Faculty
Gretta Briceno
Gretta's dance training took its leap at age 13 after she joined Alberta Ballet School and YYC Dance Project. During this time, Gretta travelled internationally to various conventions and intensives. Gretta wrapped up her years of competitive dance after being named a Beat Squad member in 2019, as well as being selected to tour as a convention assistant with Revel Dance Convention.
Gretta currently teaches and choreographs for numerous studios in Calgary: Elite Dance Academy, Edge Studios, Fox Dance Company, and Ultimate Dance Company to name a few. Gretta is also a professional cheerleader with the Roughnecks Drill Crew. Most recently, Gretta has achieved her BSc in Psychology with First Class Honours and her Module 3 Acrobatic Arts Certification.
Excel Dance Experience was born out of Gretta's firsthand understanding of the limitations in dance opportunities available in the city. Gretta is extremely grateful and excited for the opportunity to be the director and founder of Excel Dance Experience.
GiaNina Paolantonio
GiaNina Paolantonio was born and raised on the Jersey Shore and began her performance career on Broadway in Matilda the Musical at the young age of 9, was a principal ballerina in the mega movie sensation The Greatest Showman, has toured with Mariah Carey on her “All I want for Christmas Tour” to name a few highlights in her career. GiaNina also starred in the hit Lifetime Show Dance Moms Season 8 and has since enjoyed social media success with millions of followers across all her platforms. Along with dancing, acting and singing she began teaching dance and currently teaches a weekly class at the world-renowned Millennium Dance Studio in Los Angeles as well as Playground LA and also at Broadway Dance Center in NYC when on the East Coast. GiaNina is dedicated to sharing her passion for dance and inspiring others through the art of teaching. To learn more and keep up with GiaNina go to www.gianinainc.com or follow all her socials @gianina.
Autumn Thom
Autumn Thom is a professional dancer, choreographer, model and actress whose career began at the impressive age of 11. Her dynamic talent and dedication have earned her roles in major TV and film productions, including Riverdale (Season 6 +7), HBO’s The Last of Us Season 1, Monster High the Movie, and Monster High 2 (Nickelodeon), and MTV’s European Music Awards with Tate McRae. Her credits also include Netflix’s Julie and the Phantoms, SyFy’s Wynonna Earp, CBC’s short film Rebecca’s Room, NBC’s World of Dance (Season 3), and The Next Step Live On Tour.Autumn’s passion for dance has led her to tour nationally as an Elite Protégé with The Pulse Presents: Nexus. A graduate of the prestigious Alberta Ballet School, she has mastered a wide range of styles, including ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, modern, lyrical, acro dance, and tap.
Katherine Mandolidis
With over 16 years of experience in ballet instruction, Katherine is a seasoned educator specializing in the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) curriculum. She also teaches contemporary, modern, hip hop, and capoeira, bringing a dynamic and cross-disciplinary perspective to her work as a teacher, choreographer, and adjudicator. Her practice is enriched by her background in dance movement therapy, allowing her to integrate technique, artistry, and holistic wellness into her teaching.Katherine’s journey has taken her across Alberta, British Columbia, the Yukon, and New Zealand, where she has guided students from Primary through Advanced 2 RAD examinations. Her dedication has helped dancers refine their skills and achieve exceptional results. Her choreography has been celebrated on stages across Canada, earning numerous awards and honors, including pre-professional and professional dance collective and companies.Katherine loves learning and exploring various dance genres. Most recently, she represented Canada as an international passista in Brazil’s Carnival during a cultural dance exchange, further deepening her appreciation for diverse dance forms and their cultural significance. Katherine is thrilled to share her knowledge and passion at this dance convention, inspiring dancers to grow with confidence, artistry, and authenticity.
Anna Steele
Anna started dancing at the age of 3 and has fallen in love with it ever since. She grew up dancing competitively in all styles, including Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Modern/Contemporary, Hip Hop, Tap, Pointe, and Acro, graduating from Airborne Dance Centre in 2018. She loves to bring her own style and knowledge forward as she shares her love and passion for dance with all her students.
Anna currently performs with the Roughnecks Drill Crew dance team as well as the Stampeders Outriders cheerleaders, and has choreographed for both. She also performed with the Jonas Brothers at the 2024 Grey Cup Halftime Show. Anna teaches and choreographs at multiple studios in Calgary, striving to keep up with her own training as she continues to pursue a career in dance.
Nia Hoffmann
Nia grew up dancing at Elite Dance Academy here in Calgary, Alberta. She started off in Ballet but as her love for dance grew, she branched out into all other styles including Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Hip Hop and Tap. She competed for many years and spent two years in the Young Canadians of the Calgary Stampede where she danced and sang. Over the course of her childhood, she spent time in all areas of the performing arts by also participating in acting lessons, performing
in plays with local theatre, and taking piano and voice lessons from the ages of five-18.
Currently, Nia is attending school part-time studying early learning and child studies. She also continues to pursue her love of dance by performing with the Calgary Roughnecks Drill Crew, the Rhinestone Cowgirls and the Calgary Stampeders Outriders.
Nia loves to further her professional development and is constantly learning. She has completed year one of the ADAPT teacher training school, as well as modules 1 and 2 of Acrobatic Arts.
Thu Luu
Thu Luu is the owner of the Ballroom & Country Dance Studio and a world class Ballroom and Latin dance teacher/choreographer with more than 40 years of experience. During his professional career, he has competed across western Canada with his students winning numerous competitions and awards. He is known for his exceptional skills at breaking a dance down to fundamental parts, focusing on the basic footwork and technique. Thu strives to share his knowledge of dance and how it is a positive benefit to living a healthy lifestyle.