Laura Fleming
Owner & Instructor
Miss Laura has more than twenty-five years of teaching experience throughout BC and Alberta, in Vegreville since 2005. She has studied many disciplines including ballet, jazz, tap, modern, lyrical and swing. Miss Laura’s passion for dance has taken her to New York City where she studied at the Martha Graham Institute, Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Centre, Alvin Ailey and Peridance Centre. Laura has attended the Teacher Training Program at the Edmonton School of Ballet where she studied the RAD and Cecchetti methods of Ballet as well as anatomy, music theory and dance history.
Miss Laura completed Module 1 of Acrobatic Arts in 2017. In 2019 Laura completed Module 1 of Alixa Flexibility as well as Progressing Ballet Technique. in 2020 she completed Module 2 and 3 of Alixa Flexibility as well as the Sugarfoot Therapy Teachers Certification, which combines Physiotherapy exercises with athletic training designed to keep the dancers at optimal health and prevent injuries. In 2022, Laura achieved certification with Acro Dance Teachers Association (ADTA), as well as Module 4 of Alixa Flexibility.
In January, 2023 Miss Laura achieved a Diploma in Graphic Design (with Honours) and has been thrilled to apply her knowledge to improve communication at VSB. And in February of 2023, she completed Module 5 of Alixa Flexibility.
This year Miss Laura will continue to pursue further credentials with ADTA, and is hoping to add a few more tools to her belt. She believes strongly in the importance of continuing her own education in this always-changing dance industry so that her students receive solid and broad training.
Miss Laura has more than twenty-five years of teaching experience throughout BC and Alberta, in Vegreville since 2005. She has studied many disciplines including ballet, jazz, tap, modern, lyrical and swing. Miss Laura’s passion for dance has taken her to New York City where she studied at the Martha Graham Institute, Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Centre, Alvin Ailey and Peridance Centre. Laura has attended the Teacher Training Program at the Edmonton School of Ballet where she studied the RAD and Cecchetti methods of Ballet as well as anatomy, music theory and dance history.
Miss Laura completed Module 1 of Acrobatic Arts in 2017. In 2019 Laura completed Module 1 of Alixa Flexibility as well as Progressing Ballet Technique. in 2020 she completed Module 2 and 3 of Alixa Flexibility as well as the Sugarfoot Therapy Teachers Certification, which combines Physiotherapy exercises with athletic training designed to keep the dancers at optimal health and prevent injuries. In 2022, Laura achieved certification with Acro Dance Teachers Association (ADTA), as well as Module 4 of Alixa Flexibility.
In January, 2023 Miss Laura achieved a Diploma in Graphic Design (with Honours) and has been thrilled to apply her knowledge to improve communication at VSB. And in February of 2023, she completed Module 5 of Alixa Flexibility.
This year Miss Laura will continue to pursue further credentials with ADTA, and is hoping to add a few more tools to her belt. She believes strongly in the importance of continuing her own education in this always-changing dance industry so that her students receive solid and broad training.
Abbe Kratko
Instructor
Miss Abbe has been a part of the VSB family for over 15 years training in jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, and hip hop. She started assisting Miss Laura’s preschool classes when she was only 6 years old, and has continued ever since. Abbe has been passionate about teaching dance since knowing it was a possibility. She has been mentored by Miss Laura as a teacher as well as a dancer for several years and has gone through both VSB’s Assistant and Junior Instructor Programs.
This summer, Miss Abbe took part in a live training session in Calgary, AB with the Acro Dance Teacher’s Association (ADTA) and is currently in process of receiving her ADTA Junior Acro Teacher Certification to teach Acro at our studio. She is also furthering her own dance training in Edmonton as she attends University this year.
We are very excited to have Miss Abbe as a full team member this season.
Jorja Taylor
Instructor
Jorja began dancing at the age of 3 and soon developed a love of all genres of dance. Her career began at Gravity Dance Force Studio when Jorja started teaching at the age of 14, and an instant love of teaching blossomed.
Miss Jorja's fortes are Tap, Jazz, Lyrica, Ballet & Hip Hop, but she is trained in all genres. Miss Jorja has taken every class and training opportunity possible throughout her schooling and studio years at GDF with multiple instructors across Alberta.
Competing from the age of 6, Jorja has won many awards and accolades, not only as a dancer herself, but also as a choreographer - including several dance titles, scholarships, and top awards as a soloist. A highlight of her tap career was being a member of YEG Kinesis Dance Project under the direction of Thomas Boivin and dancing with 21 members of her studio in Disneyland.
Miss Jorja always loves the anticipation of beginning a new dance season with her returning and new students. She wishes VSB and all the dancers a wonderful 2023-2024 season!
Pauline Halina
Instructor
Pauline began dancing at the age of 3 in Red Deer, AB. Growing up in the dance studio, she trained in many styles, including ballet, pointe, lyrical, tap, jazz, and musical theatre. During those years, Pauline trained under the A.D.A.P.T. syllabus and completed many dance exams.
After many years of competitive dance, Pauline continued her dancing career with a professional dance team in the CFL, the Calgary Stampeder Outriders, and later for NLL, the Edmonton Crush.
After moving to Vegreville in 2016 and starting a family, Pauline became a certified Barre Fitness instructor. Her love of dance has continued to grow over the years, and she is very excited to return to the studio as a teacher with the Vegreville School of Ballet.
Lauren Thomas
Instructor
Lauren Thomas/Miss Lauren has been an instructor and mentor in the dance world for over 20 years now! Starting her teaching journey when she was only 13, she has grown up in the dance community.
As a student she has taken classes from many prestigious choreographers including Sonya Tayeh, Luther Brown, Stacey Tookey and Mia Michaels to name a few. Her dance journey has taken her to many different destinations to teach and choreograph routines including Mexico, USA and other provinces in Canada. She has won numerous prestigious awards for her choreography and is an extremely versatile instructor teaching from Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical and Contemporary to Ballroom, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop and Acro. She holds several teaching certifications from accredited dance syllabus’ including but not limited to BATD, ADAPT and Acrobatic Arts.
Lauren prides herself on making every student in the dance room feel confident, supported and loved. She believes with enough heart and dedication a dancer can achieve anything! She is so excited to be a part of the VSB teaching team this year and to meet all of the dancers and families!
Sarah Wormsbecker,
CPA, CGA
Consultant
Sarah has been an accountant for over 15, or shall I say she dances with numbers because once a dancer always a dancer. Sarah has worked in oil and gas, not for profits and small to medium sized business.
In her spare time Sarah volunteers for Pet Therapy Society of Northern Alberta, takes photos and crafts.
"Dance me to the end of love" - Leonard Cohen