top of page

Our Faculty and Staff

Caroline Bentley 
Artistic Director, Faculty

9AD6F5EB-BCAC-4846-8F0D-069B3CC924F5_edited.jpg

Caroline Bentley is a professional dancer specializing in ballet, contemporary, and modern dance. She founded Bobcaygeon's Creative Movement Centre of Dance in 2021 as well as Caroline's Creative Camp and Initiatives, which has been running out of Bobcaygeon ON since 2018. Caroline has also taught for Leslieville School of Dance (Toronto ON) and as a guest artist for many studios and schools. 

​

Originally from Oakville ON, Caroline began her dance training at the age of three through Fleming's School of Performing Arts, which later became Balletomane Inc. She later went on to study as a dance major at performing arts high school, Etobicoke School of the Arts (Toronto ON). While at the school, Caroline was a dance company member in grades 11 and 12, and a leadership demonstrator for the grade 10 dance classes in her graduating year. Caroline was also awarded the Arts Showcase Award and Edward Lam Scholarship at graduation. Since graduating, she has been back as a professional Guest Artist and Rehearsal Assistant.

​

Caroline is a graduate of the School of Toronto Dance Theatre (Toronto ON) and was the recipient of their Pedagogy Practicum Award for teaching the Martha Graham Technique. She has also completed two terms as a virtual student of the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance (Manhattan NY) in their graduate level Advanced Studies Certificate program. To further her own pedagogical training, Caroline has attended the Martha Graham School's Teacher Training Intensive, the Limon Company's Teacher Training Intensive (Manhattan NY), and the SUNDANCE/RAD Teacher's Seminar (Toronto ON). To further her academic education, Caroline is currently a masters thesis student at York University researching dance, education, and kinesiology. 

​

Additionally, Caroline has studied in summer programs with the Martha Graham Dance Company, The Limon Dance Company, Pro Arte Danza (Toronto ON), The Joffrey Ballet School (Manhattan NY), and The Royal Academy of Dance (London UK).

​

Caroline's goal for the studio is to bring high quality dance education and an appreciation for the art of dance to the local community.

Dana Burmaster
Faculty

DSC_0383.jpg

Dana has found joy in dancing since she was a child. However, growing up in the Kawartha Lakes, they experienced firsthand how inaccessible dance could be in rural areas. 

 

Throughout her secondary and post-secondary education, Dana’s passion for education and leadership bloomed while working with a local daycare, The Whale Camp in New Brunswick, and assisting with Drama classes at Fenelon Falls Secondary School. While completing her B.A. at the University of Ottawa, their passion for dance grew as she began training in urban styles such as Hip Hop, Street Jazz, House, and Heels with The Flava Factory. In 2017, she had the opportunity to join Kapital K Dance, a local crew, for the Korean Cultural Centre’s Dance Gala. Dana has also danced ballroom styles such as Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, and, most recently, West Coast Swing. While studying abroad in Tokyo, Japan, she had the pleasure of performing Salsa and Bachata routines at Waseda University’s 2019 Cultural Showcase.

 

In January of 2023, Dana joined BCMCD as an adult student training in Ballet, Contemporary, and Burlesque. Later that year, she commenced Sheridan College's Theatre Program, where she continued developing her skills in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, and Tap, as well as honing her acting, singing, and stage management abilities at the post secondary level. 

​

Being part of an inclusive studio such as BCMCD is a dream come true for Dana, and she is excited to give back to the communities that raised her. Dana believes dance should always be fun, and an outlet for creativity. Learning how to express yourself and release stress through movement has been a great joy of their life. BCMCD has been a space for her to do just that, and she is so excited to continue learning and growing alongside her students!

bottom of page