Choreographer
Alexandra Contreras
(She/Her)
Alexandra Contreras is a Colombian-Canadian dance artist based in Mohkinstsis (Calgary). Over the years, she has made and produced dances and other creative movement and theatre explorations in Calgary and Toronto, namely with Ballet Creole, Rhubarb Festival, Feats Festival, and more recently with Calgary Core Contemporaries (Katharina Schier), Error 404 Dancefound (Zaria Rajha and Mario Obeid) and Ballet Bodies YYC (Serenella Arqueta). She has trained under prestigious teachers in Colombia, San Francisco and Canada. She graduated from the Professional Division at the Alberta Ballet School, received her B.A. in Dance at the University of Calgary, and has studied various dance forms, including Contemporary, Modern, Flamenco, West African and Jazz. She also obtained a Bachelor of Education and is highly regarded by the many students she has inspired and empowered to dance through her welcoming, creative approach to teaching.
Performers
Brittney Winnitoy
(She/Her)
Born in Mohkinstsis (Calgary), Brittney Winnitoy trained with Scott, Leslie and Sheri Drewitz before moving to Toronto to earn a BFA in Dance (York University). Brittney has trained extensively in many styles of dance, and her BFA senior piece Polyphony, utilized drums, tap shoes, microphones, and loop pedals onstage to create live-recorded accompaniment. She has travelled internationally for dance and has completed intensive training programs with companies including: NW Dance Project, ProArte Danza, Broadway Dance Center, RUBBERBAND, and Decidedly Jazz Danceworks. She has also received training from artists associated with Limon Dance Company, Martha Graham Dance Company, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, and Benjamin Briones Ballet. Her performance experience includes York Dances, Dance Innovations, Bloom, several Full-Length Musicals and Gord Bamford’s Dive Bar Music Video. Outside of dance, Brittney has an MSc in Physiotherapy and a BSc (Kinesiology), and works as a Physiotherapist with Alberta Ballet and Pulse Physiotherapy.
Jasmine Almaguer Sheldrick
(She/Her)
Dancer and emerging choreographer, Jasmine Almaguer Sheldrick, was born in Oaxaca, Mexico, and grew up in Hamilton, Ontario where she started training in various dance forms. Jasmine is a graduate of the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, specialized honors program focusing on choreography and performance at York University. At York, she studied modern, contemporary and ballet techniques, choreography, dance history, dance kinesiology and dance production. In 2021-2022, Jasmine trained in the Professional Training Program at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks where she studied various jazz techniques, Afro-Cuban, tap, West African and jazz history. In 2020, she received the Spedding Memorial Scholarship in Dance, given for excellence in the choreography of an original work. Jasmine aspires to perform and work with choreographers, on film sets, and with dance companies around the world. Jasmine is currently based in Calgary, Alberta and works as a freelance dancer performing professionally and in arts administration.
Mira Gitelman
(She/Her)
Mira Gitelman, an emerging dancer and choreographer, has trained in ballet, jazz, and contemporary. She studied briefly in Toronto Metropolitan University’s BFA dance program and has taken classes at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, Harbour Dance Centre, The National Ballet, and recently completed RUBBERBAND’s Summer Intensive. Currently, Mira is a member of Ballet Bodies YYC and En Corps Dance Collective, and teaches ballet at Counterpoint Dance Marda Loop--sharing her artistry with the next generation of dancers. Since working with En Corps Dance Collective, Mira has choreographed for various projects and was the Artistic Director of their most recent show titled: SYSTEM<ERROR>. Mira holds a BA (Honours) in psychology with a minor in philosophy. Through her studies at university she discovered a major interest in social justice and feminist studies. Mira is thankful to be part of the Ballet Bodies YYC community and is excited to be performing in In Motion III.
Aliya Ayorinde
(any pronouns)
Aliya Ayorinde is a multidisciplinary dance-artist currently based in Mohkinstsis (Calgary), AB, trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, afro-fusion and hip-hop. Now in their second season with IllFX Education, Aliya has also trained with Dance Spectrum Inc., Alberta Ballet School, Harbour Dance Centre, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, The Masses, and Ballet Kelowna. Aliya reveres the richness of dance history, with their movement serving as a palimpsest that traces their Yoruba lineage across space, culture, and time. As the recipient of the UBC Black Creative Award, Aliya pours back into their community by advocating for accessibility in the arts and education; they create choreographic works for the African-Caribbean Student Club, and they currently serve on the UBC Accessibility Advisory Committee. They are thrilled to be performing in InMotion for a second consecutive year.
Rachel Merchant
(She/Her)
Originally from Grande Prairie, Rachel Merchant began her dance journey training and performing with a local studio in many styles including ballet, jazz, and contemporary. She travelled across British Columbia and Alberta to various competitions and attended intensives such as the Alberta Ballet Summer Intensive between seasons. As a student, Rachel also completed ballet exams in the Cecchetti method up until graduation in 2023. Her passion then brought her to the University of Calgary where she is going into her second year towards a BFA in dance. Rachel is excited to continue to grow and develop her artistry as she pursues her love for movement and performance with the dance community in Mohkinstsis (Calgary)!
Jordan Schiebelbein
(She/Her)
Jordan Schiebelbein is a 24-year-old woman from Mohkinstsis (Calgary), Alberta, Canada. She began dancing at three years old, starting at Starchevski School of Ballet before exploring other dance variations such as contemporary, jazz, African, Hip Hop, and more at Edge School for Athletes and Central Memorial High School. Jordan ended up taking advanced foundation RAD classes at the International School of Ballet. She has traveled within Alberta, and to New York, and Boston, dancing with Boston Ballet School, Joffrey Ballet School, and Jeunesse Classique Ballet. Jordan is very devoted to dance and loves performing. Despite experiencing financial struggles and homelessness in her early years, she never stopped dancing, as it motivates her to show up for herself and pushes her to explore creative ways to express herself. She continues to practice ballet with Ballet Bodies YYC and various studios in Mohkinstsis (Calgary).
Chantelle Marlatt
(She/Her)
Originally from Cranbrook, BC, Chantelle Marlatt began dancing and competing across North America, including the BC Provincials as a ballet soloist. After completing her Royal Academy of Dance Advanced 2 exam, she attended summer intensives with Ballet Jorgen and Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Now based in Mohkinstsis (Calgary), she teaches at En L’air Academy of Dance and Aerials and serves as the Artistic Director of Cirque En L’air. Chantelle instructs various dance styles, including ballet, jazz, lyrical and aerial arts. She strives to make dance a safe, inclusive, and fun environment for everyone. Chantelle is a certified jazz instructor with PAEC and a student of CBTS with the Royal Academy of Dance. She loves to dance and to create choreographic meaningful dance pieces. Chantelle is a current member of Ballet Bodies YYC and En Corps Dance Collective.
Lauren Falk
(She/Her)
Lauren Falk was born in Houston Texas where she started her dance career at age 4. After moving to Mohkinstsis (Calgary) at age 5, she continued to dance with Springbank Dancers. She danced at this studio recreationally until the age of 12, then joined the competition team until she graduated from high school. After high school, Lauren continued to teach at Springbank Dancers, thoroughly enjoying passing on her love of dance to young dancers. She pursued a combined degree in Kinesiology and Dance at the University of Calgary and graduated with distinction in both degrees in 2024. Lauren has always been passionate about dance and has seized every performance opportunity that has come her way. She hopes to continue sharing her love of dance with her students while also advancing her training and performing as much as possible.
Abby Blanchard
(She/Her)
Abby Blanchard is an emerging dance artist and recent graduate of Simon Fraser University, where she received her BFA with Dance Honours. She is originally from Prince Albert, SK on Treaty 6 territory and is now dancing in Mohkinstsis (Calgary) to attend the Decidedly Jazz Danceworks’ Professional Training Program. Abby is thrilled and humbled to perform in Ballet Bodies YYC’s In Motion III performance and looks forward to further immersing herself in the Calgary dance scene.