FACE: Story of an Empire
FACE is an all-inclusive full figured dance company that provides a safe and strong community that focuses on various forms of dance such as burlesque, hip hop, and street jazz, allowing all members to feel encouraged, empowered, and supported to be the powerhouse queens that they are. With FACE, you can take the stage with your fellow curvy queens and rock the amazing body you have. This is a no judgement zone where we will build each other up, straighten each other’s crowns, and show the world that we are not defined by our size.
About Queen K (She/Her)
Born and raised in London, Ontario; Queen K discovered her love of dance throughout her 10+ years of competitive solo figure skating and precision training. She soon leapt to the theatre scene and graduated from the Mount Royal Performance Theatre Arts program, and has been part of numerous stage productions, as well as choreographing dance numbers for the stage. Queen K has trained in multiple genres of dance, including hip hop, heels, street jazz, lyrical, and burlesque. Queen K created FACE at the beginning of 2020, and believes that all people have the right to move their bodies, and wanted to create a safe and encouraging community to bring out the fierce queen within! We should empower and cheer each other on as we shake our sexy curves and build our empire of strong powerhouse queens.
About Queen D (She/Her) of YYC
Born and raised in Jasper, AB, Queen D started dancing at the age of 7 with Jasper Dance Program. Trying multiple genres of dance, including Hip-hop, street jazz, lyrical/contemporary and ballet, Queen D decided to continue her love of dance through high school and into a University level. Training at MacEwan University through the Theatre arts program, Queen D expanded her training into Tap, Jazz (Fosse), Ballet and movement performance. Having been a student with FACE since it's creation, she is very excited to share her love of dance with babes who want to be confident Queens on the dance floor!
About Queen C (She/Her) of YYC
Born in Regina, SK and raised all over Western Canada, Queen C began her dance journey at the age of 5. While tap and jazz were her jam as a kid, she was introduced to hip hop and contemporary styles through her high school dance program in Maple Ridge, BC. As an older teen and young adult, Queen C’s dance career gave way to other sports, university studies, her career, and eventually marrying the love of her life and having two adorable little boys. When FACE began offering classes in Calgary she was thrilled to once again connect with her childhood passion. Now she is excited to help other queens see themselves for the badass babes they are!
About Queen M (She/They) of YEG
Meet Queen M, a.k.a. Miki ✨ A recent transplant from Vancouver to Edmonton, Queen M is an all-around performer on a journey– still exploring, still discovering, always learning more & more about art/life. 💛
To date, Queen M has delved into writing poetry, scripts, fiction, & lyrics. Along with a Performing Arts degree, Miki has variety of experience with stage acting, dance for musical theatre, burlesque-musicals, performance art, & spoken word poetry (with a love for acting coaching & choreographing contemporary pieces). 🦋
Currently, Queen M is following 2 main passions: teaching & K-pop! (Miki's favourite group is EXO, please take note.) ☕ So when not in the studio, Queen M runs local K-Pop events with @Ahlekseu (who coincidentally was the one who introduced Queen M to FACE, back in 2021).
About Queen R (She/Her) of YEG
A dance studio kid from way back - like all the way back - Queen R has always made it a point to have dance in her life. Trained in tap, jazz, ballet, highland, baton, musical theatre, lyrical, hip hop and contemporary (proudly Shelley Tookey trained for 15 years) Queen R brings her fierce belief that every body is a dance body, to every dance floor she has the pleasure of gracing. Off the dance floor, Queen R is a beautiful hybrid of educator and artist. You might have seen her passion as a board member with CO*LAB, an Artistic Director with her own company DEPTH Perception Productions, a teaching artist with Workshop West Theatre or telling stories as a part of Die-Nasty, the Live Improvised Soap Opera. Queen R is always looking for ways to use her voice and being an arts educator is an important piece of that. She has a unique way to address issues that we all deal with, while being honest, sharing her experiences and letting people know they aren't alone. Students seem to gravitate towards her and she's taught them all, from babies to young adults. If your voice is stuck, she'll support you in doing the work to find it.
About Assistant Queen V of YYC (She/They)
Raised in Calgary, AB; Queen V has been dancing since the age of 6 when she discovered a love of performing. After spending 10+ years as a competitive Tap and Ballet dancer, they began a career in Theatre where they have performed in over 20 community and semi-professional productions. She has studied various genres of dance over the years and shares a love with the other Queens of showing others that dance is for every body.
About Assistant Queen J of YEG (She/Her)
Love the mountains, puppies and cats, and of course dancing!
Started with Ballet at age 4 (still have my first tutu) then moved into jazz and gymnastics.
In my adult years I enjoyed belly dancing and occasionally, the odd bar speaker 😉
When I found FACE, I was 6 months post back surgery and 18 months pre knee surgery. I wore a huge leg brace and didn't think any form of dancing was possible.
Queens K & D were more than willing to adapt any move for me, and now I do all the moves 😍
I love that I am able to enjoy dance and the freedom of movement again. This is a world I love
Follow our journey.
