
Meet our Faculty

JENNIFER MILLS
Artistic Director
Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary
Jen has studied ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, 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, Vaganova, and the Royal Conservatory of Music. Jen has traveled the world to such destinations as Romania; touring 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, Lancome 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, Opening and closing of Miss Hawaiian Tropic, and The Calgary Stampede where her company was the opening act for Blue Rodeo, Tanya Tucker and Dwight Yoakam.
Jen is living her passion as the Artistic Director and owner of Hyperflex Dance Studio in Edmonton. She is a teacher and choreographer to hundreds of students, as well as a guest choreographer and judge throughout Canada and the United States. Her expertise has allowed her to work with many talented dancers and help them grow not only as dancers but as amazing people. She is the proud instructor to dancers with credits such as; Janet Jackson ‘State of the World’ tour, Janet Jackson’s ‘Unbreakable’ tour, multiple appearances and performances on the ‘Ellen Degeneres Show’, ‘America’s got Talent’, ‘Dancing with the Stars’, and The BET awards. As well, she has multiple students on the hit show, J-Lo’s ‘World of Dance’. Some of 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 the hip hop crew ‘Lil Beasts’ as well as Brian Freidman’s ‘Sugar and Spice’ crew. Performances and campaigns for her students also include The Kid’s Choice awards 2018, H and M, and Nike Global Campaigns, Puma, Old Navy, FIFA World Cup, Fashion with Compassion, The Harlem Globetrotters, Sketchers, and Target.
Jen has also taken her talent in to the figure skating, and fitness worlds working with Olympic figure skating competitors and hopefuls, including the champions of Canada, Sweden, Finland, and Italy; as well she is the choreographer to the world figure/fitness champions of 2009. Jen and her students have won various awards in Canada and the United States both for their performances and for her choreography. Jen has been instructing and choreographing in the Edmonton area for the past 22 years. Nine years ago she decided to open Hyperflex Dance Studio Inc. In the past 9 years Hyperflex has become one of the top, most competitive dance studios in Alberta. The elite staff has produced some of the top dancers in Western Canada.
Jen continues to strive to pursue excellence in the art of dance both for herself, and her student’s.
Francois Chevennement
Ballet
Francois was born in Dijon France and his love and passion for Ballet started in Avignon in the National Conservatoire of danse as a young child. He achieved success with the Opera Avignon and later with Ballet du Nord as the principle and soloist. As a dancer Mr. Chevennement danced internationally and had the experience to dance with the best Ballet dancers of that period and dance in productions as principle dancer with the most talented and international choreographers from all over the world such as Aggie Thomason, John Taras, Margo Sappington, Anna Maria Stekleman to name a few.
Mr. Chevennement began his teaching career with the School of Dance of Mende teaching all levels from beginner to advanced and was awarded the State Diploma of Teacher of Classical Dance (France) in 1994. Mr. Chevennement has been an invited guest teacher for Ballet du Nord and also taught at the School of Ballet du Nord.
At the invitation of Artistic Directors Mikko Nissinen and Jean Grand-Maître from Alberta Ballet in Calgary, Mr. Chevennement was principal with Alberta Ballet until 2003 and has been a frequent guest teacher and held the positon of Ballet Master for the Alberta Ballet. He was later invited to be the Artistic Director of Dance Alberta in Edmonton until the board of Citie Ballet approached Mr. Chevennement to take over the position of Artistic Director from William Thompson.
During his tenure at Citie Ballet, the company became professional and Mr.Chevennement created and remounted classical and neo classical and contemporary pieces through collaboration with other artistic members in the community such as Six minute warning, Tony Olivares, Kathy Metzger Corriveau, Jo Jo Lucila, Laura Krewski, Alysa Pires, Heather Meyers, Waldimar Bartkowski, and many others. His energetic and personable approach and excellent skills are always well received. He also had the ability to get the best out of the dancers and give them confidence, excellent skill set and professional etiquette.
As founding member of the Citie Ballet professional company, Mr. Chevennement achieved tremendous success and also begun to establish himself as a choreographer of note in his own right.
Most recently as Artistic Director with Citie Ballet, Mr. Chevennement raised the awareness of the company in the professional dance community, achieved sold out performances for three consecutive years, created and remounted classical, neo classical ballet pieces and was consistently working towards more national and international status and was achieving his goals. The caliber of the dancers was excelling each and every year. The quality of the productions was exceptional and unique. He was garnering incredible success and the spirit in the company was electrifying.
Francois is excited to return to Hyperflex dance studio and continue sharing his love and passion for dance.
Laurence Menotti-Chevennement
Ballet
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.
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.
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.
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.
Laurence will be joining us for her 13th season at Hyperflex.
ROBIN RENAUD
Tap
Robin has trained in numerous forms of dance including tap, jazz and ballet for 19 years and has completed her grade 9 Al Gilbert tap exam with honors. Robin has taken classes and participated in workshops in Disneyland, Los Angeles and Vancouver. She has also choreographed for traveling groups to perform in Disneyland and the Caribbean. Robin has spent the last 19 years teaching and sharing her extensive knowledge and skills with her students. Robin’s choreography and accomplishments with her students, have her recognized as one of the top tap teachers in Western Canada.
Each class is met with her enthusiasm, dedication and love for dance and shows though her students performances.
Robin will be joining us for her 14th season at Hyperflex.
VINCE AKINYODE
Hip Hop
Vince began teaching 18 years ago and has had outstanding results as both dancer and instructor. As a dancer, along side his dance crew White Chocolate, he has performed openings for many talented artists such as Ashanti, Shawn Desmond, Ludacris, Chris Brown, Boyz to Men, 112, Chingy, Genuine and the Canadian Grey Cup half time show in Calgary Alberta Canada. Vince was featured on “So You Think You Can Dance” seasons 1, 2 and 4, and was the recipient of the “Choreography of the Year” award at the all Hip Hop competition “Artists Emerge” judged by Jojo Diggs and Rhapsody James; and was honoured with the same award at Represent (Street Dance Competition) in 2016 judged by Kolanie Marks and Dytto.
Vince has taken his success to new heights as a teacher and choreographer. He was featured on the hit television show Canada Got Talent in 2022 with his dynamic trio called Itty Bitty Crew. Vince, along side his trio, were also featured on the internationally known dance reality show NBC World of Dance which was judged by Jennifer Lopez, Ne-yo and Dereck Hough. He has gained international notoriety and attention with his creative concepts and choreography. His students have won first place at World of Dance Arizona 2016, World of Dance Edmonton in 2017, as well as World of Dance Las Vegas in 2018. They also have won many overall titles and pro category awards locally, nationally and internationally. Vince was also invited as part of the choreography team for Team Canada Hip Hop that competed in Austria in 2016.
Vince has trained in many various styles and loves to share that expertise with his students. His routines include such dance styles as House, Street, New School Choreography, Fem, and Break Dancing.
Vince’s easy going attitude combined with his passion for his art and sharing it with others creates a great learning environment for all his students.
Vince will be joining us for his 11th season at Hyperflex.
Michelle mcbride
Acro
Michelle was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. She began dancing at a Performing Art Centre at a young age studying Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Acting and piano. Michelle had the opportunity to study under Ruth Carse of Alberta Ballet and Terri Mucha of Shumka. Michelle began performing in small musical productions such as Annie, The Wizard of Oz, Oklahoma, Annie Get Your Gun, and Shumka. By 11 years old, she started touring with an Edmonton based dance troupe, travelling across Canada and through the United States for 5 years. Along with being a highly competitive dancer she also performed in numerous professional events around Alberta and Canada. She later studied design, film and drama in University.
Recently, she performed with Hula troupe ‘Tropical Dance Society’ – in Polynesian, Maori and Tahitian styles. She also taps with an advanced competitive tap group in Edmonton under Debbie England and has choreographed for the 'Vixens' Edmonton based adults heels troupe. Michelle has trained in New York, Vancouver, Las Vegas, Auckland and Los Angeles. While living in New York, she choreographed a summer production of “Grease”. She later moved to New Zealand to teach design at a technical college and continued to dance at Central City Dance.
She is certified in of Acrobatic Arts M3, Aerial Arts, TADA Hand Balancing Foundations and M1, Alixa Flexibility M4, Progressing Ballet Technique and studies Pilates and yoga. Michelle runs a summer intensive in acrodance and teaches acrobatics, jazz, ballet, lyrical and contemporary during the year.
Michelle also works at local elementary schools and for the City of Edmonton educating youth on creative moment and multiple dance styles. She loves introducing dance to students from all backgrounds and experience. This fall she continues teaching at MacEwan University.
Michelle will be joining us for her 5th season at Hyperflex.
DANICA MARLOW
Ballet
Danica Marlow began her dance training in a small, rural Alberta community. She moved to Edmonton to continue her dance education at the Edmonton School of Ballet, where she completed her Advanced II Cecchetti International exam, as well as receiving her Associate Diploma teaching certificate in the Cecchetti method. Throughout her training, Danica had the good fortune to learn from many renowned artists, such as Anita Young, Glenn Gilmour, Kate Simmons, Nancy and Murray Kilgour, Laurence Menotti-Chevennement, and Francois Chevennement. In 2001, Danica joined the Teacher Training Program at ESB, receiving her Associate and Associate Diploma teaching qualifications through the Cecchetti Society of Canada, and her certificate of Applied Anatomy and Physiology for Dancers. In 2016, Danica completed the Progressing Ballet Technique program and is also certified in through the Royal Academy of Dance.
In 2005, Danica joined Citie Ballet, where she performed classical repertoire including Princess Aurora and Princess Florine from Sleeping Beauty, and variations from Paquita. She had many original roles created for her and worked with many guest choreographers. Two of her favourite roles to perform were Carmen, from Francois Chevennement's original production of Carmen, and Solitude from Mother, Do Not Cry, and original work created for her by Waldemar Bartkowski. Danica has been a guest artist with Shumka and Mile Zero.
Danica will be joining Hyperflex for her 5th season.
Kaitlyn Spracklin
Preschool
Tap, Ballet and Hip Hop
Beginner Hip Hop
Kaitlyn Spracklin has been training in the Edmonton area since the age of 6. She has studied hip hop, jazz, ballet, tap and lyrical. Her achievements through dance have resulted in many awards in Canada and the US. She is now an early childhood educator and loves nurturing the love of dance in our littlest dancers.
With her over 9 years experience in teaching, her energy and passion are an instant attraction with preschool age dancers.
Kaitlyn's ability to work with children is inspiring. Her students find her positive rewarding and fun.
Kaitlyn has been a part of the Hyperflex family since its opening 15 years ago, and is continuing on to her 16th season. We are excited to have Miss Kaitlyn!
SHYIA GRAY
Hip Hop
Shyia has years of dance experience and has an energy kids love! Her classes are fun, inspiring and energetic and she can’t wait to share her love of hip hop..
Shyia has been training with Vince Akinyode and EyeCandyCompany all her life as well as many other amazing instructors. She has won numerous awards and scholarships and was recently been awarded the BuildABeastExperience scholarship with Immabeast for their coveted Los Angeles event.
Shyia currently resides in Vancouver and continues to inspire, and choreograph for some of our hip hop classes remotely. She has an incredible knowledge of all hip hop styles, culture and history. She is thrilled to share her expertise and talent for hip hop.
Shyia has been a part of the Hyperflex family for 11 years, and we are thankful for her continuing influence and choreography for our dancers.
Christina breault
Pre-school
Ballet & Creative Movement
Parented Classes
Christina’s journey through dance began when she was 3 years old in Creative Movement. Throughout the years she studied in many genres of dance with a main focus in Ballet.
On this journey Christina realized her passion for teaching dance to young children, which lead her to train in ISTD Classical Ballet and attained her Intermediate standing as well as her Associate Diploma Teachers certificate.
In her over 25 years of dance teaching experience, Christina has since expanded her training into the Russian Vaganova Technique of teaching Classical Ballet through workshops at BalletDivertimento School in Montreal. Her students have made the transition to the Russian technique.
Her love of teaching did not stop at dance; prior to having two children Christina also pursued a career as a Special Needs Assistant and Sign Language Interpreter for the Edmonton Public and Catholic School Boards.
Having grown up in dance, Christina truly embodies the philosophy to instill the love of dance and music in students of all abilities.
Christina will be joining us for her 4th season at Hyperflex.