Meet the Teachers & StaffExperience our Experience
Donna Bender  Donna is the Founder and Director of Centre Stage Dance Studio and Unlock Unleash Control. With over 37 years of industry experience, she has worked with hundreds of young dancers, many of whom have gone on to pursue professional careers in the arts. Donna is an advanced member, master teacher and examiner for the Society of Classical Ballet, a full stage member of the Canadian Dance Teachers Association, a certified Pilates instructor, as well as a private Health & Wellness coach. Over the years, Donna has adjudicated numerous dance competitions. Since 2004, she has worked closely with master teacher Paula Morgan in technique and foundations for dancers, completing her full teacher certification in 2017. Out of her passion to help dancers achieve a safe and solid technical foundation, Donna co-created Groundforce Technique in 2020. Presently, she continues to teach this method across the country, caring for and inspiring the next generation of dancers and teachers.
Michelle Harlock
Michelle is an accomplished and successful dance teacher and choreographer. Her background includes a B.A. in Fine Arts with a specialization in Dance from the University of Waterloo. Michelle has performed with The Pittsburgh Ballet Company, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and The Black Walnut Ballet Company. Michelle is certified with the Canadian Dance Teachers Association in Jazz, Tap and Ballet and is a member of The Society of Classical Ballet Vaganova Method. Michelle is also certified in Pilates Mat work and Acro through Acrobatic Arts. Michelle is certified with the Paula Morgan Technique – a wonderful technique that brings the dancer to a new level. Evidence of her devotion and enthusiasm have been demonstrated throughout her over 30 years of teaching at Centre Stage Dance Studio. Many of her students have participated in and have won awards at various local and national competitions. Michelle’s new adventure is helping people as a physiotherapist assistant. She enjoys the rewarding experience as a fascial stretch practitioner. Jen Guitard-Linseman
 Jen began dancing at the age of four and continued with a successful competitive career, showcasing her talents in tap, jazz, ballet and lyrical, winning many awards through Canada and the United States. As her passion for dance developed early she began assisting dance classes while she was a young student and this led to her beginning to teach her own classes at a young age. Through mentorship from many amazing teachers and training with Canadian Dance Teachers Association Jen has never stopped inspiring and training young dancers to reach their full potential. In Jen’s many years of teaching, her students have also gone on to win many competitive awards and continue with dance careers of their own. Jen has had the honour of teaching at dance workshops for Dance Masters of America, judging at dance competitions in Ontario and Calgary, and being asked to teach local university dance programs and City run programs. Jen is also a RECE working with children at a local nursery school. Jen is thrilled to be joining the Centre Stage dance family and working with all the wonderful dancers and staff!
Monica Kauck
 Monica started to dance at the age of 3 and has continued
to take classes. Growing up, she studied jazz, tap, ballet, pointe and some hip hop. She received certificates for successfully completing numerous levels of jazz, tap and ballet exams. Monica loves to perform. She grew up dancing at retirement homes and at competitions. She has also had the opportunity to perform in the Nutcracker for Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal as well as for some KWMP productions. She has been actively running an office at a dance studio since the age of 13. She has been with Centre Stage for over 20 years. During the day, Monica pursues her other passion...teaching French, German and Spanish at Galt Collegiate Institute. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling and watching dance and musical productions. Michaela Zehr
 Yoga has been a significant part of Michaela's life now for nearly 10 years, having completed her 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification in 2019. Although her original training was focused on Vinyasa Flow, Michaela gravitates towards Slow Flow classes, with feel-good deep stretching and good music! Michaela whole-heartedly believes that yoga is for everybody and every body. Her primary goal in a yoga class is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for students to let go of their stress and worries. She encourages her students to explore their range of movements, listen to their bodies, and move in a way that feels good!
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