GDF Staff
Owner & Instructor - Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Preschool Dance
Miss Twyla
Gravity Dance Force is going into its 14th year of operation and continues to grow! Miss Twyla's vision is truly making its mark in the dance world - dancers are setting goals, reaching them, and continuing to strive in the dance world. Miss Twyla and her dancers have over 1000 awards in only 14 years of competing, including Choreography awards, Overall high scores, Most Outstanding/Promising and boasts winners of Final Championships and Dance-Off Finalists. Her dancers win numerous On Stage scholarships & Adjudicator's Choice Awards.
Miss Twy's passion for dance and children is showing everywhere her studio goes! She's in her 34th year of teaching and choreographing jazz, tap, hip hop, ballet, musical theatre, and contemporary & lyrical and continues to dedicate her work to those who share the same passion. Miss Twyla's experience with dance and choreography has taken her places to perform, train, choreograph and compete in New York, LA, Vancouver, Las Vegas, Spokane & Winnipeg.
Miss Twyla is always excited to share her love of dance while adjudicating dance festivals and competitions in various places in Alberta, B.C and Saskatchewan. She believes in educating with positivity, proper development in dancers, and encouraging teachers to grow within the dance world.
Miss Twyla's heart lies in her studio now and training dancers in a professional, safe and qualified environment. She adores teaching all ages and levels and can't wait to see what the year ahead is going to bring! Miss Twyla's philosophy stands true....have fun, work hard and be the best you can be are the keys to success, inside and outside the studio.
Head of Our Karate Program
Sensei Ed
Ed Kuebler began training with Steve Hartnett in 1993 shortly after his twelve-year-old son Shay Kuebler left karate to pursue a very successful career as a professional dancer and choreographer. Ed Kuebler has also competed locally and internationally and instructs the summer sessions for Sherwood Karate-Do. Today Kuebler holds a 2nd degree black belt in Shito Ryu karate taught by Master Demura.
Instructor
Miss Laura
Miss Laura has more than 25 years of teaching experience throughout BC and Alberta. She has studied many disciplines including ballet, jazz, tap, modern, lyrical and swing. Miss Laura’s passion for dance has taken her to New York City where she studied at the Martha Graham Institute, Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Centre, Alvin Ailey and Peridance Centre. Laura has attended the Teacher Training Program at the Edmonton School of Ballet where she studied the RAD and Cecchetti methods of Ballet as well as anatomy, music theory and dance history.
Miss Laura completed Module 1 of Acrobatic Arts in 2017. In 2019 Laura completed Module 1 of Alixa Flexibility as well as Progressing Ballet Technique. in 2020 she completed Module 2 and 3 of Alixa Flexibility as well as the Sugarfoot Therapy Teachers Certification, which combines Physiotherapy exercises with athletic training designed to keep the dancers at optimal health and prevent injuries. In 2022, Laura achieved certification with Acro Dance Teachers Association (ADTA), as well as Module 4 of Alixa Flexibility.
In January, 2023 Miss Laura achieved a Diploma in Graphic Design (with Honours) and has been thrilled to apply her knowledge to improve communication at VSB. And in February of 2023, she completed Module 5 of Alixa Flexibility.
This year Miss Laura will continue to pursue further credentials with ADTA, and is hoping to add a few more tools to her belt. She believes strongly in the importance of continuing her own education in this always-changing dance industry so that her students receive solid and broad training.
Instructor
Miss Makayla
I have been dancing since I was 3 years old and have continued to grow my love for dance throughout my many years of competing. While I have trained in areas such as ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, musical theatre, hip hop, and street jazz, my greatest passion lies in lyrical, modern, and large productions. I have had the opportunity to teach and volunteer within the dance community and have found it to be the most fulfilling and rewarding experience.
I firmly believe in the importance of building strong foundations and technique and in the power of connection with one another. As dancers I believe we have the opportunity to express ourselves not only on the stage but in any opportunity we have to perform, even if we are alone. I am so excited to join the GDF fam and am looking forward to a fantastic season !
Instructor
Miss Jorja
Jorja began dancing at the age of 3 and soon took a love to all genres of dance. Her career began at Gravity Dance Force Studio and Jorja began teaching at the age of 14 and took an instant love to teaching. Her forte is Tap, Jazz, Lyrical & Hip Hop but is trained in all genres and took as many classes as she could throughout her school and studio years.
Jorja has multiple accolades not only as a dancer herself but as a choreographer. She has won many dance titles as a soloist and has competed since the age of 6. A highlight of her tap career was being a member of YEG Kinesis Dance Project under the direction of Thomas Boivin.
Jorja always loves the anticipation of beginning a new dance season with her returning and new students. She wishes GDF and all the dancers a wonderful 2023-2024 season!
Instructor
Miss Chelsea
Chelsea started dancing at the age of 5 at her hometown studio. At the age of 14, she started to dance more intensively with Biancas Dance Company in Edmonton. There she was trained in hip hop, ballet, acro, jazz and contemporary.
After graduation, Chelsea took on the role of hip hop teacher at BDC and began to expand her knowledge by training in different cities such as LA and Barcelona. Currently Chelsea trains with Cool Giraffes, a hip hop team directed by Thomas Boivin, where she and the team were recently finalists on Canada’s Got Talent.
Chelsea has a love and passion for dance that she will continue fuel and share with those around her.
Leann
Administrator and Accounts
Leann Strilchuk is returning to GDF as a member of our admin team handling accounts and more. With a degree in accounting from MacEwan, Leann has years of experience as a bookkeeper and has volunteered her time as treasurer for countless organizations. We are very excited to have Leann on board with us again.