WELCOME TO
DROP IN DANCE WINNIPEG
We believe in the transformative power of movement.
Dance has the power to transform—not just your technique, but your confidence, your mindset, and even the way you move through life. Maybe you're here to grow as a dancer, to feel stronger, to improve your focus, or just to shake off the day and have fun. Whatever movement means to you, we’re here to support your journey.
Step in, let go, and discover what dance can do for you!
GET STARTED
IT'S AS EASY AS 1, 2, 3!
Step 1: Create Your Account
Create Your Account and then come back here for step 2.
Step 2: Get Your Free Code
Try your first class for free! Use code: FIRSTFREE
Step 3: Book Your Class
What to Expect When You Arrive
Arriving for your first class?
Arrive 10-15 minutes early to get checked, pick a locker, and get familiar with the space. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes appropriate for your chosen style of dance— Footwear guidelines can be found in your class description. Outdoor shoes are not permitted inside of the dance studios. Don’t forget a water bottle to stay hydrated!
Parking and Location
Where to park:
We offer free street parking on Portage Avenue, Strathcona Street, and Ashburn Street. Be sure to check signs for time restrictions.
Studio Etiquette
A few things to remember:
Be mindful of others in the space. We recommend warming up before class and staying for a cool down to prevent injury. Respect the floors and avoid wearing outdoor shoes or broken heels without caps, as this could damage the studio floor. Leave your phone in your bag while class is on. Checking your phone during class, is rude. Exceptions made for those of you on-call!
Our Story:
Drop In Dance Winnipeg started as a passion project in the summer of 2017. Fueled by a desire for more dance opportunities in Winnipeg, MB, our founder, Maria Rawluk, embarked on this journey during a challenging time, finding solace and strength in the art of dance following the loss of her dad. What began as a personal outlet soon transformed into a community movement.
Humble Beginnings:
In the early days, Maria started out by cleaning studios in exchange for a space to dance. As the word spread, more folks looking to move and groove joined in. This organic growth led to the rental of NAFRO Dance Productions studio from Fall 2017 to January 2019, where the seeds of Drop In Dance Winnipeg continued to flourish.
A Space of Our Own:
In 2019, Maria took a bold step forward, moving us into our very own brick-and-mortar space. This marked a significant milestone in our journey, allowing us to create a welcoming haven for dance enthusiasts from all walks of life.
Our Vision:
At Drop In Dance Winnipeg, our vision is clear: to provide a dance studio where people of any age and background feel not only welcome but encouraged to embrace the joy and art of dance. We believe in the transformative power of movement, and our goal is to make dance accessible to everyone.
More than a Studio, a Community:
We understand the challenges of leading a busy life, and we believe that dance is not just a physical activity but a powerful outlet for self-expression and a fantastic way to socialize. Our dream is to get the whole city dancing, to create a community where individuals come together to share the joy of movement and build lasting connections.
Join the Dance Revolution:
Whether you're a seasoned dancer or taking your first steps onto the dance floor, Drop In Dance Winnipeg is here to inspire and support you. Come be a part of our vibrant community, where the love for dance knows no bounds.
Let's dance our way to a happier, healthier, and more connected Winnipeg!
xx,
Maria Rawluk (Founder & Director of Drop In Dance Winnipeg)
@dropindancewpg
THE FACULTY
We believe in the transformative power of movement.
Maria Rawluk
Meet Maria Rawluk (she/her), a passionate dancer and the founder of Drop In Dance Winnipeg (est. 2017). With over 30 years of dance experience and 20 years of teaching under her belt, she is a true lover of all things dance!
Maria's mission is to provide a fun and welcoming dance experience for all, regardless of their dance background. At Drop In Dance Winnipeg, Maria and her team are dedicated to helping dancers of all ages and levels discover the joy and magic of dance. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or taking your first steps on the dance floor, you'll feel comfortable and supported at Drop In Dance Winnipeg.
aléxe laroche
Alèxe is a dancer, dance instructor and choreographer with more than 11 years of experience. She has been training in many styles of dance for the past 16 years. Her passion for dance has brought her all around the world! She has trained everywhere from Vancouver to Toronto, Portland, Oregon to Brisbane, Australia and Chicago, Illinois. Alèxe currently teaches at Drop In Dance Winnipeg, Quantum Dance Academy and Heel Appeal.
Ellie Natoza
Ellie has been dancing with Drop In Dance since 2019 and later joined the faculty in 2021. She trained in Hip Hop and is associated with HopsKotch dance crew as a member, as well as a choreographer. She is also one of the creators of the segment you often see on our Instagram - Sunday Funday Kpop Reel.
sontje Bohn
Sontje Bohn has been dancing for 16 years, including training in Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Canada in various styles. After starting with Breakdance and Hip Hop she quickly also discovered her passion for Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, Contemporary and Ballet. Sontje is currently training in the Senior Professional Program of the School of Contemporary Dancers and got to dance with the My Move Dance Crew, Dance Expressions Jr., Senior Company Art and Dance, Nafro Dance Productions, WindFlowerDanceCo. and more in the past. She started collecting teaching experiences 7 years ago and is thankful to be able to teach Youth and Adult classes at Drop in Dance. She is happy to be the studio manager.
kelsey thomas
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Kelsey Thomas has been dancing and choreographing for much of
her life. She studied ballet extensively growing up and completed her Royal Academy of Dance
graded exams. She began teaching ballet as an adult and found that she had a knack for
explaining difficult technical concepts in a simple and hands-on manner.
Kelsey is experienced in creating tap, lyrical, contemporary, ballet, and jazz pieces for the stage.
Having studied instruments and singing in choirs growing up, her teaching and choreographic
style reflects her keen understanding of musicality.
She has honed her craft by attending classes and workshops throughout Canada and the US, and has taken classes from esteemed dancers such as Sarah Reich, Bril Barrett, Evan Ruggiero, and Jim Hibbard.
Emma Petit
Emma Petit is a Canadian dance artist originally from Montreal and is now based out of
Winnipeg, Mb and Regina, Sk. Emma is in her third year studying in the Professional Program at
The School of Contemporary Dancers and has trained in various styles of dance for 14 years.
She has had the pleasure to train and work with The Fada Dance Company, Youth Ballet
Company, Wind Flower Dance Co, Toronto Dance Theatre, Nafro Dance Productions, and many
other establishments along the years. Emma is also an emerging choreographer and teacher in
the dance scene and is currently working on honing her skills in, mostly but not exclusively,
contemporary dance.
Greg McGlenning
Shyanne Carriere
amy thomas
sophie kil
raina degroot
breanna markiewicz
victoria exconde
kishan chouhan
Jaimi deleau
hannah arras
monica munro
chelsea humble
alex ireland
alia ross
samantha navarro
sharlyne chua
Teagan McMahon
genie baffoe
nenette mayor
brooklynN wood
Brooklynn Wood danced for 12 years, mainly hip hop and jazz, before aging out at her studio. She found Drop In Dance a few years later and after only a month of dancing here, got a position at the front desk! From both working and dancing here, Brooklynn always talks about how friendly and supportive everyone is and how she’s become friends with many of the dancers here. It has even encouraged her to try new dance styles, like heels.
Working here for over 2 years now, Brooklynn works on creating social media posts for Instagram like editing the Dancer Spotlight and POV reels, as well as the weekly schedule posts.