Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Dianne Edmunds and Donna Towers Bolohan are sisters who have owned and directed Edmunds Towers School of Dance in Ontario, Canada, for 43 years. As Licentiate Members of the Cecchetti Council of America, they have taught all genres of dance with passion and dedication.

Dianne began dancing at the age of three and made it her full-time career and passion at 18, showcasing her talents in pageants across the U.S. Donna, who also started dancing at three, was taught by Dianne for many years before embarking on her own teaching career at 18. Donna earned an Early Childhood Education diploma and worked in the field while teaching dance at the same studio as Dianne. At ages 33 and 23 respectively, Dianne and Donna decided to open their own dance studio together. They began with one location, soon expanded to a second, and eventually consolidated into their current studio.

Over the years, they have had the privilege of judging competitions nationwide and have successfully led their competitive team for the last 40 years. They later established a performance company to offer more dancers opportunities to perform on stage. Both of their companies have won numerous awards and recognitions under Dianne and Donna’s direction, and many of their dancers have pursued successful professional dance careers.

Producing The Nutcracker for the past 12 years has become a cherished tradition, benefiting both their studio and the city they call home. It provides numerous dancers with the opportunity to perform in a professionally directed ballet and to step into the spotlight once more.

For decades, providing their dancers with the experience of Tremaine has been a vital part of their studio. They feel fortunate to be inspired by Tremaine faculty each season, with their dancers earning honors such as Dancer of the Year and participating in Tremaine’s Performance Company.

Dianne and Donna are deeply passionate about teaching and take immense pride in watching their students grow and achieve their full potential through dedication and hard work. Their greatest joy comes from their time in the classroom, where they not only teach the art of dance but also help young dancers develop into well-rounded individuals.