E.C.E, A.D.A.P.T, ICI LIFE & YOUTH EMPOWERMENT COACH, LICENSED PBT INSTRUCTOR, AUTHOR

Kelly Gifford has been teaching dance for 25 years. After completing her dance training she continued her post-secondary studies in performing arts at Randolph School of the Arts. During that time she worked in the industry performing in live shows, film and television (Road to Avonlea, Blues Bros. 2000).

Kelly decided to further her education and extend her love of dance and performance to younger children. She graduated with honors as a certified Early Childhood Educator.

She is a certified Tap and Jazz teacher with A.D.A.P.T. Her choreography has won many prestigious awards and titles. She has adjudicated at many large dance competitions across Canada.

Kelly has integrated her Fitness, Personal Training and Children’s Fitness Coaching background into her dance instruction, developing a specialized conditioning program for dancers (including strength and cardiovascular training and yoga)

She recently became a certified Youth Empowerment Coach with ICI because she saw a correlation between self confidence and maximum potential and wanted to be able to provide her dancers with inspiration, goal attainment skills and the most positive environment for success. In the fall of 2018 Kelly co authored her first book titled Your Child, My Student.

Kelly is a certified and licensed Progressing Ballet Technique Instructor.  Progressing Ballet Technique is an innovative program developed by Marie Walton-Mahon for students to understand the depth of training muscle memory in achieving their personal best in classical ballet.

Along with dance, Kelly has a passion for drama and musical theater. She has produced, directed and choreographed 15 musicals to date.

Many of Kelly’s students have gone on to have successful professional careers in both Canada and the United States.

STUDENT CREDITS INCLUDE:

  • Broadway – Jesus Christ Superstar
  • Performing with Janet Jackson, Brian McKnight, and Britney Spears
  • Stage productions of Dirty Dancing, Tap Dogs, Cats, Rock of Ages, Mamma Mia
  • Film and Television – Once Upon A Mattress (Carol Burnett), Luna Petunia (Cirque Du Soleil Jr, Netflix)
  • JUST TO NAME A FEW!