Instructor Biographies

Meet our Staff!

Caroleen Harding: ARAD – Studio Owner/ Director

Caroleen began dancing at the age of 10. During her years as a dancer, Caroleen trained in many styles including: Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Acrobatics, Lyrical and Contemporary. During these years, Caroleen studied under the C.D.T.A, R.A.D, and A.D.A.P.T syllabi and completed several examinations, including R.A.D Advanced 2.

As a dancer, Caroleen achieved many awards at both Regional and National events, including overall high score placements, regional titles of Americas Dancer Of The Year and Miss CanDance, and she has also competed in the invitational Dance Canada Pageant. Caroleen has been successful as a choreographer, being awarded the “Young Choreographer” award on many occasions in both Regional and National events and was recently recognized with a 1st place award for “Young Choreographer” at Shine Nationals in 2019. Caroleen has attended several dance and teaching conventions which has allowed her to experience many different dance styles, as well as teaching styles. Over the years, Caroleen’s students have been very successful in their ballet exams as well as on stage at dance competitions winning many high score awards, overall placements and titles at both Regional and National events.

As a Dance Teacher, Caroleen feels that it is important for her students to feel confident, motivated and inspired at all times and that they are in an environment they feel comfortable in. Caroleen wants to see her students succeed, be proud of their accomplishments and enjoy all of the hard work and dedication they put into dance.

Meghan Oliver: ARAD, OCT Certified – Instructor (Recreational Programs and Office Manager)

Meaghan began dancing at the age of 7 and since that time has studied ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre, lyrical and contemporary. She began competing at age 12 at both regional and national competitions. During her time as a competitive dancer she earned many overall scores as both a soloist and a group dancer. She has taken place in the Alberta Ballet Nutcracker, Dance Canada Pageants, and was awarded a regional title of Miss CanDance. Meaghan has trained under the R.A.D and A.D.A.P.T syllabi successfully completing numerous ballet, jazz, and tap exams, including her R.A.D. Advanced Two.

Meaghan’s love for education began at the age of 14 while assisting her first dance class. Since this time, she has taught both recreational and competitive dancers at four studios in the Ottawa area, and has worked as a Senior Counsellor leading the Dance Program at Five Star Camps. Her students have successfully completed exams with the R.A.D, and the B.A.T.D, and have won many overall scores and title positions at both regional and national competitions including positions.

Meaghan completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2013, as well as her Bachelor of Education degree in 2017. She now works for the Ottawa Catholic School Board as a primary and junior teacher. Meaghan enjoys the passion and freedom which dance provides her with and she aims to share this passion with her students while helping them to grow in a comforting and encouraging environment.

Jade Ferguson- Instructor

Jade began dancing recreationally at the age of 3 and began dancing competitively at the age of 6. Jade has extensive training in a variety of disciplines including Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical and Contemporary. Jade has participated, completed and excelled in dance exams with both the British Association of Teachers of Dancing (BATD) and the Canadian Dance Teacher’s Association (CDTA). Jade has completed her Associate Level Teacher’s Exam and is currently an Associate Member of the Canadian Dance Teacher’s Association. Jade is always looking to continue to expand her skills for teaching dance by participating in ongoing workshops and instructional sessions.

Jade has taught at three studios within the Ottawa area within both the recreational and competitive programs. Jade also taught the dance portion of the physical education curriculum for grades 7-12 at Almonte and District High School for four years. Jade aims to create a learning environment that is positive, fun and exciting, while still working to improve each individual’s skill level. Jade loves to share her passion for dance with her students and wants to ensure that her students are always comfortable, encouraged and productively motivated.

Kim Chiarelli- A.D.A.P.T. certified OCT certified

Miss Kim has been dancing since the age of 2.5 and competed across Canada and the United States beginning at the age of 7 and has completed her ADAPT exam levels as a dancer in both Jazz & Tap. She has been teaching for the past 14 years both recreationally and competitively, and has recently sold her dance studio after 11 years. Miss Kim has also attended the TTS program completing her ADAPT teaching certification for both Jazz & Tap for beginner to advanced levels and has trained many students over the years in successfully completing their ADAPT exams, many of who have also received the medal of merit at various levels. Over the years, Miss Kim’s students have competed successfully at both the Regional and National levels. She is also a certified School teacher. Miss Kim is very passionate about dance and teaching. She enjoys sharing her passion for dance with her students.

Kaitlyn Oliver- Instructor

Katie began dancing at the age of 4 and has studied in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre and Acro. Katie recently graduated from Dana Hanes Dance Company and is currently studying International Business at Carleton University. Over the years Katie has attended both regional and national competitions across North America as well as participated in many dance conventions such as Jump, Move, and NUVO. Katie has successfully completed her RAD Advanced 1 Exam as well as her ADAPT Intermediate 3 Jazz and Tap exams. Katie began assisting at the age of 13 and has been teaching since the age of 16. Katie loves sharing her passion for dance with her students and helping them reach their personal goals.

Deanna Cormier- Registered RAD Teacher and Accredited A.D.A.P.T. Teacher

Ms. Deanna’s dance education started in 1989 when she took her first ballet class. Since then she has pursued training opportunities to achieve mastery in dance and made the decision to share her passion and technique with others. Ms. Deanna started teaching in 2003 and fell in love with dance in a different way; empowering youth through movement. She is currently employed as a Professor at St. Lawrence College in Brockville, Ontario teaching ballet and jazz. She has taught at various studios and schools in the Ottawa area.

In 2019 Ms. Deanna completed the MindLeaps Train the Trainers Tier 1 program in New York City and Tier 2 in Guinea (West Africa). She spent two weeks teaching dance to vulnerable youth in Guinea. She feels it was by far the most inspiring and empowering experience of her life and is privileged to continue the outreach program both here at home and in Africa.
Ms. Deanna has completed certification through the Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (ADAPT) Teachers Training School in Jazz and Tap and the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies (CBTS). She has entered students into both ADAPT Jazz and Tap and RAD Ballet exams with students receiving exceptional examination results. She is a mentor for teachers completing the RAD CBTS program and the Acro Dance Teachers Association (ADTA) program. She has also received her ADTA Acro certification, Benesh Movement Notation course (RAD), Silver Swans certification (RAD), Progressive Ballet Technique certification and Acro Dance Adjudication certification.

Ms. Deanna is currently working towards her Masters in Education. She is very excited to be working with students at Creative Edge Dance Academy.

Megan Holliday- Instructor

Megan began dancing at the age of 3 years old, she has studied in ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical, contemporary and musical theatre. Megan danced competitively for 9 years competing across North America with her team, she also successfully completed multiple RAD and ADAPT exams in Jazz and ballet during this time. Megan graduated Canterbury High school in 2017 with a fine arts degree in dance. She is now in her final year of studying history at Carleton University and hopes to move on to teacher’s college in the future. Megan looks forward to bringing her love for dance and teaching to the studio this year.

Sydney Anderson: OCT Certified – Instructor

Sydney began dancing at the age of 3. Since then, she has extensively trained in several styles including ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap, musical theatre and hip hop. Sydney excelled in A.D.A.P.T Jazz and Tap exams, and all graded and vocational R.A.D. Ballet exams. During Sydney’s competitive dance career, she attended many regional and national dance competitions where she won several overall high score awards. Over the years, Sydney also explored dance opportunities outside of her home studio. This included choreographing and performing in a school musical for which she received a Canada’s Capital Cappie Award, and performing with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Pennsylvania Ballet in their productions of The Nutcracker.

Sydney completed her Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biology and her Bachelor of Education at Queen’s University. Throughout university, Sydney continued dancing while connecting her passion for dance with community outreach through several clubs. She is now certified with the Ontario College of Teachers and is a Secondary Science and Dance teacher in the Ottawa Catholic School Board.

In 2009, Sydney began assisting dance classes and she started teaching dance in 2012. Sydney always aims to create an environment where dancers feel safe, valued, free to explore new things, and empowered to express themselves creatively. She is thrilled to share her love of dance with CEDA and work with her students to develop their technique, build their self-confidence, and encourage their artistic expression!

Kaitlyn Jorssen- Instructor (Acrobatic Arts M1 Certified)

Kaitlyn began her dance career at the age of 5 and at the age of 10 she began competing. During her 8 years as a competitive dancer, Kaitlyn took many ballet and jazz exams with the C.D.T.A. During Kaitlyn’s years of dance training she studied a variety of styles including: Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Acrobatics, and Hiphop.

Kaitlyn attended West Carleton Secondary School where she was highly involved in the dance program, receiving opportunities to choreograph alongside teachers and assist younger students through the Peer Assisted Learning Program. This program also gave her opportunity to study new styles such as contemporary, African jazz, and K-pop. Kaitlyn graduated in 2018 receiving a Fine Arts Certificate in recognition of her efforts.

Kaitlyn began assisting dance classes at age 11 and teaching recreational classes at the age of 15. Her love for working with children and creating choreography grew quickly from there. The past 5 years have given Kaitlyn the opportunity to work with children of all ages and learn from them at the same time they learn from her. With a passion for Acrobatic Dance, Kaitlyn prioritizes the health and safety of her dancers by ensuring they understand basic anatomy and the importance of using proper form. Recently, Kaitlyn received her module 1 certification with Acrobatic Arts. Kaitlyn looks forward to continuing her work with them and advancing her certification in the future.

Currently, Kaitlyn is in her final year of the Early Childhood Education program at Algonquin College and will be bridging into the Bachelor of Early Years and Development program in the following year. She hopes to move onto teacher’s college following her completion the program. She continues to set new goals as a teacher in order to continue learning and improving just as much as her students do. Kaitlyn looks forward to another fantastic season with Creative Edge and can’t wait to see what this year brings.

Angel Kirton- Instructor (Bio coming soon)