COMMUNITY     DEDICATION     TEAMWORK

Step It Up Class Assistants Program:

Step It Up Dance firmly believes in the power of mentoring and supporting your fellow dancer. In 2020, we implemented the assistant program which draws on dancer’s ages 12 and up that are interested in assisting our dance instructors teaching younger dance level’s. This is a volunteer program where the class assistants not only assists with the weekly classes, they help with picture day, competitions and are an important part of recital, helping everyone feel happy and safe in a different venue.

We are proud to mention that this also has inspired a few of our assistants to engage in exams, building a foundation of learning at a young age to gain credentials in the dance world.

Thank you to our returning assistants and welcome to our new assistants, Miss Bentli & Miss Mia.

Miss Becky, Instructor

Becky is a graduate from Clavet School and a nursing student at Saskpolytech. She has been dancing with Step It Up since its inception and is thrilled to be part of the teaching team. She has completed her first set of ADAPT JR 3 Tap and JR 3 Jazz Exams with Step It Up and continues to look for opportunities to learn. She attended the Alberta Dance Teacher Convention where she participated in the Student Teacher Training program as well the Acro dance for Preschoolers seminar presented by Acrobatic Arts.  She has successfully completed courses in both Hip Hop Fundamentals with John Barella and Moves and Groves wit Reggie. O. through the Rhee Gold Program 

She has assisted at Step It Up Dance for several years before she started teaching her own classes. Miss Becky loves to teach because she loves watching the kids grow and improve. She loves dance as a fun means of self expression and is excited to share her love of dance with younger students.

“Dance has taught me to be part of a team and in the process, I have made some amazing friends.”
​- Miss Becky
​​

Miss Jorja, Instructor

​​Jorja is a graduate from the Nipawin School of Dance where she studied various genres of dance starting at the age of 4. She practiced Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Modern, and Acro. Her completed exams consist of CDTA advanced Jazz, RAD grade 8 ballet, and RAD Intermediate ballet.
Jorja loves dance because it allows anyone to interpret and express their feelings and be their true self. She believes it is also the best place to build life long friendships with their fellow dancers and instructors.

She has assisted many types of dance during her final 6 years at the Nipawin School of Dance. Her love for teaching began during these years. Being able to see her students achieve new goals and accomplishments is her motivation to continue in her dance journey.

"I am looking forward to watching the dancers grow into their full potential as a dance teacher. I am very excited to continue my love for dance as a part of the Step It Up dance instructor team!"
​- Miss Jorja
​

Miss Rachael, Student Teacher/Assistant

Miss Rachael has been dancing for 13 years. Rachael has participated in almost all genres offered at Step It Up Dance. Ballet, tap, jazz, acro, lyrical, hip hop, musical
theatre and pointe. She has completed her Adapt PreIntermediate 1 Tap, Jr level 3 Jazz exam, Level 6 Acrobatic Arts exam as well as the Acrobatic Assistant Course. This is Rachael's first year teaching a class on her own and she cannot wait to teach primary acro! Outside of dance Rachael is on the Student Leadership Council at Clavet Composite School, plays on the school Flag Football team, will be trying out for the Senior Girls Basketball team and is on her 6th year with the Saskatoon 4H Beef Club. Rachael’s favourite part about dance is making friendships that last a lifetime, sharing her passion for the sport she loves and teaching the youngest dancers new skills each week.

Miss Tya, Assistant

​Miss Tya has been assisting at Step It Up for 5 years and has been dancing herself since she was 3 years old. Her favorite part about assisting is helping younger students to understand, and to share her love of dance. Outside of dance, Tya enjoys 4H which she currently is presiding as President of the 4H Clavet Multiple Club.​

Miss Natalie, Assistant

Miss Natalie started dancing when she was 6. She also started rhythmic gymnastics when she was 6 as well and competed for six years in this. She has participated in Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Acro, Tap and Hip Hop. Miss Natalie has completed her ADAPT Junior 3 Jazz Exam and ADAPT Levels 4-6 in Acrobatic Arts. Outside of dance, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, and participating in school plays and basketball. This is Natalie’s first year of assisting and she cannot wait for dance to start!

Miss Ari, Assistant

Miss Ari started dancing when she was 4 years old. She has participated in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Acro, Musical Theatre and in Production. Ari states that “I love the experience I have gained; I aspire to be the best dancer I can be. I am thankful that we have amazing dance teachers at our studio. I am also thankful for all the inspiring dancers that I have been able to dance with over the years (especially the grade 12’s).” Outside of dance Ari enjoys babysitting, hanging out with friends, and practicing her dances.

Miss April, Assistant

Miss April started dancing when she was 4 and was instantly hooked! She has participated in Ballet, Tap, Pointe, Lyrical, Acro,  Musical Theatre and Production. She has completed her ADAPT JR 3 & Pre-Intermediate 1 Tap exams as well as ADAPT JR 3 Jazz Exam. She has been assisting at Step It Up since 2021 and can’t wait to return. Her favorite part about assisting is getting to help younger kids grow in their dance journey while doing something she loves! Outside of dance April enjoys volleyball, reading and hanging out with friends.

Miss Isabelle, Assistant

​Miss Izzy has been a part of Step It Up since she was 4 years old. Her passion for dance has thrived through years of training in Ballet, and Jazz. Now, expanding her skills that she has learnt through Lyrical, Tap and Acro. She enjoyed her role as an assistant teacher last season. Miss Izzy is excited to share her love for dance into helping younger students discover their own rhythm and watching them grow.

Geri Cey, Artistic Director

ADAPT,PAEC Ballet,  RWID, AAC2, BAC, PBT, ACA, CDLA,LID, CDTA Pre-Associate

​​Geri Cey is a founding executive member and the Artistic Director of Step it Up Dance since it’s humble beginnings in 2013. Growing up on a farm near Clavet, Geri is a hometown gal and second generation Clavet Cougar! Geri is an award winning dancer and choreographer who began dancing at the age of 4 at Footworks Dance Studio in Saskatoon. She  has studied Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Musical Theatre, Song and Dance, Lyrical, Contemporary and Modern and continues to expand her knowledge.  Achieving her advanced ADAPT Tap and Jazz exams as well as her RAD Elementary (Intermediate), she also received drama training through Persephone theatre and the University of Saskatchewan. Geri has participated in both dance and drama workshops and competitions throughout Western Canada, winning multiple awards and scholarships.  She was a dancer in the Dare to Dance company as well as working as a dancer for events such as Cruise Weekend in Saskatoon and the Festival of Trees. Geri has been teaching since the age of 14, starting as an assistant then moving on to a full teaching position at the age of 18. She taught for 10 years then took a few off to pursue a family and career.  Geri was happy to get back into teaching and dancing when Step it Up began, and is now enjoying the balance of career, family and dance.  

Geri is ADAPT (Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers) certified in Tap and Jazz, Acrobatic Arts certified to Module 2 (Advanced Levels ),Acrobatic Arts Mentor and recently completed her Flexibility and Contortion. This summer she fully certified in Ballet with the Performance Arts Educators of Canada She is also PBT (Progressive Ballet Technique) certified, and still continues  studying to become a Licentiate in Ballet with the Canadian Dance Teachers Association. Geri is a certified adjudicator with Acrobatic Arts and Canadian Dance Leadership and is also proud to be a Rhythmworks Integrated Dance certified instructor, member of the Saskatchewan Association of Theatre Professionals. Since assuming her role as Artistic Director, Step It Up students have seen numerous successes under her mentorship from multiple scholarships and awards to being awarded a broadcast performance spot on Telemiracle.  In 2022 she had the honour of being nominated for a Saskatchewan Arts Leadership Award in recognition of her contribution to art, teamwork and inclusivity in the community of Clavet.

Geri is excited to return and share her knowledge and love of dance with her dance family and community, and to help bring affordable professional dance instruction to her hometown!!