Jaimie Wahl grew up on a Farm in Central Alberta and began dancing at the age of 3.

In the early years Jaimie trained in mostly tap and ballet, adding lessons in jazz, lyrical and musical theatre as a preteen and eventually had the opportunity to study contemporary and hip hop as a teen.

Jaimie began teaching at 17 and went on to open her studio in 1998 and JDs Academy of Dance was officially born.

 

It all started with a 19 year old teacher, 14 students and the Halkirk hall. 25 years later the studio is located in a beautiful little hall in Stettler that currently sees over 100 dancers a week and Miss Jaimie still knows each and every name.

Because when you are a JDA dancer you don’t just belong to a team; you join a new family.

 

A few years ago Jaimie added “Synergy” to the studio name. As time went on the little studio, manned only by herself grew to incorporate wonderful teachers, philosophies and methods.

She felt the word “synergy” as “the coming together of multiple ideas and people to create a better and bigger vision” was so appropriate for what she wanted the studio to be.

Now the sign reads;

JD’s Academy of Dance -Synergy

 

Jaimie holds a diploma in Early Childhood Education and Development and has obtained many certifications to aid in offering a wholistic approach to teaching. Jaimie believes in using dance as the medium to build strong, healthy, safe and intelligent dancing humans.

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As of today she holds the following credentials;

Teaching certificate from International Dance Teaching Standards

Level 3 flexibility specialist with Alixa Flexibility

Hoop dance coach with Hooplovers

Certified teacher with Acrobatic Arts

Certified teacher with Progressing Ballet Technique

Artistic Gymnastics coach with gymnastics Canada

Certified Nutritional Advisor with the Noakes Foundation

Certified Barre Belle Coach

Certified Human Movement Specialist

Certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

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Jaimie also holds certifications in reflexology(foot health), nutritional therapy, sports massage, and shiatsu massage.

Jaimie feels no teacher or coach should stop learning and therefore she is currently studying Healthy Dance Practice with Safe in Dance and Healthy Dance Canada with a focus on Applied Dance Science, basics of sports nutrition, Neurolinguistic programming,  and health and wellness coaching.

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Always striving to stay current in dance skills and choreography trends, Jaimie attends as many conventions, classes and  seminars as possible.

 

Jaimie has over 30 years of experience working with special needs, education, choreography and dance education and doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon.

In her youth Jaimie received highly commended and commended standings in dance exams in a variety of curriculums moving on to enjoy many choreography awards and mentions,  adjudicators choice awards, and top scoring numbers.   

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In 2022,  Jaimie was awarded the Stettler and District Music Festival AWARD OF EXCELLENCE for her contribution to the performing arts.  

Most importantly, Miss Jaimie measures her success by the many wonderful relationships she has built with her students and their families over the years. 

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"The studio is our home away from home.  It is our safe place where we can share failures and successes.  I always strive for every person to walk in my studio door and feel welcome.  To feel it is a place where they are supported, safe, inspired and loved.  When my student's don't want to leave the studio or past students return with their children, I know I am on the right path.  Once a JDA kid, always a JDA kid.

With JDA you become part of a family and I am ever so proud of my studio family."

 

Jaimie currently resides on an acreage outside of Stettler, Alberta with her husband and 2 daughters. Teaching and managing her studio has brought many rewards and she looks forward to the many more to come.