East Side Dance Teacher Conference Spotlight

by Victoria Reid, Dance Representative

Last January, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the East Side Dance Teacher Conference in Calgary. I first learned about the event from the Co-Chairs, Kelly Brownlee and Kelsey McMahon-Stoker. 

In 2022, the East Side Dance Festival Society proudly introduced the Dance Teacher Training Conference as part of its annual programming. Our mission is to cultivate meaningful relationships among dance educators, community partners, students, and pedagogical approaches, strengthening Alberta’s inclusive and vibrant arts community through shared experiences and collaborative learning. 

You can read more about the East Side Dance Festival here. 

As an Edmonton-area high school dance educator, I spent years wondering if there was any professional development tailored specifically to what I do in a school setting. When I heard about this conference, it was a must-attend for me, a chance to take classes designed for dance educators and connect with others who share similar challenges: multi-level classes, program promotion, maintaining enrollment, and intentional lesson planning to meet diverse student needs. 

I was thrilled to attend last year, and wow, did I learn a lot! A standout moment was the keynote by Lindsay Daniels, a high school dance educator from the Greater Toronto Area. Her session on multi-level teaching was exactly what I needed. It affirmed the structure of my classes and gave me new tools to integrate. I couldn’t wait to pick her brain about how she built such a thriving, growing, and outstanding dance program. She’s a must-follow on Instagram at @maxwell_dance, where you’ll find sneak peeks of her innovative approaches and thriving program. 

The fourth annual ESDF Dance Teacher Training Conference, “Kicking Up a Fuss,” takes place January 22–23, 2026, at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks in Calgary. This two-day event features keynotes (including the Charles Daniels Committee), workshops, a networking breakfast, a DJD performance, and a sip-and-social. 

I am hopeful you will attend this excellent local conference, support your own needs as a dance educator, and network with other dance educators! 

For more details, including registration, sessions, and the full schedule, head to their website.  

Questions? Contact Co-Chairs Kelly Brownlee and Kelsey McMahon-Stoker at info@eastsidedancefestival.ca.