Choreographers |

Presli O'Donnell

Presli pours her heart into every movement that she executes and loves all forms of dance but it's no secret that tap is her favourite. She started dancing at age 2 and hasn't looked back since. By age 9 she was travelling to New York, Los Angeles or Vancouver every summer to further her dance training, having solos done by world renowned choreographers, and winning Dance World Cup titles in Tap Dance. At 17 years of age Presli moved to New York City for the Elite Professional Program at Broadway Dance Centre, where she furthered her training in all disciplines, while double specializing in tap and hiphop. Presli had the honour of choreographing a company tap piece as well as the tap portion of the finale of her program showcase in NY. In 2019 Presli performed for the Canada Games Opening Ceremonies, dancing backup for Brett Kissel. In 2021 Presli's tap choreography was chosen to be in a NYC dance show, and she had the honour to perform it. She completed her advanced CDTA tap exam at age 14, and is Alexia Flexibility instructor certified. She currently teaches at her home studio, The Dance Connection in North Battleford where she has won numerous awards for her choreography. Presli works to create a strong connection with her dancers, and to inspire them to continue to grow while remaining humble. Presli has always dreamed of starting a dance performance company in Saskatchewan, and believes the sky is the limit for LEVEL UP!

Cassandra Knisely

Born and raised in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Cassandra trained at The Dance Connection in North Battleford and then furthered her training at Broadway Dance Center in New York City. In 2014, she was accepted into the two-year conservatory style Certificate Program at Peridance Center in New York City. While studying, Cassandra was fortunate enough to also perform at many events in New York City including the APAP Festival, Young Choreographer’s Festival, and Carnival Choreographers Ball. She has worked in print, commercials, and music videos in both the concert and commercial dance worlds.

Since returning to Canada in the fall of 2016, Cassandra has transitioned into a teaching role and has been teaching and creating choreography for the Dance Connection in North Battleford. She has completed her CDTA Advanced Tap Exam and RAD Advanced II Ballet Exam. She is also fully certified RAD Teacher and a graduate of the RAD Certificate of Ballet Teaching Studies Program. Sharing her love of movement and developing her student’s appreciation for the art form is her greatest passion. Some of her most recent students have gone on to pursue dance professionally at the Randolph College for Performing Arts, George Brown College, and Broadway Dance Center. Some of her former students have also began their own teaching careers at home in Saskatchewan. In addition to her teaching schedule, she is also completing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology at the University of Saskatchewan. Cassandra is very excited to be a part of the growing dance community on the prairies, and hopes to continue developing strong, smart, and well-rounded dancers in Saskatchewan.

Andrea Fontaine

Andrea has had a passion for the arts for the majority of her life. She began dancing at the age of 3 and is trained in a variety of styles. Her main focus however, is contemporary and acrodance. She has completed exams in ADAPT, RAD and is a certified teacher for Acrobatic Arts. Andrea has been a member of the Abiding Lines Dance Company for 5 years and with them has completed 4 full length shows. While dancing with Abiding Lines, she has had the opportunity to perform at numerous events such as WE Day, Sabex Awards, Media Awards, Swinging with the Stars, Hotel Saskatchewan Reopening, Glitter Gala and a mini show in Vancouver, B.C. titled "Kaleidoscope Tales" alongside the Source Dance Company. In the summer of 2015 Andrea, alongside with fellow Abiding Lines company members, attended “Camp Kate” in Chicago and won the choreography review that was hosted there. From that Andrea was invited to assist with choreographer Kate Jablonski in Liverpool, England. She currently teaches at Studio One in Saskatoon and Lanigan Dance Dynamics and has received multiple awards for her choreography.

Lindsay Harpham

Originally from Saskatchewan, Lindsay Harpham is a Contemporary Artist, dance educator, choreographer, and adjudicator. Her post- secondary dance training started at Harbour Dance Center in Vancouver and later Toronto, where she completed the Contour Academy's Diploma Program. Since graduation she has worked with companies such as Red Sky Performances, Larchaud Dance Project, Gadfly, ACE Dance Theatre, Nimii Project, Hit and Run Productions, Remai Modern, and RSD performance. Grateful to have experienced professional dance tours throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia, she searches for oppurtunities that feel comparably inspiring. Amongst her most notable moments, CINARS opening, Australia Joint Dance Congress, performances with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, have expanded her perception of what is possible as an artist. While pursuing professional dance, she is working towards her Bachelor of Kinesiology and has completed her Certificate in Dance Teaching Studies with the RAD and Certificate in Public Relations from the UofR.