Meet Our Dance Instructors
Dana Hanes Dance Company employs a team of elite Ottawa-based dance instructors with training in various disciplines. Learn more about our dance instructors below!
Dana Hanes
Founder and Artistic Director
Jazz, Tap, Contemporary and Lyrical Instructor
Certifications: ADAPT Jazz/Tap
Dana has been competing in dance since the age of 7 giving her over 40 years of experience in the dance industry as a performer, teacher, choreographer, judge and mentor.
As a performer, she trained as a competitive dancer and was Dance Captain for the CFL Ottawa Rough Riders dance team for several years.
As an instructor, Dana has taught dance throughout the Ottawa region for over 30 years. Her extensive teaching background has allowed her to train many dancers and help them reach professional levels.
Her reputation and success in the industry are renowned, and she is frequently sought after as a leader/mentor in the Ottawa dance community.
Dana’s choreography has received many awards and accolades across North America. She has won numerous high scores and overall awards at both regional and national competitions, as well as several Diamond Choreography and Highest Adjudication awards. She choreographed and provided dancers for an episode of “The Next Step” a well-known TV show about dance.
Dana’s choreography has also been sought after for fundraisers and charity events including:
- The United Way Kick Off
- “Kaleidoscope of Hope” Mental Health Awareness
- NAC Gala for Paul Anka
- Roaring Twenties Purple Gala for Blood Cancer Fund
- Bollywood Gala for Blood Cancer Fund,
- Do It For Daron
- Dancers Give Back
She is especially proud to be part of the fundraising group called ‘Dancers Give Back’ since they began an Ottawa Chapter.
Each year, a group of studios perform at Algonquin College to raise funds for various charities supporting children, for example, Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Support, The Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre, or the Youth Services Bureau. Together they have raised over $300,000.
Her dedication, passion, and commitment to excellence make her a true visionary in the dance world. As Artistic Director of the Dana Hanes Dance Company, she continues inspiring her students and strives to encourage them to share her love & passion for dance!!
Cheryl Goodwin
Ballet Instructor
Certifications: B.A. (Honours), RADRTS, CDTA
Cheryl has been teaching dance in the Ottawa area for 40 years. During this time, she was the owner and Director of the Children’s Ballet Studio for 8 years.
She is a Registered Teacher and Full Member of the Royal Academy of Dance and the Canadian Dance Teachers’ Association. She also holds the Elementary Certificate in ISTD National Branch.
Cheryl has also successfully coached students in attaining their Solo Seal Award, the highest performing award of the Royal Academy of Dance.
She is fully bilingual and has attended many dance courses in Canada and the U.K. Under her tenure, students have been very successful in examinations and competitions. She is currently specializing in Graded and Vocational R.A.D. Ballet.
Mallory Hanes
Jazz, Ballet, Tap and Conditioning Instructor
Certifications: ADAPT Jazz/Tap, Alixa Flexibility
Mallory started her journey in dance at the age of four and danced competitively in jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, lyrical and contemporary until the age of 18. Throughout those years, Mallory took on the role of a teacher’s assistant in several disciplines, where she discovered her love for teaching.
After graduating from Dana Hanes Dance Company, she followed in her mother’s footsteps and began her career as a dance teacher. Mallory is trained in the ADAPT Jazz and Tap syllabus, along with the RAD syllabus, with successful completion of exams in both syllabi.
She has continued her dance education by becoming a certified ADAPT Jazz and Tap Teacher. Mallory shows commitment, dedication, and passion for each of her students’ growth and accomplishments.
Brelene Laskoski
Ballet, Conditioning and Contemporary
Instructor
Certifications: PBT, Alixa Flexibility
Brelene Laskoski is a dancer, teacher and choreographer from Ottawa who trained in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Improvisation, and Contemporary at Leeming Danceworks and Canterbury High School’s dance program.
After graduation, Brelene moved to Toronto where she continued her dance education. She had the opportunity to work with various artists such as Jasmyn Fyffe, Ryan Lee and many more. She studied Graham, Horton, Contemporary, Ballet, and Creative Process while in Toronto.
In 2018, she choreographed a 20-minute piece titled “Canary in a Coalmine” for Ryan Foley’s company, Signature Dance Inc alongside 5 other choreographers. Brelene has had her choreography featured in Fever After Dark, Choreographer’s Ball, Young Creators Challenge, and Let the Elephants Dance.
Brelene is level 1 certified in Progressing Ballet Technique and level 5 certified in Alixa Flexibility. She is passionate about teaching young dancers the knowledge that she has acquired.
Gabby La Touche
Hip Hop Instructor
Gabby began her dance career dancing at Vlad’s Dance Company in the GTA where she trained in various styles. After moving to Ottawa, she joined Pulse N’ Limited Dance Co, an adult hip hop and urban dance crew, which solidified her love for Hip Hop.
Gabby is currently completing her Undergrad at Carleton University. She teaches Hip Hop classes at the University and continues to dance and choreograph in various styles.
It brings Gabby joy to share her love of dance with others. She strives to create a positive environment for all dancers so that they can grow, develop, and succeed.
Jenna Carter
Tiny Tots, Kinder, Tap, Jazz and Lyrical Instructor
Certifications: PBT, Alixa Flexibility
Jenna is a former competitive dancer and DHDC alumni who trained in various styles including Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, Acro and Hip Hop.
While training with Dana, Jenna successfully completed all of the ADAPT Jazz and Tap examinations, and all of the RAD Ballet Examinations up to and including Advanced 1.
After graduating high school, Jenna completed her Bachelors at Queen’s University. While at Queens, Jenna was an executive member of the Queen’s Competitive Dance Team, Captain of the Queen’s Competitive Tap Team, and a Tap and Lyrical teacher for Queen’s Dance Club.
Jenna spent 2 years of teaching and choreographing for TK Danceworx in Kingston at both the recreational and competitive level.
This year is Jenna’s second year on Team Canada’s Tap Team where she will be representing Canada at the IDO World Tap Championships in Germany this September.
Jenna has developed a passion for teaching. She strives to motivate
and inspire her students to reach their full potential. Her experiences in dance have led her to pursue her Bachelor of Education at the University of Ottawa.
Rowan Dietrich
Acro Instructor
Rowan is a dancer and teacher who trained in the GTA in various styles including tap, acro, contemporary, lyrical, hip-hop, jazz and many more. She is currently an executive member of the University of Ottawa.
Rowan strives to foster an inspiring and productive teaching environment for her students. She is passionate about ensuring students are taught acro safely and with proper technique.
Sophie Lafontaine
Tiny Tots, Kinder, Acro, Hip Hop and Jazz Instructor
Peyton Nault
Kinder Ballet and Tap Instructor
Peyton, a former competitive dancer and DHDC alumni, trained in multiple styles including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Acro, and Hip Hop. While training with Dana, Peyton successfully passed all ADAPT Jazz and Tap exams, as well as all RAD Ballet exams up to and including Advanced 2. Throughout her dance training, Peyton was an assistant for numerous years in multiple styles of dance including Ballet, Tap, and Jazz.
After graduating high school, Peyton completed her Bachelor’s degree from Carleton University. During her time there, she served as Treasurer and Co-Captain of the Ravens Dance Pak competitive dance team for two years. Peyton continued her dance training at Queen’s University while completing her Masters of Science with the Queen’s Dance Club for the last two years, and is excited to be returning home to Ottawa.
Peyton is dedicated to creating a safe and supportive learning environment, aiming to motivate and inspire her students to achieve their full potential!
Katie Noonan
Instructor
Katie began her journey in the world of dance at the age of three at Denise Smith Dance Studio, where she first discovered her passion for movement and artistic expression. Throughout her formative years, she continued to hone her skills and deepen her love for dance at Pique Dance Studio. As a competitive dancer, Katie has competed in various regional and national events, which not only developed her technical capabilities but also instilled in her a sense of discipline and perseverance. In addition, she has successfully completed BATD and A.D.A.P.T exams. Beyond the stage, Katie has shared her enthusiasm for dance by teaching at summer dance camps, fostering the growth and creativity of aspiring dancers. Her commitment to education extends beyond the dance studio, as she is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Education at the University of Ottawa. Her experiences have not only molded her into a skilled and dedicated dancer but also a passionate educator.
Cailyn Harris
Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Open and Tap
Instructor
Cailyn Harris has been devoted to dance since she was 4 years old. She has undergone dance training at a competitive level for 15 years and has been teaching and choreographing since 2020. She has completed ADAPT exams to the highest levels for jazz and tap, as well as RAD exams for ballet. Prior to teaching, Cailyn assisted in the instruction of competitive dance classes for 4 years.
Cailyn is currently a student at Queen’s University studying Life Sciences. She has taught recreational dance at Queens and is this year’s co-captain of the Queen’s Competitive Dance Team.