Meet the Directors

Melissa Jurgutis
Co-Owner and Co-Director of Elite Dance Academy

Melissa Jurgutis is Elite Dance Academy’s Co-Owner and Co-Director, as well as the school’s technical expert. A seasoned performer, Melissa was practically born on stage. Starting at the tender age of three, Melissa would sit in front of the t.v fixated on music videos. She would mimic and memorize the dance moves and then perform them at family gatherings. That's when her parents knew she had the 'dance bug' and put her in dance classes, as well as on competition team.

Since then Melissa has performed in numerous professional productions such as 'Spirit of a Nation” ( in Vancouver), “Rat Pack Tribute” (Lake Tahoe, CA), “Viva Casino” (North American Tour), “Les Crooners” (North American Tour), “Claude Blanchard'” (Quebec), “Michel Louvain” (Quebec), “400th Céline Dion” (Quebec), “Gala Juste Pour Rire; Normand Brathwaite” (Montreal), “Best of Broadway” (Bell Center, North American Tour) and many others. Recently, Melissa has begun choreographing for her longtime employer 'Production BAZZ' and has gotten rave reviews for the choreographies in the American production of 'Crocodile Rock' playing at the Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City!

Melissa is very proud and excited to spread her love of dance to her students. Her career as a teacher how now spanned over fifteen years, and she takes immense pleasure in watching her students grow and improve as dancers. She truly believes that Elite Dance Academy is one of the most exciting opportunities of her dance career as of yet, and is ready to share her passion!

Shannon-Lee Figsby
Co-Owner and Co-Director of Elite Dance Academy

Shannon-Lee Figsby is Elite Dance Academy’s Co-Owner and Co-Director, as well as the school’s urban dance specialist. Dance has been a major part of her life for as long as she can remember, starting at the age of four when she discovered rhythmic gymnastics and sport aeorobics. At the age of eight, when Hip-Hop began to become popular in Montreal, Shannon immediately took to the style and hasn’t looked back since. Although her main disciplines are Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop Fusion and Street Jazz, her versatility and training in all styles has led to a lucrative teaching career.

Shannon also works as a professional dancer, appearing most recently in the Montreal production of "Viva Casino." She is also a professional CFL Cheerleader for the Montreal Alouettes Football Team.

Shannon’s experience as a competition dancer is immense. As a pre-teen, she began competing provincially, nationally and internationally in a multitude of styles. By the age of sixteen, she was a nationally ranked dancer, placed sixth in Canada by the Canadian Federation of Dance Sport. One of her greatest strengths as a teacher and administrator is the coaching of Competition Teams.

Shannon also possesses a Bachelor of Arts, with a double-major in Journalism and Communication Studies. She currently works as a full time Journalist in addition to her career as a dance instructor and dance studio owner.

With nearly a decade of dance teaching experience, Shannon’s true passion lies in helping others discover the joy and freedom of self-expression through dance. Shannon is incredibly excited about Elite Dance Academy and cannot wait for the chance to teach, mold and inspire a new generation of dancers!