Where Big Dreams Begin
Founded in 2026 with a vision to revolutionize early childhood education, Mini Movers Fine Arts Preschool was born from a passion for movement-based learning. As the newest program of Dance Canvas Performing Arts Center, we believe that every child's potential is unlocked through a balance of structured discovery, high quality instruction, and nurturing play, creating a safe haven where curiosity leads the way.
The Heart of Mini Movers
Whitney Copley
Owner and Founder
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Miss Whitney has over 30 years of dance experience and 14 as an instructor, with a background and qualifications in modern, jazz, contemporary, ballet, tap, gymnastics, aerial dance, and pointe. She began her training in both dance and gymnastics at Parish School of Performing Arts in Jerseyville, Illinois at the young age of five where she was a member of State St. Performing Company. Throughout her time there she competed nationally and achieved awards such as Distinguished Performer, Star Performer, LA talent agent semi-finalist, American Dance Idol finalist, National Entertainer Award, performed in the halftime show at the NFL Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii and performed work by Eddie Garcia at the International Dance Festival in New York City. She was also a recipient of a Broadway Dance Center Scholarship under the direction of Sheila Barker. From there, Whitney went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance from the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago where she graduated with honors. Upon graduation, Whitney became an instructor and later a studio manager as well at All About Dance Chicago, a unique dance studio full of positive energy where kids and adults share their passion and love for dance. Through All About Dance she has taught dance at several summer camps, after-school and community outreach programs in Chicago such as The British School of Chicago, The Latin School of Chicago, and Francis W. Parker.
As a trained and versatile dancer, choreographer, and teacher she strives to take her experiences even further by introducing her diverse knowledge and love for dancing and the arts through offering and encouraging an exciting, inspiring and physical learning environment that will be beneficial and engaging to all students at Dance Canvas. She strongly feels that creativity and exploration in the arts is the key to loving life and enjoying each new day. Dance Canvas is her heart and she could not be more thrilled to dance into another year with all our amazing staff, dancers and families!
The Heart of Mini Movers
director and lead teacher
Maddison Cantrell
Miss Maddie has been a member of the Dance Canvas instructor team since 2014 and is absolutely thrilled to bring our dream of Mini Movers Fine Arts Preschool to life!
She holds a bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education and a masters degree in Early Childhood and Family Development from Missouri State University. Miss Maddie has nearly a decade of public school classroom teaching experience as a DESE certified teacher as well as over 20 years of dance experience. She has a passion for supporting each child through high quality early childhood experiences.
Her philosophy is rooted in developing the whole child through hands on learning experiences, purposeful play, and supporting their social-emotional well being. Her goal is to help children experience the joy of early childhood while also helping them grow in their confidence, kindness, and problem solving skills. Alongside her education experience, Miss Maddie absolutely loves teaching a variety of dance classes at Dance Canvas, especially our preschool age classes!
You can find her with a smile always working to foster each child’s love for dance! It is her absolute joy to combine her love of education with her passion for dance through Mini Movers Fine Arts Preschool! Let’s learn, dance, and grow together!
Values that Move Us
Joyful Movement
We believe learning happens best when children are active. Our curriculum integrates physical play with cognitive development to keep little bodies and minds moving.
Strategic Instruction
We believe in the value of high quality early childhood education. Our curriculum and instruction are designed to help children develop their foundation in language, literacy, early mathematics, problem solving, and social/emotional skills.
Purposeful Play
Every activity at Mini Movers is designed with developmental milestones in mind. We turn natural curiosity into structured growth through expert early education.