2025 Dance Ambassadors

Dance Nova Scotia is excited to introduce you to our 2025 Dance Ambassadors!

2025 Dance Ambassador

Amber McPhee
Cape Breton

What Started Your Dance Journey?
My dance journey started when I was a little girl, around 3 or 4, taking a jazz, Tap, ballet combo class and I was SHY. I “air tapped” for fear of making any noise or being noticed. I danced all growing up and tried my hand ( foot technically I guess lol) at teaching in my late teens.

Your Favorite Dance Performance
My favorite dance performance was a few years back, All Together Now at the HAT theatre. It was a unique experience with a group of adult dancers, many of whom were former students. It was amazing to share the studio and stage with folks fueled by pure love of dance.

Favorite Dancer
My favorite dancer is the one who genuinely tries to apply corrections, puts their heart and soul into their performance and leaves it all on the stage.

Most Memorable Dance Event You’ve Participated In
In my dance student years I had lots of performance opportunities, many at local elementary schools. I remember at one show a few of the kids asked for my autograph…..I figured I had made it big lol!

Favourite Song to Dance To
My fave tune to dance to is Lose Yourself by Eminem.

Where is Your Favorite Place to Dance?
I can’t pick just one place, I feel like dancing everywhere!

Your Best Dance Partner
My favorite dance partner would have to be my sister Kayle.  She is my go to sounding board for everything dance related,  my costume and prop pickup extraordinaire and my forever cheerleader to keep doing my thing.

2025 Dance Ambassador

Niamh Webster
Kentville/Annapolis Valley

What Started Your Dance Journey?
I was always drawn to dance. My older cousins took Ballet and our family would get their cast-off shoes. My older sister tried Ballet and was told that her heels were too big so she’d be no good at it. All ballet dreams were crushed for me as my parents never took her back. Then – we heard about Irish Dance lessons being offered and I was signed up along with my older and next youngest sister. For the next few years, we studied Irish dance. My older sister stopped, the next younger sister started. In 2000 I received my Teachers An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha, started teaching my two younger brothers, and have been teaching since. Ballet never left my heart and in my early 20’s I decided to start my Ballet journey. I studied Ballet for just over five years. During this time I also learned Lindy Hop Swing dancing.

Your Favorite Dance Performance
There are so many to choose from. For Irish dance, my favourite performance is a beautiful hornpipe championship contemporary set dance. I love Swan Lake, though I have yet to see it live. I also love watching my students perform. They truly shine on stage. I get emotional sometimes watching them as they bring their best forward and I know all the hard work, sweat, tears, and joy that has gone into that short time they show the world what they can do. It is incredible.

Favorite Dancer
Hands down Gene Kelly. That man could do anything!

Most Memorable Dance Event You’ve Participated In
Again – so many… There are two events that pop up. These two events have shaped my dancing. The Oireachtas (O-rock-tas) is the Eastern Canadian Championships. This stands out as I qualified for the World Championships a couple of times and fell once. Lots of emotions with both outcomes. The other event is the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival where I performed for over 15 years in an Irish dance troupe that fused Irish dance with other forms of dance including; ballet, jazz, lindy hop, african, and more…

Favourite Song to Dance To
Come on Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners. This song always gets my blood rushing. It has good memories and has been a good favourite for over 30 years.

Where is Your Favorite Place to Dance?
I do love dancing in my studio by myself and with my students. My favourite thing in the world is dancing with my children in the kitchen. Three of my four children Irish dance, and have learned some Lindy hop. It is my great honour and joy to dance Irish; steps, traditional sets, figures, and treble reels with them. I also love swing dancing with them while waiting for things to cook.

Your Best Dance Partner
Romantically I would say my husband. He is a fabulous Ceili dancer and a great partner. However, we both want to lead…

My best dance partner for Irish dancing was Caitlin Crockard. We grew up dancing together, toured together with a troupe, and then branched into a duet travelling Southern Ontario and into the States. Our duet ended when I moved to Nova Scotia and she moved to Ottawa. We challenged and balanced each other well. We had some fantastic dances together.

2025 Dance Ambassador

Thushara Premarajan
Halifax

What Started Your Dance Journey?
I remember my mother telling me that it was my aunt who first put me on stage. I was just four years old, dressed as a bride, while older children sang around me. Apparently, I had been fast asleep in my mom’s lap until it was time to go on stage—and I continued sleeping throughout the performance!

Later, at the age of nine, I signed up for a dance class at school—just a hobby class at the time. I had no idea what classical dance was. But after just one session, I knew this was something special. Although I was a shy child, I was never shy when it came to performing. There was an instant love for dance, and I remember my teachers often telling my mother, “Whatever happens, don’t stop her from dancing.”

 

Your Favorite Dance Performance
My first performance at the Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple in South India is something I will always cherish. That experience holds a special place in my heart, and I hope to perform on that stage again someday.

Favorite Dancer
The legendary South Indian Bharatanatyam dancer, Shobana. Her grace and presence have always inspired me.

Most Memorable Dance Event You’ve Participated In
Performing at the Illuminate Arts Festival in Fredericton, New Brunswick on October 1, 2022, was incredibly special for me. It was my first performance postpartum, and my son was around 8 months old at the time. Having him there in the audience, even if he didn’t fully understand what was happening, made the moment deeply emotional and unforgettable. It felt like a beautiful return to the stage, not just as a dancer, but as a new mother finding her rhythm again. That memory will always be etched in my heart.

Favourite Song to Dance To
Thaye Yashoda. I’m still waiting for the day I get to perform this piece on stage—it’s a dream I’m holding close.

Where is Your Favorite Place to Dance?
On stage, with an audience. Every performance gives me an energy rush and makes me eagerly look forward to the next one.

Your Best Dance Partner
Anyone who shares the same passion and joy for dance as I do.

2025 Dance Ambassador

Valerie Vaillancourt
Cape Breton

What Started Your Dance Journey?
I was 2 when I started dance, I wanted to join dance because I enjoyed watching my older sister dance

Your Favourite Dance Performance
My favorite dance performance was my musical theater dance last year “everybody wants to be a cat”
 
Favourite Dancer
My older sister hailey when she was in dance.
 
Most Memorable Dance Event You’ve Participated In
Most memorable dance event was performing “everybody wants to be a cat” in dance competition
 
Favourite Song to Dance To
Apt and it takes two
 
What Space Makes You Want to Dance the Most
I love to dance at the dance studio, but I also enjoy dancing in my kitchen
 
Your Best Dance Partner
Abby

2025 Dance Ambassador

Zoe-Giselle Wilson
Dartmouth

What Started Your Dance Journey?

My dance journey began when I was just three years old. Any time music was playing, I was moving. Whether it was the music my mom would play while cleaning the house or the jingle to a bell commercial, you would catch me wiggling around the house. My parents took notice of this right away, and eventually enrolled me in a dance school in Toronto to give me an outlet for all that energy.
 
I still remember my very first recital. I performed the chicken dance, which might sound silly, but for me, it was a huge deal. It was the first time I ever felt truly focused on something. According to my mom, I hit every move with precision and purpose, and she could already see how serious I was about performing, even at the ripe age of three. That moment stuck with my family. It wasn’t just a phase or a cute moment anymore. It was the beginning of something. From then on, dance became more than just a fun activity. It became part of who I am.

Your Favorite Dance Performance
Choosing a single favorite dance performance feels nearly impossible because I’ve seen so many incredible pieces that have moved and inspired me. However, one performance that really stands out to me is Beyoncé’s Coachella performance, or “Beychella.” That entire show was on another level. The energy she brought, the sheer size of the production, and the way her dancers executed each move with intensity and unity, it gave me goosebumps.

Favorite Dancer
I can’t say I have one favourite dancer. I would say that all of my teachers at Studio 26 combined would be my favourite dancer, not only do they inspire me to be a better dancer every single day and help me achieve those kinds of aspirations. They’ve helped me become the dancer I am today, and without them, I would not be where I am. Not only that, but seeing them in their element is something else. I can see what they tell me to do in action and see them lead by example, which is something most dance teachers should be doing. I can see their love for the art and that makes me love it even more.

Most Memorable Dance Event You’ve Participated In
The most memorable dance event I’ve ever been a part of was competing on Canada’s Got Talent with my studio. It still feels surreal to say that. We had submitted our production piece from the previous season, and we ended up receiving three “yes” votes from the judges. That alone was amazing, but being part of such a massive, professional event was unforgettable.

 
Everything felt larger than life—the lights, the cameras, the stage, the energy in the room. It was nothing like a regular competition. There was a sense of pride in representing our studio on a national level, but also a sense of unity with my teammates. We had worked so hard to get to that point, and being there made it all feel worth it. It also gave me a glimpse of what the professional side of dance looks like, and that was incredibly motivating. It made me realize that this dream of dancing on big stages could actually be a reality if I keep working for it.
 

Favourite Song to Dance To
Right now, my favorite song to dance to is ‘New Magic Wand’ by Tyler, The Creator. I’ve loved this song for years and always imagined being able to compete a hip-hop dance to it, so getting the chance to finally do that with my solo this season has been a dream come true. The song has such an interesting beat and makes it easy to do sharp movements and change dynamics while dancing.

 
It’s also really personal. My dad introduced me to Tyler’s music, and ‘New Magic Wand’ was one of the first songs we really bonded over. That connection makes performing it feel extra special. He’s an inspiration to me as a person to be able to connect a piece of the art that I love to a person that I love, feels just right.

 

Where is Your Favorite Place to Dance?
The two places I feel like dancing the most are definitely the studio and the kitchen. The kitchen might sound like a weird choice, but honestly, it’s where I’m my happiest, especially when there’s food around. Everyone who knows me knows that when I’m in a good mood, I start dancing without thinking. So when I’m waiting for something to finish cooking (whether it’s popcorn popping or water boiling) I’ll start spinning around the kitchen floor, going over turns, or freestyling to whatever’s playing on my playlist. It’s fun, spontaneous, and feels totally natural.

The studio, on the other hand, is my safe space. It’s where like a home away from home. Whenever I’m there I feel happy, so if there’s a song playing or an empty room you can probably catch me practicing some sort of move. The studio just feels like such a supportive community, and it’s filled with people who love to dance as much as me, and that inspires me to continue dancing every day.

 

Your Best Dance Partner
My best dance partner would have to be my younger brother. Before I got into competitive dance, he was the person I would always turn to when I wanted to create something fun. I’d “force”( I know he really loved doing it) him to learn random choreography from movies with me, or we’d make up silly dances just for fun. He always played along, no matter how ridiculous the routine was; and looking back, most of the choreo was probably his.

 
We also spent a lot of time doing TikTok dances together, especially during the covid lockdowns. That time was hard for everyone, but being able to bond with him, one of the only people I saw face to face during those times, and share my love, strengthened it.
 
He may not have been a trained dancer, but he had the heart and the willingness to join in. That made him my perfect dance partner. Dancing with him reminded me that dance doesn’t always have to be serious, it can just be about having fun.

 

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