About Us

Union Studios

About Union Studios

We offer a variety of drop-in adult dance classes in Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Broadway Style, Stretch & Strength, and more!

Whether you're looking for flexibility or structure, we've got something for you:

  • Drop-In Classes: Join at any time - come when it fits your schedule!
  • Sessions: Progressive 3-4 week courses that build on skills each week.
  • Workshops: One-off or pop-up classes focusing on specific styles or techniques.
  • Youth Sessions: Fun, engaging classes designed especially for teens!

We bring dancers together to experience collective moments of joy in a judgment-free zone. Union Studios is a safe and welcoming space for dancers of all skill levels, race, sexuality, gender, size, age, or religion.

Drop in and join us for a class! We can’t wait to dance with you!

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Union Studios
Our dance facility

The Facility

Our Dance Facility

Our studio features 1,500 square feet throughout and 800 square feet of dance space, wall-length mirrors, sprung flooring, great sound system, change rooms, and good vibes.

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Meet the Team

Your Dance Instructors

Meet our passionate and skilled dance instructors at Union Studios in Westboro, Ottawa.

Laura Merani

Laura Merani

Bachelor of Arts, Middlesex University

Laura has been dancing for over 20 years and knows first-hand the joy that dancing brings.

Originally from the UK, she attended Leicester College of Performing Arts and received professional training on a 3-year dance and musical theatre course. After graduating, Laura went on to perform as a professional dancer internationally. Where she gained experience performing in live shows and working on film sets in Bollywood. She continued dancing in Dresden, Germany, as part of a circus-inspired dinner show before returning back to the UK to perform in a Christmas Spectacular.

Since moving to Ottawa in 2013, Laura has become a certified ADAPT and acrobatic dance instructor. After finding her love for teaching, she continues to attend training workshops and seminars to further her knowledge of the dance world – taking her from Toronto to Las Vegas!

Laura’s passion for dance and enthusiasm for continued education has also led her to complete her Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Practice for the Arts through Middlesex University, UK.

Laura looks forward to sharing her love of dance and the theatre with all of the students!

Manhattan MacLennan

Manhattan MacLennan

Manhattan has almost a lifetime full of dance experience under her belt. She has been fully invested in her dance career for over 10 years and hopes to continue expanding that experience and grow in the dance community for many more.

She has been a part of many theatre programs, dance intensives/workshops, and has spent loads of her time teaching different styles of dance to youth and adults of all levels!

This year Manhattan decided to also take a different approach in her dance career and try something new… She is now on ‘The Ravens Rhythm Cheerleading & Dance Team’ at Carleton University where she is also studying for her BA in Communication & Media Studies.

Manhattan couldn’t be more thankful for all the fulfilling and inspiring opportunities this beautiful art of dance has brought for her. She is excited to advance her knowledge of dance and meet more amazing choreographers and students who share the same joy for this art as she does.

Manhattan is thrilled to be a part of this new team at Union Studios and work alongside so many amazing individuals in this positive and creative environment!

Emma Wiskowski

Emma Wiskowski

Emma began dancing at the age of 6 and never looked back. Joining the competitive team at her studio in 2010, she has extensively trained in multiple styles including Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern and Hip Hop. Throughout her years of being on a competitive team, she has travelled regionally and nationally proudly bringing home many accolades alongside her teammates.

She has successfully accomplished graded and vocational exams with the Royal Academy of Dance. In her final year, Emma graduated from the Canterbury High School Fine Arts program with distinction.

She is proudly entering her third season with the Ottawa REDBLACKS cheer and dance team. Emma is looking forward to getting back onto the field, attending community events and performing in front of hundreds of fans with her teammates.

Her drive, love and passion for dance have never failed her. Emma is looking forward to a year filled with lots of dance and is looking forward to dancing with all of you!

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Nancy Pidgeon

Nancy Pidgeon B.A. (Carleton), TTP.Dip (NBS), Licentiate CC-CIBC, RAD RTS RAD Teaching Diploma

Nancy Pidgeon’s training is in the Royal Academy of Dance method. Upon graduation from Carleton University, she began the Teacher Training Program at Canada’s National Ballet School. After completing the program, she worked at NBS as an assistant teacher and completed her Cecchetti Licentiate Exam.

She also auditioned successfully for a Canada Council Grant for the Arts to study Creative Movement at Salt Lake City’s University of Utah.

Since returning to Ottawa, her teaching experience has been diverse and extensive. In 1986, she and three partners established National Capital Dance Educators, and she worked there for fifteen years, as well as in a variety of dance schools in the Ottawa area, and at summer schools around the country.

Nancy has examined the dance departments of Canterbury High School and Ecole Secondaire De La Salle in Ottawa and has worked for the RAD as a Practical Teaching Supervisor for several years.

In 2019, Miss Pidgeon received her Life Membership with both the RAD and Cecchetti Canada.