Chantelle completed her formative ballet training in Calgary, Alberta, under the guidance of respected classical educators such as, Tara Silvaggio ( Alberta Ballet School & RWB ), Elaine Werner Hutchison ( former teacher with the RWB ), and ballet master Brian MacDonald ( former Artistic Director, Royal Swedish Ballet). As a dancer, she was awarded various scholarships, such as the Most Promising Artist scholarship from the Wild Rose Dance Arts Association, Outstanding Classical Dancer from Expressions the Dance Gallery, and Recognition of Excellence from the Mayor of Calgary. Among a few, Chantelle trained at the Alberta Ballet School, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and the Banff Centre for Performing Arts.

Before locating to Vancouver Island in 2006, Ms. Norris was ballet Director of “Expressions the Dance Gallery” in Strathmore, AB. There she began her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies with the Royal Academy of Dance under the detailed guidance of Umran Sumen, former leading soloist with The National Ballet Company of Turkey. In 2006 she was awarded Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance, then continuing on to obtain her Associate Diploma of the Imperial Society of Teacher’s of Dancing under Lorraine Blake ( FISTD/Examiner). Chantelle has had the privilege of travelling to Chichester, England in 2009, 2011, and 2019 to obtain direct mentorship from ISTD syllabi creators Lyn Richardson( ISTD Senior Examiner ) and Tereza Theodoulou ( Vice Chair of the ISTD Modern Committee). She has also obtained her Intermediate and Advanced 1 Cecchetti examinations, as well as her Progressing Ballet Technique certification(2017), Progressing Contemporary Technique(2021), Acrobatic Arts Module 1(2022), and completed the ISTD Contemporary syllabus course in Chichester, UK(2019).Over her 17 years on Vancouver Island, Chantelle’s eye for technical detail and award-winning choreography has gained her much recognition on the west coast. She has choreographed 6 full-length original productions, music videos, and high-end fashion shows, and worked with Ballet Victoria as a rehearsal mistress for their local dancer initiative. Many of her students have gone on to dance with prestigious ballet schools such as the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, American School of Ballet, Royal Ballet School, Kaatsbaan, Complexions Academy, and the National Ballet of Canada. Her detailed coaching has led her students to receive coveted top 3 placements at international ballet competitions such as the Youth American Grand Prix. Chantelle was Artistic Director of the Kirkwood Academy Pre-Professional Program for 13 years, owner and director of Nanaimo Contemporary Ballet(7 years) and owner of Shoreline Dance Academy in Powell River, BC. As a business owner Chantelle has been nominated for Top 20 Under 40, Best New Business and People’s Choice by the Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce. Chantelle looks forward to guiding Elite Dance Academy into a new age and wishes all the dancers and parents a wonderful dance season filled with success, friendship, and joy.