Monique Roy-Keller
Owner/Director
Steppin' Time Dance Studio

Director and instructor Monique Roy-Keller, nominated for the 2005 Manitoba Business Woman of the Year Award, has been a dancer since she began to walk. Monique started Steppin' Time Dance Studio in the Fall of 1994 and has fostered the growth of the studio to the largest in Brandon with more than 300 students. Her students receive professional instruction from accredited teachers in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz and hip hop. Her students compete locally, provincially and nationally with great success. Her love of the art, talent as a teacher, and caring nature have created the warm, knowledgeable, and professional environment within which students of Steppin' Time Dance Studio thrive.

Challenging herself to continue to excel as a teacher and choreographer, Monique continually attends dance workshops and training sessions around North America, bringing cutting-edge dance technique and fresh new ideas to her students, building her extensive knowledge of the art form she loves.

In July 2006, Monique completed an intensive three-year teacher training program in the ADAPT dance syllabus. Proudly, Steppin' Time Dance Studio is now certified to offer the ADAPT dance syllabus to their students, the only studio in Brandon to achieve such certification.

From the beginner student to those wishing more intensive training, Steppin' Time offers something for everyone. Monique's students have received recognition and scholarships from professional dance programs and more have been featured in lead roles in many local musical productions.

Monique's contribution to the city's arts community doesn't end at her studio doors. In the fall of 2000, she choreographed Theatre 85's production of Nuncrackers—The Nunsense Christmas Musical. And as graduate of Neelin High School , she has returned to choreograph their major productions for several years now, including Oklahoma , The King and I , Annie , Camelot , Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz, West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof. She is a teacher, choreographer and adjudicator in high demand throughout our region.

In addition to an already hectic schedule, Monique makes the time share her love of dance with people of all ages through Mecca Productions' after-school classes. With Lisa, they are about to conclude their sixth year of after-school programs for children. Classes in musical theatre, drama, and stage dance with voice groups take to the stage in the annual Highlights Concert and the year-end Theatre for Young People Productions. Many young performers have developed their talent and confidence under Monique's guidance. Each August, Monique spends a week of her summer vacation sharing her love of dance at Mecca's Arts Adventures Day Camp. And through her work as choreographer of Mecca Production's annual fall musicals, Monique's unique, nurturing approach allows performers of all ages and levels of experience to discover the love of dance, to develop confidence in their abilities and to shine on stage!

Recently, she has greatly enjoyed working with the talented Pride of Westman – an auditioned group of young performers from across western Manitoba. The talent of these young performers as singers and dancers allows them to reach the high standards and expectations of Monique's challenging choreography. This group received top mark at the Brandon Festival of the Arts and was the Adjudicator's Choice, opening the Showcase Performance.

It is her role as mother to Ruby and Rhodes, and wife to Richard, that brings her most joy and of which she is most proud. With their much-loved dogs, they are happy to continue building a life in Brandon, and enjoy being an active part of a vital, arts-loving community.