OUR TEAM
Acclaimed Local Dance Teachers and Choreographers
Our instructors and instructor trainees are passionate, talented, and trained in an array of disciplines. We work closely with our new instructors to ensure that you will receive quality instruction. Our studio owners, Miss Candy, Mr Mark, Miss Georgie, and Miss Dixie, have taught dance for over two decades. All owners are professionally trained dancers and acclaimed choreographers with post-secondary degrees and dance training.
Candy Chiselle-Williams – the founder of Danceworks – is a professionally trained dancer and acclaimed choreographer with more than 50 years of experience. Miss. Candy grew up in London, England, where she graduated from the Corona School of the Performing Arts.
Miss. Candy teamed up with Mr. Mark shortly after the formation of Danceworks, and they have been inseparable business partners ever since. They both believe in taking a unique approach to dance education. In addition to teaching, their creative choreographic talents have enhanced many of our community theatre productions. Some of their credits include local productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, A Chorus Line, Avenue Q, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Anything Goes. Between 1992 and 2001, Candy and Mark were regular adjudicators for the Dance Magic Pageants, including the national finals in Oregon. They are also winners of the 1990 CanPro Award for choreography for their participation in the CISA-TV production Dream Dance.
Miss. Candy believes in providing a solid technical foundation while encouraging students to create and explore movement. As our students progress through our program, they are provided with many opportunities to create, teach, and present their own dance routines and combinations.
Mr Mark grew up in Lethbridge. For those that remember when local TV was our main form of entertainment, he was a yearly performer on both the Georgia Fooks and Joan Waterfield morning shows, as well as a dancer for the nightly CJOC sign-off. Before leaving Lethbridge in the 70s, he was often seen as a performer for the Christmas Pantomimes, Whoop-Up Days, and community and high school musicals. He credits both Romulo Ully and Muriel Jollife for creating his love of dance and performing.
While earning his bachelor's degree in dance at Brigham Young University, he toured as a dancer through most of the Western United States, Japan, and Western Europe. His most memorable moment was meeting the Japanese Prime Minister. He credits Caroline Prohosky, Cathy Black, Dee Winterson, and Abby Fiat as major influencers for his love of creative dance.
Upon returning to Canada, he earned a second degree in Education. While teaching high school, he teamed up with Miss Candy to form Danceworks. Over the last 40 years together, they have taught dance to hundreds of students and choreographed over 50 local shows and musicals. Their work has been seen on stage through Lethbridge Musical Theatre, New West Theatre, Hatrix Theatre, Raymond Playhouse, Centre Stage Productions, and, of course, 40 recitals.
He believes Danceworks differs from other local dance schools through their dedication to the art of dance, encouragement of creativity in class, and the importance of sharing the love of dance. It is important to him that students receive a strong technical foundation, but even more importantly, he wants students to be able to create their own movements and dance for themselves. He believes expressing and sharing your inner voice through movement is magical and is truly the foundation of Danceworks.
Miss Georgie has been a member of the Danceworks family since 1993 and began teaching in 1999. Back then, her name was Catherine George, so Miss Candy nicknamed her Georgie, and it stuck!
As a teenager at Danceworks, Miss Georgie was a member of Inturns Modern Dance Company, and under the guidance of Mr Mark and Miss Candy, she developed a passion for modern dance. She continued dancing and teaching at Danceworks while completing a Bachelor of Music at the University of Lethbridge and her Intermediate Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing ballet exam. Then, that passion for modern dance took her to Toronto to study at the School of Toronto Dance Theatre. She completed the 3-year Professional Training Program at STDT, where she had the honour of working with world-renowned teachers and choreographers and was introduced to the technique of Martha Graham.
She returned to Lethbridge in 2007 and has been teaching at Danceworks and sharing her love of dance as much as possible ever since. She is honored to have recently taken on the role of co-owner at Danceworks. Working alongside Mr. Mark, Miss Candy, and her partner in the dance, Miss Dixie, she hopes to keep Danceworks thriving and inspire passionate, lifelong dance artists.
Outside of Danceworks, Miss Georgie is a co-founder of the Lethbridge Society of Independent Dance Artists and served as its president for 5 years. She also teaches Ballet Beats fitness classes and continues to take any chance to perform or learn more about dance.
Miss Georgie married her high school sweetheart, Kris, and they have two wonderful kiddos. Her daughter, Erin, shares her mom’s passion for dance, so you’ll always see her around the studio.
Miss Georgie’s other passion is music. As a classical double bass player, she serves as Principal Bass in the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra and teaches private bass lessons through the University of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music.
Miss Candy
Mr. Mark, BA in Dance, B.Ed
Miss Georgie, B.Mus, STDT PTP
Miss Dixie, B.Ed, RAD RTS, Dipl. Dance, Rambert Gr. Cert.
Miss Dixie is a passionate educator, choreographer, and artist who is deeply committed to instilling Danceworks’ unique core values in every student she teaches. For more than twenty years, she has dedicated herself to nurturing young dancers, developing emerging artists, and inspiring a lifelong passion for movement, creativity, and the performing arts.
Dixie’s love of dance began during her own training at Danceworks and continued throughout her studies and professional career across North America. She went on to receive her Diploma in Dance from Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton, where she received numerous prestigious awards. Her commitment to continued learning has remained a cornerstone of her career. She is a registered ballet teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance and has expanded her pedagogical practice through extensive training in modern dance techniques, including Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham. Dixie has also completed her Level 1 Ailey Horton Technique and Teacher Training through the Limón Dance Foundation. She recently earned her Bachelor of Education from the University of Calgary and, this summer, attained her Teacher Certification in the Rambert Grades Contemporary Training Syllabus.
As a professional artist, Dixie has travelled internationally and performed her own work as an independent contemporary artist, while also working with organizations including Mile Zero Dance Company, Dance Theatre David Earle, Prairie Dance Connection, and the Good Women Dance Collective. In 2003, she was invited by the Edmonton Arts Council to represent Edmonton in Korea through the Edmonton Dance Artist Ambassador Program.
A highly sought-after teacher and choreographer, Dixie has received countless choreography awards throughout her career. She prides herself on taking risks and encouraging her students to explore a rich and diverse palette of movement and creative approaches. She believes in developing not only exceptional artists, but thoughtful, confident, and passionate human beings, and works every day to preserve and perpetuate the spirit of humanity through movement.
Miss Katie, B.Sc., Kin.
Miss Katie started her movement journey at the age of 5, beginning in recreational gymnastics and progressing into competitive gymnastics and eventually trampolining. She began dancing at the age of 12 in jazz at Danceworks and ballet at the University of Lethbridge. In high school, she decided to commit fully to dance and left trampolining to pursue performance opportunities through the LCI dance program. She took every chance she could to participate in workshops, classes, travel opportunities, and performances, working with a variety of teachers and choreographers in modern, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, and musical theater.
In grade 12, she returned to Danceworks and, after graduating, completed a year-long apprenticeship with Miss Georgie. After teaching for two years, Miss Katie took an extended break from teaching to complete her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. In 2011, she got married and now has two little girls who can often be seen at the studio running a muck.
Miss Katie has been back teaching at Danceworks since 2019 and has rediscovered her love of teaching and choreography. She looks forward to being back in the studio with new and familiar students.
Miss Julie-Vanessa, B.Sc., M.D.
Miss Julie-Vanessa has been a dancer and avid performer since the age of 3. She has performed, competed, and taught locally, as well as throughout her travels and studies in New York, Grenada, and Miami. She was in several dance performances as a member of the Inturns Modern Dance Company and Young Ambassadors in Lethbridge, and FNC (a hip-hop dance troupe) in New York City. In 2012, she graduated with her MD and worked as a research fellow, clinical tutor, and visiting professor at her alma mater.
Miss Julie-Vanessa absolutely loves musical theatre and has been dance captain and a cast member in Evil Dead, the Musical, and as cast and co-choreographer for the Toxic Avenger the Musical. Miss Julie-Vanessa sat as vice- president and later president for many years of LSIDA, the Lethbridge Society of Independent Dance Artists, that promoted dance as art for professional and pre-professional dancers in Southern Alberta.
Currently, she is a stay at home mom to her wonderful 10 year old son, dances, teaches dance, choreographs for Danceworks as well as for several arts events throughout the city, models for a fashion boutique, and acts. In her spare time, she loves to swim, garden, and make and sell all kinds of crafts.
Miss Sierra, Dipl. Interior Design
Miss Sierra started dancing at the age of 3 at the University of Lethbridge. She then joined Danceworks at age 5 and has been part of the Danceworks family ever since. Miss Sierra began as a demonstrator before becoming a dance teacher in the fall of 2019.
Miss Sierra has a passion for dance and has trained in multiple styles, with a particular love for contemporary and jazz. She has completed teacher training through the Method Dance Program and has also received additional training in RAD ballet technique. Over the years, she has received multiple choreography awards at competitions for her work.
Throughout her dance journey, Miss Sierra has had the opportunity to learn from countless teachers, including Miss Georgie, Miss Laura, and, of course, Mr. Mark and Miss Candy. In addition to her training at Danceworks, she danced throughout middle and high school at G.S. Lakie and Chinook High School. She has also been given many opportunities to perform and share her love of dance through The Yellow Umbrella Society, LSIDA, numerous competitions, and year-end recitals. Danceworks has been home to countless laughs, memories, and special moments over the years that she will always cherish.
Outside of dance, Miss Sierra works full-time as an Interior Design Technologist at FWBA Architects. She graduated from Lethbridge College in 2021 with her Interior Design Technologist Diploma and was named to the Dean’s List. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Interior Design online through Yorkville University.
Miss Ahniya
Miss Ahniya has been dancing with Danceworks since she was 4 years old and has had a passion for it ever since!
Miss Ahniya demonstrated for the younger dancers at Danceworks from age 11 until she graduated high school and started teaching. Throughout high school, Miss Ahniya danced in the LCI Dance Academy Program, where she got to work with amazing teachers and choreographers from all over Canada!
Tap had always been her favourite style of dance until she learned many different types of hip-hop styles in the Academy Program. Now, tap and hip-hop are both equally enjoyable to her.
Miss Ahniya is working towards getting her Degree in Social Work. Miss Ahniya wants to explore different areas of work in social services, as she ultimately wants to help people in need.
Having the opportunity to teach at Danceworks has helped Miss Ahniya recognize her true desire to work with kids in the future and thus encouraged her to work towards a career where she can help children and families who are struggling in different ways.
Miss Ahniya is super excited for this upcoming dance year and to work alongside the lovely staff of Danceworks for another year!
Miss Cassandra, CBTS, Dipl. Interior Design
Miss Cassandra has been dancing ever since the age of 5, with ballet as a strong focus and foundation for her dance technique. She grew up learning ballet from Mary Falconer, Carol Godlonton, and Maddison Meierhofer with the University of Lethbridge Ballet Program. Her passion for the art form led her to teach, first starting out as a demonstrator and later as an assistant teacher for the UofL Ballet program. Her journey to become a ballet teacher led her to Danceworks in 2019. In 2021, Miss Cassandra earned her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies from the Royal Academy of Dance, giving her the opportunity to further develop her skills as a ballet teacher under the mentorship of DeAndra Sullivan during her studies. A creative spirit, Miss Cassandra is also an interior designer, graduating from Lethbridge College with a Diploma in Interior Design Technology in 2018. When she's not teaching at Danceworks, she works full-time as a designer for Avonlea Homes. Her passion for both dance and interior design allows her to express herself creatively through both art forms. When she's not working, Cassandra enjoys walks, coffee, pilates, reading, shopping, and getting inspired by new interior design and choreography ideas. Cassandra is so happy to continue teaching at Danceworks this year and looks forward to sharing her passion for dance while encouraging growth and artistry in each of her students!
Miss Laura, RYT-200
Miss Brooke
Miss Izzy
Meet Miss Laura! She is a proud Inuk (Inuit person) who was born in Whitehorse, Yukon. When she was 2, her family moved down to the Lethbridge area, and shortly after, her involvement with dance began. She joined the Danceworks family when she was 5 years old, and this was when her passion for teaching and choreography started to grow.
From the age of 12, she started demonstrating and helping in classes, and started teaching at Danceworks in 2014. Miss Laura was also involved in many Lethbridge Musical Theater productions, including The Music Man, Hairspray, Peter Pan, and Guys and Dolls. She also had the opportunity to be in Danceworks musical production of Charlie Brown and was involved in Danceworks Young Ambassadors of Lethbridge. Miss Laura has had the opportunity to study Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, Contemporary, and Modern through Danceworks. She also enjoys attending dance conventions, including We Found Love Workshop, iDance Convention, and the DJD Dance Marathons. In 2012, she had the opportunity to attend the BYS Street Dance Intensive at Leaping Feats in Whitehorse, Yukon. She also has her 200hr Yoga Teacher Certification.
Outside of dance, Miss Laura spends most of her time working at Alberta Health Services, working towards her Neuroscience Degree at the University of Lethbridge, running her small business Lavender Antler Design Co, and chasing her little toddler around.
Brooke Fitzhenry is a performer, teacher, and student in Lethbridge that is currently working towards getting her BFA at the University of Lethbridge. Brooke was a student at Danceworks from ages 3-19 and is now working as a teacher. She has also been choreographing at Chinook High School for the past couple of years.
Brooke is a passionate, local, musical theatre performer with recent credits including Footloose (Lethbridge Musical Theatre), Fiddler on the Roof, Dogfight (Little Lethbridge Opera), Rock the Halls, Millennium (New West Theatre), Newsies (Phoenix arts co.).
Brooke is very excited to be teaching at her childhood dance studio and looks forward to continuing the Danceworks legacy.
Miss Izzy is a dedicated dancer and teacher with a genuine passion for all styles of dance and performance. As a lifelong member of the Danceworks family, she has trained at the studio throughout her dance journey and has earned numerous performance awards at competitions and festivals.
Izzy brings the same dedication and passion to her teaching that she does to her dancing. She leads by example, holding herself to a high standard and continually challenging herself to grow as both a dancer and an artist. She embraces every opportunity to learn, taking as many classes and gaining as much experience as possible.
As a teacher, Izzy strives to inspire her students to develop the same passion, confidence, and commitment that she has for dance. Her enthusiasm, dedication, and genuine care for her students make her a valued and inspiring part of the Danceworks family (fun fact: Miss Izzy's dream dance to choreograph is an epic Lord of the Rings number)
Miss Grace, MRT
Miss Brianna
Grace began dancing at the age of three at Danceworks, where she trained for 16 years and competitively danced for 14. She continued her dance education at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute’s Arts Academy, graduating with a Diploma in Fine Arts. During her time at LCI, Grace had the opportunity to learn from and work alongside a variety of talented and renowned choreographers and artists, including Lady C, Raoul Wilke, Sarah Dolan, Ajay Musodi, Philippe Jacques, Haley Van Rijn, Goldie Wong, Apple Sulit, Tessa Tamura, and Kenyan Boha.
Her time at LCI allowed Grace to explore dance beyond choreography and performance, with opportunities to learn about anatomy, the mechanics of the human body, movement, and the artistry behind dance. She is currently completing her education in Medical Radiologic Technology (MRT), further expanding her knowledge of anatomy and the human body.
After many years as a competitive dancer, Grace has found a new love for teaching and, especially, for helping start a dancer’s journey. She loves watching dancers discover movement, build confidence, develop their skills, and find their own love for dance. As an instructor, Grace hopes to create a positive and encouraging environment where dancers feel supported while learning, growing, and challenging themselves. She is passionate about sharing the knowledge and experiences that have shaped her own journey while helping dancers discover their love for movement.
Grace is excited to share her passion, experience, and knowledge with the next generation of dancers and to help them build the foundation for their own dance journey.
Danceworks has been a significant part of Miss Brianna’s life for many years. She began dancing at the studio at the age of seven and spent the years that followed training competitively in contemporary, modern, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and lyrical where her love for choreography and performance grew.
In 2020, Miss Brianna began working at Danceworks as a demonstrator, combining her passion for dance with her love of working with young dancers. Later in the fall of 2025, she took the next step in her dance journey by stepping into a teaching role at Danceworks. This allowed her a greater outlet to share her love of choreography and the knowledge she gained throughout her years of training with the next generation of dancers.
Outside of the studio, Miss Brianna will be attending the University of Lethbridge’s Dhillon School of Business, where she will continue her education through the Bachelor of Business Administration/Bachelor of Law dual degree program. She hopes to pursue a career in corporate law and looks forward to combining her passion for learning with her future career aspirations.
Miss Brianna is excited to share her passion and knowledge for dance with her students. She hopes to inspire them to embrace their individuality, work hard, and create lasting memories through dance. She is grateful to give back to the studio that has played such an important role in her own journey. Over the years, Danceworks has become a second home to Miss Brianna, and she is beyond excited to return for her second year of teaching!