KELLY JOHNSON

Choreographer

Kelly's passion with dance began when she was 6 years old. At the age of 8 Kelly began her competitive dance training under the instruction of Jennifer Read - current Director of Monarch Studios. Over the years, Kelly trained and competed for many other companies in various genres of dance including ballet, lyrical, contemporary, acrobatics, jazz, hip hop, and tap.

​

Kelly traveled throughout Canada and the United States to compete in dance and acrobatics receiving numerous 'overall' awards, scholarships, and special awards. In 2007, Kelly traveled to Greece to perform with Dance Dance Canada, she performed in half-time shows for the NBA Detroit Piston's and represented Canada on the 2010 Canadian Dance Show Team in Reisa, Germany. Kelly also guest performed at Mind Your Mind's 2010 and 2011 International Youth Day events. She danced in Aleesia’s video for “Time’s Up” in July, 2012 and, most recently, apprenticed in Rutherford Movement Exchange's first company show "Ascension". Kelly also co-founded and directed The Youth in Motion Dance Project which is a London based dance program that works with experienced dancers between the ages of 12 and 16 to provide them with knowledge and opportunities within the contemporary dance community.

Kelly began her teaching career at The Monarch Junior Dance Company in Canada in 2008. Since then, she has taught for The Jo Read School of Dance and many other dance studios in the greater Toronto area. As a teacher, Kelly has received various accolades for her work, including the “Captivating Choreography Award” and the “Young Choreographer Award”. Kelly spent 3 years in London as a resident choreographer for Monarch Studios. During her time in the UK her pieces took the National Silver Medal in the Can You Dance? UK Finals in Liverpool, and Top Ten in the International Capezio Dance Championships in London in 2017 & 2018  to name a few. 

​

Kelly has relocated back to Canada, however remains on the Monarch teaching team as an Online Teacher and Choreographer.