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

Opening her own studio in 2006, Melissa transformed her lifelong passion for dance into the creation of Dance Discovery—a studio built on a commitment to excellence, community, and inspiring the next generation of dancers.

Melissa is a highly sought-after instructor, choreographer, and adjudicator within the dance community. Known for her innovative and emotionally captivating choreography, Melissa has developed a distinctive creative style that has become recognized and respected throughout the competitive dance community. Her award-winning choreography consistently earns top overall placements, special judges’ awards, choreography awards, scholarships, and cash prizes at competitions across Western Canada. Celebrated for its musicality, storytelling, originality, and attention to detail, Melissa’s choreography is recognized as a staple within the dance community for creating meaningful, memorable performances that showcase each dancer’s individuality while leaving a lasting impression on audiences and adjudicators alike.

As an educator, Melissa takes great pride in guiding her students’ growth and celebrating their achievements every step of the way. Her students have been accepted into prestigious national ballet programs and have earned numerous scholarships, cash awards, and top overall honours throughout their competitive careers. Melissa is deeply committed to understanding each dancer as an individual, working tirelessly to develop their technical abilities, artistry, and confidence while ensuring they shine in their very best light every time they step onto the stage. She believes every dancer possesses unique strengths, and it is her responsibility to create opportunities and choreography that allow those qualities to flourish.

Melissa believes dance is about far more than technique. She is passionate about creating an environment where dancers build confidence, develop lifelong friendships, cultivate resilience and discipline, and discover their full potential both inside and outside the studio. She believes that teamwork is one of the greatest gifts dance can offer. Through collaboration, accountability, communication, and supporting one another, dancers develop invaluable life skills that extend far beyond the competitive stage. While individual achievement is celebrated, Melissa believes that true success comes from learning to contribute to something greater than oneself and experiencing the rewards of working toward a shared goal.

Committed to every student’s individual journey, Melissa carefully considers each dancer’s strengths, goals, and aspirations to ensure they are placed in the program that will best support their development. For Melissa, there is no greater reward than watching a child discover confidence while pursuing something they love.

Her unwavering dedication to nurturing both exceptional dancers and exceptional people continues to shape the culture of Dance Discovery. Through personalized mentorship, meaningful relationships, award-winning choreography, and an uncompromising commitment to excellence, Melissa strives to provide every student with an inspiring dance experience that extends far beyond the studio walls.

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 brings more than 25 years of teaching experience and a diverse background in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Acro, and dance conditioning. Kellie is a certified Acrobatics Arts instructor, holding both Module One and Module Two certifications. She is passionate about helping dancers build strong technical foundations, develop safe and efficient acrobatic skills, and confidently prepare for examinations.

Committed to lifelong learning, Kellie continues to train throughout Canada and the United States to ensure her students benefit from the latest teaching methods, training principles, and industry best practices. As a Certified Personal Trainer, Kellie integrates strength, conditioning, injury prevention, and functional movement into her teaching, helping dancers become stronger, healthier, and more resilient athletes.

Kellie holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Education, giving her a unique understanding of both how students learn and what motivates them to succeed. She recognizes that every dancer is unique and adapts her teaching to meet the individual needs of each student. By combining evidence-based training with a supportive and structured environment, she challenges her dancers to reach their highest potential while fostering confidence, discipline, and a lifelong love of learning.

Kellie’s greatest reward is watching her students grow not only as skilled dancers, but as confident, resilient, and well-rounded individuals. She is committed to helping every student achieve their personal best and believes that the lessons learned in the studio extend far beyond the stage.

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
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.

Instructor
Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Theatre

With over 30 years of experience in the dance and entertainment industry, Kara brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and experience to every room she enters.

Born and raised in Edmonton, Kara trained extensively in ballet (R.A.D. and Vaganova), tap (Al Gilbert), jazz, lyrical, modern, contemporary, musical theatre, and hip hop, performing and continuing her training throughout North America.

Kara holds a degree from the University of Alberta, where she studied Drama and Psychology. She is an accredited adjudicator throughout Western Canada and has received numerous accolades for her innovative, relevant, and engaging choreography. Her students have earned high-score awards, scholarships, and championship titles, with many going on to successfully audition for cruise ships, dance companies both locally and internationally, and the Alvin Ailey School in New York City.

Kara is also the co-founder and co-director of 1820 Dance Convention & Competition in Edmonton, alongside business partner Wendi Danbrook. Together, they are proud to bring dance excellence to the convention scene year after year. Now entering its seventh season, 1820 has continued to grow and has expanded to Saskatoon.

One of Kara’s favourite parts of teaching is getting to know the many dancers she encounters through drop-in classes, intensives, adjudication, and choreography. Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to train a diverse community of dancers, many of whom have gone on to build successful careers in the industry.

With a deep passion for dance and the art of storytelling, Kara loves using her platform as an educator and adjudicator to share the knowledge, experience, and perspective she has gained throughout her years in the industry. Her goal is not only to develop stronger dancers, but to help young artists discover their individuality, confidence, and voice through movement.

Instructor
Hip Hop

Kaley “Redbull” Dzik began dancing at the age of three and quickly developed a passion for performance, training, and choreography. For the past 12 years, Redbull has trained extensively in hip-hop foundations, learning techniques in house, popping, locking, heels, and more! Her style today blends modern textures, stylized movement, and a feminine touch to create dynamic and engaging choreography.

Throughout her career, Kaley has performed at major events, including Edmonton Elks, Edmonton River Hawks, and Edmonton Stingers games, and has appeared on Canada’s Got Talent as a team captain. Her international training includes competing at World of Dance events in Seattle, Arizona, and Las Vegas, attending KAOS Convention in New Jersey, and taking classes at renowned studios such as Harbour Dance Centre and Playground LA.

As an instructor, Kaley is passionate about creating an uplifting and high-energy environment where dancers feel confident to train, grow, and express themselves authentically. She values strong foundational training, creativity, and community, and strives to inspire dancers to push beyond their comfort zones while still having fun and building confidence in themselves both on and off the stage. Through her teaching, Kaley hopes to build not only strong dancers but also confident individuals who feel empowered.

She cannot wait to meet everyone and teach at Dance Discovery! Let’s give her the biggest WELCOME!

Instructor
Jazz, Ballet, Acro

Some of our greatest teachers start out as dancers right here at home, and Hanna is a perfect example! Having grown up at Dance Discovery, we are so excited to welcome her back to the studio in a new role and watch her continue to inspire the next generation of dancers.

Hanna joined her first dance class at just 3 years old, although she was dancing around the house well before then! At 6, she began her Dance Discovery journey and eventually joined our competitive program, where she trained extensively in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, pointe, acro, and hip hop.

At just 13 years old, Hanna beganas a Junior Instructor and quickly discovered that teaching was something she truly loved. She has since earned her Acrobatic Arts Module 1 and Module 2 Teaching Certifications and has dedicated her time to training acro dancers from Primary through Pre-Professional 3.

Her love of dance has taken her far beyond the studio, with incredible opportunities including performing in Alberta Ballet’s The Nutcracker, attending the Joffrey Cirque Arts program in Las Vegas, and learning from Cirque artists from Michael Jackson ONE, The Beatles LOVE, and Mystère. She has also performed aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise, travelled to New York to train at Broadway Dance Center, and received private lessons from cast members of Wicked, Hamilton, and a Radio City Rockette.

But perhaps most importantly, Hanna believes in the dancer behind the dance. She strives to create a safe, positive, and inclusive environment where every student feels genuinely cared for, with a strong focus on mental health and the importance of having positive role models in their lives.

Welcome home, Hanna!

Instructor
Conditioning Coach

Shayla’s love for dance sparked her passion for personal training, with a specialized focus on helping dancers build strength, prevent injuries, and reach their full potential. She began dancing at the age of three and, after graduating, continued her training and professional dance career in Edmonton.

As a certified personal trainer and experienced dance instructor, Shayla is passionate about bridging the gap between dance technique and athletic performance. She believes dancers are athletes and that proper strength and conditioning are essential for improving performance, increasing longevity, and reducing the risk of injury. Through evidence-based training, she helps dancers develop the strength, stability, mobility, and body awareness needed to perform with confidence while supporting healthy movement patterns both in and out of the studio.

Shayla is currently a dancer for the Edmonton Stingers basketball team and a member of Ra Stylez Hip Hop Company. She has worked with dancers of all ages through private training, group conditioning classes, and her work at Motives Dance & Fitness, creating programs designed to build strength, enhance endurance, improve flexibility, and support injury prevention. Her goal is to empower every dancer to become a stronger, safer, and more resilient athlete while fostering confidence that extends beyond dance.

Shayla is excited to begin this new chapter with Dance Discovery and looks forward to sharing her knowledge and passion with the studio community. She is dedicated to helping every dancer discover the benefits of strength training and conditioning, creating well-rounded athletes who can perform at their highest potential safely and sustainably.

Please join us in giving Shayla a warm welcome to the Dance Discovery family! We are so excited to have her on our team.