SUZANNE ZELMER
Biography of Suzanne Zelmer
Director and Owner of Dance Trance
Suzanne Zelmer’s background consists of teaching, choreographing, and performing. She has studied tap, jazz, ballet, hiphop, lyrical, modern, musical theatre, and highland. Beginning her formal training at age three, Suzanne has studied throughout Canada, England, and the USA with many respected dancers including Jack Ackerman, Cholly Atkins, Fayard Nicholas (Nicholas Brothers), Tony Coppola, Savion Glover, Arthur Duncan, Heather Cornell, Lynn Dally (Jazz-Tap Ensemble), Pierre Hardy (Les Ballets-Jazz de Montreal), Marie Bici (BBO-England), Diane Walker (Lady Di), Brenda Buffalino, Jeni Legon, Finis Jung, and Chet Walker.
Suzanne began teaching and choreographing at the age of twelve. Suzanne was accepted on scholarship to study with B.T.D.A. in Leicester, England, where she received teaching certificates in ballet, jazz, tap and modern dance. She received her associate teaching certificate with S.T.D.A. for highland dancing in 1987. Suzanne opened her own studio, Dance Trance: Dance and Talent Agency, located in Langley, BC, Canada in 1991. In 2000, she opened “The Dance Wearhouse” retail store. For more information on Suzanne’s Studio & Agency, please check out www.dancetrancebc.com.
The Film and Television Industry in Vancouver has presented Suzanne with many opportunities to choreograph dance scenes for Caldwell Banker, Mnet, Disney, Minolta, Polly Pockets, Hannah Montana, High School Musical, Bridgestone, Barbie, Mattel, and the May Co. Television Commercials, as well as the television series’ “Breaker High” (Ryan Gosling) and “Nothing Too Good for a Cowboy.” Suzanne has also choreographed special events for the B.C. Country Music Awards Show (2004 and 2005 opening act) the Life and Leisure Trade Show, Concorde Delegance, the International Consulate Generals’ Ball, Wedding Fair, Maz ‘N Me’s Dinner Theatre, and Umbro, as well as fashion shows for Oakridge Mall and Richmond Centre. Suzanne was also the choreographer for “The Rev” pilot filmed in Vancouver. Most recently, Suzanne had the pleasure of being Donny Osmond’s personal choreographer on the set of “Dance Star Mickey” airing Fall 2010. In 2011, Suzanne had the opportunity to choreograph American Idol’s, Constantine, on Fisher Price’s “Rock Star Mickey” commercial.
Her many performances are not limited to dance; they also extend to acting and modeling. Suzanne’s acting credits began onstage when she played Lola Legs Ladore in Guys and Dolls at Theatre Under the Stars. Suzanne has made appearances on the television shows Highlander, Robin’s Hoods, Strange Luck, and University Hospital. Suzanne has had acting roles in “Millenium,” “Poltergeist,” and the Movies Life or Something Like It (with Angelina Jolie), Underworld, and Tricks (as Mimi Rogers’ body double). Suzanne has also danced in “Macy’s” department store commercials. As a model Suzanne has worked with Versace, Romeo Gigli, and Holt Renfrew.
Her students have acted in the Tv Series the X-Files, Millenium, Police Academy, Dark Angel, and movies including Scooby Too, Santa Clause 2, Breaking the Surface, the Water Game, and Aftershock. They’ve also been involved in several TV commercials including Mattel, Mcdonalds, Macy’s, Curves Fitness, Fisher Price, Dannon, Purell, Strawberry Shortcake, Proctor & Gamble, Pollypocket, Hasbro, Nestle Quick, Winners, Bc Hydro, Mr. Strong, and Olympic 2010 Commercials.
Suzanne has been active in the convention scene as a performer and a spokesperson. A few credits include: Volkswagen Canada Spokesperson (Vancouver International Auto Show), Freightline Spokesperson (Vancouver Truck Show), and Fashion Show Commentator for Richmond Centre.
Suzanne is an experienced judge in North America. She has judged for dance competitions such as USA Dance Classic and Dance Magic in San Diego, Anaheim, Phoenix, Seattle, Portland, Billings, and Lethbridge. In the spring of 1996, Suzanne was the Tap & Musical Theatre Adjudicator for the Battleford Dance Festival. Suzanne has adjudicated at the Quesnel Dance Festival (1997), Kamloops Dance Festival (2005), Cowichan Dance Festival (Highland Section 2006/2010, Ballet/Stage 2009/2010) and Sunshine Coast Festival (2010). Suzanne has also judged for 5678 Showtime (1997), the North Island Dance Festival in Courtney, Bc (1998), Dance Power (Since 1998), Dance Jam Edmonton (2012), Alberta Dance Festival -
Ballet Adjudicator (2013), Peak Invitational Edmonton (2016) and Alberta Dance Festival tap/stage adjudicator (2016). The highlight of her judging career was adjudicating for the US National Dance Championships in Las Vegas and Seaside, Oregon. Suzanne Has Won “Top Tap Choreography” awards for her groups “Dancin” (2008), “Hit Me up” (2008), and “Swingin Rhythms” (2007) as well as a jazz choreography award for her advanced group, “Body Language”.