Deborah Lemaire
Rebecca Reynolds
Michelle Fisher
Dale Cooper
Mary Ann Annable-Roots

Faculty, 2009-2010

Deborah Lemaire – Artistic Director/Principal, Ballet, Pointe

Established as one of Canada’s top dancers, Deborah Lemaire danced professionally for 15 years with a number of internationally renowned companies. These included Principal dancer with both Theatre Ballet of Canada and Ballet British Columbia and as Soloist with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Deborah performed principal and soloist roles in their repertoire including the leads in such ballets as Swan Lake, the Nutcracker, and Giselle and has worked with world-renowned choreographers and dancers. Deborah has performed extensively throughout Canada, U.S. and Central and South America. A graduate of the National Ballet School of Canada, where she also trained in the art of flamenco, she has also studied at the Northern Ballet School, England; with Melissa Hayden and David Howard in New York City; with Les Grande Ballet Canadien; and at the Banff School of Fine Arts with international choreographers and teachers. Deborah retired from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in 1992 and has been teaching for the Northern Lights School of Dance since September 1995. Deborah has been the recipient of several awards for choreography and to attend training initiatives in Toronto, Vancouver and most recently in The Hague, Netherlands. Ms. Lemaire was appointed Artistic Director/Principal in December 1998. Ms. Lemaire has spent the last year traveling through South East Asia with her family and returns to NLSD as Artistic Director in January 2009.

Rebecca Reynolds – Assistant Artistic Director, Ballet, Pointe, Modern

Rebecca is the assistant artistic director and ballet master at the Northern Lights School of Dance where she teaches ballet, choreography and modern dance.

Rebecca began her Cecchetti Ballet training at the age of 3 at the Red Deer School of Ballet under the instruction of Irene Weatherilt. She began teaching at age 14 and went on to obtain her Dance Diploma from Grant MacEwan in Edmonton. Rebecca joined the cast of the Frantic Follies where she worked her way up to dance captain and later became the show’s choreographer. She collaborates annually in numerous choreographic endeavors within the Whitehorse community. She choreographs and dances professionally in various productions in the Yukon including Nutcracker, Brave New Works, Varietesse, Guild productions, Link Dance Company and the Rendezvous Cancan Dancers.Rebecca recently took a year’s leave of absence from NLSD to train and work in Montreal where she took classes in various forms of dance and was accepted into company classes with LaLaLa Human Steps. In addition to her work with NLSD, Rebecca has remained active in the commercial dance scene.

Michelle Fisher – Jazz, Tap, Ballet

Michelle Fisher is coming up for her first winter in the Yukon. She fell in love with the north performing two seasons with the Frantic Follies and one with Diamond Tooth Gerties. She started dancing at the age of 3 and had such great passion for dance she attended the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria B.C. Michelle is looking forward to teaching at the Northern Lights School of Dance and to sharing her passion with the students.

Dale Cooper – Jazz, Musical Theatre

Originally from Montreal where she began her dance training, Dale has been teaching dance and performing as a dancer, singer and actor for 25 years. She has taught at various schools in Toronto, Victoria, Saskatoon and Dawson City. As well as teaching at Northern Lights School of Dance in Whitehorse, she is resident dance teacher/choreographer for the Music, Art and Drama Program at F. H. Collins Secondary School in Whitehorse. Dale has taught through the Artist in the School program, Arts Ed-venture, and has been involved in many summer dance and drama camps. Although Dale specializes in Jazz, her secret love is Musical Theatre. She has performed in many musical productions and has choreographed both professional and amateur shows. Dale is also a singer/songwriter, and during the summer months she can be found on the stage of the Frantic Follies as one of the leading ladies.

Mary Ann Annable-Roots – Creative Ballet & Pre-School

Shona MacPherson – Creative Ballet, Ballet

Shona is in her sixth year of teaching dance at NLSD. Shona has taken dance in Whitehorse since the age of seven. She began in NLSD’s Creative Modern classes, and continued training in contemporary dance both at NLSD and with Dancers with Latitude. She has participated in the Link Dance residency program and performed with this group as well. In addition, Shona has trained in Classical Ballet, Jazz, Modern and Tap. Shona strives to improve her teaching skills each year under the mentorship of NLSD’s other instructors. She enjoys working with children, and is excited about sharing her skills with her students this year.

Annie Pelicano - Flamenco

Annie started dancing Flamenco in 2003 in Scotland. She was immediately seduced by the music, the singing, and the very unique dance style which together make flamenco an art and a way of living. She has since continued learning in many festivals and workshops in Europe, and more recently in Canada.  She is happy flamenco is growing stronger in Whitehorse.

James McCullough – Tap

Bob Mackenzie – Ballroom, Social Dance

Bob has been dancing for 17 years. He studied the International Style of Ballroom as set out in the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance with Pat Nikleva, Vancouver; Claire Perron, Ottawa; and Maureen Shargey, in South Africa. Bob continues to upgrade his training whenever he leaves the Yukon. Bob has been teaching Ballroom Dance at NLSD since 1995.

 Dianne Homan - Tap

Dianne earned her Masters Degree at the University  Oregon in 1985. Since ten she has been teaching all forms of dance to all ages. She loves tap dancing with folks who love rhythm and has been sharing this passion with dancers at NLSD for the past several years.

Irene Weatherilt – Resident Guest Ballet/ Pointe Instructor