Tanja Rosner: The Dance Educator Behind Young Performers’ Success

Meet the Canadian dance teacher, choreographer, and YYC Dance Project founder whose career includes decades of teaching, mentoring young dancers, and supporting her daughter Tate McRae.

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Tanja Rosner Canadian dance educator and YYC Dance Project founder — Tanja Rosner is a Canadian dance educator and founder of YYC Dance Project.

Introduction

Tanja Rosner is a Canadian dance educator, choreographer, and artistic director. She has worked in dance for over 30 years. Her career began long before public attention arrived.

She founded YYC Dance Project in Calgary. The company helped young dancers develop their skills. Some later reached major international stages.

Many people know her through Tate McRae. The Canadian singer is her daughter. But there is another story here.

Rosner built her own professional career. She taught dancers and directed programmes. Her experience reaches far beyond one family connection.

Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Full Name	Tanja Rosner
Nationality	Canadian
Profession	Dance educator, choreographer, artistic director
Known For	Founding YYC Dance Project
Professional Base	Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Education	Bachelor of Education in Dance
University	University of Saskatchewan
Graduation Year	1992
First Dance Business	Absolute Dance
Absolute Dance Founded	1998
YYC Dance Project Founded	2014
Experience	More than 30 years
Husband	Todd McRae
Daughter	Tate McRae
Son	Tucker McRae
Current Professional Role	Artistic director, educator, mentor

Early Life and Background

Rosner has spent much of her professional life in Canada. Calgary became an important part of her career.

Dance was her chosen profession. She developed her knowledge through formal education. Later, she turned that training into practical teaching work.

Her professional record shows international experience. She has taught and choreographed beyond Canada.

Still, her public biography focuses mainly on professional achievements. Detailed childhood information is not part of that record.

What stands out is her career history. Her work dates back several decades.

Education and University Studies

Education helped shape her career.

In 1992, Rosner graduated from the University of Saskatchewan. She earned a Bachelor of Education in Dance.

That qualification supported her teaching career. It also gave her an academic background in dance education.

Dance teaching requires more than movement. Instructors must explain difficult techniques clearly. They also need to assess students.

Rosner went on to teach internationally. Her work included choreography and programme direction.

These experiences eventually supported her business career.

Starting Her Career in Dance

Her professional journey grew through teaching.

She worked with developing dancers. She also gained experience directing dance programmes.

Young performers need regular practice. They must learn timing and control. They also need confidence before competitions.

For an educator, progress takes time.

Rosner continued working in this field for decades. Her official profile now records more than 30 years of industry experience.

That is a long career. And it includes business ownership.

Co-Founding Absolute Dance in 1998

A major milestone arrived in 1998.

Rosner co-founded Absolute Dance in Calgary. The studio became an established part of the city’s dance community.

Her work involved professional dance education. She helped build a structured training business.

Running a dance studio brings challenges. Teaching is only one responsibility.

A successful programme needs trained instructors. Students also require suitable learning opportunities. Competition preparation can create further demands.

Absolute Dance became an important chapter in her career. It came before her next major project.

Establishing YYC Dance Project

In 2014, Rosner founded YYC Dance Project.

The company was based in Calgary. It was developed with Alberta Ballet School.

The aim was serious dance training. Young performers could improve their technique. They could also prepare for competitions.

The programme brought together dance education and performance experience.

Students trained in demanding conditions. They worked toward higher artistic standards.

That approach helped several performers progress.

According to the organisation’s official biography, dancers connected with the programme later appeared on So You Think You Can Dance, World of Dance, and Canada’s Got Talent.

Others continued into recognised dance institutions. These included Juilliard and USC Kaufman. Rambert was another destination.

Some also worked with professional companies. Ballet BC and Gallim Dance are named in the organisation’s history.

These results belong to the wider programme. They reflect work across its teaching team.

Still, Rosner founded the organisation. Her leadership formed part of its development.

Her Role in Tate McRae’s Dance Training

This is where two careers meet.

Tate McRae was born in Calgary in 2003. She started dance training as a child.

Her mother already worked in dance. That gave Tate a direct connection to professional instruction.

Training soon became demanding.

Tate studied several dance styles. These included ballet and contemporary dance. She also trained in jazz, tap, and hip-hop.

A 2017 Dance Spirit profile described her schedule. It included training with Alberta Ballet.

The same report identified YYC Dance Project as a competition programme led by her mother.

Tate spent evenings developing her skills. Weekends often involved competitions and conventions.

Those were busy years.

Her training helped prepare her for competitive dance. She later became known internationally as a singer and performer.

Her mother’s teaching career remained a major influence during those early years.

Their Relationship Beyond the Dance Studio

The family connection continued beyond training.

Tate has spoken about her mother’s support. In a Rolling Stone Canada interview, she described Rosner as her “fairy godmother.”

She explained that her mother believed in her ambitions.

That support was not limited to dance. Tate said her mother would encourage different career choices, too.

Their relationship remains close.

In a 2026 Variety interview, Tate discussed speaking with her mother regularly. They often stay connected through FaceTime.

The interview also described Rosner being present during her daughter’s professional activities.

So their relationship has changed over time. The early years involved dance lessons. Their current connection also includes family support.

Husband and Family Life

Rosner is married to Todd McRae.

Todd has worked as a lawyer. His professional background includes the energy industry.

The couple have two children.

Their daughter, Tate McRae, became internationally known through music and dance.

Their son, Tucker McRae, pursued ice hockey.

Tucker played NCAA Division I hockey at Dartmouth College. He also studied economics.

The children followed different careers. Both have received public attention.

The family also spent time abroad.

During Tate’s childhood, they lived in Oman because of Todd’s professional work. They later returned to Canada.

That period formed part of the family’s international experience.

Professional Achievements and Career Milestones

Rosner’s career includes several documented achievements.

1992 — University Graduation

She completed her dance education degree. The qualification came from the University of Saskatchewan.

1998 — Absolute Dance

She co-founded the Calgary dance studio. It became an established training business.

2014 — YYC Dance Project

She founded the dance company. Its development involved Alberta Ballet School.

International Teaching Experience

Her career included teaching and choreography internationally.

Dance Mentorship

She helped guide developing performers. YYC Dance Project alumni later worked on major professional stages.

Continued Artistic Work

Her professional activity expanded into mentorship and consulting.

These achievements show sustained involvement in dance education.

Her Work in 2026

Rosner remains professionally connected to YYC Dance Project.

The organisation’s website now presents services for dancers, studios, and creative teams.

Her listed roles include artistic direction. Education and mentorship remain central.

The available services cover several areas.

They include audition preparation and career consultation. Studios can also receive curriculum support.

Other services involve artistic development. There is support for competition preparation, too.

Rosner’s professional profile identifies her interests in studio creative direction and parent mentorship.

This work draws on her teaching experience. It also reflects her years of business leadership.

Her career has changed with time. But dance education remains her professional focus.

Why Her Career Deserves Attention

Many readers discover Rosner through Tate McRae.

That connection makes sense.

Tate became a successful international performer. Her mother helped with her early training.

But the timeline tells another story.

Rosner graduated from university in 1992. She co-founded Absolute Dance in 1998.

YYC Dance Project followed in 2014.

These achievements came through years of professional work. They were not created by her daughter’s later fame.

Her career also reached other dancers.

Students connected with her programme pursued higher education and professional opportunities. Some appeared on internationally recognised television shows.

That wider teaching history matters.

It explains why she is recognised within dance education, independent of her family.