Jen has studied ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap, hip hop and classical piano extensively since the age of three. Since that time, she has taken part in various competitions and performances as well as completing her major exams in Cecchetti, RAD, and Vaganova ballet techniques; as well as the Royal Conservatory of Music. Jen has toured with TERPICHICOIRE 1, commissioned by the Minister of Education of Romania as an instructor, choreographer, and performer. As well as promotional work for Calvin Klein, Lancôme and Elizabeth Arden, Jen has taught swing for The Big Bad Voodoo Daddies, and performed as a principal dancer in Bill Robertson’s film, The Mystic Village. Other performances include The Grey Cup 1999- 2006, Miss Hawaiian Tropic, Blue Rodeo, Tanya Tucker, Dwight Yoakam, and the Calgary Stampede.

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Jen is the Artistic Director and owner of HF Dance Studio, founded in 2007 entering into Season 18. For over 30 years, she has been a teacher and choreographer, as well as a guest choreographer and judge throughout Canada and the United States. She also takes her experience and attention to detail into the gymnastics and figure skating worlds as the dance and artistic coach to many nationally and internationally titled athletes.

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Jen’s expertise has allowed her to work with many talented dancers and help them grow not only as dancers but as amazing people. Her dancers have credits such as; Janet Jackson 'State of the World' tour, Janet Jackson's ‘Unbreakable’ tour, Dancing with the Stars Juniors, multiple appearances and performances on the ‘Ellen Degeneres Show’, ‘America’s got Talent’, and The BET awards. As well, she has had multiple students on seasons 1 and 2 of J-Lo’s ‘World of Dance’. Her dancers have gone on to be accepted in the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School, Young American’s, Harbour Dance Center; receive ‘protégé’ status at The Pulse on Tour, become members of Imma Beast as well as Brian Freidman’s ‘Sugar and Spice’ crew, be accepted into professional divisions of the ABT, Alberta Ballet and GOH Ballet. Performances and campaigns for her students also include MC Hammer, Ciara, Lil Nas, Chris Brown, The Kid’s Choice awards, H and M, and Nike Global Campaigns, Adidas, Puma, Old Navy, FIFA World Cup, Fashion with Compassion, The Harlem Globetrotters, Sketchers, and Target.

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Jen is truly living her passion and continues to strive to pursue excellence in the art of dance both for herself and her students.

Born in France, Mrs. Laurence Menotti began her training under the careful tutelage of her mother. She went on to graduate with Honors in 1986 from the pre-professional division of the Geneva Dance Center in Switzerland, where she studied under Mrs. Claudine Kamoun and Mr. David Allen. That same year, she was selected to compete at the illustrious International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria, and was offered a contract with Ballet Du Nord in France, under the directorship of Alphonso Cata. She danced with the company for 15 years, performing as a Soloist and Principal Dancer. In 2001, she moved to Canada to join the Alberta Ballet in Calgary, under the artistic directorship of Mikko Nissinen, and subsequently under Jean Grande-Maître.

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Throughout her career, Mrs. Menotti travelled around the world as an International Artist, performing her extensive repertoire which includes many works from George Balanchine such as Concerto Borocco, Serenade, Agon, Apollo, Allegro Brillante, Who Cares, and Rubies, as well as classics such as Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Coppelia.

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Laurence has been privileged to share the stage with Principal Dancers of the Paris Opera Ballet and the New York City Ballet, and has performed the Four Temperaments from Mr. Balanchine with former Principal Dancer Damien Woetzel of the New York City Ballet. She has worked with many acclaimed Ballet Masters, including Wilhelm Burmann, Violette Verdi, Victoria Simon, and Sukki Schorer, and was selected to work with celebrated choreographers Rudi Van Dantzig, John Taras, Helgy Thomasson, John Babilée, Paul Taylor, José Limon, and Martha Graham, among others.

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While continuing to pursue her performance career, Laurence obtained a state diploma for dance instruction from the French Government. Since retiring from the stage in 2003, she has taught in both France and Canada, and is in great demand as a private coach, seeing many of her students successfully audition for various distinguished pre-professional programs and summer schools across North America. From 2006 to 2015 Mrs. Menotti was Ballet Mistress and Associate Artistic Director for Citie Ballet, Edmonton’s resident professional company, where she restaged many works from the classical repertoire. She has taught Master classes for Alberta Ballet, Cheremosh, and Shumka, and has been an instructor at Edmonton Dance Center, Girandole and Hyperflex Dance Studio where she is thrilled to come back and share her knowledge, her expertise and her passion for ballet.

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Laurence will be joining us for her 14th season at Hyperflex.