Dance studios Fredericton
At Saorsa Studio, we’re not just teaching dance steps and technique.
We’re building confident dancers, creating a real community, and opening doors to countless opportunities through highland dance.
The truth is, we care far more about who our dancers become than how many medals they bring home.
Dance studios Fredericton
We want them to feel proud of who they are. To learn how to work hard, bounce back from tough moments, and carry themselves with confidence; on stage and in real life.
We’ve seen what happens when dancers are given not just the steps, but the support and life skills they need to succeed.
At Saorsa Studio, we don’t just teach dance, we open doors. To opportunities: locally and around the world. To a community. To personal growth that lasts long after the final bow.
To a dance journey that is uniquely yours.
Saorsa Studio Dance Studios Fredericton
We’re all about:
Opportunities for everyone.
Because every dancer’s path is personal, and we’re here to support yours. Whatever it looks like.
A real dance family.
Where kindness comes first, and community always beats competition.
Room to grow.
As dancers, but also as people. We’re here to build confidence, friendships, and life skills that stick.
Kate Francoeur
Studio Manager
Is it too cliché to say that highland dance is my religion? Since I was five years old, I’ve been devoted to the challenge, reward, and community that dance provides.
It’s led me down some unforgettable roads: trophies won, oceans crossed, and bonds of friendship formed. I’ve been a Provincial and Atlantic Champion, created award-winning choreographies, danced in the rain in Switzerland, danced at Edinburgh Castle with the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo… and basically done everything that 10-year-old me wouldn’t have believed possible.
With the dancers I teach, I’m always trying to show them the “extra” benefits dance provides. Yes, I take pride in providing the foundation they need to achieve goals on the stage. But dance is also about having a space where you can be yourself, find friendship, develop a healthy work ethic, and build resiliency.
Just Kate things:
- Can remember a dance she learned 6 years ago but not what she had for lunch yesterday
- Puts on her costume 2 minutes before going on stage
- Needs (minimum) 2 months of time off work per year to travel (usually for dance)
- Carefully colour codes her agenda and then goes rogue immediately (but will get it all done, trust.)
Sarah Graham
Instructor
I’ve been highland dancing for over 20 years, and teaching since 2022! There’s nothing I love more than working with our “littles” at the studio. Through the ups and downs, dance has taught me to overcome adversity and cherish every single moment spent onstage.
If I’m not at the studio. you can catch me hanging out with my two puppers, spending quality time with my friends and family, and enjoying the sunshine whenever possible!
Julia Kyle
Instructor
I was first introduced to highland dancing at the age of three when my mom took me to watch the local studio’s year-end recital. I was dressed in a little kiltie and actually got mistaken for one of their primary dancers – I was flattered!! I knew right away that highland dancing was what I wanted to do; and since then, I’ve never looked back.
Over two decades (and a lot of hard work) later, I still find so much joy in highland dancing. I reached Premier level at the age of 10 and represented New Brunswick at the Canadian championships five times. I then went on to obtain my associate teacher’s certification in 2015.
I’ve had the privilege of performing on countless local stages, plus a few pretty sweet opportunities like performing in NYC.
As an instructor, my goal is to use my competition and performance experience to help each dancer discover the joy and opportunities in highland dancing and help them reach their full potential.
Just Julia things:
- Can do better eye makeup in a moving car than when stationary (can thank many years of competition morning travels for this)
- Remembers every choreography she’s ever done as soon as she hears the music
- If it doesn’t get written down, it is immediately forgotten
- Always has at least one bruise on her legs with no clue how it got there
Lindsay Gaunce
Instructor
Just Lindsay things:
- Constantly listening to potential choreography music while driving or at work
- Has a Notes App filled with dance ideas that would not make sense to anyone other than her
- Believed her retirement plan from highland would be playing the bagpipes, but now she just does both
- Relaxes by lazing on her couch with a fresh cup of coffee, a blanket, her cat, and a good TV show
Lily Andrechek
Instructor
Highland dance has taken me so much further that I ever could have imagined. Believe it or not, I was once a ballet-only girlie; hesitant to try highland.
Seven-year-old me would have never believed that highland would have opened the door to traveling all over North America. Or that I would one day become one of the strong young women I looked up to teaching my classes.
Just Lily things:
- Hates wearing stage makeup and will wipe it off as soon she’s off the stage
- Likes performances better than competitions
- Enjoys doing the Hornpipe to a good sea shanty
- Will not remember anything you tell her if she doesn’t write it down
Lauren Horvath
Instructor
My Saorsa Studio journey began when I moved from Winnipeg to Fredericton for university. Nicole reignited my passion for dance and inspired me to jump back into competing and teaching.
Before falling for highland, I trained in a mix of styles including ballet, jazz, tap and musical theatre. So if my dancing style appears a little more balletic than what traditional Highland requires… you’re not wrong!
For me, teaching young dancers is a joy, and a great counterbalance to my daily life in nursing. I love seeing little dancers set big goals, and then supporting their learning as they strive for achievement!
Just Lauren things:
- Can do a perfect bun in under 30 seconds (with 2 pins and a prayer)
- Calls herself a dance mom but doesn’t have kids
- Carries around the biggest dance bag you’ve ever seen, full of dance stuff and enough snacks to feed a family of 6
- Uses sparkly gel pens to write dance notes because ✨aesthetic✨
Saorsa Studio Dance Studio Fredericton
You’re a Nicole if you’re also:
An introvert, Type A girlie who’s to-do lists have to-do lists, podcast addict, travel lover and book worm
If you’re a Kate, you’re also:
A Type B personality who thinks up so many travel ideas and art projects that you end up with more hobbies than hours in the day.
If you’re a Sarah, you’re also:
A foodie who has seen Grey’s Anatomy 10+ times and enjoys a cozy night in.
If you’re a Julia, you’re also:
A highly organized Taylor Swift lover who loves to travel, try new foods, and spend time in the sun.
If you’re a Lauren, you’re also:
A major perfectionist and everyone's biggest cheerleader
If you’re a Lily, you’re also:
An extremely organized, Type-A, beach lover, who loves East Coast/Scottish/Irish music.
If you’re a Lindsay, you’re also:
A coffee-addict, lazy-Sunday lover, and creator of everything from choreography, to music, to art.
