Instructors

Miss Jen | She/Her

Artistic Director & Dance Educator

B.F.A. Dance, L.I.S.T.D & R.A.D, R.T.S.

My relationship with dance began at my home studio in Cambridge, Ontario.

There, I trained extensively under Dianne Long. As a young dancer, I pursued examinations, assisted in classes, and choreographed for school and community performances. In my final year of high school, I performed with the Canadian Ballet Youth Ensemble under Vitek Wincza in Kyiv, Ukraine.

I went on to earn my Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) in Dance from York University, where I received several performance awards. I also received a scholarship to train at DanceTheatre David Earle with David Earle, Suzette Sherman, and Kenny Pearl.

After university, I spent 12 years on Canada's West Coast, performing professionally with artists including Judith Marcuse and Jennifer Mascall, while creating work through my own contemporary dance and performance collective, Give Me Brilliance. From 2013–2020, I also co-owned and co-directed a dance school on Vancouver's North Shore.

Since making Nova Scotia home in 2021, I have continued to develop GMB Dance into a place where strong dance education and the individual dancer are equally valued. My teaching combines technical foundations with creativity, curiosity, and opportunities for students to think, make choices, and develop their own artistic voices.

I believe dance education can be both challenging and supportive. My goal is not simply to teach steps, but to help dancers understand what they are doing, why they are doing it, and how to continue learning for themselves. I hope students leave my classes with greater confidence in their abilities, respect for all, and a lasting curiosity about movement.

I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) in Dance from York University and a Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies from the Royal Academy of Dance, where I am a Registered Teacher. I am also a Full Teaching Member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) and have completed teacher training with Progressing Ballet Technique, Acrobatique, and Acrobatic Arts. I continue to pursue professional development in dance education, teaching practice, and the evolving needs of the dancers in my care.

Miss Katie | She/Her

Company instructor & choreographer

Primary Jazz instructor

B.Sc., B.Ed.

At a young age, I fell in love with dancing and performance.

I trained for over ten years in ballet, jazz, and modern dance at Cobequid Dance Academy (Truro, NS). I also had the opportunity to work with many professional dance artists, participate in the Royal Academy of Dance Ballet examinations, and travel to New York to take classes at Steps On Broadway.

I thoroughly enjoy the creative process and have a great passion for choreography.

I also enjoy improvisation and inviting dancers to create new movements and expressions.

While I am enthusiastic about dancing, I also hold a Bachelor of Science from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Elementary Education from Acadia University. If I’m not in the studio or in the classroom, you can likely find me skiing the slopes at Ski Martock or digging in my garden!

Miss Tracey | She/Her

Pre-Dance Instructor

Junior/Youth Tap Instructor

Performing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.

Growing up, I had countless opportunities to dance, sing, and act on stage in front of our small congregation. The arts have always been my passion, and dance is no exception. While I didn’t have formal training until recently, my friends and I spent hours choreographing routines to share at school dances and talent shows. Those moments, dancing together and creating something meaningful, were pure joy for me—and they still are.

Recently, I completed a Liturgical Dance Studies Certificate program, which has given me the tools to lead a Liturgical Dance team at Hantsport Baptist Church. In addition, I have the privilege of serving as the Children’s Pastor, where I support children in exploring their faith and creativity.

I started with GMB as a dancer, exploring tap, jazz, and contemporary styles, and now I’m thrilled to be part of the team as an assistant.

Dance inspires and energizes me, and I’m so excited to share that love with others.

Andrea | She/Her

Foundations Dance Collective Instructor

ECE

I’ve always loved connecting and learning through movement.

This began on a ball field in the 90s, and has spanned multiple sports, yoga training experiences, and most recently, dance! I truly feel excited for others to discover the movement and dance practices that fill them up. As a GMB student myself, I relish in time exploring dance as a creative art form and fitness outlet. 

I value creating safe, inclusive, welcoming environments for children where we come to extend our abilities and celebrate each other’s efforts. I have fostered this through my work in various early learning environments, and I look forward to continuing a supportive practice through GMB’s Pre-Dance program.

M. Joanie Murray | She/Her

Teaching Assistant

Pre-Primary Educator, BEd Student

Learning to dance as an adult can be a little intimidating—but I quickly discovered how rewarding it can be.

I joined GMB in 2022 after attending a demo night to support two of my friends. Miss Jen made sure I felt welcome and confident by the end of my very first class, and since then, I've really come to enjoy the process of learning something new—even all the emotions that come with it! Some nights you feel like you'll never get the steps, and then suddenly everything clicks. Finally nailing a routine gives you such a great sense of accomplishment that it makes all the hard work worth it.

I'm a Pre-Primary Educator and currently studying for my BEd, so life can be a little chaotic. I make a lot of decisions and answer about a thousand questions every day! Dancing has become my way to get out of my head, have fun, and not take myself too seriously.

I've also made some amazing friendships through GMB, and after five recitals, I think it's finally safe to officially call myself a dancer. As a Teaching Assistant, I'm excited to bring both my experience working with children and my own experience as a dance student into the studio, helping other dancers feel supported as they learn, try, and grow.

Miss Rachel | She/Her

Teaching Assistant

BA, BEd, MA, JD

I started dancing at age 2, learning the shuffle from my babysitter, who was a professional dancer on cruise ships.

At four years old I started dance class, going on to participate in CDTA examinations in ballet, and dozens of performances. Dance was my first introduction to being on the stage, and I expanded from dance to musical theatre, instrumental performance, and choral singing. I continued dancing while studying at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, and at Queen's University.

Primarily a ballet dancer, I was able to take study tap, jazz, and contemporary through community and university studios. Having trained as a teacher, and now practising as a lawyer, it is a joy to return to the dance studio to use different muscles than I do at my day job. I'm delighted to share my love of ballet and the technique and discipline that goes with it with the students at GMB.

Youth Teaching Assistants

Miss Ada | Pre-Dance

I love dance because it makes me feel free to be myself. I’m not confident in speaking or writing so dancing allows me to express myself without words. 

I’m excited to help the younger dancers discover a love of dance, and grow in their confidence, just as I have. 

I’m so happy to be a part of the GMB team! 

Miss Allison | Primary ConTAPorary

I love dance because I can express myself in every way.

I want to be a teaching assistant because I want to help younger dancers on their journey through dance.

I look forward to helping others and watching them grow as dancers.