Candalee Wrede comes to Northwest Classical Ballet with a wealth of knowledge and extensive teaching background. Candalee trained with Marcelle Renoux in the Cecchetti Ballet method and Luigi style Jazz. At 14 she became the soloist for their company before heading to the University of Oregon to major in dance, simultaneously pursuing Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) studies with a former San Francisco Ballet instructor. After a genetic knee defect derailed her professional dance aspirations, Candalee reset her goals and made it her mission to become the best ballet instructor she could. Her passion and dedication has paid off.

She began her teaching career as Ballet Mistress for the National Academy of Gymnastics teaching classes and choreographing for aspiring Olympic gymnasts. She continued to work with numerous internationally recognized competitors and performers in the genres of ballet, freestyle skiing, ice skating, dance conditioning, body building and musical theater.

Throughout her career, Candalee has owned her own studio, developed training programs, choreographed original children’s ballets and added aerobics, step and dance conditioning to her certifications. She has continued to research and study dance history (establishing the Dance History program at Sam Barlow High School), various dance methodologies, multiple styles, and designed ballet training programs for both dancers and athletes. Ultimately she was awarded an Honorary Teaching Certificate by the State of Oregon.

Candalee has had the privilege of teaching for many of the best studios in the Oregon/Washington area. She acted as Assistant Director and instructor for Classical Ballet Academy for nearly a decade and is currently the Artistic Director at Grande Finale Dance Studio. She is also a frequent guest artist for numerous schools and studios in the Pacific Northwest. Utilizing her own successful training methodology, Candalee desires to continue instructing and mentoring young students as well as instructors with hopes of preserving the classical ballet technique as she was taught, so that it lives on in following generations.