2026
Revolutionary Ballet Methodology
Rich Artistic Lineage
Pre-Professional Performance Experiences
Forging Professional Dancers
Founder of Ballet Lumina
Director of Ballet
Melodie McKee
RTS, ARAD, PDTC dip (London)
Melodie McKee is originally from Lethbridge, Alberta and began dancing at the age of five under Kim Ully and RAD Examiner Jacqui Stuart. Her formative years include numerous summers attending the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School and graduation on scholarship from the Banff School of Fine Arts.
Directly thereafter, Melodie was invited to join the Banff Festival Ballet, dancing George Balanchine's Allegro Brilliante and works by Gioconda Burbuto and Joe Laughlin. Her performing career has encompassed many professional companies and tours spanning well over a decade, including the Goh Ballet, Ballet North, and Alberta Ballet.
McKee has danced a wide range of Repertoire; personal favourites include Petipa's La Bayadere, Julie Adam's Chameleon, and Balanchine's Tarantella and Rubies. Her career also embraced a two year professional study with Decidedly Jazz Danceworks and many independent works throughout Calgary, finishing with Tokyo Disney Sea's Broadway Review Encore.
Upon returning from Japan, Melodie was accepted into the Professional Dancer's Teaching Diploma Program at the Royal Academy of Dance in London, England studying under Lynn Wallis and Hilary Clark.
After receiving her diploma in 2007, Melodie returned to Calgary to embark on her teaching career. She has students successfully awarded the prestigious RAD Solo Seal Examination, competing at the Fonteyn International Ballet Competition (formerly the Genee), and Medalists with Youth America Grand Prix.
Students under McKee's tutelage have achieved placements in prestigious professional ballet schools, companies, and universities worldwide. This esteemed list includes:
Ballet Schools:
Canada's National Ballet School (Toronto, CA)
Bolshoi Ballet Academy (Moscow, RU)
Elmhurst Ballet School (Burmingham, UK)
School of American Ballet (New York City, US)
Princess Grace Academy (Monaco, MC)
Dutch National Ballet Academy (Amsterdam, NL)
Royal Ballet School (London, UK)
Zurich Dance Academy (Zurich, CH)
San Francisco Ballet School (San Francisco, US)
Royal Winnipeg Ballet School (Winnipeg, CA)
Victoria Academy of Ballet (Victoria, CA)
Goh Ballet Academy (Vancouver, CA)
The Ailey School (New York City, US)
Arts Umbrella (Vancouver, CA)
Houston Ballet Academy (Houston, US)
Joffrey Ballet School (New York City, US)
École supérieure de ballet du Québec (Montreal, CA)
Alberta Ballet School (Calgary, CA)
Sarasota Ballet School (Sarasota, US)
Professional Companies:
Alberta Ballet Company (Calgary, CA)
Ballet Rhode Island (Providence, US)
Cas Public (Montreal, CA)
Kittiwake Dance Theatre (St. John's, CA)
Les Grandes Ballet Canadiens (Montreal, CA)
Jörgen Dance (Toronto, CA)
University Bachelor Programs for Dance:
Palucca University of Dance Dresden (Dresden, DE)
Simon Fraser University (Burnaby, CA)
Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) (Toronto, CA)
University of Calgary (Calgary, CA)
Trinity Laban (London, UK)
Purchase College, Suny Conservatory of Dance (Purchase, US)
Director of Athletic Development
Sandro Rajic
MSc BM, MSc S&C, CSCS, PhD (C)
Head of Sport Science
Decidedly Jazz Danceworks
Founder of K.V.K Athletics Inc
Sandro Rajic is an accomplished strength and conditioning coach with over 14 years of experience, specializing in the intersection of dance and sports science.
He has dedicated a decade to working with ballet dancers, combining his expertise to enhance their performance and reduce injury risks.
Sandro holds a Master of Science degree, with his thesis focusing on dancers, which was published and acclaimed in the field.
Currently pursuing a PhD, Sandro's research delves into the foundational movements and biomechanics of ballet, contributing valuable insights to dance science.
Sandro has presented at the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS) four times in Ireland, Houston, Montreal, and Finland, and his extensive research and practical appliations with dancers have been recognized internationally.
Ballet Instructor
Scotto Hamed-Ramos
Former Soloist Alberta Ballet Company
Scotto Hamed-Ramos is an accomplished ballet artist and former soloist with Alberta Ballet.
Originally from the United States, Scotto began his dance training at the age of 4, quickly demonstrating a remarkable talent and passion for the art form. In 2014, he was accepted into the prestigious Houston Ballet Academy’s professional division, where he advanced to Houston Ballet II, the company’s second company, refining his technique and artistry under world-class mentorship.
Furthering his development, Scotto attended the Royal Ballet School’s summer intensive program in Covent Garden for 3 consecutive years, earning the Royal Ballet Achievement Award in two of those summers.
Scotto joined Alberta Ballet as an apprentice, steadily rising through the ranks to be promoted to soloist in 2024.
Since retiring from the stage in May 2025, Scotto has continued to teach and mentor the next generation of dancers alongside his career as a realtor.
Director of Contemporary Dance
Catherine Hayward
BFA Dance with Honours
Company Dancer
Decidedly Jazz Danceworks
Catherine Hayward embodies contemporary dance. She has studied throughly, performed extensively, choreographed, produced and taught this deeply moving modern art form.
She graduated from the Toronto Metropolitan University dance program, earning a BFA with Honours (2005). She went on to train for 2 years in the Decidedly Jazz Danceworks's (DJD) Professional Training Program before joining the company as a professional dancer.
Catherine is currently returning for her 19th season with the DJD Company (2007 - present) in Calgary, AB.
She has also been the Artistic Director of DJD’s dancer choreographed shows:
Velocity (2017)
Borderland (2015)
Catherine works independently as a producer, choreographer, and dance artist. She is co-creator and current Artistic Director of Bodied Indivisible. Bodied Indivisible has produced the live productions:
Generations (2023)
Bodied Indivisible (2020)
And also created and produced the contemporary dance film:
Everybody’s Heading for the Exit (2023) with filmmakers Eric Pauls and Michael Janke.
Catherine has a primary interest in developing the relationship between the dancer and musician onstage. Her choreographed pieces, in collaboration with composers, featuring live musical performances include:
The Depths of Radiance, composed by Jon McCaslin (2024) -DJD
The Suit, composed by Jon McCaslin (2023) - Bodied Indivisible
Don’t Wake the Lions, composed by Tom Richards (2024), (2021) - Rooted Dance
form, act, cease, ensue collaboration with Jeremy Gignoux (2017) - Dancers Studio West
Tethered, musical composition by Rubim de Toledo (2016) -Dancers Studio West
The light that Devours her, for Rooted Dance Projects (Halifax), composed by Gabriella Ciurcovich (2025)
She has danced in works by:
Helen Husak, Shayne Johnson, Davida Monk, Linnea Swan, Deanne Walsh
Taking active interest in engaging with the community, Catherine's outreach projects are as a:
Founding member of Dancers’ Studio West Dance Action Group (2014-2018), a small ensemble of aesthetically diverse performers/choreographers who co-operated to fulfill opportunities for community animation and invest in new opportunities for artistic development.
5 seasons as a choreographer with Alberta Dance Theatre for Young People
Founder of Jazz Club, offering choreographic process and performance opportunities to emerging artists (2024-Present).
Outside Eye Mentorship for artists, focusing on choreography, beginning in 2014.
Catherine is excited to join the Ballet Lumina Organization as a faculty member, choreographer and instuctor for our 2025/26 season!
Guest Coach of Repertoire & International Ballet Competition
Hayna Gutierrez
Former Principal Ballerina
Ballet Nacional de Cuba
Former Principal Ballerina
Alberta Ballet
Hayna Gutierrez was born in Havana, Cuba and trained at the Cuban National Ballet School (ENA).
In 1998 she to joined the Ballet Nacional de Cuba and was promoted to Soloist in 2000 and Principal Dancer in 2004.
Hayna danced as a Principal Dancer with the Alberta Ballet Company from 2010-2019.
In 2013, she won the Miami Life Award for Best Hispanic Female Dancer and has been invited three times to the Incolballet Ballet Festival in Cali-Colombia.
Hayna brings a lifetime of passion, expertise, and exceptional performance to the art of ballet. She has shared this depth with her students through teaching ballet around the world for over 20 years.
Hayna is a skilled leader, communicator, and teacher of ballet with exceptional leadership and mentorship abilities, coupled with a comprehensive knowledge of classical and contemporary ballet repertoire.
As a Principal Dancer, Hayna danced both featured and principal roles in:
Balanchine’s Serenade (Waltz), Ballo della Regina,
Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, Divertimento No .15 (Ballerina/Easy girl),
Twyla Tharp's In the Upper Room, Jiri Kylian's Forgotten Land (Black couple).
Other major roles include dancing in:
Giselle and Myrtha (Giselle),
Kitri (Don Quixote),
Aurora and Bluebird pas (Sleeping Beauty),
Odette/Odile (Swan Lake),
Swanhilda (Coppélia),
Lisette (La Fille Mal Garde),
Cio Cio San (Madame Butterfly),
Juliet (Romeo and Juliet),
Constance (The Three Musketeers).
Hayna has also created roles in:
Jean Grand Maitre's Ballet Lujah! (She),
Yukichi Hattori's Carmen (Carmen),
Christopher Anderson's Cinderella (Cinderella/Fairy God Mother),
Wen Wei Wang’s Futureland.
All dancers interested in comprehensive ballet training are encouraged to apply.
Dancers are accepted by audition only.
Assessments happen through out the year.
Please send an email of interest to Melodie McKee.