Ballroom Dance in Edmonton Instructors

Born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Devon began his dance career in 1989. Having toured Canada with the rock band Riff Raff for several years, his interest in music and encouragement from an uncle who had been a ballroom teacher, prompted him to apply to a franchised dance studio in Edmonton. Devon began training as an instructor and also a competitor.Having met a dance partner in Edmonton, they both moved to the Toronto studio and he swiftly glided through all of his teaching exams. Trained in American Smooth and Rhythm as well as International Standard and Latin, he and his partner competed throughout Canada. A successful performer and competitor, Devon has been in the Canadian Finals and Semi Finals several times. His experience has allowed him to be a choreographer for TV and film, and train such movie stars as Lily Tomlin, Kris Kristofferson, Fred Willard and the Philadelphia Cream Cheese Angel among others.

Devon is an accomplished instructor and has won many awards with his students in both Scholarship, Championship, and 10 dance competitions. He has a definite love of dance and brings an immense technical knowledge to the Edmonton dance community, Always good for a laugh, he is easily one of Edmonton's favorite teachers and his experience and training place him among some of the best respected instructors in Canada, winning a 2007 Top Teacher Award in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Devon is an American Style adjudicator, competitive coach , certified WDF instructor and Dvida instructor.

Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Orianna began her dance training at age three.Truly a well rounded instructor having embraced the entire dance community as a whole, she is trained in the syllabi's of Al Gilbert, Brian Foley, RAD and ISTD. She is disciplined in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Musical Theatre, American Style Rhythm (Latin) and Smooth (Modern Ballroom) and Country Western Dance.Among her dance skills, she is also a professional singer and former CFSA coach.

Orianna has a wealth of dance knowledge as well as performing talent having travelled , performed and choreographed for Showtime Canada, Metropolitan Dance Society, Canadian Showgirlz and yes.. even the circus!!

She is a two time Canadian Rhythm Champion, North American Rhythm Champion, Western United States Rhythm Champion and AMI Professional Country Champion. She has also won many awards for choreography, teaching and a specialist award. A specialist is a dance teacher who has specialized training working with newcomers.

Orianna has dance in her blood. Sometimes called "The Dance Lady" for her experience and technical knowledge in many disciplines, she brings a joy for dance to all students that is infectious. She believes that social dance in all its forms should be accessable to all people throughout the many stages of thier life.

A trained and certified WDT instructor, Dvida instructor, Competitive Coach , UCWDC Member,choreographer and experienced MC and TV spokesperson for dance.

Devon Panko

Orianna Panko (nee carlson)