Allain Lupien

Owner

CAEA, ACTRA, CID, MLDMA
Owner & Director

Allain Lupien is recognized internationally for his amazing versatility as a choreographer and a life-changing teacher.”At the young age of 22, my mother was stricken with polio and decided that one day she would walk again and she vowed that all of her children would dance. I was eight when my mother said she was enrolling me in dance lessons. What I told her was “Absolutely not” and I reasoned that the kids would make fun of me at school, however I was very keen on karate. As you can assume, fighting that battle was futile and I’ve thanked her for it everyday since.”

As a student, Allain studied and competed in Jazz, Tap and Ballet until the age of 19, when he began teaching and performing. As a young choreographer, his forte was definitely creative entertainment, routines that captivated his audience with new concepts bringing them to their feet. Allain soon became a member of the Canadian Actors Equity Association and Dance Masters of America. He and his wife Dawn (also dance partner for many years) opened Canadian Dance Company in 1985. Under his direction, CDC has won the highest awards in the major dance competitions in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. His Choreography represented Team Canada in the World IDO Dance Championships in 2005 and achieved the highest medal standings for Canada to date.

His training has produced many professionals in dance over 25 years, who have performed in films such as Hairspray the major motion picture, Broadway Musicals like Cats, Mama Mia, and Contact as well as professional ballet companies like the National Ballet of Canada and attend the best schools such as Julliard, The National Ballet Of Canada and Pointe Park and become some of the best choreographers and teachers on the circuit today. Allain’s greatest strength is in his ability to inspire dancers of any age and of all talent levels. His classes drive students to reach their full potential. As a result, he has been responsible for helping some of the finest dancers in the industry achieve their dreams.

Although he has acquired many titles, the one that suits him most would be “Professional Mentor”.

Lindsay Watkins

Owner/Director

Lindsay Watkins began her training at the Canadian Dance Company at the age of 2, studying in all types of dance. Growing up in the competitive world she won many awards and titles while traveling around Canada and the United States.

She also had a passion for acting filming various commercials/TV shows and appearing in the movie The Santa Claus. Following her training at CDC she studied one term at the Randolph Academy For The Performing Arts studying dance, acting and singing. Lindsay continued to compete, going to Germany for the IDO World Dance Championships coming home with the gold medal. As well as getting ready for Germany she started working with Linda Garneau and Helix Dance Project doing 3 company shows. Industrial shows have also kept her busy including Disney Fashion Show, Mary Kay, and Bell Mobility. In summer of 2007 she co-choreographed a show for the Aorta Dance Company collaborating with David Norswrothy for the show called “Hello, I am”.

Lindsay is currently teaching competitive Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet, and Tap at the Canadian Dance Company. She is so honoured to teach and choreograph for all the talented and inspirational dancers she works with at CDC and can’t wait for another amazing year with them and the CDC family.

Shawn Watkins

Owner

“Practice like you’ve never won, perform like you’ve never lost”

Shawn Watkins grew up in the east coast of Canada, born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Growing up, although Shawn has never danced a day in his life, he is no stranger to elite competitive sports having participated at the international level in Hockey, Sailing, and Curling.

Shawn is a process engineer by trade and enjoys breaking things down to look for ways to continuously improve. He graduated Dalhousie University with a Bachelor’s Degree of Applied Science with a specialization in Chemical Engineering.

Shawn currently manages the background items that go into running a dance studio as a business with his partner in crime, Dennis Lupien! These duties include monthly transactions with both clients and vendors, facilities management, building props, organizing recitals/events and many more!

Veronica Lincoln

Artistic Director

BFA, AAC
Acro Jazz, Tap Ballet Instructor

Veronica completed her B.F.A at Ryerson University in their Performance Dance program. While performing professionally, she worked as a news writer and office administrator at Canada’s leading Dance Magazine The Dance Current and also in marketing and sales for Mirvish. Veronica has completed extensive dance examinations through the Cecchetti Society of Canada, the Royal Academy of Dance, and the Canadian Dance Teachers Association, and most recently certified through Acrobatic Arts and Alixa Flexibility. Veronica has competed in all dance disciplines and studied both acting and singing with some of Canada’s best instructors. Some favourite professional performance credits include “Gameshow the Musical” (Best of Fringe), “When Love is Not Enough” (The Hallmark Channel), “Taekwondo” (Walk Off the Earth), Women in Dance, Dance Ontario Weekend, The Junction Comedy Festival, Virgin Mobile commercials and many events with her What’s On TAP! Company friends. Veronica has recently enjoyed taking class from some of her Tap idols, including Dianne Walker, Derick Grant, Sarah Reich and Aaron Tolson. Veronica is happiest when in the classroom with her awesome students and is thrilled to be Artistic Director here at the highly acclaimed Canadian Dance Company in their newest and fast growing Burlington location.