Tradition. Creativity. Grace.
About Rothesay Ballet School
Rothesay Ballet School takes pride in providing a strong and safe foundation in the classical dance training of it's young students. Our staff is focused on creating an atmosphere of inclusion and acceptance and meeting each student at their own place in their dance journey. Classes are structured to provide solid technical training in the Royal Academy of Dance method, which encourages musicality and expression and fosters a sense of community for all students. We find that our dancers find not only a love of dance, but create long and lasting friendships with their fellow classmates.
Offering a full slate of dance styles and levels, Rothesay Ballet School has a program for every individual, regardless of age.
"Dance is the hidden language of the soul" ~ Martha Graham
Sylvia Logan
Owner and Artistic Director
Sylvia Logan received her ballet training in England in Royal Academy and Vaganova styles and emigrated to Canada in 1962. Upon opening Rothesay Ballet School in 1975, students were introduced to a professional style of ballet training and Mrs. Logan continued her association with the Royal Academy of Dance. She become a Registered Teacher in the first year that registration became mandatory in Canada.
The school quickly gained a reputation for performance and academic success. Gala Ballet Company was founded in 1982 and became the performing arm of the school. A highlight of these performances was when they danced for their Royal Highnesses Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
Mrs. Logan is pleased to be sharing her love of ballet with a new generation of students as she has been for the last 45 years.
Our Teaching Staff
Rachelle Lanigan
Rachelle began her dance education in Owen Sound ON under the direction of Sheila Milne and Eleanor Brennan. In 1987 she began training with Sylvia Logan at Rothesay Ballet School and with the Rothesay Highland Dance School. A competitive Highland dancer, Rachelle represented New Brunswick at the Canadian Nationals a total of 9 times. She reached her Intermediate level in Royal Academy of Dance exams and completed the RAD Teacher Certification in 1994. She has been a member of the RBS teaching staff for the past 29 years. In addition to her teaching at Rothesay Ballet School, Rachelle was a memeber of the teaching staff at the Summer Arts Ete program in St. Andrew's, NB and at the Imperial Theatre's Dance IT program.
Rachelle holds a Bachelor of Arts and Education and is currently a teacher at Kennebecasis Valley High School. She has been the Director and Choreographer of the Theatre Program for the past 10 years, presenting numerous musicals including Hello Dolly, The Wizard of Oz, and Tarzan.
Corissa Arseneau
Corissa began dancing at the young age of three at Rothesay Ballet School. Focusing on ballet, contemporary and jazz, she has done many styles such as hip hop, flamenco and Broadway. Corissa has participated in company shows such as Alberta Ballet, Ballet Jorgen and Motus O.
Wanting to continue her dance career in Saint John at Rothesay Ballet School, Corissa attained the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies through the Royal Academy of Dance and maintains a registered teaching status with the RAD. Corissa has been a member of the Rothesay Ballet School staff for the past 14 years. Using her previous personal training and dance experience, she now teaches body conditioning classes as well as the RAD ballet exam program.
Linda Yang Poirier
As one of the very first students at RBS, she trained under Mrs. Sylvia Logan and obtained her certificate in the Elementary Executant Examination at the age of 16. Her most cherished memories were dancing the “Sugarplum Fairy” in The Nutcracker with the Saint John Symphony Orchestra, “Giselle” in the spring recital, and choreographing both her own senior solo as well as a multi-disciplinary project based on Romeo and Juliet. She was chosen to dance at the Jeux Canada Games, as well as in various KV Players productions.
A former French classroom teacher at public school and college levels with a B.A., M.A. & B.Ed., she returned to the ballet studio with her own children and volunteered with Gala Ballet Productions. She completed the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies (CBTS), is a Registered Teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and member of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS). She is also certified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT)She teaches ballet at all levels and looks forward to incorporating adult ballet into the class selections.
Emma McEvoy
Emma McEvoy began her dance training at Rothesay Ballet School in 2001, studying ballet, jazz, contemporary, and tap. Starting as a teaching assistant in the junior ballet program, she was promoted to teacher in 2012. Emma also trained as a contemporary assistant.
In 2015, Emma completed the Certificate of Ballet Teaching Studies with the Royal Academy of Dance, officially becoming a registered teacher with the RAD. As well, Emma is a graduate of the University of New Brunswick, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Communication Studies, and Duke University, completing the Digital Media and Marketing certificate program.
Emma is also a graduate of the Enriched Performing Arts Diploma program at the Canadian College of Performing Arts. The two-year intensive program focused on dance technique, creation, and performance. While at CCPA, Emma had the opportunity to choreograph new works, act as a dance captain and rehearsal assistant and perform as both a dancer and actor in productions.
Since moving back to Rothesay, Emma has worked with Saint John Theatre Company and worked with Rothesay Netherwood School’s productions of The King and I and Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.
Melissa Wright
Melissa began her dance training with Susan Arseneault’s International school of Dance in St. George, NB. Melissa first studied tap and has progressed through the 10 grades in Al Gilbert’s tap syllabus. She has also studied jazz, lyrical, step dance and Riverdance (Irish tap). Melissa has attended numerous dance workshops such as Powerhouse dance, Dance Olympus in Boston, and the Dancing with the Stars workshop in Fredericton. Attending the Al Gilbert Dance Workshops, Melissa had the opportunity to learn tap from a master, Mr. Al Gilbert himself. Melissa has also won numerous awards for tap dances. Melissa began assisting with classes in tap, jazz, lyrical, and riverdance at the age of 13 and quickly moved on to become an instructor at Susan Arseneault’s International school of Dance and at Katrina’s Dance Works in St. Stephen.
A highlight for Melissa was when her dance group opened for Faith Hill in 1993, at the Blue Hill fair in Maine, and in 2001 performing with John Sands at the Imperial Theatre.
In 2008 and 2010, Melissa was selected as one of 10 dancers to attend Shawn Byfield’s week long tap intensive in Toronto. She was the only dancer east of Ontario selected to attend both of these intensives. As part of the intensives Melissa had the opportunity to learn from David Cox and So You Think You Can Dance Canada finalist Everett Smith.
Melissa also currently teaches mathematics and Dance 11 at Kennebecasis Valley High School.
Lorna Pond
Lorna has been involved with Rothesay Ballet School for over 40 years, beginning first as a student of Sylvia Logan and later, being involved as a performer and instructor.
As a girl, Lorna attended the National Ballet School’s summer program in Toronto and studied in the professional program of the Royal Academy of Dance through which she achieved her Intermediate Level I (Advanced) certificate. Currently she is working towards her International Ballet Barre Fitness Association certificate and enjoys incorporating various ballet barre techniques into her adult pilates and ballet classes. She has enjoyed many and varied roles in productions such as The Nutcracker, La Filles Mal Gardee, and Sleeping Beauty with Rothesay Ballet School and Gala Ballet Company.
Lorna holds a B.Comm degree from Mount Allison University, is a Certified Landscape Professional and owns and runs Urban Landscaping Ltd. with her husband Neil.
Molly Lanigan
Molly has been involved with Rothesay Ballet School for over 19 years, beginning first as a student of RBS and later, being involved as a performer and instructor.
As a dancer with Rothesay Ballet School, Molly performed in many Nutcracker's at the Imperial Theatre. At 12, she was thrilled to perform the title role of Clara, and in 2019, graduated as the Snow Princess.
Molly was also a featured dancer in numerous musicals and was Dance Captain during her years at Kennebecasis Valley High School. In 2022, Molly moved to the role of choreographer for the KVHS production of High School Musical, and will once again be chreographing the 2023 production of Mamma Mia.
Molly is finishing her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of New Brunswick Saint John, and is planning to go on to study Education.