Rebecca Westman (Stepdance)

Ottawa's own Rebecca Westman has been stepdancing for over 18 years and is now one of Ontario's most recognized stepdance champions. She spends her summers competing at stepdance and fiddle competitions all across Ontario. She has taught stepdancing through her own school in Ottawa for over ten years, as well as teaching for various schools of dance. At the age of 22, Rebecca is a two time 18 and under stepdance champion, a two time Open stepdance champion and a five time Open Group Stepdance champion at the prestigious Pembroke Fiddle and Stepdance Competition. Other titles include the 2005/06/08 Southwestern Ontario Open Stepdance Champion, the 2003 18 and under Ontario Open Stepdance Champion, and the 2005 Ontario Open Group Stepdance Champion. She has won numerous group dance awards and has over fifty other first place solo and group dance titles to her name.

Gwen is a registered nurse, mother, wife and grandmother, whose passion is Stepdancing. She has toured Canada as a stepdancing performer as well as directing groups that have toured North America and have travelled as far away as the Children’s Festival in China. Her greatest joy is watching young dancers bloom. She has 25 years experience in teaching Step Dancing to all ages from preschool to adults as well as many accolades for choreography. She is delighted to be an instructor at Chad Wolfe’s Studio of Dance and Music.

Lotta Harasym (Stepdance)

Lotta's love of dance began when she was enrolled at 4 years of age in tap, ballet and jazz classes. This evolved into a life-long interest in all types of dance including hip hop and ballroom dance.

Her love of tap was re-ignited as an adult when she was introduced to Ottawa Valley step dancing. Lotta has now been step dancing for almost 20 years. She has competed at the former Perth Fiddle and Step Festival, performed for several years at the annual Carman Fiddle Festival in Carman, Manitoba and entertained family and friends at many celebrations.

Lotta began teaching at the former Gwen Cadman School of Dance in 2000 and has continued to teach with the Chad Wolfe Studio of Dance and Music since it took over in 2007. She takes much pleasure in introducing young children to the joys of step dance. At the same time, she has a special interest in encouraging adults to return to dance or to try it out for the first time.

Holly began her stepdancing education at age 5. By 8 she was competing at traditional stepdancing competitions across Ontario and Quebec. At 11 her interest grew from simply performing to choreography. She developed her own "studio" in her basement and prepared routines for competition. That same year she was presented with the "Best Choreography" award from a local competition, (Footloose) for a routine she prepared for her sister.
This was the beginning of her numerous successes in teaching, performing and choreography. At age 12 she was commissioned by the NCC to prepare and present a 20 minute show for Canada Day which went off with great success. As a performer Holly often is on the stage being presented with prestigious awards and was recently presented with the "Innovation in Dance Award" at Dance, Dance Canada. She has also been awarded many scholarships including a week in Toronto to learn from international choreographers.
Holly's dance education and successes also include many years of jazz, tap, lyrical and ballet.

Caitlin Crockard (Irish Dance)

Caitlin brings over two decades of Irish dance performance, choreography and teaching to Chad Wolfe Studio of Dance and Music. Alongside a successful competitive career, Caitlin co-founded a professional performance group, First Generation Dancers, who performed and taught workshops at festivals all across the province. Caitlin has danced on CITY-TV and CTV programs, on stage with the K-W Symphony Orchestra, at sessions in Ireland, and for many well-known Celtic musicians, from Pierre Schryer to Ashley MacIsaac. Her teaching is marked by a steady, patient approach to basics, an emphasis on proper technique to prevent injury, and an overriding love of Irish dance and culture that she instills into every student who enters the studio.

Katelyn MacCormac (Stepdance)

Katelyn began step dancing at the age of seven with the Gwen Cadman’s School of Stepdancing and spent two years dancing recreationally before she was asked to join the competitive team. Katelyn has been dancing for nine years and has spent the last three years with the Chad Wolfe School of Dance and Music. Katelyn has had many great experiences as a competitive dancer and some of her fondest memories include travelling to New York City and Orlando Florida with her team to compete in the American Dance Awards National Championship, performing at the National Arts Centre as well as appearing on “A” Channel.

Katelyn is now entering her third year of teaching in the recreational program. Katelyn has also studied other types of dance such as ballet and hip- hop, and has had the chance to experience the many other styles through multiple workshops with well known dancers such as Everett Smith and Blake McGrath. Katelyn is very excited to be a part of the 2010- 2011 teaching staff and is eager to start the new season!

Martine Charles started to be drawn to dance at the age of 7.  Soon dance became her passion.  With over 12 years of dance experience, her teaching goes beyond technique to share a deep understanding of music, movement, and culture with students and dancers at all levels of dance experience.  Her teaching style is fresh, innovative and wildly admired by everyone.  She graduated from Ottawa University in 2005 in Psychology and obtained her international translation certificate in a Latin Immersion program in three countries: Argentina, Chile and Costa Rica.  She obtained tango training in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She also obtained Venezuelan folkloric dance training, salsa, merengue, bachata, cha-cha, stomp dance, hip hop and break dance over the years.  As an instructor, she concentrates on the technique of these elements at all levels, teaching her students the ability to adapt the style of their dance to that of the music and to create a dynamic dance.

Martine is daring, honest, versatile and funky--her movement reflects her personality. She is skilled in developing private dance programs and in managing professional dance theatres, including fundraising, promotions and performance scheduling.  In addition she works at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada as a Quality Management Analyst.  Her passion is shared among her loved ones, family, co-wrokers and friends.