Suzanne Zelmer – Competitive Jazz and Lyrical
Suzanne Zelmer’s background consists of teaching, choreographing, and performing. She has studied tap, jazz, ballet, hiphop, lyrical, modern, musical theatre, and highland. Beginning her formal training at age three, Suzanne has studied throughout Canada, England, and the USA with many respected dancers.Suzanne began teaching and choreographing at the age of twelve. Suzanne was accepted on scholarship to study with B.T.D.A. in Leicester, England, where she received teaching certificates in ballet, jazz, tap and modern dance. She received her associate teaching certificate with S.T.D.A. for highland dancing in 1987. Suzanne opened her own studio, Dance Trance: Dance and Talent Agency, located in Langley, BC, Canada from 1991 to 2020.
The Film and Television Industry in Vancouver has presented Suzanne with many opportunities to choreograph dance scenes for Caldwell Banker, Mnet, Disney, Minolta, Polly Pockets, Hannah Montana, High School Musical, Bridgestone, Barbie, Mattel, and the May Co. Television Commercials, as well as the television series’ “Breaker High” (Ryan Gosling) and “Nothing Too Good for a Cowboy.” Suzanne has also choreographed special events for the B.C. Country Music Awards Show (2004 and 2005 opening act) the Life and Leisure Trade Show, Concorde Delegance, the International Consulate Generals’ Ball, Wedding Fair, Maz ‘N Me’s Dinner Theatre, and Umbro, as well as fashion shows for Oakridge Mall and Richmond Centre. Suzanne was also the choreographer for “The Rev” pilot filmed in Vancouver. Most recently, Suzanne had the pleasure of being Donny Osmond’s personal choreographer on the set of “Dance Star Mickey” airing Fall 2010. In 2011, Suzanne had the opportunity to choreograph American Idol’s, Constantine, on Fisher Price’s “Rock Star Mickey” commercial.Suzanne is an experienced adjudicator in North America. She has judged for dance competitions and Festivals throughout the U.S. and Canada. Her students have gone on to act in Tv Series, such as “the X-Files, Millenium, Police Academy, Dark Angel, and movies including Scooby Too, Santa Clause 2, Breaking the Surface, the Water Game, and Aftershock. They’ve also been involved in several TV commercials including Mattel, Mcdonalds, Macy’s, Curves Fitness, Fisher Price, Dannon, Purell, Strawberry ShortcakeProctor & Gamble, Pollypocket, Hasbro, Nestle Quick, Winners, Bc Hydro, Mr. Strong, and Olympic 2010 Commercials.
Suzanne believes in positive learning experiences. She promotes injury prevention and encourages creativity through an open-minded atmosphere. Suzanne is dedicated to giving hard-working students the ability to develop and display their artistic talents.
We are very excited to have such a talent come to ADC, and share her wealth of dance experience with our dancers.