Summer Intensive 2022

Chantelle completed her formative ballet training in Calgary, Alberta, under the guidance of respected classical educators such as, Tara Silvaggio ( Alberta Ballet School & RWB ), Elaine Werner Hutchison ( former teacher with the RWB ), and ballet master Brian MacDonald ( former Artistic Director, Royal Swedish Ballet). As a dancer, she was awarded various scholarships, such as, the ‘Most Promising Artist’ scholarship from the Wild Rose Dance Arts Association, ‘ Outstanding Classical Dancer’ from Expressions the Dance Gallery, and ‘Recognition of Excellence’ from the Mayor of Calgary.

Before locating to Vancouver Island in 2006, Ms. Norris was ballet Director of “Expressions the Dance Gallery” in Strathmore, AB. There, she began her CBTS with the Royal Academy of Dance under the detailed guidance of Umran Sumen, former leading soloist with The National Ballet Company of Turkey. In 2006 she was awarded Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance, then continuing on to obtain her Associate Diploma of the Imperial Society of Teacher’s of Dancing under Lorraine Blake ( FISTD/Examiner). Chantelle had the privilege of travelling to Chichester, England in 2009 and 2011, to obtain direct mentorship from ISTD syllabi creators  Lyn Richardson( ISTD Senior Examiner ) and Teresa Theodoulou ( Vice Chair of the ISTD Modern Committe).

Over her 11 years on Vancouver Island, Chantelle’s creative choreography and classical knowledge has gained her respect in the community, classroom and on the stage. Many of her students have gone on to dance full time with prestigious ballet schools such as, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the National Ballet of Canada, and have received coveted top placements at international ballet competitions such as, the Youth American Grand Prix. She is currently Artistic Director of the Kirkwood Academy Pre-Professional Program, an enriched program for talented and driven students to train in classical ballet, as well as a guest teacher for various schools both local and abroad.

In 2016, Chantelle created ‘Nanaimo Contemporary Ballet’ to serve as a platform for emerging young ballet dancers to expand on their neo-classical knowledge and skills. She is passionate about creating meaningful contemporary work for students and audiences, which stokes discussion, critical thinking and most importantly, a love for the arts.

Chantelle Norris
Artistic Director
ARAD RTS
AISTD Diploma
Member of the CID

Monica was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She began her dance training at an early age and went on to graduate from the San Francisco School of the Arts in the United States.

As a professional dancer Monica has worked in international dance companies and had the pleasure of working in many independent productions with world class choreographers, both Classical and Contemporary.

She is an accomplished choreographer and teacher that has taught in and choreographed in renowned institutions such as San Francisco, USA for Lines Contemporary Ballet Program, for Germany’s – Nordhousen Ballet Company and Schewerin Ballet . Canada ‘s Arts Umbrella Youth Company, Kayzer Ballet – Portugal , Brazil’s Divina Dança and in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Japan, Germany all over Brazil and Canada.

Her choreographic work interpretation has been awarded in Brazil, USA, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland , Austria, France, Spain, Japan, Czech Republic, Australia and Korea.

Monica was commissioned to choreograph pieces for the opening gala of the 60th Anniversary of the Beijing Dance Academy in China (Goh Ballet Youth Company) and a special piece to be presented at the opening of Tanzart Festival in Nordhausen, Germany.
She was a nominee for the 4th Annual Inspirational Latin American Awards for Arts and Culture in Vancouver.

Monica was a guest choreographer for the closing gala of Brasilia’s acclaimed International Dance Seminar for 4 years partnering with conductor Claudio Cohen with pieces from Tchaikovsky, Claudio Santoro, Villa Lobos and Piazzola.

In film Ms Proenca produced “Strings for 2” a short dance film for Bravofact Canada. She was the choreographer for “Dance First” a short film produced by Dunbar Underground Productions and Center Stage On Pointe, produced by Sony Pictures for Life network and Directed by Director X.

She has been recognized also in the dance competitions stages receiving best choreographer awards in competitions such as: Global Dance Challenge 2017, World Ballet Art Competition 2017 and 2018. She was the choreographer for the winner of the YAGP Toronto 2018 grand prix.

As an adjudicator she has set in the Jury of the Brasilia international dance seminar (2004 -2016 – Brazil), CoreDance (2018 – Canada) Global Dance Challenge (2018 and 2020 Canada), Valentina koslova international ballet competition (2019 – Paraguay). Goias International Dance Festival (2020 – Brazil) Brasilia International Dance Seminar (2020 – Brasil)
Monica currently attends The Palucca Schule University in Dresden Germany for her Teacher’s Masters degree in Modern and Contemporary Dance. In Canada she continues to choreograph, produce, dance, teach, coach and inspire others with passion, strength and elegant technique combined with her own Brazilian flair.