Shannon Subchuk

Shannon Subchuk, MFA, is the Founder and Artistic Director of Affirmation Dance.

With over 20 years of teaching experience and two degrees focused on dance and choreography, Shannon specializes in dance instruction, choreography and dance fitness. She teaches contemporary, jazz, ballet, lyrical, musical theatre, preschool and senior ballet, barre fitness, as well as inclusive dance classes for children with individual learning differences and other support needs. Her inclusive programming focuses on skill development, self empowerment and celebrating our differences.

Shannon holds a BFA in Theatre Performance Dance from Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly Ryerson University, and an MFA in Contemporary Dance and Choreography from York University. Her education and extensive teaching experience have given her a strong understanding of dance history, anatomy and safe dance practices.

During her studies, Shannon danced for Holly Small, Louis Laberge Côté, Kenny Pearl and David Earle. She has participated in numerous dance festivals and performed in Vienna under the direction of Keith Hennessy at the ImPulsTanz Festival. Shannon also participated in the Society for Dance History Scholars Conference at York University and Saudades do Brasil with Newton Moraes Dance Theatre at the PULSE Youth Dance Conference.

Shannon has taught in Ontario, Newfoundland, China, Spain and Alberta. She has trained with tWitch, Brian Friedman and Mia Michaels and appeared in music videos for Shweta Subram and Jesse Labelle. In 2022, Shannon completed an artistic residency in Amsterdam, creating and performing dance works.

Also in 2022, Shannon founded Affirmation Dance with a vision of creating a space where high quality dance education could exist alongside inclusion, individuality, confidence and joy. Today, Affirmation Dance continues to grow with the belief that every dancer deserves the opportunity to learn, belong and experience the joy of movement.

Shannon’s additional credentials include Rhythm Works Integrative Dance, Progressing Ballet Technique, Classical Ballet Progressions of Canada, Contact Beyond Contact Dance Healing Levels 1 and 2, Barre Fitness, Cecchetti and RAD training, TRX, All Star Performance Cheer Pom, Gymnastics Active Start and Foundations, and Acrobatic Arts.

💙💖 Happiness is All Inclusive

Charlize brings over 10 years of dance training and competitive experience to her teaching, with

a strong foundation in the Cecchetti Ballet syllabus. Throughout her training, she studied a

diverse range of styles, including ballet, acro, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and tap, and

successfully completed multiple Cecchetti ballet examinations.

Charlize is a certified Acro Dance Teachers Association Junior Instructor, an Acrobatic Arts

Module 1 instructor, and holds certification in Tap Roots. She is currently pursuing her

three-year Premier Certification through the Acro Dance Teachers Association, further

expanding her knowledge and teaching credentials. She is also working toward certification in

Progressive Ballet Technique.

As an instructor, Charlize is passionate about creating a positive, disciplined, and supportive

studio environment where dancers feel encouraged to grow. Her teaching philosophy

emphasizes strong technical foundations, confidence, strength, and a genuine love of dance.

She strives to inspire every dancer who walks through Affirmation Dance’s doors to challenge

themselves, embrace their individuality, and reach their fullest potential.

Darcie is a versatile dancer and dynamic choreographer with immense passion for the art of creation. She has trained at established studios such as the Edmonton School of Ballet and Mantra Movement. Her background is diverse training in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical, Tap, Dancehall, Vogue, Hip Hop which holds a special place in her heart. 

Darcie is a professional dancer with Essence Talent Management, where she works as a repeat hire for back-up dancing. Her resume includes artists such as Kuzi Cee and Alicia Lov, alongside recruitment for Canadian-Punjabi artist Karan Aujla’s Tour, where she performed on the Roger’s Place stage.

 This is Darcie’s second season with Affirmation Dance. She’s also worked at  Edmonton Dance Factory as a teaching assistant and a substitute dance teacher across Edmonton.

Sophie became an assistant dance teacher as a teenager and started teaching her own dance classes as a senior dancer. After Sophie graduated she further pursued her love for dance in Los Angeles through an intensive training program at Millennium Dance Complex. Sophie has always been interested in the behind the scenes of running a dance studio which has lead her to work in administration for a few different dance studios. She loves being able to create a positive environment and help students foster their love for dance.