Our Team
Donna Bayley
Director
Donna Bayley is the owner and Artistic Director of Dance Steps. She is a Registered Life Member with the Royal Academy of Dance and holds her RAD Teaching Diploma, with written papers in Anatomy and Dance History. She has served as a Supervisor of the Royal Academy of Dance CBTS Teacher Training program. Donna began her dance training at the age of 12 in London ON under Dorothy Scruton at the London Academy of Dance and Theatre Arts, where she developed a deep passion for dance. She continued her training at The Royal Winnipeg Ballet Professional Programme, dancing three seasons with the RWB Professional Programme Concert Hour Ballet. While in the Professional Programme she toured and danced with RWB Company in The Nutcracker and Les Sylphides. Donna graduated from The University of Western Ontario with a B.A. and throughout university, she was involved in Purple Patches Musical Theatre Productions either as a dancer or choreographer; while additionally, teaching at a studio she founded called Jazz Dance.
A few years later in 1989, Dance Steps Studio was founded in London and has been a prominent studio in London's dance community. At Dance Steps, Donna has been able to conceptualize, direct and produce multiple original dance productions and shows such as Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Beauty and the Beast and the acclaimed Nutcracker. Due to her dedicated and continued passion, quite a few of her former students have chosen to follow their own passions for dance; many are accepted annually to multiple professional dance schools including National Ballet School, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Alberta Ballet School, Juilliard Dance Program, Stratford Festival, universities, and performance programs across Canada and the United States. Several long-standing students now currently teach at Dance Steps, and even more still have opened their own studios. Donna is excited to continue spreading her passion throughout the province and in London community.
Krista Conti
Teacher
Krista has been a teacher at Dance Steps since 1989, when it first opened. She has choreographed for all Dance Steps productions including The Nutcracker and entered numerous dances in competitions. She is a fully registered member of The Royal Academy of Dance. She is also a member with the Canadian Dance Teachers Association and Associate Member with the British Association of Teachers of Dancing. Many of Krista's students have gone on to professional dance programs including the National Ballet School. Krista is thrilled to be on staff for over thirty years and will be teaching the all levels of the ballet program including the Company.
Megan Gregor
Teacher
Megan began dancing at Dance Steps at the age of 10, training in ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical and musical theatre.
In 2011, Megan began teaching at Dance Steps while completing her undergraduate degree in Health Sciences at Western University. While at Western, Megan continued dancing and competing with a university dance team, inMotion. In 2015, Megan graduated with her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. She presently works full time as an Occupational Therapist in addition to teaching and choreographing at Dance Steps. in addition to choreographing for Dance Steps Company Megan teaches jazz, lyrical, modern and contemporary dance. Megan's choreography has won numerous awards at dance competition in South western Ontario. Megan is so excited to be part of the Dance Steps team again this year!
alexa de cassan
Teacher
Alexa spent twelve years as a competitive dancer at iDance Studio in Newmarket, Ontario. She has trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, musical theatre, hip hop, contemporary, and modern disciplines. Alexa has earned various awards throughout the years, including overall soloist awards, top disciplines scores, and top competition marks. When she is not at the studio, Alexa is a Western University undergraduate student pursuing an honours specialty in political science and a minor in English for teachers. Alexa is excited to share what she has learnt with her students after training with incredible choreographers throughout the years. She is excited to share her love and passion for dancing with the Dance Steps family!
Allison wang
Teacher
Allison grew up in Ottawa as a competitive dancer, training in multiple disciplines including Ballet (RAD), Jazz, Lyrical, Tap, Musical Theatre, Modern and Contemporary. She has been privileged to work with various instructors and choreographers, who have inspired her, and continue to inspire her to ignite a passion for dance in her own students. When not at the studio, Allison is pursuing her undergraduate degree at Western University for Health Sciences and Business Administration. She still continues to dance on Western's Dance Force. Allison began her teaching career as a teacher's assistant and choreographer for her high school's musical productions. She is excited to continue her journey with the Dance Steps family and enjoys its professional, and welcoming environment!
Hannah raymond
Teacher
Hannah began dancing at Dance Steps at the age of two, training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, tap, and acro. She was on the competitive dance team for over a decade, winning several awards throughout the years, including overall soloist awards and contemporary division winner. Before graduating in 2019, she successfully completed her RAD Advanced II ballet exam. Hannah attended York University from 2019—2023, graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance (performance/choreography). Having trained with many fantastic artists throughout her dance journey, Hannah is looking forward to sharing what she has learned with her students and continuing to be part of the Dance Steps community.
Dominique Desormeau
Teacher
Dominique Desormeau grew up in North Bay, Ontario and danced with BTS Dance Corp. for 15 years. As a competitive dancers for 11 years Dominique's training was through the CDTA and largely focused on Tap, Jazz as well as Ballet. Many opportunities arose from dance including competing in Sheer Talent Nationals in Las Vegas as well as dance festivals in Italy and Spain. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Rehabilitation at Western, Dominique also holds the position of the Artistic Director of Western's largest recreational dance team, Dance Force. With many years of experience as a dance teacher, Dominique cannot wait to continue to share her passion and love for dance with the Dance Steps family!
AVA JONES
Teacher
ERIN vowles
Teacher
Erin began dancing at the age of 5 and is trained in ballet, jazz, tap, and modern. She has attended numerous summer intensives including Canada’s National Ballet School, Alberta Ballet School and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre where she trained year-round in their Pre-Professional Graduate Program. While at Dance Steps Erin completed and received distinction on her RAD Advanced II Ballet Exam. She has competed in both the Youth America Grand Prix and the RAD Genee International Ballet Competition. Erin is very excited to be teaching at Dance Steps again this year!