Gem Binstead has been teaching since the age of 18.  During her training as a dancer and teacher in Vancouver she was under the tutelage of Kay Armstrong, Bob Kidwalter, Norman Legett, Aida Hughman, Maria Lewis and Shelia Kennedy. She danced with Theatre Under the Stars for 2 seasons as well as the Vancouver Operatic Society and the Richmond Theatre.

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To further her studies for teaching she went to York University in Toronto.  Later she auditioned for the National Ballet School of Canada and was accepted into their 3 year Teacher’s Training Program.  While in training she also studied at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute and danced with the Ajax Lyric Theatre. She returned to British Columbia in the hopes to help grow the BC dancing industry.

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Gem has been an active member of the ISTD (International Society of Teachers of Dance- Cecchetti division) as well as CDTA (Canadian Dance Teachers Association) which she is a life member.  Along with her graduation from the National Ballet School Teacher Training Program Gem feels that her education and experience gives her the ability to teach dance at a high level.

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Dance is a performing art and Gem felt her students should experience it. She took her students to a summer school in California, on Cruise Ships to dance, New York to experience the dance scene as well as Disneyland and Disney World to enjoy dance.  She had her dancers dance around Abbotsford as well in old age homes, May Day celebrations, Canada Day Celebrations International Day of the Dancers, Arbor Day to name a few.

Her advanced and detailed oriented training guarantees that her students can reach their potential with grace and confidence.