Amanda Desousa
Studio Owner, Artistic Director
Amanda Desousa started dancing at the age of 3 and has never stopped. She spent her dance career training under the direction of Shelley Tookey and Teresa Gibeau at Shelley's Dance Company competing and performing across Canada and the United States. She has completed her Al Gilbert Tap Exams, has earned her Junior ADAPT Syllabus Teaching Certificate and is currently working on completing her International Dance Teaching Standards certification. Amanda has been fortunate enough to adjudicate for many dance competitions and festivals as well as guest instruct dance intensives across western Canada.
At the age of 15 Amanda started teaching at a small community league in the South Edmonton area and successfully grew the program into a full dance program. Amanda's Academy of Dance opened in September 2001 and Amanda is thrilled to be entering her 20th season.
Amanda's dancers have had tremendous success in Edmonton, across Canada, and in the United States. Her dancers have performed and competed in Las Vegas, Disneyland, Disney World, New York City and most recently they made a repeat trip to Disneyland during the summer of 2018 to participate in the 15th Anniversary of Dance the Magic. Amanda’s team is excited for their next adventure to Los Angeles in 2021. Many of Amanda's students have moved on to professional careers and can be seen on and off Broadway in New York City and in many plays and shows in Toronto and Vancouver. Amanda has also created an Elite Team Program at her studio which encourages her dancers to perform in and around the city for charity events as well as partake in numerous workshops and dance educational classes across North America. Her dancers are known for being strong competitive dancers and have had huge successes at both local and out of town competitions. Amanda has been recognized for over 100 choreography awards and has been awarded multiple "Choreographer of the Day" and "Choreographer of the Competition" awards. She has also been nominated for the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award.
In addition to competitive programming, Amanda has created and directs an “All Star” dance program which is designed for any dancer with a disability. So far this program has been able to welcome over 25 special needs dancers into her studio and has given these amazing kids the opportunity to dance and compete. She is excited to continue developing this program and is working hard with her staff to offer the best opportunities possible for all dancers with disabilities.
Amanda is an extremely dedicated studio owner, a supportive teacher, and is the leading force behind Amanda's Academy of Dance. She teaches Competitive Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Variety and Musical Theatre at her studio as well as the Adult Dance Program. Amanda is very excited for this 20th season of dance and feels blessed to fill her days with all her amazing staff and students.
Amanda is supported by her husband Chris and her two dancers Abigail and Cadence.
Studio Owner,
Artistic Director
Instructor of
Competitive Programming
Tap
Jazz
Lyrical
Variety
Musical Theatre
Adult Programming
Elite Team Programming
Solo & Duet Choreographer