Our Team
Donna Bender
Donna is the Founder and Director of Centre Stage Dance Studio. With over 40 years of industry experience, she has worked with hundreds of young dancers, many of whom have gone on to pursue professional careers in the arts. Donna is an advanced member, master teacher and examiner for the Society of Classical Ballet Vaganova Method, a full stage member of the Canadian Dance Teachers Association, a certified Pilates instructor, as well as a private Health & Wellness coach. Over the years, Donna has adjudicated numerous dance competitions. Since 2004, she has worked closely with master teacher Paula Morgan in technique and foundations for dancers, completing her full teacher certification in 2017. Out of her passion to help dancers achieve a safe and solid technical foundation, Donna co-created Groundforce Technique in 2020. Presently, she continues to teach this method across the country, caring for and inspiring the next generation of dancers and teachers.
Michelle Harlock
Michelle is an accomplished and successful dance teacher and choreographer. Her background includes a B.A. in Fine Arts with a specialization in Dance from the University of Waterloo. Michelle has performed with The Pittsburgh Ballet Company, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and The Black Walnut Ballet Company. Michelle is certified with the Canadian Dance Teachers Association in Jazz, Tap and Ballet and is a member of The Society of Classical Ballet Vaganova Method. Michelle is also certified in Pilates Mat work and Acro through Acrobatic Arts. Michelle is certified with the Paula Morgan Technique – a wonderful technique that brings the dancer to a new level. Evidence of her devotion and enthusiasm have been demonstrated throughout her over 30 years of teaching at Centre Stage Dance Studio. Many of her students have participated in and have won awards at various local and national competitions. Michelle’s new adventure is helping people as a physiotherapist assistant. She enjoys the rewarding experience as a fascial stretch practitioner.
Monica Kauck
Monica started to dance at the age of 3 and has continued to take classes. Growing up, she studied jazz, tap, ballet, pointe and some hip hop. She received certificates for successfully completing numerous levels of jazz, tap and ballet exams. Monica loves to perform. She grew up dancing at retirement homes and at competitions. She has also had the opportunity to perform in the Nutcracker for Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal as well as for some KWMP productions. She has been actively running an office at a dance studio since the age of 13. She has been with Centre Stage for over 25 years. During the day, Monica pursued her other passion for 31 years...teaching French, German and Spanish at Galt Collegiate Institute. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and watching dance and musical productions.
Jen Guitard-Linseman
Jen began dancing at the age of four and continued with a successful competitive career, showcasing her talents in tap, jazz, ballet and lyrical, winning many awards through Canada and the United States. As her passion for dance developed early she began assisting dance classes while she was a young student and this led to her beginning to teach her own classes at fourteen years old. Through mentorship from many amazing teachers and training with Canadian Dance Teachers Association Jen has never stopped inspiring and training young dancers to reach their full potential. In Jen’s many years of teaching, her students have also gone on to win many competitive awards and continue with dance careers of their own. Jen has had the honour of teaching at dance workshops for Dance Masters of America, judging at dance competitions in Ontario and Calgary, and being asked to teach local university dance programs and City run programs. Jen is also a RECE working with children at a local nursery school. Jen is thrilled to be a part of the Centre Stage dance family and working with all the wonderful dancers and staff!
Kirsten Rabethge
Kirsten began dancing at the age of three and competed in various styles including tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, and more. Over the years, she completed multiple levels of dance exams and gained experience teaching classes to all ages—from young children to adults. Kirsten is excited to share her passion through Don't Stop Dancing—a high-energy adult fitness class that combines dance routines with cardio movement, all set to fun, upbeat music. The class includes a warm-up, cool-down, and is easy to modify for all fitness levels, making it welcoming for everyone. Kirsten’s goal is to create a joyful, supportive environment where adults can stay active, connect with others, and rediscover the joys of dancing.
Erin White
As a life-long learner and mover, Erin found her way to Yoga while on a quest for wellness. Years of chronic pain and discomfort finally woke her up to realizing that she was disconnected from her body. Combining gentle movement with conscious breath enabled her to build a bridge to a deeper connection to her body, and find joy, once again in movement. With an extensive background in dance and creative movement, including a BFA from Ryerson University, Erin has found that the addition of Yoga has allowed her to fully drop into her body and subsequently, her authentic Self. She completed her first 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2018, Yoga Nidra Certification in 2019, and is currently undergoing Practitioner Training in Rebirthing Breath Mastery. Yoga is a way to connect and to communicate with our bodies. An ancient technology of breath, movement and energy that culminates within. In her classes she offers the opportunity to connect to the innate wisdom within through conscious breath, while weaving together elements of traditional Yoga postures, creative movement, stretching and relaxation.