Studio Owner, Director, Instructor
Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Acro, Lyrical, Contemporary

Opening her own studio in 2006, Melissa decided to translate her passion for dance into the creation of Dance Discovery.  

Melissa is a sought after instructor, choreographer and adjudicator in the dance community. As an instructor, Melissa has the pleasure of taking an active role in her students growth and in celebrating their successes every step of the way. Her students have been accepted into prestigious national ballet programs, as well as recipients of numerous cash prizes, scholarships and top mark awards at competitions across Western Canada. Throughout her career, Melissa has enjoyed the honor of receiving multiple awards for her choreography.

Melissa believes dance should be an outlet where kids can foster lifelong friendships, build confidence, develop invaluable life skills that reach outside the classroom and reach their full potential as dancers. Melissa is committed to each student and works tirelessly to determine their individual needs and ideal placement in a program stream or class. There is nothing more rewarding than building a child’s self-esteem while they pursue something they love, and it’s because of this that Melissa is committed to providing superior dance instruction in a supportive environment to every student.

Instructor
Ballet (ARAD, RAD RTS, ABT, PBT)

Carmelle McKinlay is an esteemed dance educator, choreographer, and adjudicator with over 28 years of experience in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Voice, and Musical Theatre across North America. As a fully registered teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and an American Ballet Theatre Certified Teacher, she is renowned for her ability to cultivate both technical brilliance and artistic integrity in dancers of all ages.

Her dance journey began at the prestigious Alberta Ballet School, where she trained under renowned figures such as Ross Brierton and Dr. Ruth Carse. Carmelle holds the rare distinction of being certified from Pre-Primary to Level 7 and Partnering in the ABT National Training Curriculum—a testament to her dedication to elevating dance education.

Carmelle’s passion for continuous learning has taken her to global stages, including workshops in the Vaganova method in St. Petersburg and courses with top-tier educators in New York City. She’s also certified in Progressing Ballet Technique and Lisa Howell’s Dance Teacher & Practitioner Training, further solidifying her expertise in the biomechanics of dance.

Her creative choreography and insistence on excellence have inspired students to join elite institutions such as the National Ballet School, Alberta Ballet, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and Juilliard. Many of her students have gone on to commercial success, performing with Cirque du Soleil and starring in national television and film projects. Whether working with five-year-olds or pre-professional dancers, Carmelle is known for producing powerful technicians with artistic depth. She has also created and produced full-length student ballets and remains a sought-after teacher and mentor.

As a proud member of the Professional Adjudicators Alliance (2024), Carmelle continues to be a respected adjudicator and mentor. Her dedication to growing as an artist includes continued training at Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Centre, along with attending conventions such as Dance Teacher Web and the Dance Teacher Summit, ensuring she brings fresh perspectives to every class.

Instructor
Jazz, Tap, Acro (BEd, Acrobatic Arts, Alixa Flexibility)

Kellie comes to us with over 20 years of teaching experience! She has a diverse background of Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical and Musical Theatre training. With a love and passion for tap, Kellie has extensive experience and knowledge with the Al Gilbert Tap Syllabus and has successfully prepared her students for tap exams. Additionally, Kellie has a passion for Acro and is a certified Acrobatics Arts instructor who assists her students in reaching their potential while successfully preparing them for examinations.

Kellie continues her training throughout  Canada and the US in order to provide her students with the most modern and up to date tools and techniques. She has trained with industry leading professionals that include Denise Wall, Aaron Turner, Anthony Morigerato, Sarah Reich, Chloe Maud Arnold and Jason Marquette; just to name a few!

With a background in Education, Kellie understands that all students learn in different ways and uses various tools and techniques to help her students be successful. Kellie holds a high standard for her students and works with each one individually to help them achieve their highest potential.  Kellie loves watching her students grow both as dancers and individuals and believes there is nothing more satisfying than seeing her students succeed both on and off the stage.

Instructor
Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical

Rhiannon was enrolled in her first dance class at the age of 4 and she quickly learned that this was exactly what she wanted to be doing. At the age of 12, Rhiannon moved from Alberta to Ontario and had the privilege of training at a studio that focused on C.D.T.A. (Canadian Dance Teacher Association) examinations as well as performance.

During her 6 years of training in Ontario, Rhiannon excelled in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary and Broadway. She successfully passed C.D.T.A. examinations up to the Advanced level with Honors in Cecchetti Ballet, Jazz and Tap. She was honored to be part of a strong dance team known for their technique, performance ability and unique choreography.

Prior to beginning her professional teaching career, Rhiannon had the privilege and opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals in the Ontario dance industry. Working alongside the best choreographers in the area helped sharpen her artistic thinking, and taught her the processes required to produce sharp, unique routines. Rhiannon learned how to bring out the best in each dancer by developing their natural ability, never giving up on them, and fostering a positive atmosphere within the studio.

Rhiannon looks forward to working with the talented dancers at Dance Discovery and imparting her ever-growing passion and knowledge she has gained throughout the years by some of the most experienced and talented dance teachers in Canada.

Instructor
Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Acro

Instructor
Contemporary, Lyrical, Acro, Hip Hop

From the age of four, dance has been Isabella’s passion. Growing up in Edmonton, she trained as a competitive dancer for 14 years at Dance Discovery, studying ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap, pointe, and hip hop. She also had the opportunity to train internationally, learning from a wide range of accomplished dancers and choreographers. Dance has shaped so much of who Isabella is, and she couldn’t be more excited to share that passion with her students.

Her training has taken her to renowned studios including Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway in New York City, Harbour Dance Centre in Vancouver, and Millennium Dance Complex in Las Vegas. She has earned numerous scholarships and invitations to prestigious dance intensives, such as the View Dance Challenge Greece Intensive, and multiple Joffrey Ballet School summer intensives in New York and Las Vegas. She also brought her performance skills to the professional sports world, spending two seasons as a member of the Edmonton Elks Cheer Team. These experiences have fueled her creativity, expanded her artistry, and deepened her love for the art form – lessons she’s eager to bring into every class she teaches.

A graduate of the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Isabella combines her love of movement and performance with a deep understanding of the human body. She is excited to integrate her academic expertise into her teaching, fostering both artistry and physical literacy in every class.

Isabella feels incredibly grateful to work with the students of Dance Discovery and can’t wait to see each dancer shine, develop their own style, and achieve their goals this season.

Co-Director Performance Team
Instructor
Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Acro, Hip Hop

Morgan began dancing at the age of three and quickly found a lifelong passion for movement and performance. She trained for 14 years with Dance Discovery’s competitive team, gaining experience across styles including Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Hip Hop. Starting as an assistant at 13, she completed a mentorship under Dance Discovery’s Owner and Director, Melissa Paszko. Morgan’s choreography has received multiple awards, and her dancers have earned special awards and top marks in Alberta. Over the years, Morgan has taught and choreographed for dancers of all levels, from Primary and Recreational to Performance and Company teams.

Morgan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Alberta, focusing on youth mental health, developmental psychology, and the psychology of learning. She volunteered in a research lab studying leadership emergence within groups, knowledge she integrates into her teaching and coaching. Morgan was also President of the MOD Contemporary Dance Movement, where she organized rehearsals, oversaw choreography and creative projects, coordinated promotions, and planned a large-scale showcase—strengthening her leadership and event management skills.

Morgan is certified in Module 1 Acrobatic Arts and has completed the course ‘Leadership in Dance’, further developing her abilities as an educator and choreographer. Currently, she is pursuing an After Degree in Education to enhance her classroom management and teaching techniques. Alongside teaching, Morgan serves as Co-Director of Dance Discovery’s Performance Program, supporting its vision, coordinating family communications, and assisting in all Performance Program events.

Morgan is committed to providing high-quality instruction to all dancers. She believes every dancer can master technique and grow artistically with patience and personalized guidance. She fosters a positive, team-oriented environment where students celebrate each other’s successes. Morgan continually updates her skills by taking community classes, observing other instructors, and evolving her teaching practice to keep pace with the ever-changing dance world. As a dedicated mentor and cheerleader, she encourages every dancer to give 110% effort and leads by example.

Instructor
Ballet 

Since the age of 3, Isabelle trained as a company at Dance Discovery, developing a special passion for ballet. Isabelle has studied the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus while preparing for exam work along the way. In addition to her technical training, Isabelle has had the pleasure of dancing two roles in Jeunesse Classique’s The Nutcracker. Isabelle has also taken her training internationally as she has spent time in New York City, training in several disciplines at the world-renowned Broadway Dance Centre.

As her time as a company dancer has concluded, Isabelle took the opportunity for mentorship from our very own ballet master instructor Carmelle McKinlay and studio director Melissa Paszko. Working closely with these highly sought after dance educators, Isabelle continues to develop her teaching techniques and practices.

Because of her love of dance, Isabelle is currently completing a Bachelor of Kinesiology at the University of Alberta; she aims to supplement her teaching with knowledge from her degree. Being fluent in French and English, Isabelle strives to connect with students in a way that makes them feel welcomed and excited to learn.