Joan Marie Schoen
JOAN-MARIE SCHOEN OWNER, CO-DIRECTOR ADCC-CICB
Joan-Marie began dancing at an early age in Mount Pearl, Newfoundland, training in such disciplines as ballet, jazz, tap and modern. Her love for ballet in particular, led her to pursue professional training at The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, under full scholarship, The National Ballet School’s full time Professional Program, under scholarship and most recently The School of Alberta Ballet’s Pre-Professional Program, under the direction of Murray and Nancy Kilgour.
Joan-Marie has successfully completed her Intermediate I.S.T.D modern as well as her Advanced 2 in the Cecchetti method. Joan-Marie also holds her Associate Diploma teaching certificate in the Cecchetti method of ballet and is always working to expand her knowledge and training as a certified teacher. Joan-Marie continues to study under the tutelage and artistic guidance of Nancy Kilgour, Order of Canada.
As a dancer, in 2002, Joan-Marie was selected to represent her province as part of the first ever National Artists program, performing in the Canada Summer Games, as well was chosen to perform in the 80th Cecchetti Anniversary Gala in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Joan-Marie has performed with several professional Ballet Companies such as Alberta Ballet, Ontario Ballet Theatre, and The Banff Centre. Due to a major ankle injury, she was forced to end her professional performing career early on, which allowed her to focus on dance instruction and enhancing her teaching skills. Joan-Marie has completed the Intensive Mat program with Stott Pilates and plans to continue her pilates education. She is also a practicing, certified member of the Progressive Ballet Technique, and uses these methods in combination with her pilates and ballet training to assist with creating strong, well balanced dancers.
She has been fortunate to work with and receive training from renowned teachers and choreographers such as Brian McDonald, Victoria Simon, Edmund Stripe, Nancy Kilgour, Murray Kilgour, Christine Richardson, Joyce Shietze, Wendy Wright, Peggy Baker, Carol Chadwick, Deborah Bowes, Diane van Schoor, and Stéphane Léonard to name a few. With close to two decades of teaching experience including The Wright Studio, DJD and The School of Alberta Ballet, Joan-Marie is so grateful she can share her passion and love of dance with her students and is very excited to pass on her knowledge of ballet to her students.