BIO's
Manager and Principal: Gail Scott
Gail has a broad background in all styles of dance, Acro and Musical Theatre and has studied in Canada and the US since she began her dance career at a very young age. Gail is a diversely talented teacher and her inventive choreography has bean acknowledged through many prestigious awards and scholarships. From the classroom to the stage, Gail is able to transform dance into unique and special works of art, each displaying passion, commitment and unbelievable heart! Gail also prides herself in meticulous technique and challenges and encourages all students who come under her care to reach their personal best. Many of her former students are thriving in the professional dance world and in 2013, one of her students, Lukas McFarlane, proudly won Got Dance, UK.Gail established Danscott Studio in Calgary in 1982 and has proudly remained the director and principal teacher since it’s inception. 2023-2024, Danscott Studio proudly celebrates it’s 42nd Anniversary! Gail has a special way of touching children’s lives and inspiring them to express themselves through dance and ultimately creating everlasting memories. Danscott Studio, a uniquely different and dedicated studio where the focus is on each and every dancer to be their best. Gail’s dedication to the art of dance creates a presence that is unmatched.
Aleigh Scott Ford
ARAD, RAD RTS, CERTIFIED ADAPT TEACHER
Progressing Ballet Technique Level 1, Level 2 Certified
Alixa Flexibility Certified Level 1, Level 2, Level 3
Aleigh grew up at Danscott Studio, and is honored to be carrying on her moms legacy. A registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance, Aleigh is passionate about the pursuit of technical excellence. Through structured class management, and a hands on approach, Aleigh enjoys watching her students improve and grow year to year. As a dancer, Aleigh completed all levels of the ADAPT Tap and Jazz Syllabus, RAD Graded Exams, and RAD Vocational Exams up to and including Advanced Two. As a dancer, she enjoyed training at summer intensive programs in LA and NYC, and is committed to continuing her dance education as a teacher. Aleigh completed the ADAPT Teaching Training school in July 2013 and has enjoyed setting yearly exam goals with her students in tap and jazz and also receiving consistently high marks. Aleigh believes in quality over quantity, and is proud to know each and every Danscott student.
Aleigh is driven by passion, and backed by experience!
Allison Dolan Coleman
Allison’s career in the art of dance has taken her to all corners of the globe as a performer, choreographer and instructor. Allison uncovered her passion for dance right here at Danscott Studio. She developed a love of all styles of dance tap, ballet, lyrical, open and musical theatre but ballet always stood out in her heart. Following high school graduation, Allison accepted several contracts with Princess Cruise Lines and spent the next five years travelling and performing on the seas while attending university. Allison has also performed with the En corps Collective, based here in Calgary. She graduated the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Health Science, and then the University of British Columbia with a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy. Allison has choreographed several pieces at various studios in Western Canada, most of which in ballet, lyrical and jazz disciplines. She has also done choreography for the Calgary Stampede show Spurlesque and The Christmas Special with Princess Cruise Lines. Allison recently moved back to Calgary from Vancouver with her husband and three children. She enjoys working with young dancers building a foundation and inspiring them to develop their expressions through dance. She is so excited to be back home at Danscott Studio and looks forward to working with all the DS students
Emma Lund
Emma Lund is a dance artist, choreographer, and teacher, currently based in Calgary, Alberta. She grew up training extensively and competing in ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, tap and hip hop, winning multiple titles across North America. Emma has completed all her ADAPT syllabus Jazz and Tap exams, as well as completing her Advanced 1 RAD ballet exam with Distinction. Early in her professional career, Emma worked closely with Sarah Dolan as a company member of the O2 Dance Company in Calgary, developing a deeper appreciation for contemporary dance. Emma furthered her professional contemporary dance training in Toronto, receiving her post-secondary diploma at The Conteur Academy under the direction of Eryn Waltman. After graduating from The Conteur Academy in 2018, she has had the opportunity to work with and perform under renowned dance artists and choreographers, such as Ryan Lee, Kelly Shaw, Eryn Waltman, Roberto Campanella (ProArteDanza), and Robert Glumbek. Other credits include The Capezio A.C.E. Awards (Los Angeles), The JUNO Awards (Alessia Cara), Locke and Key (Netflix), Legends of Horror (Casa Loma - Toronto). Aside from performing, Emma has developed a passion as a dance educator, and loves to inspire and challenge the minds of the upcoming generation of young artists. She currently choreographs and teaches for multiple dance studios in Alberta, and thrives off the opportunity to create with a variety of gifted young artists. Emma is thrilled to be joining the Danscott family this season, and cannot wait to share her knowledge with all the students!
Emma Gunn
Emma grew up dancing competitively in Calgary. She trained in many styles, including jazz, lyrical, contemporary, different modern techniques, ballet and pointe, with an emphasis on ballet. She has completed her RAD Grade 8 and Advanced 1 examinations. As well as dancing at the School of Alberta Ballet, she has performed with Jeunesse Classique Ballet in their production of Coppelia, as well as with the Moscow Ballet in their productions of Romeo and Juliet and The Nutcracker. During the day you can find her working in different Nuclear Medicine and MRI departments, or outdoors enjoying the sunshine and the mountains! Emma holds her Level 1 Progressing Ballet Technique certification, and has won multiple awards for her choreographic work. Emma likes to share her knowledge of the body and how things work with her students to develop technical, knowledgeable, body-aware dancers. She believes things work better if you understand how. She loves seeing the improvements of her dancers and watching their hard work pay off as their skills and technique develop. Emma is very excited to be a part of the DS Teaching Team, for 2023-2024.
Molly McFarlane
Molly has been dancing with Danscott since the age of 5. She has had the pleasure of being trained by Miss Gail in both tap and jazz following the ADAPT syllabus and has also succeeded in the RAD ballet program. Molly has been trained in every style including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, acro, lyrical and contemporary. Molly has completed both her junior and intermediate certifications with the Acro Dance Teachers Association. She has also attended the advanced seminar and is in progress of completing her certification. In 2019, Molly graduated from St. Mary’s University with of Bachelor of Education degree. She has been working with the Calgary Board of Education ever since and is currently a full-time grade 1/2 teacher. Molly has a passion for teaching and wants to inspire younger dancers to challenge themselves and learn something new all while feeding their passion for dance. She is looking forward to this upcoming season with Danscott Studio.
Amanda Hillman
Amanda has trained at Danscott since a young age in various styles including ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre and acro. She was an examiner and master instructor for the Acro Dance Teacher’s Association (ADTA) syllabus, previously known as Acrobatique. Amanda is also a certified module 1 and 2 Acrobatic Arts instructor. She has completed the three year ADAPT Teacher’s Training School program and is a fully qualified ADAPT teacher. Amanda has completed her Ballet Blog Teacher Training Level 1.
Amanda is also a Certified Athletic Therapist and has a bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education. Her extensive knowledge in anatomy, injury prevention, biomechanics and exercise physiology allows her to better understand how the body works in relation to dance. Amanda is passionate about teaching dance and acro and enjoys watching her students progress and achieve their goals. Amanda is always eager to learn new things and hopes to inspire young dancers to continually challenge themselves and strive to learn new things.
Julya Yoxall
Currently residing in Calgary, Julya is a dancer, choreographer and educator. She spent her formative years engaging in extensive training and competing in ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, tap, acro and hip hop. Receiving multiple awards across Canada, Julya has also completed her Adapt Syllabus Tap and Jazz exams as well as her Graded Ballet Exams. She is also certified in Acrobatics Arts, Modules 1 and 2. Julya has experience working with competitive and recreational dancers of all ages, levels and abilities. She is very passionate about encouraging discipline, self-awareness and awareness of others, a growth mindset and curiosity and compassion with dance. Julya is currently attending the University of Calgary, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education Degree and is very excited to be joining the Danscott Teaching Team this season!
Laura Donaldson
Laura Donaldson is a tap dancer, teacher and choreographer from Calgary, Alberta. Laura continues to develop her artistic voice through practice, research, creating, teaching, and performing in Canada and abroad. Laura grew up dancing in many styles competitively, completed her RAD Advanced 1 exam, trained extensively with the Tri-Tone Rhythm Ensemble and even was part of local hip hop company illFX. Tap dance found a special place in Laura’s heart and she went on to pursue it professionally. Laura has performed in works by Lisa La Touche, Danny Nielsen, Tasha Lawson, Dormeshia, Michelle Dorrance, Derick Grant and more. Highlights include Fall For Dance North, Fluid Festival, Tap Dance Days at tanzhaus nrw and Tap Liege Festival. Laura is an alumnus of The School at Jacob’s Pillow as part of the Tap Dance Performance Ensemble. Laura co-founded the tap dance collective Boys’ Club which premiered their first full length work in Belgium and Barcelona. Laura also performed in (in)sight dance’s commissioned piece "Mirror/Water/Doorway" at the Toronto International Tap Festival. Most recently she was on tour as a dancer with Danny Nielsen’s "On Foot” in BC. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education majoring in physical literacy from Mount Royal University. Laura is committed to bringing current, cutting-edge education and choreography to her students while honouring the history and beautiful legacy of tap dance.
Apple Sulit
Apple Sulit is a director and choreographer based out of Calgary, AB Canada. She discovered her love for music and movement at the age of 15 taking after school dance classes. Her career took off co-directing UniverseSoul Dance and Finesse along with teaching at multiple studios and schools across the city. Both teams have accomplished titles at recognized competitions such as Release Vancouver, Hip Hop International, Artists Emerge, and Represent.
Other achievements include back up dancing for Janet Jackson’s “Unbreakable Tour”, Opening “Jabbawockeez” Tour, World of Dance Showcase, BLOC LA Scholarship, Harbour Dance Center Scholarship, choreographing for local artists.
Training new movement and creation is where Apple continues to evolve as an artist. As someone who has pursued her journey for 15 years, the practice of “always being a student” along with music and movement are her main drivers. Currently, she is directing for UV and choreographing for studios in Western Canada.