About the school
LATmontreal.dance provides students with rigorous training in a supportive environment. The school shares its passion for creative movement, community spirit and inclusiveness of all body types and genders with students of all ages. Classes are led by professionally-trained teachers who are uniquely able to bring out the very best in each dancer.
During the academic year, the school offers over twenty classes a week to over 200 students. Each class offers a wide variety of dance class styles to diverse levels. The summer program includes six weeks of recreational camp open to all, and a two-week dance intensive at the end of August for students in the LATitude program.
Who We Are
LynnAnne Turcotte
founder & director
LynnAnne Turcotte has been inspiring generations of West End Montreal dancers for over 30 years. Her dynamism and enthusiasm for creative, improvisational movement exploration continues to motivate all who walk through the studio doors. She has conceived and produced numerous professionally mounted dance productions. Ms. Turcotte is on the Board of Directors of the NDG Business Association, and believes in the community spirit and artistic value of local outdoor events such as the Monkland Street Festival and Arts Week. She is committed to hiring talented dancer-choreographers as teachers to benefit her student’s dance education, as well as a way to support artists pursuing professional dance careers.
Ms. Turcotte received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance from Concordia University, and furthered her studies with two years of training in Laban Movement Analysis.
Brittney Canda
LATitude teacher and choreographer
Classically trained in Alberta, Brittney Canda holds a BFA in Contemporary Dance from Concordia University. She is a member of Kyra Jean Green’s “Trip the Light Fantastic” company, and tours with Sheenah Ko.
Passionate about dance and film, Brittney has choreographed and starred in music videos for The Barr Brothers, Tambour, Calum Graham, and many others. Her classes focus on building technique, body positivity, expression, exploration, and developing the joy of movement.
Kristen Cere
LATitude teacher and choreographer
A graduate of the l'École Supérieure de Ballet du Québec, Kristen Cere also holds a Parkinson En Mouvement teaching certificate, a teaching diploma from Le Centre National de la Danse de Paris (France) and is currently pursuing further research in dance-therapy.
She spent most of her career in Europe working with companies such as the Nederlands Dans Theater, the Graz Opera Ballet, and Le Jeune Ballet du Québec. She has created works for companies, theaters and festivals across the globe.
Bailey Eng
LATitude teacher and choreographer
Following studies at the École Nationale du Cirque and York University, Bailey Eng completed a BFA in Contemporary Dance at Concordia University. She has a vast movement expertise, ranging from contemporary dance to Chinese pole, from contortion to parkour and breaking.
Bailey has performed with Destins Croisés, Andreane Leclerc, Jeff Hall, Compagnie WXWS, La Marche du crabe, and Les Minutes Completement Cirque. She frequently incorporates multidisciplinary elements into her choreography.
Cory Garfinkle
adult recreational ballet teacher
Cory Garfinkle's professional ballet training began at Les Grands Ballet Canadiens and continued at the Toronto Dance Theatre.
A former teacher at Les Grands Ballet's professional training school, she has continued teaching contemporary ballet and modern dance at universities and schools. She has pursued a career as a professional contemporary dancer with a variety of companies and established choreographers. Cory brings a love for movement and a desire to inspire a feeling of freedom in the body, bringing a sense of freedom to the mind and spirit.
Kyra Jean Green
LATitude teacher and choreographer
Born in France, raised in West Palm Beach FL, she holds a BFA in dance from New York's acclaimed Juilliard School.
Kyra Jean Green is the founder of the dance company "Trip The Light Fantastic" which made its debut at Festival Quartiers Danses in 2017. Since 2015 she has worked as an assistant choreographer, teacher and dancer with Les 7 Doigts de la Main. She has presented work across the globe, including at The Center of Performance Research (Brooklyn NY), CHOP SHOP dance festival (Bellevue WA) and Fashion Art Toronto.
Melissa McCracken
children's recreational teacher
Orignially from British Columbia, Melissa McCracken will complete her Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Dance at Concordia University in the spring of 2020. Her specialization is in contemporary dance, and she is experienced in ballet, tap and jazz as well.
Melissa's kind and patient demeanor allows each child to develop at their own pace. She places a strong emphasis on positive body image and skill development, while making classes fun and inclusive for everyone.
Li Ming Parisé
costume designer
Li Ming Parisé began dancing at the LATmontreal.dance studio nearly twenty years ago, and she has completed a BFA in Contemporary Dance at Concordia University.
A born creative, she currently practices in three main areas: dance, print media and fibres/textiles, and blends these media in her role as costume designer at LATmontreal.
Our alumni list says it all
The studio has had many illustrious teachers over the years, as well as dancers who have developed in the program and gone on to successful careers in the arts. The LAT family has included Kathy Biever (Grands Ballets Canadiens), Holly Greco (Repercussion Theatre), Alisia Pobega (Grands Ballets Canadiens), Emily Gualtieri (Parts + Labour), Charlotte Huebner (Disneyland Paris) and many others.
Kate Herzberg
Administrator
Kate is responsible for bringing order to the chaos of the studio. She has a sunny disposition and a deep love of organization.
Sarah Kakebeeke
Administrator
Sarah is one of our much beloved administration staff. She's the friendly face who will help with all your registration needs.
Choco-lat Turcotte
welcoming committee assistant
Choco-lat Turcotte is the second canine mascot to join the studio. She has an exuberant personality and a distinctive voice to match! Her LAT duties include greeting students, observing classes from the mezzanine, and participating in summer camp activities. Choco-lat's hobbies include napping on the studio couches, long runs off leash in nature, and receiving attention and cuddles from any willing human.
Lat-tay Turcotte
director of client experience
Lat-tay Turcotte was the first canine to join the LAT community, and her main studio job is to greet visitors and dancers with friendly, loving energy. She is a very popular member of the LAT's summer camp team, where she loves hanging out with the children during breaks and at the park. Lat-tay's best traits are her big heart, loyalty and sunny disposition. Her hobbies include long runs, playing with other canine friends and snuggling.
