MEET THE TEAM

Emilee Dowden (she/her) discovered her passion for dance at a young age  and was inspired by her older sister and Arch Method founder, Heidi Dowden. 

At age 13, Emilee took a break to explore other interests like cheerleading, but her love for dance eventually called her back in her 20s. What began as a return to class soon grew into a journey of confidence and growth—first as a student, then an assistant, and now a dedicated instructor with seven years of teaching experience.

When she's not in the studio, you’ll find Emilee working as a Dental Receptionist, where her love of connecting with people shines just as brightly. Known for her vibrant energy, infectious laughter, and genuine care, she strives to make every interaction meaningful—both inside and outside the studio.

Emilee is passionate about spreading confidence, kindness, and love to everyone she meets, proudly representing the impact the Arch Method has had on her life.

Nadia has always admired and watched dancers growing up, but had no formal training or experience outside of dancing with family and choreographing to Shakira as a little girl. With a strong push from her sister, Nadia joined the program in 2017 thus sparking a deep love for dance. 

Over the years, she’s grown in both skill and confidence, ultimately becoming an instructor in 2022. As a teacher, Nadia's goal is to help students laugh, learn new things, build strength, and love themselves. 

Outside of The Arch Method, Nadia is a makeup artist; passionate about helping others feel special and beautiful both in and out of the studio. She’s also a travel enthusiast who loves cooking for friends and family, has a wiener dog sidekick named, Khaled, and if you ever want to chat astrology...she’s your girl!

Selena (she/her) grew up training and competing in Taekwon-Do, while also having a passion for playing the piano. Once Selena began studying Sociology at MUN, she took a break from both of these activities. 

Still craving physical activity and a musical form of expression, Selena decided to try out heels dancing in January of 2019. She joined with zero dance experience and a shy personality, but  quickly found a new passion in dance and a level of confidence that she did not know existed. 

She progressed through each level of the program, pushing herself in her technical and physical abilities, while making lifelong friends along the way. Selena became an assistant with The Arch Method in 2021, and a teacher in 2023. Since stepping into these leadership roles, her goal has been to help others find their inner confidence, regardless of dance experience, and to create a positive and safe atmosphere within her classes.

When Selena is not in the studio, she can be found pursuing her career as a CYC. Also, in her free time, she enjoys binge watching Friends, doing Sudoku puzzles, and hanging out with her dog, Luna.

Kaitlin (she/they) danced during her childhood years, but took a long hiatus to focus on competitive swimming. In 2017 during her university studies, Kaitlin heard about heels dance, joined a beginner class, and hasn’t looked back since. 

Kaitlin started assisting with The Arch Method in 2020 and has been teaching since 2022. She has professional and volunteer experience in the non-profit sector and brings a dedication to serving vulnerable communities to her work. 

As a queer bisexual person, Kaitlin is committed to making students feel empowered, safe, and welcome when they enter the studio. Kaitlin spends their free time lifting at the gym, embroidering, and hanging out with her cats, Cinnamon and Sammie.

Emmalee grew up dancing, but took a break while studying engineering at MUN. Wanting to return to dance after graduation, she joined a beginner heels class in 2019. 

Over the years Emmalee has progressed through all levels of The Arch Method and along the way has made many new friends while experiencing both personal and technical growth beyond her expectations. She then started teaching in Fall 2023, aiming to provide that same valuable experience to her students.

Outside of the studio, Emmalee trades her heels for steel toes while working as an electrical engineer. Her free time is spent enjoying a variety of hobbies including knitting, crocheting, biking and playing with her cat, Harper.

Kristen(she/her) has always had a passion for the stage and has been dancing with the Arch Method since 2017. She began teaching with the program in 2023 and strives to make a positive impact on every dancer who walks through the door. 

Kristen values empowerment, community, and kindness both on and off the dance floor. Outside of dance, Kristen works in the community non-profit sector, and enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her kitty cats.