Dance has been in Desiree's life for over 27 years and she can't imagine life without it. Originally from Calgary, she's moved all over with dance following her to Victoria, Montreal and New York. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Double Minor in Business and Film from UVic.
After being hit by a car in 2012, she wasn’t sure dance could be part of her life any longer. She spent a year recovering in Montreal, managing a band and learning how to dance again with the damage the accident left behind. Now as a West-Coast convert calling Vancouver home, she's a firm believer nothing is impossible.
Sitting on the cold metal seats at McMahon Stadium watching the Outriders high-kicks as a little girl, she dreamed to be a CFL Cheerleader one day. Instead of the red & stunning white cowboy boots, she proudly joined the BC Lions as a Felion from 2015-2019. But one her favorite parts of the CFL is even with different teams and rivalries, it's a big family especially within the cheerleaders.
She has performed at 5 Grey Cups including Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton and Calgary. She aided as a Captain throughout her time on the team but many called her Mama D as she always strived to support and be a shoulder for others. Beyond the joy of hyping her fellow Felions up and thrill of taking the field with them, she loved immersing herself in community events from golf tourneys to the children's hospital visits. And you bet she was up early for almost every Water Boys Breakfast singing "Roar You Lions Roar." She also loved helping run the Jr. Felions Dance Camp each season and connecting with BC Fans.
Currently Desiree is the Owner & Choreographer of Zynth & Co, a Dance & Entertainment company in Vancouver. She is the lead choreographer with Moon Coin Productions which includes tributes to ABBA, Elton John, Billy Joel and Kindness Rocks- concerts traveling to schools advocating anti-bullying. She loves teaching and sharing her passion with MPWR Dance & Pure Barre. She has had 2 seasons as an NLL Dancer with the Vancouver Warriors and recently took up Brazilian Samba. She is always seeking new ways to embrace and share dance with others.
Desiree is thrilled to join the CFCAO representing BC and excited to connect past members with one another & the community. "I want every member of the team no matter which year or for how long knows how important their role was. The connection & sisterhood doesn't have to end once the poms are away and you cheer your last game.