(905) 682-1037
Step Above Dance Academy Staff
Faculty
Miss Lily Guignard
D.M.A Certified(Dance Masters of America), Acrobatic Arts Certified
Owner & Founder/Artistic Director
Ballet, Acrobatics, Lyrical, Musical Theatre & Competitive Instructor
Lily started ballet at the young age of 2, she then quickly added jazz, tap, acrobatics, flamenco, musical theater, lyrical, hip hop, and contemporary to her repertoire. Lily took her love of dance to a competitive level where she attended multiple competitions throughout Canada and the USA receiving many overalls, scholarships & special awards for her performances.
Lily completed her Intermediate Ballet Exam through Royal Academy of Dance in 2014, while also attending George Brown College for the Ballet Intensive Program and many workshops for Acrobatics Training. In 2019 she completed her module 1 training with Acrobatic Arts and is fully certified to enter students into acrobatic examinations up to Level 6.
Lily started her Dance Masters training in 2014 with Chapter 38’s Jr. Members program. After becoming of age she attended the University of Buffalo for 3 years of their Dance Masters Training Program where she successfully completed her Level III and received another of many teaching certificates. Once completing her training she took her Dance Master Exam enrolling her as a full member of the Canadian Dance Masters of America, Canadian Chapter 38.
Lily started her teaching career in 2014 receiving many overalls, special awards, scholarships and overall choreography awards for her competitive choreography throughout the years. Lily continues to inspire young dancers to strive to be the best they can be through structured, fun learning.
Teaching Staff
Jessica Crook
Free Movement, Jazz, Lyrical & Competitive Instructor
Jessica began dancing at the age of 11 and quickly fell in love with the art of dance. Training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, tap, pointe, and pom. She has trained and competed all over North and South Carolina and has been featured in the Columbia City Ballet Nutcracker. She was a 4-year member of her high school dance team, where she attended Universal Dance Association summer dance camps, competed in local competitions, and was captain for her senior year. In 2018, Jessica was a scholarship recipient for Limestone University Dance Team in South Carolina where she performed at all home football and basketball games. During her time, she also competed at the NDA College Nationals, in Daytona Beach, Florida where LUDT finished fourth in the nation in the DII hip hop category. Jessica is excited to share her talents with the students of Step Above Dance Academy.
Anna Hockey
Tap, Ballet, Lyrical, Jazz & Competitive Instructor
Anna started dancing at the age of 5 quickly joining the Dancesations Competitive Team at the age of 10. Anna's favorite style was Ballet, competing in many Ballet Solos winning Overalls and Special Awards for her talents. Anna has trained in many styles such as Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical & Contemporary, continuing her love of dance to university where she was a part of the Queens University Dance Club. She has also taken many adult classes at the Kingston School of Dance as well as Step Above Dance Academy where she has continued expanding in her knowledge. Presently Anna is at Brock University doing her Masters is public health. Anna is very excited to be teaching this season, getting to share her love and passion for dance with the children and adults of Step Above.
Ariana Zastrow
Free Movement, Ballet/Tap Combo, Jazz/Tap Combo, Grade 1 Ballet & Competitive
Ariana first started dance as a toddler. From the moment she entered the studio she knew she was hooked on dance. She moved from recreational to competitive by age 9 with Dancesations Dance Academy for 10 years, where she trained in a number of styles including ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, lyrical and contemporary. Ariana has won numerous special awards as well as first place overall awards. She has performed in talent shows at school and The Nutcracker with Niagara Ballet. She has attended many workshops and continues to train regularly. She has a great passion for ballet and pointe. Ariana is so excited to begin the next chapter of her dance career and is looking forward to a great season with Step Above Dance Academy.
Krystena Cashman
Hip Hop & Competitive Instructor
Krystena began her journey with dance at age 2 enjoying dance as much as she did she quickly expanded from recreational to competitive by age 9 where she began competing in ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre,hip-hop, lyrical and contemporary. She continued to dance recreationally in pointe as well as ballet having completed level 1-3 exams in Cecchetti syllabus. She has choreographed many musical theatre numbers for high school. She is most passionate about hip-hop, tap, jazz, contemporary and lyrical. She danced in New York Time Square with her studio. She has taken many workshops including travelling to Florida to attend extra classes. She continues attending classes and workshops to expand her knowledge the latest being the teacher expo in Toronto where she trained with a master hip-hop artist. Dance has always been her passion and she is excited to pass this love of dance on to Step Above students and let them know to have fun and express themselves.
Erin Morningstar
Mini Movers Hip Hop Instructor
Erin began dance at 13 years of age, she trained in Jazz and Hip Hop at a Janice Luey for 7 years until she attended Brock University for sociology. During her years at Brock University she was involved with the Junior Varsity Cheer Squad. After leaving Brock she continued her education at Niagara College in the Law Clerk program graduating in 2023. She has cheered for Jackfish baseball team in Welland and currently she is on the Ice Dogs Dance Team and has been with the team for the last 3 years. Erin has taken many master classes and continues to do so whenever she finds the time. She continues to teach the Mini Movers Hip Hop class sharing her love for dance with Step Above.
Olivia Manchester
Tap & Competitive Instructor
Olivia has been dancing since she was 6, studying in lyrical, jazz, hip hop, musical theatre, ballet, and tap. She began competing at age 8. She then fell in love with tap and began competing solos and duets winning overalls and special awards. Olivia started assistant teaching at 13 and has wanted to teach ever since. She has attended tap workshops in Toronto, performing with the Toronto Rhythm Initiative Company. As well as being a member of the London Tap Collective and Syncopate Tap. She is currently studying teaching education with a major in biological science and history at Brock University. Olivia is so excited to share what she knows and to teach such amazing kids!
Assisting Staff
Miss Mia
Assistant Teacher
Miss Mia has been dancing for 10 years, joining the Step Above Competitive Team in 2021. Miss Mia has taken classes in Tap & Jazz but truly found her passion in Ballet. With her expertise in babysitting and assisting in school, she has made a great assistant dance teacher in our ballet/tap combo classes this past year! She will be expanding her assisting by taking on 4 classes this season. We look forward to her continued work and dedication as a Step Above Dance Academy staff member.
Miss Emily
Assistant Teacher
Miss Emily has been dancing for 11 years, once she realized her passion, she decided to take dance to the next level by joining the Step Above Dance Academy Competitive Team in 2019. This past June Miss Emily took her second Acrobatic Arts Exam passing Level 4 with an amazing score of 131 receiving an award of Distinction. Miss Emily continues to take classes in Acrobatics, Jazz, Ballet and Pointe and is always ready for a challenge. After starting her assisting career in 2020, she has found a love of sharing her talents with our younger generation.
Miss Ella
Assistant Teacher
Miss Ella has been dancing since the age of 5, falling in love with Tap, Jazz, Lyrical and Ballet with all styles attributing to her love of dance as an art. Miss Ella has decided to expand her love of dance by joining the Step Above Dance Academy Competitive Team this season. Dance has been her outlet to express herself and release her emotions. Miss Ella has past experience babysitting children, helping in kindergarten classes and working with youth red cross programs. She has taken the Acrobatics Spot Training for the second year in a row and is really looking forward to assisting this season.
Miss Makayla
Assistant Teacher
Miss Makayla has been dancing since the age of 4 and has taken lessons in Acrobatics, Lyrical, Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Musical Theatre and will be trying Hip Hop this season. Miss Makayla joined the Step Above Competitive Team in 2019 and expanded her acro training in 2023 by taking her Acrobatic Arts Level 1 Exam receiving a high score of 124 and finishing the exam off with an Excellent. Her love of dance shows every time she sets foot into the studio! With her experience with babysitting and helping her brother, she joined the teacher assistant team in 2019. While she continues to assist classes, she is working towards becoming a dance teacher in the future, participating in our Acrobatics Spot Training. Miss Makayla is excited to continue sharing her love of dance to all the students.
Miss Autumn-Skye
Assistant Teacher
Miss Autumn is an energetic individual. She has been dancing for 8 years taking classes in acro, hiphop, jazz and more! She enjoys all aspects of dance. Assisting in the younger classes at school and daycare started her journey with helping kids. She has participated in our Acrobatics Spot Training and is ready to help in our Level 1 Acro Class this year.
Miss Emily
Assistant Teacher
Miss Emily has been dancing for 7 years in many different styles such as; Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theatre & Acrobatics. In 2021 Miss Emily joined the Step Above Dance Academy Competitive Team where her performances have won her Special Awards and Overalls. In 2023 Miss Emily took her Acrobatic Arts Level 1 Exam passing with a high score of 140 receiving an award of Distinction. She will be studying for her Level 2 Exam this year. Miss Emily has a passion for dance and is looking forward to sharing her love and knowledge with younger students. She has participated in our Acrobatics Spot Training and is ready to help with the Pre Acro class this year.
Office Staff
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Nathaly Jones
Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Jones has danced since she was 2 years old she and continues to dance. She shows her love of dance through Step Above Dance Academy by assisting with social media, administrative work and is our studios make-up and hair stylist. This past summer Mrs. Jones completed a course through Discover Dance as an interest course.
What we are all about!
Our Mission
We believe that dance can enhance everyone's life regardless of age, and that the dance studio is a classroom for the larger lessons of life: self-love, respect and discipline. Our students are taught that to never try is to never achieve. Safety is priority, with that comes proper technique based on level and ability. Teachers make it their mission to instill confidence and healthy self-esteem which will help students in all areas of life.
Here at Step Above Dance Academy, we have a passion for the art of dance and for helping others discover their inner dancer. Are you ready to get up and move? Contact us today to learn more about our studio.
We offer programs in ballet, jazz, tap, acro, lyrical, musical theatre & hip hop. Our programs are available for all ages, from Parent and Tots (18 months) to adult (18+).
Step Above Dance Academy staff teach proper technique and encourage fun and confidence in all programs. We offer many special events during the year, including, "Studio Movie Night", "Parent Viewing Weeks", various holiday classes for Halloween and Christmas and so much more.
Our location at 8 - 3250 Schmon Parkway features a studio, a reception area, and a washroom.
