Faculty
Shannon Bachynski (Wilson) A.R.A.D. R.T.S. has over 45 years experience in performing, teaching, choreographing and administration in professional dance. She has owned and operated the McDonald-Wilson Dance Academy in Calgary, Alberta, Canada for over 30 years.
Shannon was trained as a classical ballet dancer and has studied and danced at such institutions as The National Ballet of Canada, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Ryerson Polytechnical Institute and the Banff School of Fine Arts. She has also studied Dance History, Dance Anatomy and Benesh Notation through the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
As a teacher, choreographer and administrator, Shannon has continued studying all forms of dance training and movement through various avenues such as Royal Academy of Dance (London) and The Royal Winnipeg Ballet. She is recognized as a certified and registered teacher with an A.R.A.D. (associate) certification from the Royal Academy of Dance and is also an accredited teacher of the A.D.A.P.T. (Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers) syllabus. Shannon has also travelled to study in New York to become qualified in pointe shoe fittings.
In 2005, Shannon was appointed by the head office of the Royal Academy of Dance in London to supervise the Mentor of the students who are enrolled in the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies.
Shannon has recently written and published a book entitled "Life is a Dance", which deals with a non-competitive philosophy in dance and the arts.
Shana (Bachynski) Eriksen A.R.A.D. R.T.S. has been dancing for over 28 years. She is well-experienced in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern, Hip-Hop African and Flamenco and has completed Royal Academy of Dance Examinations up to and including Advanced 2 and Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (ADAPT) Jazz Exams. Shana is a full member of the Royal Academy of Dance and has been teaching for the last 12 years. She has graduated from the Royal Academy of Dance in the Teaching Certificate Program. Shana has performed with Alberta Dance Theatre (formally Children in Dance), the Calgary Opera, Dancer's Studio West and Wild Rose Dance Arts. She has studied throughout North America at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Alberta Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, Steps on Broadway (New York) and Harbour Dance Centre (Vancouver). Shana has also travelled to study in New York to become qualified in pointe shoe fittings. She has won several awards, among them the "Most Dedicated Dancer", "Best Performer" and "Dancing Heart" with McDonald-Wilson Dance Academy.
Apart from her extensive dance and teacher training, Shana has received her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Calgary, majoring in English.
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Jacqueline is currently in her fourth year at the University of Calgary, majoring in Biological Sciences with a minor in French Language Arts. She is excited to be teaching again with McDonald-Wilson Dance Academy!
Jacqueline Boon has been dancing with McDonald Wilson for over 14 years. She is trained in multiple disciplines including ballet, jazz, tap, African and modern. She has completed Royal Academy of Dance exams up to and including Advanced Foundations Ballet and A.D.A.P.T. Intermediate 1 Jazz and Intermediate 1Tap. She has been involved with McDonald Wilson’s Teacher Aspirant Program since 2005 where she has gained very valuable experience assisting with and teaching dance classes.
Jacqueline has also furthered her dance education through many workshops and performance opportunities. She has annually attended A.D.A.P.T. jazz and tap workshops. She has also attended many Royal Academy of Dance workshops and M.A.D.D. Rhythms Canada Workshops working with artists such as the renowned Bril Barrett. Jacqueline was also involved six productions with Alberta Dance Theatre for Young People and has participated in two Dancers in Training Company productions with MWDA. In 2003, she attended the Dance and the Child International Conference in Salvador, Brazil.
This past July Brittany travelled, along with other academy members and teachers, to Matanzas and Havana Cuba to study salsa dancing , folkloric Afro Cuban Rhumba and drumming, and experience an entirely unique musical and dance culture.
Brittany is in her third year at the University of Calgary as a business transfer student, currently majoring in Communication and Culture with a minor in Management and Society, with hopes to concentrate on Energy Management.
Tarina Emshey, R.A.D. R.T.S. with the Royal Academy, has been dancing for over 30 years with McDonald-Wilson Dance Academy. Her dance experience includes Ballet, Jazz and Hip Hop. She has completed Royal Academy of Dance Examinations up to and including Advanced 1 and various A.D.A.P.T. Jazz Examinations. Tarina has also attended the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Teacher’s Summer School a number of times, and has won the "Most Dedicated Dancer" award with McDonald-Wilson Dance Academy. Tarina is a teacher member of the Royal Academy of Dance and has been teaching dance for more than 15 years with McDonald Wilson.
She graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Education as a French Major, and has taken a variety of courses in Child Development, Child Psychology, Special Education, Dance History and Dance Theory. Tarina is currently teaching in the French Immersion and Fine Arts programs at the high school level in Airdrie, where she has been for over 10 years. The past few years, she has been exposed to and participated in various dance experiences and workshops, including African, Musical Theater for Broadway while in New York, and most recently a trip to Cuba with MWDA to study Latin cultural/folkloric dances and salsa.
Mark Eriksen is a well-experienced performer, dance educator, choreographer, and director. He is originally and currently based out of Calgary, Canada. Mr. Eriksen has trained intensely with the American Tap Dance Institute to become a certified graduate of the National Tap Ensembles’ Diploma program. After graduating the program he joined the faculty involved in workshops throughout the United States.
Mark has trained in New York, San Diego, Los Angeles, Wisconsin, and Vancouver. Mr. Eriksen is highly skilled in Tap, Jazz, Street Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet, Musical Theater, and Partnering. Currently he has continued his professional teachers training to include the ADAPT syllabus, and has recently become a qualified pilates instructor. By age 22 he had entertained professionally aboard Princess Cruise Lines for over five years performing in 14 full productions shows. These shows included premier casts directed by Gene Castle as well as Gene Anthony Ray of the movie “Fame”. He was able to travel to over 80 countries before beginning his teaching career in Calgary.
As Artisitc Director of the Young Canadians School of Performing Arts, Mr. Eriksen is currently working with the internationally known Grandstand Show of the Calgary Stampede. In addition, he has worked with the Calgary performance for HRH Queen of England, during the Centennial of Alberta. As Director and Choreographer Mr. Eriksen presented Calgary downtowns first Christmas spectacular during the holiday season. Mark has won choreography awards from the American Dance Awards as well as has film credit with ”TUM BIN” a Super Cassettes Industries Production. Mr. Eriksen is also a Resident Artist for the Calgary Board of Education where he is an instructor of dance education workshops. As a Co-Director of Pure Cheek Productions Mr. Eriksen has choreographed for Altadore Gym Club, home of many Olympic Gymnasts, as well as Co-directed and choreographed the 2006 season of the NLL Roughneck drill crew and stunt team. Mr. Eriksen is also the Senior Tap instructor with McDonald Wilson Dance Academy. During the World Skills competition in Calgary, Mark was the Director and Choreographer of the opening ceremonies, the closing award ceremonies, and the half time labour day classic show. Apart from his extensive dance training he is a graduate of Business Administration, with a major in Marketing. Mr. Eriksen is a member of the International Tap Association, Wild Rose Dance Arts Association and is currently President of the Bree Eriksen Memorial Dance Award Society, which annually presents one of the largest dance awards in Canada. Recently Mr. Eriksen has become involved with the International Dance Council an affiliate of the United Nations Educational scientific and cultural organization.
Lyndsay Gundesen has been dancing at McDonald Wilson Dance Academy for more than 12 years. Throughout these years she has studied with numerous teachers in differentiating styles such as ballet, jazz, tap, modern, improvisation, African and hip-hop. She has completed all her graded Royal Academy of Dance Examinations, as well as up to and including her Intermediate examination. She has also completed her Intermediate 1 A.D.A.P.T jazz exam, and her Pre-Intermediate 3 tap exam. Lyndsay has danced with Alberta Dance Theatre, Calgary Arts Summer School Association and Dancers In Training Company, travelling to Lethbridge and the Banff Center. She has performed at the Children’s Creative Museum, as well as participated in A.D.A.P.T and R.A.D workshops over the years. Having been actively involves with the Teacher Aspirant program here at McDonald Wilson, she wishes to further her studies and passions in dancing through teaching.
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Tina Guthrie graduated from the U of C’s BA Dance Programme in 2000 and has also studied at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, the Banff Centre for the Arts, Alberta Ballet, and the National Ballet School of Canada. Career highlights include training with the late Gregory Hines and Buster Brown in New York City, and Jump Rhythm Jazz Project in Chicago. Along with teaching and performing, Tina has choreographed around the city, and for Alberta Dance Explosions and the Alberta feats-Festival in Edmonton. Tina co-created/choreographed the show Avatara as well as danced in nationally broadcasted commercials for Shaw. Recently, Tina studied Simonson technique with Lynn Simonson in Vancouver. But most importantly, she spends her days discovering with her kids, Jacqueline and Dylan.
Kristy was born into the world of Caribbean dance, but was also quickly drawn into Hip Hop culture from a very early age. Her eclectic training in Caribbean, Hip Hop, Jazz, West African and Musical Theatre have greatly contributed to her strength, style, knowledge and ability. She has been fortunate to learn from Hip Hop and Funk Styles legends/pioneers such as, Popin' Pete and Suga Pop from the Electric Boogaloos, Don "Campbellock" Campbell from the Lockers, as well as Caleaf Sellers and Bradley "Shooz" Rapier, Keely "LocknKey" Armistead, Lady Jules and Boogie Man from the Groovaloos.
She has co-founded and continues to choreograph and perform for, C.Stylz Dance Productions, a Hip Hop performance company based in Calgary. In addition, she is the vice president and head choreographer for HOLLA! Productions Association of Calgary, a not for profit organization focused on supporting and promoting youth in the urban performing arts. Kristy was honoured to receive the Award for Best Choreography in the Artists' Emerge Western Canada Hip Hop Championships.
Kristy's most recent project is her company, Just Vibez Dance Creations, which serves to promote her dynamic work as a performer, choreographer and instructor. Kristy continues to spread her fervor for dance through endless self-study, creation and transformation.
Barbara Lisek brings over 35 years of experience and dedication to dance as a performer, choreographer and educator. She graduated from Grant MacEwan College and later collaborated to design a children's dual stream dance program and a Dance Teacher Training program. Ms. Lisek danced professionally with the Brian Webb Dance Company for five years, Formolo Dance Association for World Expo '86 and co-directed Thatside Independence. She is Senior Modern Pedagogue in the Professional Division at the School of Alberta Ballet since 1982. For the past ten years Ms. Lisek has provided dance education to Calgary Board of Education students at Monterey Park Elementary School, as part of their mandate to provide students with drama, music and dance as a weekly curriculum. She is dance artist at Pineridge Elementary and the Calgary Waldorf School. Monterey Park is one of Canada's top "40 cool schools". For the past 20 years, Ms. Lisek has provided movement education for 4-5 year olds. She is affectionately known as "Miss Barbara". Barbara recently returned from Edmonton where she taught the 3rd annual teachers course, sponsored by the Edmonton School of Ballet.
Krista McEwen, a Sociology student at the University of Calgary, has been dancing for over eighteen years with McDonald-Wilson Dance Academy. She has studied various techniques, including ballet, jazz, tap, modern and West African. Krista has completed Royal Academy of Dance Examinations up to and including Intermediate, A.D.A.P.T. Jazz Examinations and was recognized as the "Most Dedicated Dancer" by McDonald-Wilson Dance Academy. She has performed in various productions including Dance Montage at the University of Calgary, the Ignite Festival, Avatara, Alberta Dance Theatre (formally Children in Dance), Alberta Dance Explosions, and the Feats Festival in Edmonton.
Christina has been dancing and performing with McDonald Wilson Dance Aca<wbr />demy for 17 years. She has studied various dance styles including ballet, jazz, modern and tap. Her main focus has been ballet, where she has completed all of the R.A.D Graded and Vocational Examinations up to and including Advanced 2. She has also taken various ADAPT Jazz and Tap exams, up to and including Inter 2 Jazz. She has participated in many of MWDA's Summer Dance Intensives and has furthered her dance study with the University of Calgary <wbr />dance program. Christina has performed with MWDA's Dancers in Training Company for 8 years as a senior dancer, Children in Dance, and was a part of the University of Calgary's 2008 Dance Montage production. Christina has received the "Most Improved Dancer" award on various occasions and received the "Dancer's Heart" award in 2008. She was also the recipient of the Bree Eriksen Memorial Dance Award in 2008.
Christina was a part of the Teacher Aspirant Program for many years where she gained valuable experience teaching younger children. She has been subbing for the past 4 years and has taught with the VRRI summer dance camps. She taught three classes last year at MWDA and is thrilled to be teaching again this year. Christina was accepted into the R.A.D Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies Programme beginning in January of 2009, however due to conflicts with school she regretfully had to pass up the opportunity.
Christina recently spent a week in Cuba studying Salsa dance, Folkloric Afro Cuban dance and drumming. She, along with 15 other dancers and staff members, experienced an amazing week full of Cuban culture, music and dancing.
In addition to dancing, Christina is also a qualified piano teacher, and has been teaching piano for 8 years. She graduated from the University of Calgary in June of 2009 with a Bachelor of Communications and Culture with a Math minor. She is currently studying at SAIT in the Architectural Technologies program.
Janelle Schiffner has been dancing for over 15 years. She has studied various techniques, including ballet, jazz, modern, tap, hip-hop and African. She has completed all Royal Academy of Dance Examinations up to and including Advanced Foundations and A.D.A.P.T. Jazz and Tap examinations. Janelle has performed with Alberta Dance Theatre and in Dancer’s inTraining Company for 10 years. She has also travelled to study dance in New York at Steps on Broadway. She participated in the Dance and Child International Conference in the Netherlands in 2006. Recently, she travelled to Cuba with Hannah Stilwell to study afro Cuban dance and Salsa. She has taken classes at the Banff Centre, Summer Dance Intensive (S.D.I.), Decidedly Jazz Dance Summer Camps, A.D.A.P.T. workshops, and R.A.D. workshops. Janelle was the Dance Captain for the William Aberhart High School Musical Theatre department, choreographing many numbers for the show. She has also choreographed and performed a dance for the Children’s Art Museum. Janelle has participated in the Teacher Aspirant Program at McDonald Wilson for many years. She has received the “Most Improved Dancer” award on various occasions and received the “Best Performer” award in 2006. Janelle is currently studying as a dance major at the University of Calgary.
Jacqueline grew up in Montreal where she began her studies with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. She moved to Toronto at the age of 13 and graduated from the National Ballet School in 1984. Jacqueline began her professional career with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and also danced with Alberta Ballet and Calgary City Ballet. During her career she performed such ballets as The Nutcracker, Cinderella and Coppelia. Jacqueline also taught with the School of Alberta Ballet for over 10 years. As well as teaching at McDonald-Wilson Dance Academy, she also works part time at Fitness Table Calgary.
All photos courtesy of Helen Scott Photography
