Meet Keith & Chrissi

Keith and Chrissi Armbruster share a lifelong passion for dance and a commitment to creating an event where dancers of every style and level feel welcome. After meeting at a dance competition in the Netherlands and beginning their relationship across the “big pond,” dance has remained an important part of their life together.

Today, they continue to teach, judge, compete and participate in dance events throughout Canada and internationally. Keith is a 12-time UCWDC World Champion, Masters-Level Dual Judge and coach, while Chrissi continues to compete and share her passion for dance both on and off the floor.

Keith has been an Event Director of the Calgary Dance Stampede since 2006, with Chrissi joining him as Event Director in 2015. Together, they are proud to carry forward the legacy of an event that began in 1992 while continuing to expand its Country, West Coast Swing and Line Dance communities.

Outside the dance world, Keith and Chrissi both maintain full-time careers and are busy raising their two daughters, Kiran and Nyla—who are growing up as part of the Calgary Dance Stampede family.

Our History

1988

Calgary hosts the Winter Olympics and over 400 Country dancers participate in the official opening ceremonies at McMahon Stadium

1989

After the Olympics, two dance halls opened: “Country Cuz It’s Fun” and “The Spirit of the West”. The clubs merged in 1997.

1991

The Calgary Country Dance Stampede is sanctioned as the first UCWDC-sanctioned event outside of the United States

1992

The Calgary Country Dance Stampede holds it’s very first event organized by the Country Cuz It’s Fun dance club and directed by Garry Nanninga

2001

Gary McIntyre & Lisa Senn (then McIntyre) become the second generation Event Directors for the Calgary Country Dance Stampede

2003

The event is re-branded as the Calgary Dance Stampede and unveils it’s new logo designed by Richard Tymko and still used today

2006

Keith Armbruster and Jena Smith are the third generation Event Directors. Jena left the position 2010.

2008

Line Dance is re-introduced at the Calgary Dance Stampede, elevating it to the largest and longest running Country, Swing and Line Dance event in Canada.

2011

The Calgary Dance Stampede is voted Favorite North American Event by YOU! Awarded by the UCWDC, it is first time a Canadian event receives the honor.

2013

The event is recognized by the Country Two Step Tour (CTST) allowing dancers to compete in this North American circuit for valuable advancement points.

2015

Chrissi Ehrlich becomes an Event Director with her husband Keith Armbruster. They would soon marry. The event expands to  over 110 workshops over in four days.

2019

The Calgary Dance Stampede signs a five year agreement to be live-streamed with UCWDC National Sponsor, FloDance, providing with international exposure.

2023

The Calgary Dance Stampede celebrates its 30th Anniversary after being cancelled since 2021 due to the pandemic.

2024

The Calgary Dance Stampede is recognized as a World Swing Dance Council (WSDC) Registry Event — points count!

2026

Calgary Dance Stampede has been recognized as an official Rising Star Tour Member. This milestone highlights our commitment to fostering growth, excellence, and opportunity within the dance community—both on and off the competition floor.

2026

Calgary Dance Stampede has been recognized as an official National Country Dance Circuit (NCDC) event, becoming the first Country Swing–pointed event in Canada.