Faculty

Leslie Kuny

Leslie Kuny

Owner / Director

Jazz Faculty Head, Contemporary, Musical Theatre

Growing up in small town Saskatchewan, Leslie found her passion for dance while studying at Juliette’s Dance Center in Saskatoon. After successful years of studio training in almost every genre, Leslie continued her dance education at Edmonton’s Grant MacEwan College.

Upon completing her diploma in Edmonton, Leslie further studied at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby BC, graduating as a Dance Major with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. During her post-secondary education Leslie had the privilege to work alongside some of Canada’s dance leaders including Wen Wei Wang (Wen Wei Dance Vancouver), Barbara Bourget (kokoro dance Vancouver), David LeHay (Ballet Kelowna), Gerry Morita (Mile Zero Edmonton), Brian Webb (Brian Webb Dance Company Edmonton), Judith Garay (Dancer’s Dancing Vancouver), and Day Helesic (MovEnt Vancouver). Working with these industry leaders has shaped her both as a dancer and a teacher, and she uses this unique perspective with her students.

After university Leslie devoted herself to teaching full time, working throughout the Lower Mainland. In her 15+ years of teaching Leslie has worked in studios, schools, and pre-professional training programs, and choreographed numerous pieces for performance and competition. Outside of the studio she has worked for several Vancouver-based dance non-profits organizations, which gave her the opportunity to work side by side with industry professionals on a day-to-day basis.

In addition to her dance training, Leslie is a talented singer and uses her voice to help dancers find theirs. She was formerly the National Anthem Singer for the Saskatoon Blades Western Junior Hockey Team, as well as the Saskatoon International Air Show. Leslie has played the lead in several musicals including Radio Gals, Sarah Plain and Tall, and The Sound of Music.

Leslie’s passion for dance and love for performing shines through in her teaching style. She believes every student deserves quality training in a professional environment while motivating students to work to their full potential. Her outgoing attitude and fun-loving nature makes her a natural with students of all ages.

Rosanna Punzo

Rosanna Punzo

Owner / Director

Tap Faculty Head, Jazz, Musical Theatre

Rosie found her passion for dance at the age of 5.  She trained under the supportive guidance of Dawn Govier and Valerie Eastwood and competed in numerous dance styles for over 10 years.

Rosie has been teaching for 11 years including 10 at the White Rock School of Music and Dance.  Her teaching repertoire includes Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet, Stage with her forte being Tap.  Throughout her teaching career she has won choreography awards and her competitive students have attained many awards at a variety of competitions.

She has an amazing ability to connect with students and parents as she understands the challenges and triumphs that they have, having been a student and now a dance mom herself of 14 and 11 year old girls.

In addition to her passion for dancing, Rosie has a good understanding of business as a child of an entrepreneur and her experience as a Realtor over the past 7 years.

It is a true gift in life to be able to “do what you love” and Rosie is very exited to be able to share her love for dance with families in the Fraser Valley

Keeli Duncan

Keeli Duncan

Ballet

Natasha Mow-Busch

Natasha Mow-Busch

Hip Hop, Tap, Musical Theatre

 Miss Keeli has been dancing since she was three years old and has trained at Flora Pigeau Dance Academy, Dance Xpressions, and The Edge Performing Arts Center.  Miss Keeli trained in a variety of styles including jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap, stage and ballet, but ballet is the style she is most paassionate about.  As a teacher Miss Keeli’s goal is to instill discipline, technique, and stregnth in all her dancers while keeping an upbeat and positive space for them to learn and grow; not only as dancers but as people as well.  Miss Keeli is very excited to be a part of the Ignite Family and is looking forward to sharing her passion for dance with everyone who comes through the studio door!

 

 

Natasha’s love for dance started at age three. She has been competitively dancing for over thirty years, naturally moving to teaching; hip-hop, tap, lyrical, stage, contemporary, and musical theater. Having spent most of her life at the theater, preforming in numerous musicals, pantomimes, and competitions; she has a strong connection with the Arts community.

Natasha has been a Special Education Teacher with the Surrey School District for eleven years. She is driven to nurture inclusivity within the dance world and excited to give children of all exceptionalities the chance to shine through performance. She recently developed a tap program within her district for children with special needs and is thrilled to share her love of teaching and dance with the students of Ignite Dance Center.

She is devoted to bringing her high energy, creativity, and genuine love for all her students into every class she teaches! 
Zoe Gilbert

Zoe Gilbert

Acro, Tap/Jazz & Contemporary

Zoë has been dancing since the young age of 4, when she immediately discovered her passion and gift for it. During her first solo at the age of 5 she was recognized for her stunning technical skills that continued to develop through her training for the following 15 years in ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, modern, tap, hip-hop, acrobatics, and theatre. During her younger years Zoë completed her Cecchetti ballet exams from grades one to four and grade six to intermediate in RAD, as well as her ADTA jazz exams from stepping stones to level five. She continued competing through her training and consistently placed high in competitions across BC, winning scholarships for Circus Lab, Push in Progress to train under Calen J. Kurka in New York City, and the BC provincial modern/contemporary representative position. After graduation Zoë continued her training under Moe Brody, Joanna Pesusich, Lisa Metz, and Tessa Tamera, among many other talented teachers, and danced and performed for The Source and ITP companies at Harbour Dance Centre. Throughout her training her talent for acrobatics has always shone through, and she’s currently training in the incredibly competitive Circus Lab APP post-graduate program while also sharing her talents with many students as a kind and motivational instructor at a number of studios.

Cailin Costa

Cailin Costa

Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet Instructor

Cailin is a graduate of Ignite Dance Center and is joining the IDC Faculty for the 2021-2022 season. Cailin previously trained with Rosie Punzo, Andrea Gibson, and Sandra Kirk before moving to Ignite Dance Center.  As a dancer, Cailin shines in Contemporary, Jazz, and Stage classes using her passion to drive her performance.  She is an outstanding performer having received multiple awards and accolades from numerous competitions. Miss Cailin has an outstanding committment and dedication to dance, with plans to teach full time after graduation.

As a teacher, Miss Cailin is a natural in working with younger students, especially those under age 7.  Her compassion, patience, and natural love of children assists her in these pre-school dance classes.  She is able to instil gentle discipline balanced with a true love for dance in the youngest dancer. It takes a special teacher to keep these tiny dancers engaged and excited, and Miss Cailin is just that teacher.

 

 

Ignite Dance Center is a safe, inclusive space for all people.