KELLI STEWART

KELLI STEWART

Profession: Dance Educator & Choreographer
Age: 33 • Years in Wood Buffalo: 5

An insanely passionate human who strives to create safe spaces where people can truly be themselves and inspire each other.

33-year-old Kelli Stewart began her dance training in Vancouver at the age of two. Tap shoes were the first thing she had on her feet when she could walk, thanks to her very passionate tap-dancing grandma.

Trained in tap, jazz, contemporary, ballet, lyrical, hip hop and musical theatre for more than 25 years, Kelli has received training from various vocal teachers and acting coaches around the world. She has been awarded a number of scholarships that allowed her to travel around North America, to places such as Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New York.

A diverse performer, Kelli has performed professionally on stage, in film and television, music videos, and has toured internationally.

Since moving to Wood Buffalo five years ago, Kelli has participated in two Dancing with the Stars events in support of the Fort McMurray SPCA, winning the mirror ball trophy in the first year. This year she was also awarded the 2016 Wood Buffalo Citizens Recognition Award.

When she’s not in the studio, Kelli has volunteered at local schools, reading during Literacy Week. She has partnered with the Centre of Hope to collect socks and raise awareness for homelessness. Together with her dancers, she has volunteered at the Wood Buffalo Food Bank, and she has also hosted a number of free, or by-donation dance workshops to raise money for local charities.

Kelli is very passionate and vocal about the importance of dance education, and creating safe places for people to truly be themselves and inspire one another. Because of this, Kelli is the perfect addition to YMM’s Top 50 Under 50.