Emily Brown
Artistic Director/Co-Owner
Emily Brown grew up in a very theatrical family in Camlachie, Ontario, just outside of Sarnia. Her love for arts started at a young age with Bluewater Musical Production. She then went on to focus a great deal on her dance training. Emily was a competitive dancer from the age of 7 until 18 years, she trained in many styles such as Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip hop, Contemporary and Lyrical, she was also a competitive gymnast for 10 years.
Emily is a graduate from George Brown College with a certificate from the Commercial Dance Studies Program. She also received an award of Professionalism from Ballet Jorgen, a well-respected Ballet company based out of Toronto. Emily has worked professionally as a dancer for Army of Sass, and Diva Girl Entertainment in Toronto. She has experience with live performance and the hard work that goes into the training.
She has taught and choreographed at a competitive level and has achieved outstanding choreography awards as well as scholarships. She is a certified Progressing Ballet instructor and is certified to teach Acrobatics up to a pre professional level by the Acrobatic Arts Syllabus. Emily has attended teacher training in California with Shannon Mather, owner of Mather Dance Company along with her incredible staff and students. Emily is dedicated to bettering herself as a dance educator and always looking to learn more to share with her students here at Bluewater Dance Academy.
Skyler Weed
Artistic Director/Co-Owner
Skyler Clark started dancing at 4 years old in Sarnia, Ontario. She realized her love for dance and started competing in Dance competitions at age 8, all the way until age 18. Skyler has won many special awards in her Competitive Dance Career in styles such as Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, and Musical Theatre. In her high school career she became the Captain of her high school dance team for 2 years and choreographed dances in the high school musical.
Skyler decided to pursue her dreams by attending York University (Toronto, ON) for Dance. After completing 1 year at York she then furthered her dance education at George Brown College for Commercial Dance (Toronto, ON). There she worked with Toronto’s most sought after dance instructors and completed her dance certificate. Skyler then attended Fanshawe College and received a certificate in Entrepreneurship.
In Toronto, Skyler had the pleasure of dancing for sports teams such as the Toronto Marlies (AHL) on the “Marlies Dance Crew” for a full season. She then made top 30 girls at the Toronto Raptors Dance Pak Auditions and was then chosen to participate in the “Pick the Pak” Online Voting competition out of 9 girls. Skyler has also performed through George Brown College at events like the Toronto Premier Awards.
Skyler has also danced for the London Lightning (NBL) on the “Dance Pack” for a full season. Skyler then moved to Whistler BC for a year where she trained with “The StilettoEttes”, a heels performance group from Vancouver, BC. With the “StilettoEttes” she was chosen to perform at multiple events in area and took classes with professional choreographers and well known dancers from Los Angeles.
Skyler has been teaching/choreographing since age 15 and has taught dance in Ontario and British Columbia. She has been choreographing competitive dance numbers since age 20 and has won special awards for her dances. Skyler’s dream of opening a dance studio has come true and she couldn’t be more excited to share her love of dance with Sarnia Lambton.
Lauren Romphf
Instructor
Lauren Romphf graduated with a BFA in Dance from Wayne State University in 2015. Continuing with her education at Drexel University, Lauren went on to receive her MA in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counselling in 2017, after submitting her thesis about objectification theory and its impact on women and girls’ experiences of their bodies. She is a Certified Dance/Movement Therapist and a certified STOTT Pilates instructor. Lauren has taught and performed dance for over a decade. Lauren’s passion for teaching dance centres around a desire for dancers to be able to fully express themselves, to encourage body awareness and longevity for the dancer’s body, and improving confidence and a sense of self. Lauren’s teaching history includes: contemporary, hiphop, tap, jazz, ballet, modern, improvisation, and dance composition. Lauren is looking forward to bringing a different perspective to the dancers at Bluewater Dance Academy!
Carly White
Competitive Ballet Director
Carly White’s love of dance started when she began taking tap classes at 5 years old in Sarnia, Ontario. From there her passion grew as she expanded her training into many different styles including Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical and Contemporary, successfully completing graded examinations in each style. At the age of 12, Carly started her teaching career as an assistant instructor for a local studio and began teaching shortly after. She then went on to coach and choreograph for their competitive team while attending college and continued to further her dance education by attending numerous conventions and teachers’ workshops. She was trained in the Cecchetti Ballet method and is a certified Progressing Ballet Technique instructor. During her over 15 years of teaching, Carly’s passion has truly shifted from performing to educating and she can’t wait to share her knowledge and love of dance with all the students at Bluewater Dance Academy!
Trista Tulloch
Instructor
Trista Tulloch started dancing when she was 3 years old and instantly fell in love. Her dream was to always be a teacher and inspire other young dancers to follow their dreams. She trained in all types of dance such as tap, hip hop, ballet, contemporary, jazz and lyrical. She specifically took a liking to ballet and successfully completed exams. Trista has been a part of Bluewater Dance Academy since season 3 and has been a part of the Competitive Company. She now cannot wait to share her passion with BDA students.
Alex Robinson
Instructor
Alex Robinson didn’t start dancing until she was 10 years old, and was immediately in love! Moving up quickly in her company, Alex knew she wanted dance to be a part of her life and is happy to still be teaching. Her favourite style of dance is tap and jazz, although all styles are fun! Alex graduated from Lambton College with a Sports & Recreation Management Advanced Diploma. She now lives just outside of Sarnia with her partner Damon and their puppy Remi! Alex cannot wait to continue learning and teaching for the youth of Sarnia!
Kalie Woodcock
Instructor
My performance background is in musical theatre and the arts have always been an important part of my life. This led me to earn degrees in English, Theatre, and Education. I am a certified teacher, trained in Vocal Music and Special Education, with additional certification in Kids and Family Yoga. I loved dance mostly from a distance up until a few years ago and it has taught me so many things. The more I learn and practice, the more I crave movement just for the joy it brings. So let's move!
I am so excited to work with the itty bitty dancers in the Pre classes and the Primary dancers this Fall. Learning to move and express ourselves through movement is such a valuable skill; the strength and confidence it brings to an individual is so beautiful to see and worthwhile for everyone--regardless of age. Which is why I am just excited to help build the dance community for adults in the area with recreational drop-in classes--you deserve some fun too!
Simply put: Dance feels good. I can't wait to get back to it…see you soon!
Emily Brouwer
Instructor
Emily Brouwer started dancing at 3 years old in Sarnia, Ontario. She then began dancing competitively from 4-18 years of age, attending National Dance Finals in Los Angeles, Orlando, and Toronto. Emily has successfully completed examinations in the Cecchitti Ballet method, as well as Al Gilbert’s Syllabus for both Tap & Jazz. She has also been trained in other dance styles such as hip hop, lyrical, musical theatre, and pointe. Emily was a Scholarship recipient to the Summer Dance Intensive at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Emily has performed in several productions at the Imperial Theatre such as The Nutcracker, 42nd Street, Crazy for You, and Annie. She was also the captain of her high school dance team for 1 year.
Emily became a dance instructor at 18 years old. Over the years, she has taught both recreational and competitive classes. Emily is excited to share her passion for dance with all of her students at Bluewater Dance Academy!
Montana Lylander
Montana Lylander started dancing at the age of 7. Staring out with recreational programs, she worked her way up to a competitive level. Montana is passionate about the craft because of the joy and friendships created and the valuable life lessons dance has taught her. Dancing has brought Montana excelling self confidence and work ethic. She hopes to share the joy and positive lessons to the younger generation at BDA.