Alexis began dancing at the age of 2 starting with ballet class. At age 4, she had joined a competitive team and has since extended her training to include jazz, lyrical/contemporary, tap, hip hop, acro, musical theatre, and pointe. Alexis has completed RAD ballet exams from Primary to Grade 5 and Intermediate Foundation to Advanced 2. Alexis has been an assistant instructor in both competitive & recreational classes since 2011 and in September 2014 she became a certified instructor. She is an Associate Member of the BATD in Stage (Jazz & Tap) and Acrobatics/Gymnastics & is currently training for the Full Member exams. Alexis has had the opportunity to attend many competitions throughout North America. She is an award winning dancer receiving numerous overalls, dance scholarships and special awards. Alexis is excited to share her passion for dance with her students in The City of Mississauga Culture Division.
Instructors
Alyssa has been a Dance Instructor with the City of Mississauga for 9 years, teaching both for its Recital and Instructional Programs. She has accumulated over 23 years of dance experience which began with the city's dance programs. Her dance experience also includes time at the competitive level. She is disciplined in various areas of dance which include jazz, tap, acro, ballet, modern and hip hop. Alyssa is also a full time teacher receiving both her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education from York University. She has been an OCT Certified Teacher for 3 years and is qualified to teach Dance, French, History and Special Education. Each year Alyssa wishes to bestow on each of her dancers the magic that is dance and hopes that dance will bring both skill and passion to the lives of her students, as it has for her.
Amanda has been training in ballet (R.A.D.) pointe, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, acro, hip hop and musical theatre at Mississauga School of Dance since the age of three. Since then, Amanda has competed and performed across Canada and the Unites States and has been awarded numerous titles, scholarships, and choreography awards. Amanda is currently at York University studying Theatre (BA), Dance (BFA) and Education (BeD). Amanda is also the founder and captain of York University's competitive dance team "Dance Energy". Amanda has become passionate about the creative aspect of dance and is embarking on a career as a choreographer. She has a passion of expressing herself through dance, and is excited to be sharing and inspiring her students to do the same.
Annastacia has 25 years of pre-professional and graduate level training. She holds a BFA honours in dance from York University, as well as her level one certificate in gymnastics. She has been a teacher for over 16 years, teaching RAD and CDTA ballet, modern, jazz, tap, acro, and musical theatre. She has performed professionally for many stage companies, including MYT, and Mirvish productions, and won top choreographer awards at many competitions, including Kick it up, Shine, Bedazzled, ADA, and Dancefest. Annastacia's goal is to give all her students the highest quality of training, regardless of age or ability, and impart her passion for dance to her students
Bill Hagan is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art and has been working as an artist, designer and collaborator for over 30 years. Bill has been teaching all aspects of photography for the last 5 years; helping digital artists develop their own voice within the all-encompassing digital art world. Enthusiasm for the Visual Arts is Bill's passion, sharing that enthusiasm is his reward.
Claudia Vito graduated from Sheridan College specializing in Visual and Creative Arts. During her time at Sheridan she was awarded the "Best in Show Lawlor Award" and the "Photography Award of Excellence". Claudia's work ranges from traditional visual arts to computer-based arts, and includes photography, typography, sculpting and painting. She considers her artworks as pieces of herself because she reveals personal narratives through her work. Claudia is influenced by her travels and the work of artists Annie Leibovitz and Steve McCurry.
Daniella is credited with the British Association of Teachers of Dancing and has successfully completed all ballet vocational exams (grades 1- Advanced 2) through the Royal Academy of Dance. By eight years old, she competitively trained in tap, jazz and ballet, attending competitions in Canada and the United States. She further expanded her dance training to incorporate contemporary, hip - hop and modern, while having opportunities to attend workshops with the National Ballet of Canada and Alvin Ailey Dance Company. Daniella is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a French Major and History & Italian minors. Currently she is pursuing Teacher's College at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, under the University of Toronto, within the Concurrent Teacher Education Program. Additionally, she is a certified lifeguard and swimming instructor. Daniella is excited to be part of the Recital Team.
Gordon Sheridan has a decade of experience in teaching creative writing, scriptwriting and writing for children's literature. He has developed writing curriculum for various institutions including Mohawk College in Hamilton, as well as the City of Mississauga. Gordon is also a local writer whose body of work includes television and films scripts, graphic novels, children's plays, short stories and novels. Format and content are equally important in his opinion and the writing classes he teaches range from lectures on the topic, hands-on practical writing exercises and workshopping projects already in progress. There is nothing Gordon would rather do than write and teach people his chosen craft.
Jeannie Kim holds an Honours BA in Art and Art History from the University of Toronto and Sheridan College where she specialized in design, painting and drawing. She has worked with the City of Mississauga since June 2015 as a Specialty Digital Arts Camp Leader and Digital Arts Instructor during the school year. She currently teaches the following classes for children and teens: App Design, Mobile Movie Makers, Photography and Stop Motion, and Create Your Own Website. In her free time, she enjoys drawing in her sketchbook at cafes and trying new restaurants in the GTA.
Jenna has been dancing since the age of 3 at The Dance Factory Mississauga, Clarke Academy of Dance and June Lawrence School of Dance. Jenna has been teaching dance for seven years for the City of Mississauga's Recital Dance Team, teaching various disciplines of dance. Jenna has been a competitive dancer since the age of eight and has been involved in many dance workshops, competitions; winning numerous awards throughout Canada and the United States and has worked with famous guest artists. She is constantly improving her dance abilities, and believes there is always room for improvement and continued learning so she regularly takes classes and attends workshops across the GTA. Jenna is a graduate from Sheridan College and is proud to have started her career working with the Peel District School Board as a Child and Youth Worker and takes part in teaching the school dance team. Jenna is an inspired loving teacher who is passionate about dancing and she loves to share that passion with her students.
Jordanna found her passion for dance almost as soon as she learned to walk, her parents enrolling her in jazz and ballet class at the age of 3. Eventually branching off to train and compete in other styles including tap, hip-hop, pointe (checcetti), and modern, she can attribute most of her dance knowledge to Sean Boutillier Academy of Dance, and regional arts school Cawthra Park, both giving her confidence and technique, which she is thrilled to pass on to all of her students. Jordanna has worked with a number of choreographers in the commercial dance world, and has also attended several workshops throughout her dance career, including JUMP Dance Convention, and looks forward to sharing these experiences with The City of Mississauga recital team!
Karla has been dancing since a very young age. She has trained in jazz, contemporary, ballet, tap and hip hop. Karla was on her university dance team and also had a chance to choreograph for the team in her last year. Karla also danced for a hip hop company in Toronto for two years where she performed in many Toronto industry events. Karla is a grade one teacher with PDSB and also runs a grade 1 and 2 dance team at her school. Karla currently dances for Dancercise's competitive program where she trains with some of the best teachers Toronto has to offer, including Natalie Nesterenko, Mariano Abarca, Mitchell Jackson, The Next Step's Jennie Pappas and SYTYCD's Derek Piquette. Karla looks forward to continuing to share her passion for dance with The City of Mississauga's dancers.
Kendra's passion for dance started at the age of four when she was enrolled in ballet classes with the City of Mississauga. From there she moved into the competitive world training in styles such as ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop, and modern. She volunteered as a dance assistant for four years before she was hired as a dance teacher by the City in 2013. She has received her Grade 8 R.A.D certificate passing with distinction and is a recipient of the silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's award. Her favourite part of working for the City is being able to watch her dancers flourish from the first class to the last class. She is currently studying political science at Queen's University where she is a member of the Flow Dance Team. Her favourite styles include: tap, ballet, and hip hop.
Klaudia graduated from the University of Guelph - Humber in June with her Early Childhood Diploma and Bachelors of Applied Science Degree. She is now enrolled at UOIT in the Bachelor of Education program. Klaudia started taking gymnastics as a young child and then switched over to dancing. She was part of a competitive dance team where she competed in acro, jazz, lyrical/ contemporary, tap, ballet and musical theatre. She was a former gymnastics coach as well as part of a professional dance company where she performs around the GTA for many events. Klaudia has been working city summer camps as well as teaching Culture Division Recital Acro classes for the last 3 years. She looks forward to working with the competitive team this season.
Lara started ballet when she was 3 years old and immediately fell in love. She continued her passion by starting tap, jazz, musical theater, acro and lyrical and continued onto being in company. Lara has been an assistant/teacher since 2010 in all principles she has trained in. Lara has had the opportunity to compete across southern Ontario receiving overall awards and scholarships to dance workshops. She is extremely excited to share her passion with the next generation of city of Mississauga dancers.
This is Lisa's Fifth year teaching for the Recital Dance Program after having danced with the City for 17 years. She continues to try and instill the lessons taught to her from her past instructors to keep up with the high standards of the program. She is very proud of all her students and all the hard work and dedication they have shown to improve and broaden their abilities. Lisa has an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English and History from the University of Toronto as is currently an Emergency Telecommunications Operator for Peel Region. Dance has always been her way of expressing herself and hopes to inspire her students to express their own creativity through dance. She could not be more proud of her students, and wants to thank them for another amazing year.
Masooma Azhar is a creative professional with more than 7 years of experience as an artist, designer and educator. She has completed her BFA in Graphic Design and holds several additional certificates in website design. She has a deep compassion for Visual and Digital arts, and enjoys working with children, youth and adults. Working with the City of Mississauga, she has planned and taught a variety of classes including Point and Shoot Digital Photography, Graphic Design, Website Design and Blogging for Beginners. Her teaching philosophy focuses on providing a welcoming environment of individual attention and creative expression.
Meaghan has been instructing dance with the City of Mississauga since 2001. A graduate of Cawthra Park Secondary School's Regional Arts Dance Program, Meaghan has been exposed to several national and international dance figures. She has been active in several forms of dance since early childhood, including ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, musical theatre, modern and folk dance at both competitive studios and community groups. Meaghan is a graduate of the University of Toronto, with a Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Gender Studies, History and Political Science and currently works for the City of Mississauga's Cultural Planning unit.
Nadine has worked for the City of Mississauga for 18 years in the Recital Dance Program. She is a Triple Threat performer for 30 years and performed professionally for 24 years in all forms of dance, drama and vocal and has been teaching for 26 years. Conservatory trained in voice and piano and a Graduate from Etobicoke School of the Arts and attended Randolph Academy of Performing Arts. And is a registered teacher with Dance Masters of America (University of Buffalo). She has won numerous awards for choreography and live vocals. Nadine has choreographed for professional corporate and film events in the GTA. Nadine has performed for the United Nations, Gemini Awards, Grey Cup game (half-time show), Special Olympics, and the Musical, Chess. Nadine was formally the Captain and choreographer and Ambassador for the Toronto Blue Jays Cheerleading Team (J-Crew). Nadine also trains competitive dancers at MSD and is also the Associate Director with Toronto Dance Project dance company in Toronto and successfully runs the Elite Talent agency SMASH Entertainment.
Natalie began pursuing her dreams of being on Broadway in high school as a Dance Major. Having graduated as a Specialist High Skills Major in the Arts led her to specialize in ballet, modern, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, salsa, and musical theatre. Natalie has been given the chance to backup dance for artists such Hedley on their Wildlife Tour. She has also been in numerous plays and musicals in several theatres across the city including the well-known Theatre Restaurant Stage West. Natalie has had the opportunity to cheerlead for the Toronto Argonauts performing in front of thousands of fans at the Rogers Centre. She has worked closely with choreographers such as Hollywood Jade and Jasmyn Fyffe through Scholarship Dance Toronto. Natalie is currently a member of Dance Migration Samba Company. This is Natalie's second year teaching with the City of Mississauga and is excited to pass on her passion of dance to her students.
Natasha began dance lessons at the age of 8 and is trained in various dance styles including tap, jazz, acrobatics and ballet. She has competed throughout North America and has performed professionally throughout Canada as a member of the CFL's Hamilton Tiger Cat dance team and the NLL's Toronto Rock dance team. Natasha is a certified instructor with Dance Masters of America and continues to expand her dance knowledge through workshops, master classes and performances. She is excited to join the City of Mississauga recital team and to share her love of dance with her students.
Nicholas has been studying dance for the past 14 years. Trained in the disciplines of ballet, jazz, hip- hop, lyrical, musical theatre, contemporary and tap; and having completed his Advanced I Cecchetti Exam, Nicholas combines his love of dance with his other passion -- Music. Alongside dance, Nicholas also brings 14 years of vocal training and hopes to inspire young children to pursue the arts and these art forms. Nicholas is heavily involved in the musical theatre, dance and recording arts industries. He continues to pursue his dance, music and acting career and is continuing his passion for the arts into and beyond university. He is happy to be a part of the recital team for a third year, and is excited to be a part of the competitive staff team this year!
Rachel began dancing at the age of six and hasn't stopped since. Throughout her life she has competed in several dance competitions in both Canada and the United States winning many awards. She studied dance throughout her years in high school as a Regional Arts Program student majoring in dance and performing arts. She has trained in styles such as Ballet, Acro, Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Contemporary and Pointe. All in which lead her to receive certification in both Stage (jazz/tap) as well as her Acro teachers associates. Rachel has been teaching for five years and in that time received numerous awards for outstanding choreography and concepts at dance competitions. While maintaining a well-rounded dance background, Rachel also was a cheerleader and assistant choreographer for the Toronto Argonauts cheerleaders performing in front of thousands of fans at the Rogers Center. She has been fortunate enough to appear in music videos, movies as well as travel for her dance career. Some of her credits include: Flo Rida, Hedley, Ludacris, Karl Wolf, Kardinal Official, Manj Musik, the film Dr. Cabbie and the newest film coming to Disney channel in 2016, Further Adventures in Babysitting
Sandra Possik is a multimedia artist and graphic designer who loves to teach the diversity of the digital world. Sandra expresses her creativity through website design, online video production, magazine publications and email design. She has worked for various companies such as Rogers Television, Warner Music, Microsoft Canada and Manulife Financial. With the City of Mississauga she currently teaches digital arts classes for children and adults including Blogging for Beginners, Digital Photo Editing, Graphic Design and Website Design. Sandra has a strong appreciation for the visual arts and keeps up her oil-painting artistry that she developed at a very young age. She sells her paintings online and through seasonal craft/art shows in and around the GTA.
This will be Sarah's 14th season with the City of Mississauga's Recital Dance Program. Sarah began her dance training at the age of 3, she studied many areas of dance including Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Point, Modern, Lyrical and Musical Theatre. Sarah is an associate CDTA member, and she recently completed her level 1 CPFA. As well as teaching dance Sarah teaches women's fitness classes, and has found a new love for Aerial fitness. She is constantly improving her own dance abilities, and believes there is always room for improvement and continued learning so she regularly takes classes and attends workshops across the GTA. Sarah enjoys working with the Dance Pak at the annual tree lighting ceremony, and the Canada day parade. This past season she organized a senior student's trip where the dancers saw a Youth Moves Performance. Sarah is a teacher who is dedicated and passionate about dancing and she loves to share that passion with her students.
Samantha fell in love with dance at the age of 3, when her mother enrolled her in a ballet class at the Mississauga School of Dance. She then began training in ballet (R.A.D), jazz, tap, musical theatre, lyrical, contemporary, pointe, musical theatre and acrobatics as well as various styles of urban dance, including hiphop, house and waacking. For the past two years, Sam has had the pleasure of being a team member on the McMaster Dance Team where she is able to expand both her dancing and choreography. This year, she is fortunate to be the captain of the Mac Dance Team, and takes a lot of pride in her role of leading her team to success. She has spent the last 17 years learning, rehearsing and competing and is thrilled to pass on her knowledge to future dancers. As a second year instructor for the city recital program, Sam is thankful about the opportunity to inspire and share her love for dance with her students.
Sydney began dancing at age five, studying many different styles at the Marie Ann Longlade School of Dance. She competed for twelve years, receiving multiple awards and scholarships in both Canada and the United States. Sydney has had the opportunity to perform in a variety of places such as Disney World, and the 2014 Miss Universe Pageant. Sydney has been teaching dance with the City of Mississauga Recital Program for three years, and has also spent the past two summers as a Culture Division Camp Instructor. She has also been a teacher and choreographer for the Marie Ann Longlade School of Dance for the last four years. Sydney graduated from Cawthra Park's Regional Arts Program for Dance, and is now in her second year at Wilfrid Laurier University studying a double major in Biology and Psychology, with hopes of continuing to Medical School and becoming a surgeon.
Tamya began dancing at the tender age of 4 at the Marie Ann Longlade School of Dance, studying various styles such as ballet, tap, jazz, acrobatics, hip-hop, pointe and lyrical; and she is also on their competitive team. Tamya is currently a two-time national title-holder with Dance Educators of America and Sheer Talent dance competitions. She has also taken many examinations with the Canadian Dance Teachers Association and is now an affiliate member. She is a student at Cawthra Park Secondary School in the Regional Arts Program for dance, where she studies ballet and modern. Tamya is looking forward to teaching for the City of Mississauga and watching her students grow as dancers and as people.
