Emily Brown
Artistic Director/Co-Owner
Emily Brown grew up in a very theatrical family in Camlachie, Ontario, just outside of Sarnia. Her love for arts started at a young age with Bluewater Musical Production. She then went on to focus a great deal on her dance training. Emily was a competitive dancer from the age of 7 until 18 years, she trained in many styles such as Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip hop, Contemporary and Lyrical, she was also a competitive gymnast for 10 years.
Emily is a graduate from George Brown College with a certificate from the Commercial Dance Studies Program. She also received an award of Professionalism from Ballet Jorgen, a well-respected Ballet company based out of Toronto. Emily has worked professionally as a dancer for Army of Sass, and Diva Girl Entertainment in Toronto. She has experience with live performance and the hard work that goes into the training.
She has taught and choreographed at a competitive level and has achieved outstanding choreography awards as well as scholarships. She is certified to teach Acrobatics up to a pre professional level by the Acrobatic Arts Syllabus. Emily has attended teacher training in California with Shannon Mather, owner of Mather Dance Company along with some of her incredible staff. Emily is dedicated to bettering herself as a dance educator and always looking to learn more to share with her students here at Bluewater Dance Academy.
Skyler Weed
Artistic Director/Co-Owner
Skyler Clark started dancing at 4 years old in Sarnia, Ontario. She realized her love for dance and started competing in Dance competitions at age 8, all the way until age 18. Skyler has won many special awards in her Competitive Dance Career in styles such as Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, and Musical Theatre. In her high school career she became the Captain of her high school dance team for 2 years and choreographed dances in the high school musical.
Skyler decided to pursue her dreams by attending York University (Toronto, ON) for Dance. After completing 1 year at York she then furthered her dance education at George Brown College for Commercial Dance (Toronto, ON). There she worked with Toronto’s most sought after dance instructors and completed her dance certificate. Skyler then attended Fanshawe College and received a certificate in Entrepreneurship.
In Toronto, Skyler had the pleasure of dancing for sports teams such as the Toronto Marlies (AHL) on the “Marlies Dance Crew” for a full season. She then made top 30 girls at the Toronto Raptors Dance Pak Auditions and was then chosen to participate in the “Pick the Pak” Online Voting competition out of 9 girls. Skyler has also performed through George Brown College at events like the Toronto Premier Awards.
Skyler has also danced for the London Lightning (NBL) on the “Dance Pack” for a full season. Skyler then moved to Whistler BC for a year where she trained with “The StilettoEttes”, a heels performance group from Vancouver, BC. With the “StilettoEttes” she was chosen to perform at multiple events in area and took classes with professional choreographers and well known dancers from Los Angeles.
Skyler has been teaching/choreographing since age 15 and has taught dance in Ontario and British Columbia. She has been choreographing competitive dance numbers since age 20 and has won special awards for her dances. Skyler’s dream of opening a dance studio has come true and she couldn’t be more excited to share her love of dance with Sarnia Lambton.
Lauren Romphf
Instructor
Lauren Romphf graduated with a BFA in Dance from Wayne State University in 2015. Continuing with her education at Drexel University, Lauren went on to receive her MA in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counselling in 2017, after submitting her thesis about objectification theory and its impact on women and girls’ experiences of their bodies. She is a Certified Dance/Movement Therapist and a certified STOTT Pilates instructor. Lauren has taught and performed dance for over a decade. Lauren’s passion for teaching dance centres around a desire for dancers to be able to fully express themselves, to encourage body awareness and longevity for the dancer’s body, and improving confidence and a sense of self. Lauren’s teaching history includes: contemporary, hiphop, tap, jazz, ballet, modern, improvisation, and dance composition. Lauren is looking forward to bringing a different perspective to the dancers at Bluewater Dance Academy!
Carly White
Instructor
Carly White’s love of dance started when she began taking tap classes at 5 years old in Sarnia, Ontario. From there her passion grew as she expanded her training into many different styles including Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical and Contemporary, successfully completing graded examinations in each style. At the age of 12, Carly started her teaching career as an assistant instructor for a local studio and began teaching shortly after. She then went on to coach and choreograph for their competitive team while attending college and continued to further her dance education by attending numerous conventions and teachers’ workshops. She was trained in the Cecchetti Ballet method and is a certified Progressing Ballet Technique instructor. During her over 15 years of teaching, Carly’s passion has truly shifted from performing to educating and she can’t wait to share her knowledge and love of dance with all the students at Bluewater Dance Academy!
Rosalie Deschênes-Lebel
Instructor
Alex Robinson
Instructor
Alex Robinson didn’t start dancing until she was 10 years old, and was immediately in love! Moving up quickly in her company, Alex knew she wanted dance to be a part of her life and is happy to still be teaching. Her favourite style of dance is tap and jazz, although all styles are fun! Alex graduated from Lambton College with a Sports & Recreation Management Advanced Diploma. She now lives just outside of Sarnia with her partner Damon and their puppy Remi! Alex cannot wait to continue learning and teaching for the youth of Sarnia!
Kalie Woodcock
Instructor
My performance background is in musical theatre and the arts have always been an important part of my life. This led me to earn degrees in English, Theatre, and Education. I am a certified teacher, trained in Vocal Music and Special Education, with additional certification in Kids and Family Yoga. I loved dance mostly from a distance up until a few years ago and it has taught me so many things. The more I learn and practice, the more I crave movement just for the joy it brings. So let's move!
I am so excited to work with the itty bitty dancers in the Pre classes and Tots dancers this Fall. Learning to move and express ourselves through movement is such a valuable skill; the strength and confidence it brings to an individual is so beautiful to see and worthwhile for everyone--regardless of age.
Simply put: Dance feels good. I can't wait to get back to it…see you soon!
Emily Brouwer
Instructor
Emily Brouwer started dancing at 3 years old in Sarnia, Ontario. She then began dancing competitively from 4-18 years of age, attending National Dance Finals in Los Angeles, Orlando, and Toronto. Emily has successfully completed examinations in the Cecchitti Ballet method, as well as Al Gilbert’s Syllabus for both Tap & Jazz. She has also been trained in other dance styles such as hip hop, lyrical, musical theatre, and pointe. Emily was a Scholarship recipient to the Summer Dance Intensive at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Emily has performed in several productions at the Imperial Theatre such as The Nutcracker, 42nd Street, Crazy for You, and Annie. She was also the captain of her high school dance team for 1 year.
Emily became a dance instructor at 18 years old. Over the years, she has taught both recreational and competitive classes. Emily is excited to share her passion for dance with all of her students at Bluewater Dance Academy!
Shayla Carrothers
Instructor
Shayla Carrothers is a passionate and devoted teacher at Bluewater Dance Academy. Her journey into professional dance began at the age of 13, leading her to pursue a post-secondary education in the arts in 2017. By the end of 2019, she graduated from two of George Brown College’s Performing Arts programs, earning two college certificates and receiving both the Jazz Award and the prestigious Professional Development Award.
Known for her relentless drive, Shayla has channeled her creativity into choreographing and training dancers at Bluewater Dance Academy. She is a role model for younger dancers, admired for her unique movement style. Throughout her career, she has performed with Imperial Theatre and danced with Toronto’s Badass Babes performance program (2018-2019), working with directors Danny Davalos, Chelsea Seward, and Kaleela Maria.
With extensive training in a wide range of dance styles, Shayla remains dedicated to pouring her heart and soul into every artistic endeavor she pursues.
Anaiya Willems
Instructor
Rebecca Clingersmith
Tumbling Coach
Mo McLeod
Instructor
Mo was born and raised in Sarnia, where she discovered her passion for dance. She began training at the age of 12 and was soon hired as an assistant, which marked the beginning of her dance career. A few years later, Mo took on the role of coordinating a small competitive dance team where she instructed in Hip-Hop, Jazz, and Tap. She has since worked with several studios as both an Artistic Director and Choreographer, creating award-winning choreography and sharing her passion for dance with all of her students.
Mo has over 22 years of experience teaching dance and loves to work with students of all ages and abilities. She has had the privilege of learning from industry professionals, integrating their techniques and methodologies to bring safe, effective instruction to her students.Mo is a certified Acrobatic Arts and Aerial Arts Instructor, and she remains dedicated to her professional growth by attending workshops and intensives to stay current with evolving dance training methods.
Mo has also been lucky enough to have the priveledge of teaching alongside some of her former students who have pursued successful careers in dance. She is thrilled to be part of the BDA family and looks forward to sharing her passion with her students.
Sara Brown
Kelsey Hill
Receptionist
