WHO ARE WE
Kelsea Fitzpatrick
Kelsea is the Owner and Director of The Dance Compound in Calgary, AB, where she has built a vibrant and forward-thinking dance community. With over 25 years of local and international dance training and teaching experience, Kelsea is a highly sought-after instructor, mentor, and choreographer known for her expertise and innovation.
A graduate of Queen’s University with a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, Kelsea seamlessly blended her academic achievements with her passion for dance. At Queen’s, she was a dedicated member and co-Captain of the Queen’s University Dance Team. During her time with the team they earned a prestigious spot to compete in the NDA College Nationals in Daytona, FL, and won numerous awards at the Terpsichore UDC Cup in Guelph, ON multiple years in a row.
Kelsea’s pursuit of integrating dance with biomechanics led her to explore a master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Calgary. This unique academic and professional journey has empowered her to create and implement pioneering dance programs that integrate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) principles with traditional dance techniques.
Certified with RAD, ADAPT, Acrobatic Arts, and more, Kelsea is dedicated to offering comprehensive training and performance opportunities. Her ongoing mission is to develop and deliver innovative programs that inspire and engage dancers of all ages and skill levels. Kelsea is also a certified member of the Professional Adjudicators Alliance.
Emma Calliou
Emma's dance journey began in her hometown of Fort St. John, BC, where she trained in all dance disciplines and competed for 14 years. During her competitive years she was a representative for Ballet at the British Columbia Dance Provincials in Victoria, BC, and spent a summer training at the Victoria Academy of Ballet to enhance her skills. Emma also spent two years with Peace Fusion, a traveling advanced dance team in the Peace Region, where she and her team achieved significant success.
While pursuing her degree at Mount Royal University, Emma was an active member of the MRU Cubs Dance Team and, for the final two years, served as captain of the pom team, which meant she was president of the team’s executive. In 2025, she was recognized with the Executive of the Year Awards at MRU Varsity Club banquet. Her time as president holds a special place in her heart as it allowed her to build long-lasting friendships and create meaningful change within the dance community.
Emma’s passion for dance extends beyond performance—she spent many years teaching competitive and recreational classes, earning certifications in CTDA and Barre fitness. With an academic background heavily focused on sports and events, Emma spent a semester abroad in England studying sports media, journalism, and marketing, which helped her understand the inner workings of television, radio, and print within the sports industry. Additionally, her experience as the event coordinator for the DAWGS baseball team gave her invaluable event planning expertise that she brings to TrueWest.
Emma is committed to advocating for the recognition and respect of university dance teams, knowing one day they will be considered varsity athletes. Having experienced the lack of awareness, budget, and support for dancers in the university world, she is determined to create a space where dancers can thrive and be respected as athletes.