Our Team.
At the core of our dance family is a foundation of knowledgeable, skilled instructors, that carry with them years of experience and a passion for dance education. They are the driving force behind our vision to bring the art of dance; its beauty, its challenges, and its wonder, to our students. We are proud of our team, their accomplishments both on and off the stage, and the inspiration they bring to our dancers. Please take a moment to get to know us and if you see us around the studio don’t hesitate to say Hello!
Janelle Konowal
Founder/ Executive Director/ Instructor/ Choreographer
Janelle Konowal is an accomplished dance educator, choreographer, and leader with over two decades of experience in dance education. Throughout her lifetime and career in dance, Janelle has developed and directed comprehensive training programs for hundreds of students, and now teachers. Notably her Stronger Dance program and the International Certification for Dance Educators continue to grow amazing teachers and raise the standards for dance education. Janelle’s approach integrates technical precision with creative expression, ensuring students grow as both artists and athletes.
Janelle’s work spans choreography, curriculum design, mentorship, and holistic dancer education, with a strong emphasis on artistry, athleticism, technical excellence, resilience, and safe practices. With a Bachelor of Science degree, Janelle is passionate about evidence-informed teaching. She actively stays up to date with current research, integrates best practices into her programs, and continually seeks opportunities for professional growth.
As the founder of Element Dance Studio, Janelle’s love for dance and passion for sharing it’s joy is apparent and unshakeable.
Janelle and her choreography have been featured in live performances and commercial projects, earning multiple Top Choreography Awards. She holds credentials in dance adjudication (Leadership in Dance Institute), dance teaching (ADAPT, BATD, CDTA), flexibility training (ALIXA), fitness/personal training and nutrition (National Academy of Sports Medicine).
Over the years, Element has become more than a studio - it has become an inspired community and Janelle is thrilled to continue it’s growth into the future!
Brittney McCarthy
Artistic Director/ Competitive Coordinator/ Instructor /Choreographer
At the age of thirteen, Brittney began her intensive training as a dancer. After her acceptance to the Banff summer dance intensive, Brittney continued to attend summer programs including the Okanagan summer dance intensive in Kelowna, British Columbia, the Ailey summer dance intensive in New York City, and Point Park’s summer dance intensive program in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Brittney began dancing at the age of three learning various styles in Nova Scotia, Canada. Celebrating her love of dance, Brittney has earned her British Association of Teachers of Dancing Associate’s Diploma in 2009 and her Associate’s Diploma with The Canadian Dance Teachers Association in 2016. Brittney has also studied with B.A.T.D earning various honours certificates for jazz and tap examinations as well as The Royal Academy of Dance’s Advanced 1 ballet examination.
Throughout the years, Brittney has focused primarily on jazz, tap, modern, ballet and contemporary techniques along with pointe and hip-hop training. In 2014, Brittney finished her studies at Point Park University’s Conservatory for Performing Arts earning her Bachelor of Arts Degree, Cume Laude, majoring in Jazz dance. Brittney grew up attending dance festivals all around North America and has had the honour of being presented with Most Promising Dancer DanceAbition, Candance Title Soloist 2010, and the Anna Trefry Reach for the Stars Scholarship. At the age of thirteen she was chosen to perform in the 60th Anniversary Gala at the Banff Arts Centre and was chosen as one of thirteen dancers from Point Park University to perform in the Martha Graham University Partner’s showcase in New York City 2012.
Since graduating University, Brittney has taught at various dance schools in Dartmouth and Bedford, created numerous pieces of choreography and in 2016, Brittney founded Elevate Summer Dance Intensive. Alongside Janelle Warren-Konowal, Brittney has co-created and co-directed both the Pre-Professional and Junior Teacher Training Programs at Element and is currently the Director at Element Dance Studio.
Andrea Forrest
Studio Director/ Instructor
Studio Director / Instructor
Andrea brings a strong background in both gymnastics and dance education to her role as Studio Director and Instructor at Element. A former competitive gymnast, she spent nine years teaching gymnastics before transitioning into dance, inspired by her daughters’ passion for the art form.
She is a certified Acrobatic Arts Module 1 & 2 and Alixia Flexibility Module 1 Instructor, in addition to attending numerous workshops and professional development opportunities. Andrea has been teaching at Element for over nine years and has proudly served as Studio Director for the past two years.
Her teaching philosophy combines technical training with a focus on safety, creativity, and personal growth, ensuring every dancer feels supported and inspired to reach their full potential.
Ainsley Forrest
Instructor/ Creative Team/ Choreographer
Ainsley started dancing at the age of 3 and has been at Element as a competitive dancer since the beginning. She has trained in a variety of styles including acro, ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern, and contemporary. Ainsley was also amongst the first group of dancers selected to be apart of the Pre Professional Program at Element. She has completed CDTA, RAD, and ADAPT exams as well as attended Elevate Summer Dance Intensive to further her dance education.
Ainsley became a teacher’s assistant at the age of 11 and realized that she loved the teaching aspect of dance just as much as being a dancer herself. She completed her junior teacher training program at Element in 2019 and became a full junior teacher in 2020. To further her knowledge Ainsley completed the Acrobatic Arts Preschool course in and is now a certified teacher with Acrobatic Arts.
Ainsley is currently studying psychology at Mount Saint Vincent University. She plans to continue her education to work in the mental health research field.
Hawazen “Zee” AlOtiabi
Assistant Studio Director
Hawazen also know as “Zee” is an Assistant Studio Director here at Element. Responsible for many of our behind-the-scenes tasks and working closely with our Studio Director, Zee is an incredible asset to the Element experience. Bringing efficiency, attention to detail, and a positive vibe, her skill and value to the team is quite notable. In addition to working at Element, Zee is currently pursuing a degree in Accounting at Saint Mary’s University. You may see her around the studio and office, or at some of our Element events. Feel free to say “Hello! “
Tessa Haws
Office/Admin
Tessa has been part of the Element family for a long time. She spent eight years dancing at Element, including six years on the competitive team where she discovered her love for movement, creativity, and performing. For Tessa, dance continues to be a huge inspiration in her life along with other creative interests like drawing and painting. She’s currently studying Nursing at Dalhousie University and is working toward her goal of becoming a pediatric nurse.
Brianna Knowlton
Instructor
Brianna has been dancing since the age of three and began competitive dance at her home studio in the Valley at age ten. Her love for dance grew quickly, leading her to assistant and co-teaching roles throughout her high school years. She continued to dance competitively during university, where she served as the Vice President of The Mount’s halftime and competitive team in her final year.
She has since graduated with a degree in Sociology and hopes to continue her education further. Brianna is still actively training and competing with her dance team, NXTLVL. She joined Element as a teacher in 2024 and is excited to keep growing as both an instructor and a dancer while getting to know every student who walks through the doors.
Livia Barkhouse
Instructor/ Choreographer
Livia began dancing at the age of 5 and she has been a competitive dancer with Element from the very beginning. Livia has trained in many styles such as hip hop, jazz, ballet, modern and contemporary and she participated in Elements Pre-Professional Program for 2 years. She became an assistant at Element when she was 11 and she knew then that she had a passion for teaching dance. In 2022 Livia completed her junior teacher training program and she immediately fell in love with teaching as much as being a dancer.
Outside of dance, Livia is currently studying General Studies at Mount Saint Vincent University and she plans to continue her education and receive her BEd and become an Elementary teacher.
Sofia Lavrentyev
Instructor
Sofia began dancing at the age of five and joined Element Dance Studio at eleven, training in a variety of styles including acro, jazz, and contemporary. By fourteen, she became a member of the studio’s competitive team, where she continued to train and perform until her graduation. That same year, inspired by the mentorship of her instructors, Sofia began assisting classes across a range of ages and styles—an experience that sparked her deep passion for teaching.
In 2022, she successfully completed Element’s Junior Teacher Program, further developing her skills as an educator. Sofia now has experience teaching a variety of styles and she is constantly learning and honing her skills as a dance educator.
Beyond the studio, Sofia is currently pursuing a degree in Medical Sciences at Dalhousie University, with aspirations of becoming a physician.
Morgan Crowley
Instructor/ Choreographer
Morgan began dancing at the age of 2 and has trained in a wide range of styles including jazz, ballet, contemporary, hip hop, lyrical, street jazz, and open. She started her dance journey in Quebec, where she not only deepened her passion for performing but also began teaching at the age of 15. After moving to Nova Scotia, Morgan continued to grow as both a dancer and an educator when she joined Element Dance Studio.
During her time at Element, Morgan was selected for the Pre-Professional Program, where she trained for two years and expanded her technique and artistry. She later became a junior teacher and eventually a full-time teacher, sharing her love for dance with students of all ages.
She is currently a member of the Dalhousie Black & Gold Dance Team, where she is also the hip hop small-group choreographer and is now in her second year in this role. She is completing her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology with a certificate in Disability Management and is passionate about continuing her growth both academically and in her dance career.
She is excited to keep growing as both a dancer and an instructor, and she loves being part of the Element community.
Reilly Johnston
Instructor/ Choreographer
Former Element dancer, now alumni, Reilly Johnston (she/her) is a dancer and choreographer based out of Kjipuktuk (Halifax). She has trained and competed throughout the East Coast for the last 13 years, receiving many awards for her performances and choreography. Reilly’s passion for dance continues today through her training, most recently completing House of Eight’s commercial training program where she appeared in their concept video ‘Scheibe’. Reilly also danced and choreographed in Wax Forest’s music video ’Slow Motion’. Reilly aims to create an inclusive and safe environment in her classes for her dancers to explore their creativity while learning discipline along the way!
Stan Tonin
Guest Instructor/Choreographer
Stan began dancing at the age of seven and has been a competitive dancer ever since. He has been dancing with Element since the beginning, focusing on many styles including contemporary, hip hop, ballet, jazz, and acro along with a variety of others. In addition to his training at Element, he has had the honour of attending Canada’s National Ballet School, School of Alberta Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Elevate for their summer dance intensives.
Over the years, Stan has achieved a number of recognizable dance accomplishments some of which include; attending various world renowned dance competitions such as Hit The Floor Toronto, and Nuvo Dance Conventions in Boston, Toronto and Orlando. Here he placed in the top three and won Teen Male Breakout Artist; qualifying him to compete for Teen Male Best Dancer at The Dance Awards in Las Vegas. Through an audition process, Stan was one out of one hundred dancers invited throughout North America to attend The Protege Movement held in Alberta, an opportunity which allowed him to be mentored by prestigious dance choreographers such as Stacey Tookey.
Within his training he has successfully completed RAD, CDTA, and Cecchetti ballet exams as well as the ADAPT jazz exams. Stan has been lucky enough to be a Nova Scotia Talent Trust scholarship recipient for the past four consecutive years and has been awarded many other scholarships and special awards throughout his competitive career.
Stan has always aspired to one day become a professional dancer, choreographer and/or teacher. He started to fall in love with these aspects of dance even more once he was accepted into Element’s first Pre-Professional Program where he had the opportunity to choreograph a piece for other dancers. Stan began his teaching journey after successfully completing Elements Junior Teacher Trainee Program and later went on to start teaching at Element as a Junior Teacher. Stan dreams to one day pursue a career in dance after graduating highschool.
Heather Irwin
Front Desk/Admin
Heather is one of our front desk and office administrators. You’ll see her around the office or hear her answering our phone.
Heather is a semi-retired professional with decades of experience in administration across a wide range of industries. Known for her organization, reliability, and warm approach, she has built a career supporting teams, managing operations, and keeping workplaces running smoothly.
Now enjoying a more relaxed pace, Heather devotes time to volunteering within her community. When she’s not lending a hand, you can often find her with a book in hand or—more likely—out in the garden. A self-proclaimed gardening fanatic, she finds joy creating beautiful outdoor spaces, and watching things grow.
Marin Smith
Instructor/ Choreographer
Bio Coming Soon!
Laura Wadden
Instructor/ Choreographer
Bio Coming Soon!
Kaitlin Jamison
Instructor /Choreographer
Bio Coming Soon!
Mabel MacNeil
Instructor
Bio Coming Soon!
Brendan Konowal
Accounts/ Projects Manager
Bio Coming Soon!