having fun to the beat!

Sydney Hicks

Sydney grew up in Saskatchewan, dancing from the age of 4 all the way through 18. Dance has always been a huge part of her life, giving her amazing opportunities like dancing with Team Canada and competing in Poland. She also got to attend a camp at the Cirque du Soleil facility in Montreal, which was an unforgettable experience.

After high school, she moved to Vancouver to dive even deeper into her dance training at Harbour Dance. Sydney started teaching dance at the age of 16 and spent her last year teaching full-time at three studios.

Dance is her passion, and she absolutely loves sharing it with others through teaching.