Our Team
Lynn Panting, BA, MA, MPhil
Artistic Director & Founder, Lynn Panting Dance
Lynn Panting is a dynamic force in the local dance community, with over two decades of professional experience as an artist and educator. She holds a deep passion for movement and creativity, which has shaped her diverse career across various roles, including actor, dancer, director, choreographer, movement director, intimacy director, and producer. Learn more about her professional practice here.
Lynn founded Lynn Panting Dance to create a space where dancers of all ages could explore their potential in an environment that fosters confidence, creativity, and self-expression. Her approach to teaching is rooted in the belief that students do their best work when they feel comfortable and most like themselves. She is known for her dedication to making dance accessible and inclusive, allowing each student to shine.
In recognition of her contributions to arts education, Lynn was shortlisted for ArtsNL's Arts Educator of the Year in both 2023 and 2013. In 2019, she completed programming through the Eating Disorder Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, aimed at preventing eating disorders in youth, and became a facilitator for The Body Project Canada.
Beyond the studio, Lynn is Artistic Director of Untellable Movement Theatre, a founding member of Ladies Who Lunch Productions, Chair of the City of St. John’s Arts Advisory Committee, and works for Business & Arts NL to strengthen the arts sector.
A fun fact: Lynn and her husband, Jamie, eloped in New York City, a place they love for its energy, art, and food.
Dance Instructor
Hannah began dancing at the age of 3 and has trained in a variety of styles, including ballet, modern, jazz, tap, Latin jazz, pointe, and hip hop. She is a graduate of the MAX Dance Academy Program, the MAX Dance Teacher’s Assistant Program, and the MAX Dance Teacher Training Program. Hannah has received her training through both MAX Dance and Lynn Panting Dance.
Hannah has taken class with Miss Lynn since 2008! In 2020 she joined the spring and summer camp staff at LPD, and she officially joined the teaching team in 2021. She is so excited to continue sharing her love of dance with her students and looks forward to another exciting season of learning and growth.
Hannah’s personal dance philosophy centres around creating a learning environment that is welcoming to students of all backgrounds. She is inspired by helping others find their passion for dance. Her approach to teaching focuses on ensuring students feel safe, comfortable, and supported. She believes that mistakes are not setbacks but rather opportunities to learn and grow, both in and out of the studio. She also believes that dance should be joyful, allowing students to celebrate movement, express themselves freely, and find fulfillment in the learning process.
Fun Fact: When Hannah is not at the studio, she works full-time as a Medical Aesthetician. Outside of her dance and work life you will find her going on adventures with her friends :)
Hannah Kirby
Dance Instructor
Chloe started dancing at age 4 and has trained in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and lyrical. She’s received her dance training from Catherine’s Dance Studio and Lynn Panting Dance and has attended the Toronto Dance Teacher Expo. She began as an assistant and substitute teacher at Catherine’s Dance Studio in Bay Roberts in 2015 and was an instructor from 2018-2021.
Chloe started dancing with Lynn Panting Dance in 2023 and started teaching here in the spring! She’s excited to start her first full season teaching at the studio and is looking forward to meeting all of the dancers.
Chloe’s dance philosophy centers on making sure every student leaves class feeling accomplished, whether it's a small milestone or meeting a major goal. She is dedicated to creating a welcoming environment where students feel encouraged to learn new skills and develop their love for dance.
Fun Fact: Chloe loves going to the movies and you can catch her there most weeks with her friends! She also loves to write her own movie reviews and emails them out to her friends every week.
Chloe Harris
Dance Instructor
Aoife started her dance journey at age 7, primarily training in Irish step dancing, and later adding styles such as ballet, jazz, tap, and modern. She has trained with Shawn Silver and at The Dance Centre in Irish step, before coming to LPD in 2018.
At LPD, Aoife has been a part of the TA program for 6 years. She has assisted dance classes for a variety of age groups, from Wee Dancers all the way up to Level 2! During the summer, Aoife has taught at the LPD summer camps, and had the chance to program music classes for our youngest campers in Unicorn Camp. Aoife is so excited to step into this new leadership role at the studio and can’t wait for classes to start in September!
Aoife’s dance philosophy focuses on empowering dancers by teaching real-world skills that dancers can use in and out of the classroom, such as consistency, dedication, self-confidence, and self-expression. She believes in setting up students for their best possible success, while making sure that they have fun in the process!
Fun fact: When Aoife isn’t dancing at the studio, she is a full-time university student pursuing a Bachelor of Music at Memorial University!
Aoife Strand
Dance Instructor
Isabel started dancing at LPD at age 9. She is trained in numerous styles, but specializes in ballet and modern. Isabel has been a teaching assistant at LPD for the past several years andthis will be her first full season teaching!
Isabel has been teaching at LPD’s summer dance camps for the past two years. She has also been in many performances with LPD, such as, Mayflies and The Contemporary Arts Festival.
Isabel’s dance philosophy is all about the love of dance, having fun, and being yourself. She always wants every student to dance with their hearts and be their most creative selves. Isabel is always a friendly face at the studio and has been known for saying “I just love to dance!”.
Fun Fact: You can see Isabel (and Miss Lynn) on stage this December performing in Our Diva’s Do Christmas!
Isabel Acevedo
Sophie started her ballet training in R. A. D. in Alberta from the ages of 3 to 11 with Tanya’s Dance Worx. At 14 she moved to St. John’s and began dancing again at LPD where she became a teaching assistant.
Sophie began dancing with LPD the fall of 2018, becoming a teaching assistant the fall of 2021 where she discovered her love of mentorship.
Her philosophy of dance is to create a safe and fun environment for students to feel comfortable to express themselves through movement. Sophie is passionate about catering to all students and their needs within the studio.
Fun fact: Sophie has a Japanese bobtail cat named Squid!