An experience you don't want to miss!
The TDI Experience is carefully designed to provide dancers with a unique opportunity to participate in many genres of choreography, technique, and conditioning classes. The Dance Initiative is focused on ensuring that dancers leave this one-of-a-kind intensive with new skills and a developmental mindset that will guide them in progressing their dance experience.
Abbey Reid
From the age of 4 Abbey began her training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and tap in Beaumont, Alberta. Additionally, she trained with Citie Ballet, Edmonton Dance Centre and the National School of Ballet in Toronto. Abbey was successful as a competitive dancer across Western Canada, winning a number of overall high score solo awards. In 2014, Abbey completed her Advanced 2 RAD ballet examination with Distinction and was a semi-finalist at the 2015 Genee International Ballet Competition in London, England. She was a member and Vice President for "MOD Contemporary Dance Movement" at the University of Alberta. Abbey was able to travel the world completing three professional dance contracts with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. This past year, Abbey became teacher certified with Alixia Flexibility (module 1) and performed with Viva Dance Company at the Edmonton Fringe Festival. Abbey continues to dance, teach and choreography in the Edmonton area. She is a passionate teacher who loves sharing her knowledge and love of dance with students of all ages!
Tori Wakaluk
Tori Wakaluk started dancing at Turning Pointe Dance Studio in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta at the age of four. Well versed in a variety of styles, Tori grew up attending several dance intensives, workshops, and camps across Canada and the United States. She competed in Rawa Mazowiecka, Poland in the World Dance Championships on Team Canada in 2017. Tori has had the pleasure of learning from Shay Kuebler, company director of Radical System Art, Chris Bonus in his program “OverRYDE”, Christopher Martin & Larkin Poynton in their program “HOMEWORK,” Joe Tuliao in his summer intensive, Jaci Royal the company director of Royal Flux, Stacey Tookey at Camp Protege, Kelly Konno, Carolina Lancaster & Dori Konno at The Next Step Summer Intensive, Maximilien Baud & Matthew Prescott at Joffrey Las Vegas Summer Intensive, and many more!
In 2019, Tori moved to Vancouver, BC to pursue her passion for dance. She trained with the Source Dance Company under the direction of Joanne Pesusich for 2 years. Currently, Tori is training with Studio North Vancouver’s elite team ‘Northside’ under the leadership of Kelvin Tu and Adrian Vendiola. She has also been training in acting with Nadine Wright at her studio Act2 Pro. Some of Tori’s recent accomplishments include dancing on camera in CW’s Riverdale, Mar Emanuel’s ‘Yet to Come’ music video, Crazy 8’s Gala opening number and was featured in three films created for Innovate Dance Film Showcase. She has also had the opportunity to perform live at The Main Event two different occasions in pieces choreographed by Chris Bonus, Abby Chung and Nadia White, in the Brotherhood 10yr Anniversary Show, at a Vancouver Canucks hockey game and in Cancun, Mexico for Dancers Paradise with Northside. Tori constantly shows interest in exploring her own choreography and has had the opportunity to share through teaching at Studio North, guest teaching for The Dance Initiative in Edmonton, AB and Kamloops Dance Academy in Kamloops, BC, and teaching/subbing at a variety of studios in Vancouver and the surrounding area.
Aidan Muth
Aidan Muth is a versatile artist, performer, teacher, and choreographer from Edmonton, Alberta. Since 2009, he has trained extensively in Contemporary, Lyrical, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre and Adagio. As a competitive dancer for ten years, Aidan was awarded multiple scholarships and top-scoring awards and has had the privilege of travelling to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Toronto, and Vancouver to further his diverse experience.
Aidan's formal ballet training allowed him to complete examinations in Cecchetti and Royal Academy of Dance syllabi with distinction (RAD) standing on his Intermediate exams. Currently, Aidan is signed with Motives Dance Company, a professional dance training and performance company based out of Edmonton.
Aidan is diligent about taking every opportunity to take classes with industry leaders to further his professional career. He has gained ample TV and film experience and is featured in Netflix's "Julie and the Phantoms," directed by Kenney Ortega and Paul Becker, "Good Morning Mattress" commercial, and a variety of music videos from local YEG artists. Aidan has also danced in live productions such as The Edmonton Singing Christmas Tree, Newsies, and Rock of Ages. In addition to Aidan's performance career, he is passionate about sharing his love of dance with his students in the community, which motivated him to co-launch The Dance Initiative in 2020.
Outside of dance, Aidan studies Business Administration at The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. His educational background, blended with his robust dance and teaching experience, enables him to stand out in the industry because of his consistent professional development, which allows him to act as a business professional and leader within the dance industry.
Aidan belongs on a stage, and his dreams have become a reality in the entertainment industry. Aidan is grateful for the opportunities and experience that dance has provided, and he is excited to continue growing, moving, and creating with others throughout his artistic career.
Jennah Paron
Jennah Paron's career in the dance industry has evolved into an abundant balance of performing opportunities, managerial roles, higher education, choreographing, and teaching. Jennah's love for dancing began in September 2012, and she has trained extensively in jazz, ballet, lyrical, modern, contemporary, tap, hip hop, and jazz-funk. Jennah is honoured to have represented Team Canada West at the IDO World Championships for ballet, jazz, and modern, in Poland, in December of 2017. Now,
Jennah is thrilled to be on a professional contract with Motives Dance Company for the 2021/22 season.
Passionate about learning and teaching, Jennah began to participate in various professional development opportunities across Canada. Her credentials include ADAPT Dance Teacher's Certification, Progressing Ballet Technique Certification, and CanFit Pro Certified Group Fitness Instructor Specialist Certification. Her academic knowledge makes her stand out in the dance industry. Jennah is a fourth- year student at the University of Alberta, working towards her BARST Degree with a Sports Management minor. She believes her passion for sport, physical activity and dance thrives because of her post-secondary education. Her educational background includes an in-depth study of sport/recreation sociology, psychology, and kinesiology. Jennah's post-secondary education has allowed her to take courses such as: advanced topics in the profession of coaching, the study of dance for children, philosophy of leisure, adapted physical activity, and more!
With many years of dance industry-related administrative and teaching experience under her belt, and the ability to apply her scholarly knowledge, Jennah co-launched The Dance Initiative in 2020.
Jennah believes that dancing builds confidence, promotes creativity, and brings meaningful joy to others. She hopes to continue exploring the many aspects of the dance industry from an administrative, performance, and leadership standpoint.