The Dance Academy 

of Mount Forest

Cairine Domzella

Cairine is a graduate of the University of Waterloo’s Dance Department with an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance (Dean’s Honours List standing). Her studies at the University concentrated in dance notation and Russian ballet technique. She was a recipient of an entrance scholarship and two upper year scholarships. Cairine also holds her Canadian Dance Teachers Association teacher certification.

She has studied ballet technique under such teachers as Carol Chadwick (National Ballet School), Laura Prada (University of Waterloo), and Bernd Juche (Bernd Juche School of Ballet, and Black Walnut Ballet School and Company). With such a varied background, Cairine has a working knowledge of three major methods of ballet: Russian, Royal Academy of Dancing, and Cecchetti. She also studied modern dance extensively under Susan Cash (Toronto choreographer), Judith Miller (choreographer and former dancer with the Danny Grossman Company), and Janice Stone.

Cairine’s performance and choreographic talents should not go unnoticed. Most notably, Cairine performed as a touring member of the Doris Humphrey Repertory Dance Company (New York) under the direction of Mino Nicholas. She has also performed in many University of Waterloo annual department and student concerts (including performing “The Bach Piece” – Susan Cash’s signature solo work); various musicals (including the Kitchener-Waterloo Musical Production’s The King And I under – the direction of Alan Lund), as well as with the Black Walnut Ballet Company. Cairine’s choreography credits include works for the University of Waterloo's annual department concerts, and student concerts; musicals (including The Hobbit, and Wilfrid Laurier University’s productions of Listen To The Wind and Into The Woods); the Grand Jeté Ballet Company; and various ballet school recitals and competition numbers.

Her teaching experience is extensive. Cairine has been the Artistic Director of The Dance Academy of Mount Forest since it was founded in 1994. She has also taught for such schools as the University of Waterloo, K-W Summer School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Harriston School of Dance, Ewald Academy of Dancing, Anna Marie Oliver Academy of Dance, and the Black Walnut Ballet School. Cairine has also attended seminars and workshops held by Mino Nicholas, Danny Grossman, Billie Mahoney, Bengt Jorgen, George Brown College Summer School, and Sarah Jane Burton.

Cairine also holds her Elementary Cecchetti ballet exam and her Elementary Benesh Movement Notation exam.