We Believe
At Coastline Dance Company we value:
• Kindness over comparison.
• Effort over perfection.
• Teamwork over competition.
• Respect over entitlement.
• Character as much as technique.
Every dancer contributes to the culture of our studio.
Meet the Team
Charlie MacLaren -
Studio Director
Originally from Prince Edward Island, Charlie MacLaren has been dancing for over 20 years and has spent the past 10 years sharing her passion for dance through teaching a variety of styles.
Her dance training includes step, tap, Highland, clogging, hip hop, ballet, musical theatre, contemporary, and jazz, giving her a diverse background and a strong appreciation for many different forms of movement and expression.
Throughout her dance career, Charlie has had the opportunity to perform in a wide range of productions, shows, and community events across PEI. Her performance credits include Highland Storm with the College of Piping, Island Vibe and Street Fusion at the Confederation Centre of the Arts, as well as Kings and Queens and She, Is Me through the PEI Fringe Festival. She has also performed in numerous ceilidhs, DiverCity Festivals, and other local events.
For Charlie , dance is about so much more than learning choreography. It’s about confidence, creativity, connection, and having a place where you feel comfortable being yourself. She is passionate about creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where dancers of all ages and experience levels can feel supported and encouraged.
Whether you’re stepping into a dance studio for the first time or have been dancing for years, Charlie believes everyone deserves the opportunity to dance, express themselves, build confidence, and most importantly, have fun.
Marius Lavoie
Over the past several years, I have gained teaching and choreography experience through a variety of productions, including Anne & Gilbert the Musical (Associate Choreographer/Dance Captain under Sonoma Brawley and McKenzie Cutcliffe), Mary Poppins (Assistant Choreographer/Dance Captain under Charlee Whitty), and Matilda (Assistant Choreographer under Kristen Pottle). In these roles, I have worked with both dancers and non-dancers in professional and recreational musical theatre settings, helping performers build their skills, apply corrections effectively, and grow in confidence.
Through my performance experience in Anne & Gilbert, Mary Poppins, and Radium Girls, I have also developed strong acting skills that I would be excited to share with aspiring performers. In addition, I am entering my final year of the Bachelor of Music (Voice) program at UPEI, where I have spent the past several years studying healthy classical vocal technique while gaining experience in a variety of musical styles, including folk, musical theatre, and opera. This training has given me a strong understanding of vocal technique and the importance of maintaining vocal health.
I have trained in ballet, jazz, and tap for most of my life before expanding my focus to singing and musical theatre in high school. This background has provided me with a strong foundation for teaching dance, particularly musical theatre, tap, and step dancing. Through Anne & Gilbert, I have had the opportunity to choreograph and teach advanced step-dancing routines, which have further strengthened my teaching and leadership skills.
What I enjoy most is helping performers grow and develop their artistry through acting, singing, and dancing, regardless of their age or experience level. I would be thrilled to bring that passion and enthusiasm to your dance company and help students build both their skills and confidence as performers.
Ellie MacKinnon
Ellie MacKinnon was born and raised on the Island and has been dancing since she was five years old. She has experience in ballet, jazz, hip hop, musical theatre, and step dance. She has studied at Island Dance Academy, Robert’s Academy of Dance, and Alignment Dance Arts.
She has competed across the Maritimes and won awards for her performance, energy, and artistic expression, as well as overall awards and top mark awards.
As a member of the Senior Company at Roberts Academy of Dance then Alignment Dance Arts, Ellie helped bring home four regional championships for stepdancing.
With over three years of experience as an assistant teacher working with dancers from the ages of three to sixteen, Ellie is so excited to be teaching classes of her own. She can’t wait to get into the 2026-27 dance season and teach the next generation of Island dancers.