
“At Dance Extreme, dance isn’t just about dance, it helps with building confidence and self-esteem. We pride ourselves on teaching all our students lessons they will carry with them always.”
Rebecca Brettingham-Filice
Director
Read Bio
Rebecca is the Artistic Director and owner/founder of London’s most progressive and creative dance studio. Dance Extreme is in its 24th year. She brings enthusiasm and dedication to Dance Extreme that is reflected in the quality of the instructors, programs and facilities. Her goal is to provide all students with an enjoyable dancing experience and sense of accomplishment. A teacher since 1990, Rebecca began her career in the Toronto area before moving to London in 1994. She received her certification through Canadian Dance Masters of America, Dance Masters of America and Dance Educators of America. Always keeping up-to-date with her choreography and teaching technique, Rebecca is constantly attending workshops all over North America. Rebecca is a graduate of the Dance Master’s of America’s Teachers Training School at Kent State University and the State University of New York in Buffalo and a graduate of Political Science from the University of Western Ontario. Rebecca is a member of Canadian Dance Masters of America since 1997. She served as an examiner for CDMA for several years, been the secretary for CDMA, Chapter 38 since 2000 and served as a delegate for 6 years. She has judged and taught in both Canada and the USA at Regional and National level competitions, workshops and auditions. Rebecca is also a member of Dance Ontario. Rebecca and her students have won overall, choreography and special awards at numerous competitions. Besides running Dance Extreme, she is the owner/founder of The Sumptuous Basket a gift basket and children’s loot bag/party supplies company, now in it’s 13th year. Rebecca resides in London with her husband Tony and two children, Christiano and Isabela.

M.A. Dance, B.A., B.Ed., D.M.A., C.D.M.A. OCT.
Richelle Hirlehey
Read Bio
Richelle is excited to be returning for her seventeenth season at Dance Extreme. She is responsible for all Educational programs at Dance Extreme. Richelle is the liaison between Dance Extreme and The Thames Valley School Boards where she coordinates the Educational Outreach program to bring dance education to surrounding elementary and secondary schools. Richelle directed the Carousel Dance Company, Carousel Dance Centre Inc. in Waterloo from 2005-2011. In addition to teaching, she has choreographed for The Community Players of New Hamburg (Cats – 2009, Aida -2011, Ragtime – 2014)), 21 productions with Original Kids Theatre Company between 2002-2014. Additionally, she has choreographed for high schools in southwestern Ontario, her own company Barefoot Creative 2001-2015 and has danced/choreographed for the UWO Dance Company for 8 years & the Hamilton Dance Company for 3 years. She worked as assistant choreographer on “Bella Dancerella – Disney Princess” & “Disney’s High School Musical 2,” “Dora Dance to the Rescue” (DVD) for Spin Master Ltd and on “Get Up & Move” – a dance instructional DVD for Toniolo Productions. Richelle was Guest Dance Educator at Matthews Hall Independent School in London Ontario from 2011-2013 and is a teacher with the Thames Valley District School Board. Richelle is a graduate of the Honours Kinesiology and Bachelor of Education programs from the University of Western Ontario and completed her Masters in Dance Education at York University in 2012.

Anna Defent
Read Bio

Megan Alfano
Read Bio
Megan started her training at the age of 4 and has been tapping, twirling and teaching ever since! She currently holds her CDTA Stage Division Full Member Ontario Branch and ADAPT qualifications. Megan has choreographed for various high schools and arts organizations for shows such as The Addams Family, Legally Blonde, Suessical, Highschool Musical, Oliver!, Candide, Grease!, Nine, Guys and Dolls, Cats, Carousel, The Shipbuilder and Pride and Prejudice. Megan recently relocated from Saskatchewan where she spent over 12 years as the Director of the Saskatchewan Express Musical Theatre Studio, running both the recreational and competitive programs, she was also the choreographer and Assistant to the Artistic Director of the touring Performance Company Saskatchewan Express. Other ventures include choreography for the Saskatchewan Roughriders Half-Time Show Labour Day Classic featuring Johnny Reid and the Casino Regina/Moose Jaw Best of Both Worlds television commercial. Megan also spent the 2007 football season as associate coach of the CKRM Saskatchewan Roughrider Cheer Team. She is also a well respected dance festival adjudicator across Canada. Now in London, Megan has already found herself busy working with the performers at the Original Kids Theatre Company and St. Mary’s Choir School, as a choreographer and guest instructor at the Grand Theatre and an instructor at Fanshawe College. Megan adores teaching young people and knows first-hand what a difference the arts can make in their lives. She is excited to share her love of performance with the students in London!

Virginia Jackson
Read Bio
Virginia is excited to be returning for her second season at Dance Extreme. Her love of dance started at age 3 when she started her training at the Catherine Samuel Ballet School in Hamilton. She studied classical ballet, tap, and musical theatre, and completed her Cecchetti Ballet Examinations at the National Ballet School of Canada. Virginia is an Ontario Certified Teacher with the Thames Valley District School Board. She has a passion for teaching kids, fostering a safe and nurturing environment, and sharing her love of dance.

Madison Lane
Read Bio
Madison has been teaching dance for the past 5 years at Dance Extreme. She teaches a number of different disciplines including creative movement, movers and shakers, jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop and musical theatre. She is currently studying psychology at Western University, with the hopes of continuing to work with youth in the future. Madison danced at Dance Extreme for 11 years, 9 of which she danced with the dance troupe. As well as teaching Madison has also choreographed musicals for schools in London, some of her shows include High School Musical Jr. and the Wizard of Oz. Madison loves teaching dancers of all ages and sharing her knowledge and love of dance!

Brandon Clarke
Read Bio

Andrea Gittens
Read Bio
Andrea is a graduate of the Professional Performance Program at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. She has trained extensively in Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre and Ballet. Her performance and teaching career have taken her across North America from Whitehorse to Pennsylvania, Vancouver to New York. Andrea’s theatre choreography credits include Unfrogettable: Nat ‘King’ Cole; Bye,Bye Birdie; Nunsense II; 42nd Street; Pajama Game; Seussical; Quilters; Ring of Fire; Forbidden Planet; Cats; Guys and Dolls; Ruddigore; Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory; Rainy City Men’s Chorus; West Vancouver Marching Band; Sound Sensation; Visions Dance Company. Her performance credits include TV, commercials, film, theatre, cabarets and dance performances. “I love teaching the primary dancers as I am passionate about building a good strong foundation for a lifetime of dance appreciation. Dance is a great way to build confidence in students of all ages so they may continue to achieve their dreams.” She is excited to return as a choreographer for the Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund’s gala Dancing With the Stars of the 911; her dancers, Lynn and Ross earned a first place finish last year. When working with the couples on their wedding dance, we often have many laughs as we learn the teamwork and trust involved in partnering. I really enjoy the diversity of each couple’s music choice and I ensure that they feel confident with their first dance.” She is currently working on finishing her Certificate in Management through Western, preparing for the CDMA exams and honours the privilege to continue to learn.

N.C.C.P.1
Sharon Colvin
Read Bio
Sharon joined the Dance Extreme faculty in 1998 during the first season. She is responsible for keeping the entire studio in order. Sharon is available should parents and dancers need the opportunity to ask questions and express concerns. She is always ready and willing to assist in any matter.

Carina Coldevin
Read Bio

Morgan Gizdic
Read Bio
Hello, I’m Miss Morgan. I will be teaching at Dance Extreme this coming season. I have danced for the past ten years and now I am becoming a teacher. I wanted to be a teacher to share the passion I have for dance with the next generation of dancers coming up. I’m trained in ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, tap, and hip hop. I am so excited about what’s to come!

Destini Small-Allen
Read Bio
Hi, my name is Destini Small-Allen, I am 19 years old and currently a student at Western University. I began my dance training at a very young age and throughout the years I’ve developed a passion for choreography and teaching. I am super excited to begin my first year here at Dance Extreme!

Kayleigh Sheeller
Read Bio
Hello!! My name is Miss Kayleigh and I have been a teacher at dance extreme for three years. Before that, I joined the Dance Extreme family myself as a student at the age of 8. I took advantage of the variety of dance styles offered at dance extreme and was enrolled in jazz, ballet, musical theatre, hip hop, contemporary, pointe, and tap. You will now find me teaching creative movement, movers and shakers, and pre-dance classes! Outside of the studio, I am a student at Brescia University College. I am currently studying French with the goal of becoming an elementary school teacher! I can’t wait for this year to begin! See you in class!

Victoria Kao
Read Bio
Victoria teaches in the Recreational and Dance Troupe programs. She trained at Dance Extreme and thoroughly enjoyed her 9 years at the studio. Now a faculty member, Victoria is grateful for the opportunity to share all she has learned. Her dance studies have continued at Western University, where she is currently working towards her BMSc degree. She wishes all the dancers a wonderful season!

Paige Feenstra
Read Bio

Kiana Simler
Read Bio
Kiana Simler has over 15 years experience as an accomplished dancer, teacher and choreographer from London, Ontario. She trained extensively in all styles at Dance Extreme Inc and Western University by some of the industry’s top Instructors and choreographers. In addition, she also holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) degree from Western University, where she double majored in Business Management (BMOS) and Media Studies (MIT). Kiana is excited to be returning for her sixth season as an instructor and choreographer at Dance Extreme Inc. She is also responsible for the Dance Camp programs where she coordinates all schedules and activities for campers and counsellors. Kiana is also the Social Media Coordinator for Dance Extreme Inc, helping to portray the studio’s award-winning programs and atmosphere in the digital world. Most recently, Kiana has begun her studies at Humber College for Advertising and Graphic Design. She is excited to refine her skills and plans to tie her creative abilities back to the growth of the dance world.
Kiana is grateful for her childhood dance studio and second home, Dance Extreme Inc for facilitating her training and experience. She held the titles of Petite Miss Dance Canada 2008 and Young American Dancer of the Year 2008 and went on to perform in professional shows throughout North America including: New Blue Festival for Emerging Artists and APAP. Her experience also includes backup dancing in music videos by Siadat, Reezy and Sean Kingston. Kiana was both a workshop assistant and choreography assistant for the well known choreographer Rebecca Zizek. In 2016, Kiana joined the Dance Extreme Inc faculty teaching recreational, pre-competitive and competitive students in all disciplines. Since, she has received great recognition for her choreography of various styles, for various age groups. Kiana loves to share her breadth of knowledge and experience with the next generation of dancers.