RUBY KAWAM - ACRO, CONTEMPORARY, LYRICAL INSTRUCTOR
Rachel began dancing when she was 5 years old in her hometown of Cambridge, Ontario. During the early years of her training and continuing through her adolescent years, she was provided with strong foundation as a dancer in addition to the knowledge/understanding of dance and performance arts. This made possible the variety opportunities and accomplishments she worked relentlessly for, such as top overall and special awards ballet, jazz, tap, and lyrical including a scholarship to train in New York City with Jackie Patterson from national and international competitions; completing all Royal Academy of Dance Vocational examinations; and being invited to perform in Disney World. Seeing what was possible lead the passionate, young teenager to George Brown Dance where she began training with Che Chun, and seamlessly continued training with him full-time once she was old enough to attend college. The two year Performance Studies program at the college allowed her to train daily with Che along with opportunities to work regularly with some other successful professionals at the college like Bengt Jorgen and Kathleen Rea, as well as artists from outside the college such as Che’s wife, former prima ballerina with the National Ballet of Canada, Chan Hon Goh. Before Rachel had even graduated, professional offers and work became her reality. Less than two weeks after her final at the school she began her first contract as a lead dancer for Carnival Cruise lines.
Once back in Toronto she worked as an independent performer, and expanding from her abilities as a stage performer she trained with Christopher Healy at the Toronto Academy of Acting for Film and Television which lead to work in film and television. When a teaching opportunity fell into her lap, it altered her view on life as a performer and artist. Shortly after, she began the three year Teacher Training Program at Canada’s National Ballet School to work with and learn from some of the best professional teachers and artists in the world. While at NBS, she was given several wonderful opportunities to gain knowledge and experience as a professional teacher, seeing dance, the arts and the artists living it from a whole other vast perspective. Rachel benefited greatly from each unique opportunity that NBS offered her such as teaching ballet for an outreach program with the Boys and Girls Club of Scarborough; being hired as a full-time ballet assistant and day counsellor for both the 2010 and 2011 Professional Summer Schools; teaching for special events at NBS and being hired to teach in the Associate Program during her final year. Rachel graduated from the TTP successfully completing her RAD Registered Teacher's Status exams, Cecchetti Associate teaching exam, ISTD National Associate teaching exam and the Vocational dance exams within each syllabi.
Throughout her professional teaching career, Rachel has been training dancers throughout the GTA and helping her students to discover and develop themselves as a whole dancer - as artists; as well as being brought on to be assistant choreographer for the Hart House Theatre's production of “The Great American Trailer Park Show” – and was happy to continue to expand herself. Currently Rachel is a faculty member at the School of Cadence Ballet as well as a primary ballet choreographer for the Hart House Theatre's production of “The Great American Trailer Park Show” – and was happy to continue to expand herself. Currently Rachel is a faculty member at the School of Cadence Ballet as well as a primary ballet teacher at Joy of Dance’s Teen and Adult ballet programs, and continues to guest teach for local companies here in the city
SHAWN BRACKE - CONTEMPORARY, LYRICAL INSTRUCTOR
VICTORIA MILLER - TAP INSTRUCTOR
Victoria’s love for tap dance is rooted in the intersection between music, improvisation, and authentic expression. Her credentials include the 2022 Toronto International Tap Dance Festival (directed by Allison Toffan & Juliana Kelly) where she performed historical repertoire of Tap Master Leon Collins under the advisement of Dianne Walker (Boston) assisted by Ian Berg (Chicago). She was a featured choreographer and performer in the 2023 showcases Fever After Dark (directed by Jerome Bobb) and Unite Dance Showcase: Routlette (directed by Kiana Smith). She has performed in several Toronto Rhythm Initiative shows (directed by Allison Toffan & Juliana Kelly), an all tap dance show celebrating the artform presented with live music accompaniment.
She continues to train in this artform especially in the area of live music collaboration. This includes hosting the Conversation: a Tranzac Jam (produced by Vincent Marchesano) where she organized her own accompanying band and set arrangements to which they performed and improvised to. She is a part of the Rhythm Ensemble Pre-Professional Company (directed by Juliana Kelly) for the Summer 2023 season where she is choreographing, performing, and co-producing a show featuring live music accompaniment from a 4-piece band. She was a featured performer with the funk band The Accolades Toronto Beaches Jazz Festival (July 2023).
Victoria is also a dance educator with BATD certification, with experience teaching at several studios throughout the GTA as well as choreographing for World Performers Canada (directed by Jacques Monfiston) in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. She is excited to share her passion for tap dance with each of the students she teaches, helping them to find their own voice in this special artform.Type your paragraph here.
Growing up in a small town, Kaitlin began her dance training at the age of three, and has been dancing ever since. She has trained and competed in all styles of dance both nationally and internationally, winning multiple awards and titles. Kaitlin is now a Toronto-based dancer who has performed at many events around the city including Let the Elephants Dance, an arts-based fundraiser for mental health and as an opening act in the “I Am Blake McGrath” Promo Tour. She continues to further her dance training, attending weekly drop in classes as well as being a member of DARK Dance Company.
Kaitlin has been teaching all genres of dance for six years to students ranging from age two to eighteen. She is a certified BATD jazz, tap and ballet teacher and has her Acrobatique Junior and Intermediate Level certification. Currently, she is studying Life Sciences at the University of Toronto, majoring in Global Health. Kaitlin aspires to share her love of dance with all of her students and allow each and every one of them to grow and reach their fullest potential. Type your paragraph here.
Judy has been working in the dance industry for over 15 years. She has 3 children that have danced and graduated from TDC (Vince Parrell's Dance Centre at that time). Judy is the caring and kind face you see in the office every day. Although Judy doesn't dance (She does pirouette though!) she is an integral part of our team.
ADELAIDE KESLER- DIRECTOR OF BALLET
Beth is highly trained in both gymnastics and dancing. Beth grew up training and competing in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, modern, musical theatre and acro and obtained her teacher's certification under the British Association of Teachers of Dance ("BATD") in ballet, jazz and tap. She competed in gymnastics at both provincial and national level competitions and coached gymnastics for many years. She has her level 1 gymnastics coaching certification.
Beth competed in dance for many years, with her acro solos winning numerous awards in Canada and the United States. Beth danced professionally for years, performing in various shows including fashion shows, industrial shows and commercials.
She was a member of the University of Western Ontario 27-time national champion cheerleading team, coached a high school cheerleading team and worked for Power Cheerleading Athletics travelling across Canada teaching cheerleading stunts, dance and tumbling.
Beth's choreography has been recognized with numerous choreography awards, judges choice awards and overalls.
Beth was a Master Instructor and Examiner under the Arcobatique Acro Dance internationally acclaimed syllabus (now ADTA).
RACHEL ZINCK - BALLET INSTRUCTOR
For the past 20 years, Shelley has been exploring her passion for dance. Growing up in different studio competitive programs, she has years of extensive technical training in tap and jazz, ballet (R.A.D), modern, lyrical, contemporary and musical theatre dance styles. She has been fortunate enough to have studied with some of Canada’s most renowned professional teachers and performers.
Shelley is a graduate of the Ryerson University Dance Program. There she became a registered teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance receiving her teachers certificate under the guidance of R.A.D. examiner Audrey Looker, where she also studied under former National Ballet of Canada’s Nadia Potts. Shelley has participated in many dance competitions across Canada and the United States winning numerous awards for her outstanding performances and choreography. She has also performed professionally across Ontario. Shelley is excited to be apart of the TDC team.
BETH GLEESON- OWNER/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, ACRO, LYRICAL, JAZZ INSTRUCTOR
Adelaide Kesler is from South Africa where she owned her own studio for over 35 years. She has been the Ballet Mistress for TDC for the past 19 years.
While in South Africa Adelaide was a Principal ballerina with the Cape Town Theatre Ballet Company, performed as a Principal dancer for the Norman Hartnell Fashion House (Designer to her Majesty the Queen) London England and with the Royal Ballet Company of England.
Since arriving in Canada Adelaide has been a guest teacher for a number of highly reputable studio’s in Toronto including the National Ballet School.
TDC Follows the Royal Academy of Dance Syllabus. Exams are offered and are optional.
Shanice Nembhard started her dance training at a young age growing up as a competitive dancer. She studied at Ryerson University and graduated their Performance Dance program as valedictorian. She began to expand her knowledge and training as a professional dancer as her journey continued . She has worked with renowned choreographers such as Gadfly, Vicki St. Denys, Louis Laberge-Côté, Robert Glumbeck, Cora Kozaris, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, and many more. Shanice is trained in a wide variety of dance styles which has given her several performance and tv opportunities. She is signed with Toronto agency daCosta Talent, and has danced in the Netflix series “Self Made”, starring Octavia Spencer, as well as a lifetime movie about “Salt N’ Pepa” — both choreographed by Christian Vincent. Not only was she awarded the Young Choreographers Award for the American Dance awards, she also was a member of the Canadian Tap team in Riesa, Germany; with So You Think You Can Dance contestant, Everett Smith. As well as performing in many Toronto Dance shows such as, Choreographers Ball for Scott Fordham, Fever After Dark - Alex Pollard, Dance Ontario - Vicki st. Denys, Bazaar -Nick Tull, and Carné for Cora Kozaris, she was a Cheerleader for the Toronto Wolfpack and is currently a third season dancer for the Toronto Raptors; working under Shavar Blackwood and Amberley Waddell- Caroli.
SHELLEY LOWRY- JAZZ, TAP, BALLET, MUSICAL THEATRE INSTRUCTOR
KAITLIN KAWAM - ACRO, TAP, LYRICAL, CONTEMPORARY, JAZZ INSTRUCTOR
Shawn Bracke is a versatile Choreographer, Dancer and Visual Artist, creating movements for stage, film and television. His work is story-based and aims to inspire audiences to think critically and feel deeply. His aesthetic stems from his strong technical training and a professional career that's immersed in the commercial and concert dance worlds. His extensive training in Contemporary, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-hop genres and social dance vernacular have been integral to his unique movement. Shawn draws from experience with improvisational acting techniques to create a heightened emotional state with his work.
Having spent time living in Vancouver, London UK, Milan IT and now in Toronto, Canada. Shawn has gained credits working with major brands.
Shawn's Directorial and Choreographic Dance On Film works have been featured in over 25 International Film Festivals including the Oscar qualifying Hollyshorts Film Festival, Inside Out (TIFF) Film Festival and Canadian Film Fest. Selected Choreography credits include: Macy's, Snapchat,The Hudson Bay, Tim Hortons, General Motors, The Abnormal Beauty Company (Deciem), Much Music MMVA's, YTV the Zone, The Next Step (associate chor.), We Day, Universal Music, BBC television, Converse, Bud Light Sensation, ACT Toronto, Freeform Network.
As an instructor he has taught at over 250 locations (studios, conventions and training programs) in Canada, the US, the UK, France and Italy. Prominent institutions and programs include: Liverpool Institute For Performing Arts (UK), York University (ON), Centennial College (ON), The Source Dance Company (BC), Harbour Dance Centre ITP (BC), George Brown (ON) and Randolph College For The Performing Arts (ON). Additionally he's currently a guest faculty member at: Studio North (ON), and has been faculty member at professional drop in centres: Millennium Dance Complex (ON), Underground Dance Centre (ON), Metro Movement (ON), Harbour Dance Centre (BC), Pineapple Dance Studios (UK), Studio 68 (UK) and The Dance Attic (UK).
For continued education for Professional and Pre-Pro Dancers, he created The Workshop Series, workshops designed to help Self Employed Artists hone in on their skills and learn how to enhance their business.
As an Adjudicator he has adjudicated over 50K routines throughout North America.
SHANICE NEMBHARD- CONTEMPORARY, JAZZ, HIP HOP DANCE INSTRUCTOR
JUDY NUGENT- OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR