Dance Faculty

Steppin' Time Dance Faculty

Meet the dance teachers who make it all happen. We see big potential in every dancer, and care deeply about what we do every single day. It is our commitment to ensure that we have the very best teaching staff, and at every level of operation. Our leadership team reflects a group of diverse individuals with breadth and unmatched depth of experience in every class.

The instructors at Steppin' Time are accredited in the art of dance and have a mission to create a positive environment where all ages will become aware of their individual potential, enabling them to receive the training that allows talent to be discovered, explored, and enjoyed.

Monique Roy-Keller

Owner / Instructor / Creative Director

Tap, Jazz, Pre-Ballet, Lyrical, Stage Dance, Certified in Al Gilbert and ADAPT Dance Syllabus


Monique has been a dancer since she began to walk. Monique started Steppin' Time Dance Studio in the Fall of 1995 and has fostered the growth of the studio to the largest in Brandon with more than 400+ active students. Her students receive professional instruction from accredited teachers in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, stage dance, and hip hop. Her students compete locally, provincially and nationally with great success. Her love of the art, talent as a teacher, and caring nature have created the warm, knowledgeable, and professional environment within which students of Steppin' Time Dance Studio thrive. Monique continually attends dance workshops and teacher training sessions around North America, bringing cutting-edge dance technique and fresh new ideas to her students, building her extensive knowledge of the art form she loves. In July 2006, Monique completed an intensive three-year teacher training program in the ADAPT dance syllabus. Proudly, Steppin' Time Dance Studio is now certified to offer the ADAPT dance syllabus to their students, the only studio in Brandon to achieve such certification. Monique has also completed ALL levels of the Al Gilbert Syllabus in Tap, Jazz, and Ballet. 


Monique's contribution to the city's arts community doesn't end at her studio doors. As graduate of Neelin High School , she returned to choreograph their major productions for several years including Oklahoma , The King and I , Annie , Camelot , Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz, West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof. She is a teacher, choreographer and adjudicator throughout our region. Monique has generously shared her talents as a teacher and choreographer with more than a decade of Neelin High School, Mecca Productions and now Crocus Plains High School.   Many young performers have developed their talent and confidence under Monique's guidance. Monique's unique, nurturing approach allows performers of all ages and levels of experience to discover the love of dance, to develop confidence in their abilities and to shine on stage! It is her role as mother to Ruby and Rhodes, and wife to Richard, that brings her most joy and of which she is most proud. With their much-loved dog, they are happy to continue building a life in Brandon, and enjoy being an active part of a vital, arts-loving community. 

 

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Dance Teachers

Steppin' Time Dance Studio dance teachers create a well-rounded, student-centered program in the study of dance. The talented members of the faculty offer classes to both new and returning students in Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop,  Pre-Ballet, (Royal Academy of Dance and Cecchetti), Pointe, Stage Dance, Lyrical, Contemporary, Acro and more!

Kristen Yuel

Assistant Director "Tap, Pre-Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical Instructor" Certified Instructor in the Al Gilbert Syllabus, Bachelor of Education

Kristen Yuel is an Al Gilbert certified dance instructor of tap and jazz, and she holds a Bachelors Degree in Education and a Business Administration Diploma. Kristen was a dancer herself at a very early age but found her passion in teaching dance. She began her teaching career in 1998 at Steppin’ Time Dance Studio, where she is now the Assistant Director. She currently teaches jazz, tap, lyrical, and pre ballet, fulltime. Along with her students, she attends provincial and national conventions and competitions annually.  She continues to attend professional development opportunities in order to work with and learn from the world’s top teachers and choreographers so she can share this knowledge with her students. In 2002, Kristen took over as the sole instructor of the Virden Dance Club, teaching in Virden on Wednesdays to over 115 students. Kristen is also a permanent teacher with Brandon School Division. In 2012 she began teaching half time at Neelin High School in the Performing Arts Department as their dance teacher. Kristen also continues to be Neelin’s choreographer for their major productions which she began in 2006. She has adjudicating experience with Birdtail, Deloraine Border, Evergreen, Northwestern Marquette, Rolling River, and the Virden Festival of the Arts. Kristen is married to her husband Dave and they have two energetic children Willem and Mila. Kristen loves sharing her enthusiasm for dance with all of her students and her positive energy is contagious in all of her classes. She is dedicated to seeingSteppin’ Time continue to be successful, by producing talented dancers who showcase kindness and providing a safe and nurturing environment to all.
“If you dance with your heart, your body will follow.” Mia Michaels. 

Tamara Topsnik Hicks

Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical Instructor, R.A.D.R.T.S (Royal Academy of Dance Certified Instructor

Tamara Topsnik Hicks R.A.D.R.T.S. moved to Brandon in 1993 after teaching for four years in British Columbia at her own school, Marpole Studio of Dance. She is a graduate of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet professional Division. Tamara Topsnik Hicks performed with the Royal Winnipeg in their productions of Swan Lake, Nutcracker and Giselle in 1988. She toured with the R.W.B. to Japan. In 1989 she danced in Germany in the “Nick Haberstich Ballet Company”. Mrs. Hicks is a registered Royal Academy of Dance teacher and is qualified to enter students in R.A.D. exams. She has been an adjudicator with A.M.A.F. since 1995 and has loved every opportunity of sharing her knowledge with others. 

Katey Rogowsky

Hip-Hop and Contemporary Instructor


 Katey Rogowsky is an instructor and choreographer who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at the University of Calgary, where she extensively trained in Contemporary and Jazz, as well as focuses in Pedagogy, Anatomy, Conditioning, and Design & Production. She has worked with choreographers and performed works from Peggy Baker, Melanie Kloetzel, Michèle Moss, Marie France Forcier, and Mario Velez Jr. Katey has created multiple choreographic works presented at the University of Calgary, and her hard work and creativity has led her to receive multiple awards for her choreography. Her choreographic style bridges style and fun, and her contemporary pieces always leave you thinking. In addition to her experience and training at the university, Katey is a certified Tap instructor in Al Gilbert Tap syllabus and has completed her Advanced Foundation RAD ballet exam. Katey has been teaching at Steppin’time for over 10 years, and is passionate about sharing her movement knowledge with her students in a fun and welcoming environment that allows every student to grow. 



Brooke Webber

Acro, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Pre-Ballet, Instructor
Certified Acrobatic Arts Instructor


Brooke Webber is a former Steppin’ Time dancer herself and has been teaching at the studio for ten years. Along with being a certified Acrobatic Arts instructor, Brooke also teaches jazz, tap, lyrical, and pre-ballet classes. Brooke also graduated university in 2021 with a Bachelors of Business Administration degree. Through her teaching, Brooke hopes to encourage the next generation of dancers to embrace their individual talents, push through challenges, and bring kindness with them wherever they go. Brooke takes great pride in seeing her students progress and achieve their dreams. She cherishes every moment, big or small, and feels truly honoured to be part of the Steppin’ Time faculty. 

Adynn Praznik

Hip Hop/Tap/Jazz Instructor


Adynn started her dance training when she was 2 years old, as she got older she competed in Steppin’ Time’s Company as well as taking on the role as an Assistant teacher. Now, Adynn is going on to her third year of teaching and she could not be more excited! Her passion for teaching kids presents itself in every class. Outside of teaching, Adynn is entering her third year of University for a Bachelors of Arts Degree, majoring in psychology. Adynn is thrilled to share her love for dance and can’t wait for the next dance season! 

Avery Praznik

Hip Hop/Tap/Stage Dance/Jazz/Musical Theatre Instructor

My name is Avery Praznik, I am a recent graduate of Randolph College for the Performing Arts in Toronto, ON. Where I learned about the professional industry and everything musical theatre! Originally I am from Brandon, my dance career started at Steppin’ Time where I danced competitively at the studio for 8 years as well as taught for 3. I am so excited to be coming back to the studio and sharing the love I have for dance and performing with my students. 

Quinn Ritchie

Pre-School/5+ Combo class and Senior Assistant

Quinn has been a part of Steppin' Time since she was little.  She trained as an assistant teacher for many years and is still a senior assistant with so much experience.  She brings so much energy, expertise and creativity to her pre-school classes. 

Gail Nykolation

Toning/Core Fitness for Company Dancers


Gail embraced activity and wellness in her 20s and is a strong proponent of positive active lifestyles. Gail holds multiple certifications including International Certified Fitness Instructor, International Certified Personal Trainer, Healthy, Eating and Food Coach, 200 Hr Registered Yoga Teacher, Strong Nation, Circl Mobility. One of her biggest joys is seeing class participants experience what their bodies can really do, and what they can achieve!  

Emma Sul

Hip hop, Tap, Senior Assistant

Emma started her first dance class at Steppin’ Time about 12 years ago. Since that class, she quickly became a member of the company team, participated in RAD and Al Gilbert exams and every other opportunity she could jump into to further her passion of dance. After graduating high school, Emma moved to Winnipeg for one year to become a CFL cheerleader for the Blue Bombers as well as be a member of the first season of the company “The Heels Method”. As she returns back to Brandon to finish her education at Brandon University, she is so excited to come back to Steppin’ Time to meet so many new faces as well as see some familiar ones. 

Laura Scott

Ballet 1

Laura started dancing at Steppin’ Time when she was two years old. She participated in multiple genres and joined the competitive Company as soon as she was able to. She is also an Assistant Teacher at the studio. Laura auditioned and was excepted to the Quinte Ballet School in Ontario for three consecutive summers. Laura also had the opportunity to attend an immersive Tap intensive with Toronto Rhythm Initiative. Laura completed Al Gilbert Tap examinations, and RAD Ballet examinations. Laura is currently a student at Brandon University pursuing an undergrad degree in Arts, followed by an after degree in Education. She is extremely excited to continue to share her love of dance with others.

Payton Daciuk

Hip Hop


Payton has been dancing at Steppin’ Time for 8 years and competing on the company team for 6. She’s been assisting for multiple years and can’t wait to take on the role of being an instructor. Payton loves sharing her passion for dance with the kids and she’s so excited for what the 2023/2024 dance season will bring. 

Indi Unger

Hip Hop


Indi has been dancing at Steppin’ Time since she was 3 years old and has never stopped loving dance. She is super pumped to be teaching and co teaching in her grade 12 year and hopes to continue teaching after graduation. She has been competing with Steppin’ Time company since she was 11 years old, and has been assisting since she was 10. She is very excited for the 2023/2024 season has to bring and very excited to be part of this new team!

Inara Innes

Combo Classes


Inara has been dancing at Steppin’ Time since she was 3 years old and has experienced many amazing festivals and competitions with the studio over the years! She is thrilled to have the opportunity to teach in her grade 12 year as she has been an assistant teacher for the past 4 years. She can’t wait to make connections with new dancers and share her passion for dance this season! 

Ruby Keller

Guest Instructor

Ruby Keller is a Steppin' Time Alumni that has taught on the faculty for many years.  She has currently re-located to Toronto to pursue the Fashion Industry but will be returning to Steppin' Time when she is home to do workshops and choreograph Tap Routines for festivals and competitions. Her love of dance and especially Tap is a gift that all her students benefit.  We are so grateful to have her continue to share her love and talents when she can.

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