About W2 Dance Studio
Since 2006, W2 Dance Studio has been a respected leader in the dance community in Port Colborne and beyond. Family owned and operated; W2 Dance Studio has earned a solid reputation for providing high quality dance education in a nurturing and positive environment.
Through dance we aim to:
- Develop individuals who excel physically, mentally and psychologically
- Install a sense of pride and confidence to help cope with life’s challenges
- Teach the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle
- Build self-esteem, confidence as well as instilling a passion for dance in its students
- Empower dancers to achieve their utmost potential each and every day
- Low student to teacher ratios for our students to maximize their potential
- Age appropriate choreography and costumes
Our experienced and enthusiastic teachers are passionate about dance and will stop at nothing to achieve that for their students. We are unwavering when it comes to elevating dancers to the level the students want to be at and are determined to ensure that all students feel valued and important. Watching our students grow and evolve in their passion for dance inspires us to be the best role models we can be. We have trained numerous dancers to be performers that are prepared to conquer any stage or dance floor. Whether you are interested in a career in dance or looking to have some fun through a great form of exercise, we have a class that’s right for you.
Meet Our Team
Shannon Wells-Thususka
Shannon began dancing at Dance Expressions formerly known as Port Colborne Dance Academy. During her studies at Dance Expressions she successfully completed CDTA tap and jazz exams. At the age of 10, she auditioned and was accepted at the Quinte Ballet School (QBS) for professional ballet, jazz, modern, spanish and character training. From age 10 she travelled throughout Ontario and Europe performing with QBS. At the age of 16 she was successful in auditioning and being accepted to train with Boston Ballet Company for their summer program. During her time at QBS she successfully completed her Cecchetti Ballet exams to the Advanced 2 level, formerly known as Advance.
Occasionally in her free time Shannon took classes with Sergio Neglia, a renowned Russian ballet dancer with his studio in Buffalo, USA. At age 18 she successfully auditioned for BC Ballet Company and Milwaukee Ballet Company. Shannon joined the Milwaukee Ballet Company where she danced and performed with them for 2 years. She returned home and began teaching and choreographing ballet and jazz at Strickly Biz in St. Catharines, Ontario and Dance Place in Welland, Ontario.
Throughout her dancing career she competed as well as choreographed award winning pieces that her classes performed in the Niagara, Toronto and Buffalo areas. She continues to maintain and expand her dance knowledge and skills by attending a variety of dance conferences, workshops and self learning.
Shannon successfully completed her degree as a Child Youth Worker at Niagara College. She was a full time employee at Women’s Place of South Niagara as the Child Youth Advocate for 13 years.
Haley Wells
Haley has danced throughout her life continuously from the age of 3 with 4 years at Dance Expressions formerly known as Port Colborne Dance Academy and then 11 years at Dance Place. Haley is formally trained in ballet, tap, pointe, jazz and musical theatre. In addition to dancing at these two studios Haley has taken workshops throughout the Niagara Peninsula and Buffalo, New York. Her dancing proficiency was recognized with successful auditions that resulted in three of her summers being spent attending summer schools, once at Quinte Ballet School and twice at Canadore College Summer Camp. She has danced for 9 years with the Greater Niagara Ballet Company performing and taking classes in Niagara Falls, New York. During the duration of time at Dance Place, she also assisted and taught dance classes demonstrating her love of passing on knowledge.
During her dancing career she competed at a wide variety of competitions both locally and outside the area. She has successfully completed her Cecchetti Ballet exams to the Intermediate level, formerly known as Elementary. She successfully completed her high school at Niagara District Secondary School in the District Niagara Academy of Arts Dance Program. She continues to maintain and expand her dance knowledge and skills by attending a variety of dance conferences and workshops.
Haley successfully completed her degree in Community and Justice Services (Correctional Worker) at Niagara College and has continued her education in Sociology at Brock University.
Haley successfully completed her degree in Sociology at Brock University. She is a full time employee at Women’s Place of South Niagara a Women’s Intervention Advocate. As well as a relief Mobile Mental Health Crisis Work with Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and the Niagara Regional Police.
Our Facility
Great dancers need a space that helps them learn and grow. That’s why our newly built 3,000 square foot professional dance space features a professional Rosco dance flooring, wall-to-wall mirrors, high ceilings, the latest sound equipment and air conditioning. The facility is very bright, spacious and clean. There are mats in different sizes for acrobatics and tumbling, as well as a variety of blocks and tension bands for technique training. Our facility is a stand alone building located in the beautiful rural setting of Port Colborne. W2 Dance Studio consistently invests in their spaces to make for the best environment for learning and dancing.