OUR FACULTY
MELISSA CONNICK
Owner/Director/Instructor/Choreographer
Melissa began her love for dance at the young age of 2.5 in Hamilton, Ontario. By the age of 8 she was competing throughout Ontario and the US, as well as performing with artists on Much Music and Canada's Wonderland. When she moved to Nova Scotia in 1996 she continued her dance training in the HRM where she danced with performance groups and as a member of the Halifax Weather Girls. She has studied Anatomy, Pedagogy, and Dance Kinesiology through the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts. Melissa has been teaching for over 20 years and continues her training by taking workshops at local conventions, attending seminars, and has even had the honor of taking classes at Broadway Dance Centre (NY) from jazz legend Frank Hatchett, among many others. Melissa's goal is to inspire her dancers to reach their full potential in a happy, safe, and positive environment.
Melissa is an Associate Member of the Canadian Dance Teacher's Association in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Acro and is a module one certified teacher for the Acrobatic Arts and well as having her certification in the Progressive Ballet Technique.
ISABELLA COOKE
Instructor/Choreographer
Isabella found her love for dance at the age of two when she began her dance education. Once she reached the age of 10, she decided to follow Melissa from where she previously taught her and joined her new self owned studio Melissa Connick School of Dance. Once joining, she began to train in styles such as Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Jazz, Modern and found her passion with Hip Hop and Musical Theatre.
Isabella joined the competitive team in 2016 and has continued ever since. She’s won numerous awards for her solos in Musical Theatre, Hip Hop and Contemporary such as scholarships, stand out awards and Overalls.
At the age of 12, Isabella began student teaching where she learnt how to instruct and train dancers from her teachers. At the age of 15 Isabella became an instructor herself teaching Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz and Ballet. She is excited to have also choreographed for the studio this season as this is where her passion truly comes alive.
Isabella continues to take classes and workshops in various styles to broaden her knowledge and dance training. Most proudly she has previously trained at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City with a focus on Musical Theater and Hip Hop, taking classes from amazing individuals such as Sue Samuels, Chio and many others. She truly has found her passion and safe place with dance and can’t wait to continue sharing it with her students, peers and other members in the Dance community.
ROSE GRIMMITT
Artistic Director/Instructor/Choreographer
Rose started her dance education at the young age of 3 in Dorchester, England were she trained in Ballet, Tap, and Modern. Once she moved to Market Deeping, England, she continued her dance training at "Ministry of Dance". At the age of 13 she started her student teacher training and by the age of 15 she was teaching her own classes for ages 3+ in many different styles. In 2012, Rose and her family were relocated to Canada and this is when she joined Melissa Connick's studio, dancing in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop and Contemporary. As well as her regular dance education, Rose was on the competitive team and still continuing her teaching training.
Rose is now a full time dance teacher and the Artistic Director at Melissa Connick School of Dance. Whenever she has spare time, she loves to take classes, learn from others in the dance community and participate in workshops, including places like House of Eights located in Downtown Halifax. One summer, she had the opportunity of travelling to New York to take classes at the famous Broadway Dance Centre which only sparked her love for all things dance even more!
Rose has won many awards for her choreography over the 8 years of competitive dance that she has been working during, and hopes and plans to continue choreographing for many more years and many more students in the maritimes.
Rose has her Acrobatic Arts Module one qualification and also her certification in the Progressive Ballet Technique and hopes to continue training and developing her teaching techniques as time goes on, to continue inspiring all of her students with her exuberant personality and teaching style.
HANNAH FAITH
Instructor/Choreographer
Hannah is a dance teacher and choreographer who will be returning for her sixth season with Melissa Connick’s School of Dance. She began her training 16 years ago at the Maritime
Conservatory of Performing Arts (MCPA) where she completed her R.A.D and Cecchetti exams with highly commendable marks. To further her training, in 2019, she was accepted into The School of Toronto Dance Theatre where she spent two years advancing her career as a contemporary/modern dancer and teacher. Over the years Hannah has built a strong network in the Halifax dance community, participating in other programs including Halifax Dance’s Young Company and Rooted Dance Projects Initiative Program. These experiences allowed her to diversify her dance training in acro, ballet, character, contemporary, jazz, modern and pointe. She later obtained professional work as an apprentice in the company of Rooted Dance Projects. She has won many awards for her choreography and hopes to inspire the next generation by sharing her love of dance through her creative works.
NOVA JOHNSTONE
Instructor
Nova is the Founder and Artistic Director of The School of Port City Ballet. She is the former national full scholarship recipient to attend The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division full time program. She also received training at Canada’s National Ballet School Professional Division, Halifax Ballet Theatre and later the Westside School of Ballet Los Angeles. Nova Went on to perform with Cork City Ballet, Ireland and became resident choreographer for Grammy award winning Anuna touring Ireland and The Netherlands (with Hozier!). Nova is an ABT certified teacher, one of only two in all of Nova Scotia. Students of Nova have been accepted into The Royal Ballet School London, Princess Grace Academy Monaco, Central School of Ballet Long, The National Ballet School of Canada and The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School.
GRACIE MATHESON
Instructor/Choreographer
Gracie began dancing and gymnastics at the age of three and quickly developed a love for both. She started her dance training in Acro before adding Jazz and Contemporary. After joining the competitive team at Melissa Connick School of Dance, Gracie continued training in a variety of styles including Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, and Acro. Throughout her years as a competitive dancer, Acro has always been one of her favourite styles and a big part of her love for dance.
At the age of 13, Gracie began student teaching at MCSOD, where she learned from her teachers and gained experience working with younger dancers. At 14, she began teaching her own Acro classes and has since had the opportunity to teach a variety of styles including Acro, Jazz, Contemporary, and Ballet. Gracie loves being able to watch her students learn new skills, gain confidence, and grow throughout the year.
Outside of the studio, Gracie is currently studying Kinesiology at Dalhousie University. Her studies have helped her learn more about the body and human movement, which she enjoys being able to bring into her teaching.
Gracie is excited to continue growing as a teacher and choreographer at MCSOD. She hopes to create a positive and encouraging space where her students can challenge themselves, build confidence, have fun, and continue to grow their own love for dance.
MELISSA KIRBY
Instructor
Melissa Kirby has been dancing since the age of three at Melissa Connick School of Dance, where her passion for dance has continued to grow throughout the years. She started training in the ballet, tap, and jazz combo class, and later expanded her learning to contemporary, modern, and hiphop. Melissa found a strong love for teaching when she started student teaching, which helped develop her skills with helping younger dancers learn new dance moves, build confidence, and have fun while dancing. Melissa is so excited for another great year of teaching and can’t wait to get back into the studio with all the amazing young dancers
ISABELLE SMITH
Instructor / Choreographer
Isabelle began dancing at the age of three and joined with Melissa at the age of five. She quickly found her love for dance, and it grew throughout her years of dancing. Isabelle joined the Melissa Connick School of Dance competitive team at the age of eight and started training in a variety of styles, including jazz, acro, contemporary, ballet, hiphop, and musical theatre. As she continued training throughout the years, her love for all styles grew, but acro had always been a favourite for her.
When Isabelle was 13, she began student teaching with Melissa, where she developed a passion for teaching and working with the younger dancers. She gained much experience from working with the older teachers, and it helped her to be able to start teaching her own classes at MCSOD when she was 15. When Isabelle was 17, she started choreographing for the competitive team at MCSOD and continues to do so.
Outside of the studio, Isabelle is currently going to Dalhousie and studying kinesiology. Where she is also hoping to continue her dance career with the Dalhousie Black and Gold Dance Team.
Isabelle continues to take dance classes and workshops in many styles to expand her knowledge and teaching techniques and hopes to continue to do so to help her grow as a teacher and choreographer.
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LAINEY CONRAD
Instructor / Choreographer
Lainey has been a part of Melissa Conick School of Dance for many years, beginning her journey as a student at the age of 3, to a student teacher, and eventually discovering her passion for teaching and choreography. She began student teaching at just 12 years old, officially became a teacher and began choreographing at 14. Now entering her second year as a teacher, Lainey has gained experience working with a wide range of ages, from younger dancers discovering movement for the first time to older dancers looking to strengthen their technique and artistry.
Lainey specializes in contemporary, modern, and open styles, yet also works in styles like jazz, hip-hop, musical theatre, tap, ballet, acro, lyrical, etc.. Her teaching focuses particularly on foundations, technique, movement quality, and helping dancers understand how and why they move. She encourages dancers to step outside of their comfort zones, experiment with improvisation, and explore different, unexpected, and sometimes “weirder” ways of moving.
Lainey has received multiple awards, including Impulse Champion at Versastyle, and many invitations to dance on the Contemporary team for the second biggest event after the Olympics, known as the Dance World Cup. She believes that dance is about more than perfecting steps, it is about finding your own voice, becoming confident in your movement, and being willing to try something new.
Outside of the studio, Lainey is a grade 11 student at JL Isley High School. She would love to pursue in sciences, specifically biology, to strengthen her knowledge on not only why we move, but how we move. Lainey is excited to expand her knowledge on dancing and teaching and is ready for the upcoming season to begin. She hopes that she can share her own love for dance and have every kid have the opportunity to shine and find growth in their passion and love for the art.
As she continues to grow as both a dancer and choreographer, Lainey plans to pursue choreography throughout her future while continuing to dance herself. Her greatest goal as a teacher is to inspire dancers to come out of their shells, and discover the freedom that comes from moving in their own unique way.
ASHYLN LESKIW
Instructor
Ashlyn was first introduced to dance at the young age of 4 when she started ballet classes. She didn’t start dancing again until age 8 when she joined Melissa Connick School of Dance. Initially training in acro, then exploring more dance styles including contemporary and jazz. She quickly found her passion for dance and joined the competitive team in 2018 while expanding her interest for more styles including modern, ballet, pointe, tap, and hip hop.
At age 13 Ashlyn became a student teacher where she was able to explore teaching for the first time and learnt how to instruct from her teachers. She began teaching her own classes at age 17 where she was able to share her love for dance with her students by getting the opportunity to teach ballet, tap, acro, and jazz. She was especially excited when given the opportunity to lead a competitive group through the 2023/2024 season.
Ashlyn is excited to continue teaching and to broaden her knowledge by teaching more styles in the upcoming season. She loves to explore new performance opportunities and attend workshops when possible to improve technique and artistry.
Ashlyn plans to continue her dance training with goals of being professional in dance. She has found her biggest passion through dance and is excited to grow as a dancer and teacher.
ELLA MATHESON
Instructor
Ella began dancing at the age of six, starting with Acro before quickly finding a love for dance. At the age of eight, she joined the competitive team at Melissa Connick School of Dance, where she began training in many different styles including Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, Modern, Musical Theatre, and Acro. Throughout her years of dancing, Ella found her biggest love for Hip Hop, which continues to be her favourite style.
At the age of 12, Ella began student teaching at MCSOD, where she was able to learn from her teachers and gain experience working with younger dancers. At 16, she became an instructor and began teaching classes of her own, mainly in Hip Hop and Acro. Ella has always loved working with kids and loves being able to share her love for dance with her students while making classes fun and welcoming.
Outside of the studio, Ella is currently in Grade 12 at Bay View High School. Dance has been a big part of her life for many years, and she is excited to continue growing as both a dancer and teacher.
Ella loves being able to share her passion for Hip Hop with her students and hopes to help them grow in their skills, confidence, and love for dance.
OLIVIA MACDONALD
Instructor / Choreographer
BIO COMING SOON
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BRYNN MYKIETIUK
Instructor
Brynn has been dancing with MCSOD for 11 years and is heading into her 10th competitive season! Over the years, she has trained in all styles of dance, with Jazz and Acro holding a special place as her favourites.
Outside of dance, Brynn is heading into Grade 11 at Bay View High School. Her love of performing has also taken her beyond the competition stage, where she has performed in several professional performances.
After three years of student teaching, Brynn joined the MCSOD teaching team last season, teaching Jazz and Acro. She is also a certified swim instructor and lifeguard and loves working with kids both in and out of the studio.
This year, Brynn is especially excited to work with MCSOD’s younger dancers and get back to the basics — helping them build strong foundations, confidence, and most importantly, a love of dance!
Lily Monk
Instructor
Lily has been dancing since the age of four at Melissa Connick School of Dance, where the passion and love for dance has grown throughout her years. She started off with a ballet tape class and fell in love with dance as a whole. At the age of 8, Lily joined the competitive team and started exploring more dance styles such as Contemporary, Modern, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Acro and Musical Theatre. Lily quickly found out that Contemporary was her favourite but Jazz and Modern will always have a special place in her heart.
At the age of 12, Lily began student teaching with the studio, where she was able to build up the skills, confiance and experience working with younger dancers. This past season she she became an instructor and teaches classes if her own.
Outside of the dance studio, Lily is a grade 11 student at Bayview high school. She is very excited to grow as a dancer and a teacher this season!
Lily’s loves being able to share the love of dance with her students and hopes that they will fall in love with dance as much as she did and help them build skills, confiance and friendships.