Daphne White

Founder & Director

Ballet, Acro, Jazz, Ballet Technique, Stretch/Conditioning, Contemporary, Lyrical, Tap, Hip Hop

About Me

Daphne White is a passionate dance instructor, choreographer, and adjudicator, specializing in a wide variety of dance styles, with a focus on ballet, jazz, and acro.

Daphne began dancing in Calgary at the age of 2, and trained competitively at Drewitz Dance Productions in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop and musical theatre until the age of 17. Throughout her many years of dancing, Daphne won many awards, titles, and scholarships at competitions and conventions across Canada and the U.S., including in Arizona, Las Vegas, and New York. She was also featured in several musicals, including Camp Rock, Cinderella, and Fame Jr. Daphne also completed many ballet exams while training as a youth, including her Advanced II exam through the Royal Academy of Dance.

Daphne then began teaching at the age of 16 and has now been teaching for 10 years. She completed her Certificate of Ballet Teaching Studies with the Royal Academy of Dance in 2018, which resulted in Registered Teaching Status, and has since prepared and entered students for RAD exams from Primary through to Advanced I. Daphne is also fully certified with Acrobatic Arts, Acro Dance Teachers Association (ADTA) and Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (ADAPT), and has successfully entered students in those examinations as well.

She has several other teaching certifications and accomplishments, including with the School of Alberta Ballet, Progressing Ballet Technique, Alixa Flexibility, and Method Dance Program. Daphne has also begun a career in adjudicating for dance competitions, since training with the ADTA and Professional Adjudicator’s Alliance.

Daphne strives to have her students leave each class feeling confident in themselves, and continue to feel passionate in their love of dance. She strongly believes that dancers can succeed in the dance industry without sacrificing their happiness and/or health.

Studio 17 Dance Company
2023/2024 Staff

Meet the Team

Jenna Relf

Jazz

Miss Jenna started her dance journey at the age of 5 as a competitive dancer in Calgary. She followed that journey through all of her RAD ballet exams - Pre Primary-Advanced 1, and into the Pre Professional Program at Central Memorial High School. 13 years, countless high scoring performances, judges awards, and too many injuries later it was time to move into a new role.

After graduating High School, Miss Jenna became a co-director for her sister's dance studio. She took on many hats there, Ballet Lead, Jazz Lead, Choreographer, Show Director and writer and she got to share in that with her best friend and sister. 5 years later she moved into the Director role at a different dance studio, and after 6 years there decided it was time to focus on her true love - teaching.

Miss Jenna has spent much of her teaching career learning as much as she can by getting certified in: ADAPT, Acrobatic Arts, Sugarfoot Therapy, MuvMethod, and Alixa Flexibility. While learning all of the different avenues of teaching she learned that her truest passion is keeping dancers safe, ensuring that dancers are enjoying their time in the studio and most of all sharing the love of dance.

Miss Jenna can't wait to bring her love and knowledge to the students of Studio 17!

Megan Robles

Hip Hop, Preschool

Megan began dancing at the age of 3, training extensively in ballet at the International School of Ballet.

Furthermore, she recently found enjoyment in hip hop where she learned a variety of street dance styles like femme, dance hall, and R&B with illFX Education. Megan has continued to further her passion for dance by pursuing a combined degree in the Bachelor of Arts in Dance, and a Bachelor of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary.

Megan is excited to share her love for dance and encourage the joy of movement to her students, as well as continue to develop as a dancer, performer, and teacher.

Shah-Kemm Kongnetiman

Musical Theatre

Mr. Shak started singing at the age of 14, after taking piano and guitar lessons for several years. During his years as a student, he completed many RCM exams, including Grade 9 Voice and Grade 6 Piano. Since then, Mr. Shak has taught hundreds of students in guitar, piano, singing, song writing and music theory, and has now been teaching for 7 years. He hopes to inspire his students in pursuing a career in music and that each student leaves his lessons feeling more confident in their music ability.

Daphne White

About Me

Studio 17 Dance Company 2023/2024 Staff

Meet the Team

Studio 17 Dance Company
2023/2024 Staff