Studio K Dance Gallery
Studio K Dance Gallery
Kirsti Bennett
Kirsti Bennett
Kirsti Bennett is the owner and artistic director of Studio K Dance Gallery. Born and raised in Camrose, Alberta, she began dancing at the age of five and trained extensively in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, and Lyrical. Throughout her training, she studied the Al Gilbert Tap Syllabus as well as both the RAD and Vaganova Ballet methods. She is also a certified Acrobatic Arts instructor.
Passionate about lifelong learning, Kirsti has continued to expand her knowledge by training with renowned choreographers and educators, including faculty from Groove Street and Street Groove Productions, Blake McGrath, Alixa Sutton, The 605 Collective, the Northern Alberta Dance Association, and the Alberta Dance Educators Association. These experiences have shaped her dynamic teaching style and creative approach to choreography.
Over the past two decades, Kirsti has taught at dance studios across Alberta and is regularly invited to teach guest classes and summer intensives. More recently, she has begun adjudicating dance festivals throughout Central Alberta, where she enjoys encouraging dancers and helping them grow with confidence, artistry, and a genuine love for dance.
In addition to teaching, Kirsti works alongside her sister to organize and operate successful dance festivals throughout Central Alberta. Together, they are committed to creating positive, inspiring experiences for dancers, teachers, and studios.
Kirsti's creative and award-winning choreography has been recognized at competitions and festivals across the province. For the past 19 years, she has proudly called Sundre home, building lasting relationships within the community while growing Studio K Dance Gallery into a welcoming and supportive environment.
At SKDG, Kirsti's mission is to create more than just great dancers—she strives to build confidence, character, and a true sense of belonging. She believes every dancer deserves to feel seen, valued, and celebrated, and she is passionate about fostering a family atmosphere where lifelong friendships are made and every student has the opportunity to shine both on stage and in life.
Antoinelle Leibel
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
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 8th 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!
Ashleigh Schoonderbeek
With over 25 years of experience in dance, Ms. Ashleigh Schoonderbeek began training at the age of four and has built a dynamic career as a performer, teacher, choreographer, and adjudicator across genres including ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, pointe, and acro. Teaching since the age of 14, Ashleigh is deeply committed to mentoring dancers while fostering both technical excellence and authentic artistic expression. Her choreography has earned numerous choreography awards, along with distinctions for Most Promising and Most Outstanding achievements.
Ashleigh has trained dancers of all ages and levels at reputable studios across central Alberta, developing well-rounded performers through engaging instruction, age-appropriate choreography, and a strong emphasis on storytelling and performance quality. Having also worked as a scribe and emcee, Ashleigh has seen all sides of a competition and brings that knowledge and enthusiasm into her classroom.
Her professional development includes certifications in Acrobatic Arts, Alixa Flexibility, Tap Roots, Ready Set Dance, and The Dance Leadership Institute. Passionate about creating a supportive and inspiring environment, Ashleigh is dedicated to building confident, disciplined dancers with a lifelong love for dance.
Codi Wilson
BIO COMING SOON!