Staff
Our instructors are at the heart of everything we do. They bring a passion for dance, a commitment to excellence, and a genuine care for each student into every class. More than just teaching technique, our staff work to create a positive, supportive environment where dancers feel encouraged to grow, build confidence, and enjoy the process. We are proud to foster a strong sense of community within our studio, and that includes providing leadership opportunities for our older students through mentorship roles as Teaching Assistants. These dancers not only support our classes, but also serve as positive role models—helping to inspire the next generation while continuing to grow themselves.
Meet Our Team
Melissa Demers
Director & Head Instructor
Dance and movement have always been a central focus for Melissa. She has a special love for Ballet having studied both Cecchetti and Royal Academy of Dance disciplines very seriously. She is a certified ADAPT dance instructor, Progressing ballet technique instructor and a MindLeaps master trainer. Melissa's love for movement is also fulfilled through fitness, with certifications in group fitness, individual conditioning, kickboxing, spinning, fitness consulting and personal training. Melissa studied Kinesiology at Ottawa University and continues to expand her knowledge through advanced coaching courses and NCCP training. Melissa enjoyed success with her RAD ballet exams, competed at the national level in sport aerobics, danced for the Ottawa Renegades, and both choreographed and performed in multiple productions with the Kanata Theatre and the Rural Roots theatre company. In 2000 Melissa opened the West Carleton School of Performing Arts. Where she remains the owner, artistic director and head instructor. Melissa has won many awards as a performer, choreographer and teacher. But her most cherished accomplishments are the connections she has created with her students. Melissa is dedicated to promoting healthy living, autonomy, connection, and self esteem through movement and the arts.
Mackenzie Gribbon
Amanda Tate Divet
Amanda began her dance training in Boston, Massachusetts. She studied under the direction of Kathy Kozel, William McLaughlin, Sam Fiorello, Adrian Mintz and several others whom gave her a strong ballet and jazz technical training. She later received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, from the Conservatory of Music & Dance at University of Missouri-Kansas City. At University she trained in Modern and Ballet under the direction of Mary Pat Henry, director of Wylliams/ Henry Contemporary Dance Company. Paula Weber, Diana Hytte Washington, former Alvin Ailey Dancer, Catherine Taylor Plavcin, and Emmy award winner, the late Leni Wylliams. After graduating, she moved to New York City to continue her professional endeavours. Amanda performed with several modern/ contemporary dance companies including Infinity Dance Theater and Darrah Carr Dance as a soloist, where she had the opportunity to tour the US and Europe. Amanda received rave reviews such as one in the New York Times where she was described as “the personification of flight”. While in New York, she was fortunate to have the chance to work with award winning choreographers such as Peter Pucci, Robert Battle, and Shawn Curren, to name a few. Amanda is also proud to have graced the pages of magazines such as Dance Magazine and Time Out New York. She can also be seen acting in National Federation Educational videos. Due to an injury, Amanda left the stage to pursue other endeavours which led her to settle here in Ottawa Canada. She has found a new favourite dance partner, her 6yr old son, Rowen. Amanda is very happy to be part of the WSCOPA family, and looking forward to watching her students grow and become amazing artists.
Hailey Smith
Hailey is a dancer and choreographer based in Ottawa, Ontario. She began her dance training at the age of 10 and has since developed into a versatile, multidisciplinary artist, training in a wide range of styles. Her dedication and talent have led to numerous accomplishments, including being named 4th Runner-Up for Senior Ms. Candance 2024, earning a Top 24 placement at the Youth America Grand Prix, and achieving her R.A.D. Advanced 2 certification. Most recently, she placed third overall in the BeU Varsity Challenge improv competition. Hailey has also had the opportunity to train with a professional ballet company and attend the Goh Ballet Academy Summer Intensive. Hailey is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science at Carleton University, where she is a member of the Ravens Dance Pak. Through her diverse training and experiences, Hailey is passionate about continuing to grow as an artist while inspiring and mentoring the next generation of dancers.
Lisa Hash
Lisa trained intensively in Ballet, Jazz and Tap with the Canadian School of Dance and Les Petits Ballets for 12 years. She also trained in Figure Skating and Synchronized Skating, competing for Canada at the French Cup in Rouen, France, winning Gold in 2000. After achieving a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Carleton University in 2006, Lisa’s passion for dance brought her to the studio. She began teaching in 2008 at Allegro DanceWorks and has since completed the ADAPT TTS training course and is a certified ADAPT teacher.
Katy Munro
Ms. Katy wrote her own children’s musical called An Old Fashioned Love Story which was produced at Sheridan College in 2008, and at the Cobblestone Festival the following summer. After that, Ms. Katy completed a 3-year college degree in Musical Theatre Performance at St. Lawrence College where she studied many aspects of acting, singing and dance. She played the lead role of Jenny in their production of The Threepenny Opera, and was a featured ensemble member in many other SLC productions including: Grease, Hair, The Mikado, 42nd Street, and The Laramie Project. Ms. Katy has also completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Major in Theatre and Minor in Music. This summer, Ms. Katy can also be found Judging for Ottawa Idol, a prestigious singing competition for youth age 13-23. Ms. Katy is a passionate and patient vocal, drama, and musical theatre teacher who believes –anyone- can learn to sing (yes, you too!) She is known for a gentle, persistent teaching style that allows beginner and advanced students alike to find their confidence on stage in any capacity.
Grace Myles
Grace grew up in Ottawa as a competitive dancer, training in many disciplines (RAD and ADAPT) and continued to train and compete for four years as part of the Nipissing University Competitive Dance Team in North Bay. Grace began teaching at the age of 15 and has taught and choreographed in the Ottawa and North Bay areas for over ten years. She is also a 200 hour certified yoga teacher, a barre instructor and proudly teaches middle and high school Dance professionally. Grace is known for her positivity, enthusiasm and attention to detail in her teaching.
Charlotte Riethman
Charlotte began dancing at the age of 3, training in ballet, modern, jazz, and tap. She joined the competitive team at West Carleton School of Performing Arts from ages 11–18, where she developed a strong technical foundation and a well-rounded understanding of multiple dance styles. During this time, she also discovered her passion for working with young dancers and began her teaching journey. Charlotte is committed to creating a positive, encouraging classroom environment where dancers feel supported, confident, and motivated to grow. She values connection, teamwork, and helping each dancer build both their skills and their love of movement. In addition to dance, Charlotte has continued her love of performance through all-star cheerleading, earning multiple top 5 finishes and achieving both gold and silver medals at the Cheerleading Worlds.
Samantha Bernard
Samantha trained at West Carleton School of Performing Arts from the age of 5 until she graduated high school at 18. She trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, musical theatre, pointe, and tap. Her love for dance led her to join the competitive team where she got to improve her technique through feedback and expand her dance experience. She has also gotten the opportunity to play a role in Ballet Jörgen’s adaptation of Swan Lake and attend Ballet Jörgen’s summer intensive program. Samantha also competed in all star cheerleading where she got the chance to go to the Cheerleading World Championships in 2019, 2021, and 2022. Now Samantha is completing a Bachelor of Humanities with a Combined Honours in Biology while teaching and being a part of her dance community.
Henry Gallant
Henry is a dedicated dancer and student educator currently pursuing Concurrent Education at Queen’s University. With a primary specialization in Hip Hop and B-Boying, Henry brings a well-rounded technical foundation shaped by years of training across a variety of styles, including ballet, jazz, acro, contemporary, tap, and of course hip hop. Beginning dancing at the age of seven, he has since developed both performance and instructional expertise, including extensive experience in foundational techniques under renowned B-Boy Crazy Smooth. Beyond dance, his other hobbies include skateboarding, spending time with friends, and music as he is practiced in guitar, bass, and drums; all of which inform his dynamic and expressive approach to movement and rhythm.
Emily Wainwright
Emily began dancing at the age of four and trained at the West Carleton School of Performing Arts through to graduation. Over the years, she has developed a strong and versatile foundation in ballet, jazz, musical theatre, contemporary, lyrical, drama, vocals, and pointe. As a competitive dancer, Emily achieved numerous overall scores with her solos, duet/trios, and group performances, showcasing both technical strength and a dynamic stage presence. Her love for performing has taken her far, with experience auditioning for and performing in many musical productions. In 2022, Emily had the opportunity to perform in New York City, where she also took class with Broadway professionals, an experience that further deepened her passion for the performing arts. Emily’s journey in dance naturally evolved into teaching. Starting as a teacher’s assistant, she discovered her passion for mentoring young dancers and has since grown into a dedicated teacher and creative choreographer. She is committed to fostering confidence, creativity, and a genuine love of dance in every student she works with. Emily is currently studying at the University of Ottawa working towards an honours bachelor of health sciences, with a concentration in population and public health, and continues to nurture her passion for dance by training weekly with the school’s dance club.
Katharina Froese
Katharina’s dance journey began when she was three years old, when she took her first ballet class at WCSOPA. Since then, she has pursued her love of performing, joining the competitive team at age 6, as well as auditioning for performances and companies. Katharina has trained in countless styles, such as tap, jazz, acro, contemporary, and musical theatre but she finds herself most drawn to ballet. While Katharina loves performing, she also enjoys sharing her passion with others through teaching. Katharina volunteered as a teacher's assistant from 2018-2024 and in the fall 2025, joined the Teacher in Training program. During the 2025-2026 season she also explored choreography, allowing her to gain more experience in movement creation and artistic expression. Katharina is planning on taking a year off from school to teach and further strengthen her abilities before pursuing her passion for dancing.
Mallory Kearnan
Mallory began dancing at the West Carleton School of Performing Arts at just three years old and continued through to her graduating year. Over the years, she has trained in a wide range of styles, with a focus on jazz, lyrical, ballet, musical theatre, and contemporary. She joined the competitive team at age seven, where she developed a strong passion for performing. In addition to her love for being on stage, Mallory enjoys supporting others from the wings, always encouraging her peers and students. She has gained valuable experience assisting her instructors, helping to choreograph competitive routines, and supporting overall classroom management. In spring 2025, Mallory had the opportunity to co-choreograph a routine in the Shining Star category, a program that highlights the talents of dancers with disabilities. She has also been actively involved as a camp counsellor at WCSOPA’s summer programs. Mallory will be entering the Dental Assisting program at Algonquin College in fall 2026, with the goal of becoming a dental hygienist specializing in working with children with special needs. She looks forward to continuing to grow as both a dancer and instructor while remaining an important part of the WCSOPA family.
Cassandra Brisson
Cassandra is currently entering her third year at York University, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with a focus on Modern technique, Performance, and Choreography. Beginning this year, she will be a member of the York Dance Ensemble, an in-house company at York University, contributing to the university’s dynamic performance community, while also training and competing with Flourish Dance Movement, a competitive dance club at York. She brings 17 years of comprehensive training from WCSOPA, where she developed a strong foundation across multiple Genres. Her primary specialty is tap, a style in which she has achieved notable success. In 2025, she represented Team Canada as a member of the national Tap team, competing internationally in Prague. With a commitment to both artistic exploration and technical excellence, Cassandra continues to grow as a versatile and dedicated performer / teacher within both concert and competitive dance spaces.