HEATHER KENDELL
Cecchetti Ballet Instructor

Artistic Director of DansArts et al. BRLS; BFA; AISTD (Assoc. Dip. Cecchetti); Member CDTA (Ballet and Modern); Certificate in Health and Fitness Heather Kendell originates from Ontario, where she received her initial training. She performed with a local ballet company, Danse Elite, as first soloist and member of the corps de ballet in the company’s production of the Nutcracker, and was a guest performer in the Niagara Symphony’s children’s production, Garfield.

Prior to leaving Ontario, Heather received a Bachelor of Recreation and Leisure Studies degree from Brock University (1997), she then moved to British Columbia to continue her

dance training and post-secondary education at Simon Fraser University (SFU). She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, with a major in Dance and minor in Kinesiology (2002), as well as a Certificate in Health and Fitness (2002) from SFU. Heather has her full membership in the Ballet and Modern divisions of CDTA, BC Branch. She attained her Associate status with ISTD, Cecchetti Branch in 2005 and was granted top honours by receiving a “pass with distinction” and in 2006 she received her Associate Diploma status.

She has served on the Executive Boards of dance organizations, including Katherine Labelle Dance Society, now Modus Dance, and the Canadian Dance Teacher’s Association, BC Branch. As the CDTA Ballet Examination Secretary Heather had the honour of being a BC Representative at the National CDTA meetings and took part in the development of the CDTA National Ballet Examination Syllabus. She is currently the CDTA Modern Division Chairperson, and has written the Membership Examination requirements for the Modern Division and the Junior Modern Examination Syllabus, which is now being used by the CDTA, BC Branch and Alberta Branch.

Heather has been appointed an Examiner for the Modern Division of CDTA, BC Branch. Heather has gained ample performance experience by working with Danse Elite, Off Centre Performance Company, The Company Experience, Ballet du Printemps and CollabArt Creations. She has performed in works by Shannon McMurchy, Claire French, Sylvain Brochu, Santa Aloi and Cheryl Prophet.

She is a well-respected instructor, choreographer and dancer and is responsible for developing strong, artistic and capable young dancers. She believes to be a well-rounded mover dancers should study ballet and contemporary dance together as they are true counterparts.