Aspire Dance Academy
Seek, Dream, Pursue...DANCE!
Miss Michelle is the Director of Aspire Dance Academy and has been teaching for over 30 years. She is originally from Calgary, AB, where she started dancing at the age of three. Dancing every day of the week, she received top marks in examinations taken in Ballet (R.A.D., B.A.T.D. and D.E.S.) and Jazz and Tap (A.D.A.P.T. and Al Gilbert). She enjoyed taking part of annual competitions and received several awards for most promising and outstanding dancer.
Throughout her dance training, Michelle had the opportunity to travel with a local performing troupe and in 1988 performed at the opening ceremonies for the Calgary Olympics. Being extremely ambitious, she received her Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) teaching certificate at a young age and has successfully entered hundreds of students for Graded and Vocational RAD examinations. In 2004, Michelle moved to Invermere, B.C., where she opened Aspire Dance Academy. In just a few short years, her studio grew to 185 students. In 2006, she married and moved to Cranbrook to be with her husband. Shortly after, she opened a new location in her new home town, Cranbrook.
Believing that diversity is the key to a well-rounded educator, Michelle continues to attend workshops and seminars throughout Canada and the US and is always excited to share all her new and exciting ideas with her students!
Miss Michelle Navratil-Director & Instructor
Miss Caitlin Paulson - Instructor
Miss Caitlin grew up in Cranbrook and began dancing at the age of 4. Since that time, she has studied ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary and hip hop. She began competing at age 11 at competitions in both the USA and throughout Western Canada. During her time as a competitive dancer, she earned many overall scores as both a soloist and a group dancer. She has received scholarships to dance in both Paris and Barcelona. In 2018 she participated in the Intensive Training Program (ITP) at Harbour Dance Centre where she focused on training in ballet, commercial jazz, hip hop and circus. She also trained in singing, nutrition and auditioning skills. Caitlin has trained under the R.A.D. and A.D.A.P.T syllabi successfully completing numerous ballet, jazz, and tap exams including her R.A.D. Advanced 1. Caitin has now been teaching dance for 8 years. She is passionate about dance and creativity. She always aims to create an environment where dancers feel safe, confident and free to express themselves. Focusing on developing technique while also their own creative style. She finds beauty in movement and self-expression and is thrilled to be sharing her love of dance with her students!
Miss Kat Wilkinson - Guest Instructor
Sean Butler - Guest Instructor
