BIO's
Manager and Principal: Gail Scott
Gail has a broad background in all styles of dance, Acro and Musical Theatre and has studied in Canada and the US since she began her dance career at a very young age. Gail is a diversely talented teacher and her inventive choreography has bean acknowledged through many prestigious awards and scholarships. From the classroom to the stage, Gail is able to transform dance into unique and special works of art, each displaying passion, commitment and unbelievable heart! Gail also prides herself in meticulous technique and challenges and encourages all students who come under her care to reach their personal best. Many of her former students are thriving in the professional dance world and in 2013, one of her students, Lukas McFarlane, proudly won Got Dance, UK.Gail established Danscott Studio in Calgary in 1982 and has proudly remained the director and principal teacher since it’s inception. 2024-2025, Danscott Studio proudly celebrates it’s 43rd Anniversary! Gail has a special way of touching children’s lives and inspiring them to express themselves through dance and ultimately creating everlasting memories. Danscott Studio, a uniquely different and dedicated studio where the focus is on each and every dancer to be their best. Gail’s dedication to the art of dance creates a presence that is unmatched.
Aleigh Scott Ford
ARAD, RAD RTS, CERTIFIED ADAPT TEACHER
Progressing Ballet Technique Level 1, Level 2 Certified
Alixa Flexibility Certified Level 1, Level 2, Level 3
Aleigh grew up at Danscott Studio, and is honored to be carrying on her moms legacy. A registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance, Aleigh is passionate about the pursuit of technical excellence. Through structured class management, and a hands on approach, Aleigh enjoys watching her students improve and grow year to year. As a dancer, Aleigh completed all levels of the ADAPT Tap and Jazz Syllabus, RAD Graded Exams, and RAD Vocational Exams up to and including Advanced Two. As a dancer, she enjoyed training at summer intensive programs in LA and NYC, and is committed to continuing her dance education as a teacher. Aleigh completed the ADAPT Teaching Training school in July 2013 and has enjoyed setting yearly exam goals with her students in tap and jazz and also receiving consistently high marks. Aleigh believes in quality over quantity, and is proud to know each and every Danscott student.
Aleigh is driven by passion, and backed by experience!
Allison Dolan Coleman
Allison’s career in the art of dance has taken her to all corners of the globe as a performer, choreographer and instructor. Allison uncovered her passion for dance right here at Danscott Studio. She developed a love of all styles of dance tap, ballet, lyrical, open and musical theatre but ballet always stood out in her heart. Following high school graduation, Allison accepted several contracts with Princess Cruise Lines and spent the next five years travelling and performing on the seas while attending university. Allison has also performed with the En corps Collective, based here in Calgary. She graduated the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Health Science, and then the University of British Columbia with a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy. Allison has choreographed several pieces at various studios in Western Canada, most of which in ballet, lyrical and jazz disciplines. She has also done choreography for the Calgary Stampede show Spurlesque and The Christmas Special with Princess Cruise Lines. Allison recently moved back to Calgary from Vancouver with her husband and three children. She enjoys working with young dancers building a foundation and inspiring them to develop their expressions through dance. She is so excited to be back home at Danscott Studio and looks forward to working with all the DS students
Leslie Drewitz
LESLIE DREWITZ - RAD RTS, Progressing Ballet Technique Level 1 & 2 Certified Instructor, Stott Pilates Certified Instructor (Mat & Reformer), member of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association.
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Leslie Drewitz is an RAD certified teacher having successfully entered students for exams for over 30 years. She has extensive knowledge of the Graded, Higher Grades, Vocational and Discovering Repertoire syllabi. Besides ballet, her training includes ADAPT Jazz & Tap, CDTA Tap, Modern (Graham, Limon & Cunningham technique), and Voice.
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Leslie began her professional career at age 15 performing in her home town of Winnipeg at Canada’s largest outdoor theatre, Rainbow Stage, where she appeared in over 20 musicals and has since been inducted to their ‘Wall of Fame’. In addition, Leslie performed in the National Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat starring Donny Osmond, the National Tour of Showboat, with Cloris Leachman, Nunsense at Drayton Festival Theatre, Anne of Green Gables under the renowned direction of Alan Lund, leading roles of Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street, and ‘Roxie’ in ‘Chicago’.
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While performing, Leslie continued her love for teaching for various studios, one of them being Danscott, 30 years ago! She went on to own her own studio with her husband and is also able to return to some freelance teaching, coming full circle back to Danscott! Leslie’s teaching style aims to fine tune technique while emphasizing each dancer’s artistic and emotional capabilities to dance beyond the steps and enjoy discovering their potential. She is known for her emotional and storytelling choreography, specifically in lyrical/contemporary. Over the years, many of her students have gone on to professional careers in the arts and its many forms from ballet companies to Broadway to physiotherapy! Many still return to take her signature classes!
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Leslie is very honoured to work with Danscott students!
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Emma Gunn
Emma grew up dancing competitively in Calgary. She trained in many styles, including jazz, lyrical, contemporary, different modern techniques, ballet and pointe, with an emphasis on ballet. She has completed her RAD Grade 8 and Advanced 1 examinations. As well as dancing at the School of Alberta Ballet, she has performed with Jeunesse Classique Ballet in their production of Coppelia, as well as with the Moscow Ballet in their productions of Romeo and Juliet and The Nutcracker. During the day you can find her working in different Nuclear Medicine and MRI departments, or outdoors enjoying the sunshine and the mountains! Emma holds her Level 1 Progressing Ballet Technique certification, and has won multiple awards for her choreographic work. Emma likes to share her knowledge of the body and how things work with her students to develop technical, knowledgeable, body-aware dancers. She believes things work better if you understand how. She loves seeing the improvements of her dancers and watching their hard work pay off as their skills and technique develop. Emma is very excited to be a part of the DS Teaching Team, for 2023-2024.
Molly McFarlane
Molly has been dancing with Danscott since the age of 5. She has had the pleasure of being trained by Miss Gail in both tap and jazz following the ADAPT syllabus and has also succeeded in the RAD ballet program. Molly has been trained in every style including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, acro, lyrical and contemporary. Molly has completed both her junior and intermediate certifications with the Acro Dance Teachers Association. She has also attended the advanced seminar and is in progress of completing her certification. In 2019, Molly graduated from St. Mary’s University with of Bachelor of Education degree. She has been working with the Calgary Board of Education ever since and is currently a full-time grade 1/2 teacher. Molly has a passion for teaching and wants to inspire younger dancers to challenge themselves and learn something new all while feeding their passion for dance. She is looking forward to this upcoming season with Danscott Studio.
Amanda Hillman
Amanda has trained at Danscott since a young age in various styles including ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre and acro. She was an examiner and master instructor for the Acro Dance Teacher’s Association (ADTA) syllabus, previously known as Acrobatique. Amanda is also a certified module 1 and 2 Acrobatic Arts instructor. She has completed the three year ADAPT Teacher’s Training School program and is a fully qualified ADAPT teacher. Amanda has completed her Ballet Blog Teacher Training Level 1.
Amanda is also a Certified Athletic Therapist and has a bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education. Her extensive knowledge in anatomy, injury prevention, biomechanics and exercise physiology allows her to better understand how the body works in relation to dance. Amanda is passionate about teaching dance and acro and enjoys watching her students progress and achieve their goals. Amanda is always eager to learn new things and hopes to inspire young dancers to continually challenge themselves and strive to learn new things.
Julya Yoxall
Currently residing in Calgary, Julya is a dancer, choreographer and educator. She spent her formative years engaging in extensive training and competing in ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, tap, acro and hip hop. Receiving multiple awards across Canada, Julya has also completed her Adapt Syllabus Tap and Jazz exams as well as her Graded Ballet Exams. She is also certified in Acrobatics Arts, Modules 1 and 2. Julya has experience working with competitive and recreational dancers of all ages, levels and abilities. She is very passionate about encouraging discipline, self-awareness and awareness of others, a growth mindset and curiosity and compassion with dance. Julya is currently attending the University of Calgary, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education Degree and is very excited to be joining the Danscott Teaching Team this season!
Roxy Drewitz
Roxy has studied many different styles of dance since the age of 6 years old including, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Musical Theatre and Hip Hop. Her love for Contemporary began with her first Contemporary show, ‘Answers’ by O2 Dance Company, and continued as she learned more complex movements through competitions, conventions and choreographing.
Her experience also includes roles in musical productions, including Annie, Camp Rock, Cinderella, Fame, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor DreamCoat, New York, New York, and May We All! Roxy is also taking on the leadership of being the assistant choreographer for 42 St Productions upcoming show, Footloose. She is currently studying Health and Physical Education at Mount Royal University in hopes of becoming a Physiotherapist. Roxy is thrilled to be teaching at Danscott Studio this year and cannot wait to work with all of the wonderful students!
Jesaline Pusch
Jesa has been dancing since she was 3 years old and joined the Danscott family at age 11 where she trained and competed in multiple styles including ballet, lyrical, jazz, contemporary, acro, and hip-hop. Jesa has completed all levels of RAD ballet exams including Grade 8 and Advanced 2 Vocational. She has also trained extensively in the ADAPT jazz syllabus, receiving outstanding marks on her examinations and completing the Advanced jazz exam. During her time as a competitive dancer, Jesa learned the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and hard work, all of which she wants to pass on to the next generation of dancers. She has always had a passion and love for dance, which she can’t wait to share with her students.
Jesa is currently in her first year at the University of Calgary and is working toward her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences in hopes of becoming a Dentist. Jesa is very excited to be joining the Danscott teaching team this season!
Apple Sulit
Apple Sulit is a director and choreographer based out of Calgary, AB Canada. She discovered her love for music and movement at the age of 15 taking after school dance classes. Her career took off co-directing UniverseSoul Dance and Finesse along with teaching at multiple studios and schools across the city. Both teams have accomplished titles at recognized competitions such as Release Vancouver, Hip Hop International, Artists Emerge, and Represent.
Other achievements include back up dancing for Janet Jackson’s “Unbreakable Tour”, Opening “Jabbawockeez” Tour, World of Dance Showcase, BLOC LA Scholarship, Harbour Dance Center Scholarship, choreographing for local artists.
Training new movement and creation is where Apple continues to evolve as an artist. As someone who has pursued her journey for 15 years, the practice of “always being a student” along with music and movement are her main drivers. Currently, she is directing for UV and choreographing for studios in Western Canada.