Elizabeth Ferenc – ARTISTIC DIRECTOR of BALLETOMANE

MA, BA(Hons), LRAD, ARAD

Elizabeth began her career in dance at the Alberta Ballet School. In September of 2001, Elizabeth moved to London, England, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) with Distinction in the Art of Teaching Ballet in the Faculty of Education, holding the highest academic standing in her class at the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), University of Durham. During her tenure at the RAD, Elizabeth also received her Associate Status (ARAD) with Distinction, as well as the Licentiate Award (LRAD), which only a few selected individuals in the world have received. In 2005, Elizabeth graduated from the University of Roehampton, London, England, with a Masters of Arts in Ballet Studies with Distinction, again with the highest academic average in her class.

For three seasons, Elizabeth was ‘Head of Ballet Department’ at the Alberta Ballet School / Dance Alberta. Prior to this role, Elizabeth held teaching positions at The Central School of Ballet (London, England) and The Royal Academy of Dance Headquarters (London, England).

Among many professional highlights, Elizabeth has entered successful candidates for the prestigious Phyllis Bedells Bursary in London, England. In 2008, she taught and rehearsed the Johann Strauss debutants in Austrian Folklore Dance for their Annual Ball and is currently a mentor and tutor for distance learning teachers of the Royal Academy of Dance. Additionally, Elizabeth has adjudicated in many dance festivals and competitions and continues to broaden her scope of experience with many courses in teaching.

Elizabeth is a staunch upholder of the highest standards of dance education and training. She has deep knowledge and extensive experience across a wide range of dance styles and reflects this in her teaching. Elizabeth is known for her artistic integrity, enthusiasm and professionalism and has been the Artistic Director of Balletomane Inc for over twelve years. She looks forward to many more wonderful years ahead.

Debra Arlette

B.Comm (Hons), AISTD Diploma

Debra is a graduate of Queen’s University, where she obtained a degree in Commerce. After a brief career as a banker, she returned to dance and taught in Alberta, Ontario and London, England, before finally settling in Oakville. She has trained in Tap, Ballet, Modern Theatre and Jazz, and has some experience in both Irish and Highland Dance. She holds the Associate Diploma teaching designation in Tap as well as the Associate designation in Modern Theatre, both through the ISTD. While teaching in England, Debra completed the ISTD’s new Foundation in Dance Instruction Program and is currently completing the new Certificate of Dance Education Program.

Rachel Brooks

RAD, RTS

Rachel originally trained in Dublin, Ireland, and graduated from the Inchicore College of Further Education in Dance Studies. She is a seasoned teacher in the disciplines of ballet, pointe, modern, contemporary, hip hop, jazz and lyrical. She holds the Australian Teachers of Dance Jazz Moves Examinations as well as the ATOD Jazz Moves Teacher Training. She has a wealth of experience and training in performance and choreography. Rachel has been an asset to the Balletomane Faculty and is on a short sabbatical until she returns again.

Alison Epstein

M. Dip, LCDD, LISTD, MRAD, B Eds (Hons)

From the age of four, Alison trained in England with Elizabeth Harrison (Fellow and Examiner of the ISTD) at the Star School of Dancing. She is a graduate of The London College of Dance and Drama in England, where she studied Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, and Tap techniques, Composition, Dance History, Philosophy, Labanotation, and Principles in Teaching. Alison won prizes in performance and choreography and obtained a diploma in dance education and dance teacher qualifications in Ballet, Modern and Folk Dance (AISTD).

After college Alison took a teaching post in Israel, continuing to dance and choreograph. She was assistant choreographer for children’s television and stage productions. On returning to England, Alison passed the Licentiate Examination of the ISTD modern branch and ran her own school in London, England, successfully entering children for the examinations of the ISTD. During this period, she also taught for RAD examiner, Brenda Key, and Margaret Howard (FISTD).

Alison came to live in Canada with her family in 2004, and immediately started teaching at Balletomane in Oakville (formerly known as the Fleming School of Dance). Alison has been on the Balletomane faculty for many years and will continue to be a lead teacher for many more.

Perri McCall

BFA (Hons), ABT – NTTC.

 

A native of Windsor Ontario, Perri is trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern, Hip Hop, Lyrical and Contemporary.

She is a graduate of the Ryerson University Dance Program and then moved to New York City where she was awarded a place in the Broadway Dance Centre Scholarship Program.

Perri has worked professionally in the dance industry for over 20 years and has danced and choreographed for high profile companies such as Nike, Revlon, MAC, CBC, TSN, Hilton and Fashion Cares. Her resume spans both stage and screen, and she has appeared in commercials, music videos and was a member of the Toronto Raptors Dance Pak for 3 seasons, as well as performing for Norweigen Cruise lines as a featured dancer and Ariel Artist. She most recently choreographed the 2021 Roz and Mocha Campaign for Rogers Media.

Perri also spend 6 years living in London, UK and had the honour of working as Assistant Choreographer to Molloy Molly and the legendary Michael Flatley in his show “Celtic Tiger” which went on to tour the world performing at Madison Square gardens along the way.

As a teacher and mentor, Perri has not only owned her own studio, but has sat on numerous audition panels and has been a teacher at several studios and professional theatre schools including George Brown College (Toronto), Broadway Dance Centre Children’s Program (NYC), Pineapple Studios (London, UK), London Studio Centre (Dance Degree Program, London UK), Urdang Academy (College Level, London, UK), Italia Conti Arts College ( London, UK). She was honoured to be invited back to work with the 1st years at Ryerson University as an Assistant Teacher to Stelio Calagias.  Perri also attended and successfully graduated from the ABT (American Ballet Theatre) National Curriculum Teacher Training Program Levels Primary-3. Her expertise also gave her the opportunity to teach and Manage at the prestigious Goh Ballet Academy under the Direction of former Prima Ballerina Ms Chan Hon Goh.

Some of her former students include Derek Hough and Mark Ballas of television’s “Dancing With the Stars”, Pixie Lott a Pop star in the UK and US, Matthew James Thomas of Broadways “Spiderman and “Pippin”. Many other students have appeared in the Harry Potter movies and as well as in Broadway and West End shows including Billy Elliot, the Beautiful Game, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Starlight Express, Dirty Dancing, and Wicked to name a few.

Anthony Smith

Choreographer/ Canadian International Hip Hop Judge

 

With over 20 years’ experience in the dance industry, Anthony does nothing less than enhance the skills of every dancer he works with and inspires them to reach beyond their goals and redefine their limits. In March of 2010, he created Ambitious Movement (AM). His vision was to bring dancers’ professional training in street dance (e.g. Waving, Popping, Tutting, Breaking, House, Party Dances) incorporated into his Hip-Hop choreography, developing a strong foundation in Hip-Hop and street dance technique.

Since then, AM has been the runner-up on MuchMusic’s “New.Music.Live” Best Dance Crew, has featured dancers on the 2018 iHeartRadio MuchMusic Video Awards, the Family Channel’s “The Next Step”, Xbox’s Dance Central commercial, a Toronto Public Health commercial, a Chapman’s Ice Cream commercial, WE Day Toronto and the hype crew for New Year’s Eve 2014 at Mississauga’s Celebration Square.

In addition to teaching, Anthony is currently a Canadian regional and national judge for Hip-Hop International, the world’s biggest Hip-Hop Dance Competition, dancers from which often compete on TV shows like “World of Dance” and “So You Think You Can Dance”. Ambitious Anthony has also choreographed and artistically directed eleven theatre productions and numerous corporate events for companies including Nike, Walmart, Hugo Boss and Diet Pepsi Max, to name a few. He has also choreographed for local artists and has opened for artists such as Kanye West, T-Pain, Ciara and Ludacris.

Rebecca Strain

BA(Hons), PBT

Rebecca trained at The Margaret Barbieri Conservatory at The Sarasota Ballet and Ballet West Scotland. She graduated with a first class Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the Open University. Rebecca is also a certified Progressing Ballet Technique teacher. While at Ballet West she toured as a member of the junior company in full-length ballets including The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Giselle as well as various contemporary pieces. After completing her Royal Academy of Dance examinations and receiving a distinction in her Advanced Two, Rebecca participated in The Genée International Ballet competition in Australia and Portugal. Rebecca performed with The Sarasota Ballet in their production of La Fille Mal Gardée as well as with Ballet West International Touring Company performing Swan Lake in Malaysia. Rebecca has trained in many styles of dance including contemporary, modern, jazz, lyrical, character dance, and ballet. While training Rebecca also taught a variety of classes to the younger students at Ballet West and Sarasota Ballet. Rebecca is currently working towards finishing her Masters of Arts in Dance Studies through the Royal Academy of Dance Headquarters.

Laurie Westman

RAD RTS, TTP Dip. (NBS)

Laurie is a graduate of the National Ballet School Teacher Training Program and is a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance, holding the R.A.D. Teacher’s Diploma with Distinction. For the past eleven seasons, Laurie was “Head of the RAD Graded Syllabus and Fitness Training Divisions” at the Oakville School of Dance. She taught at Pegasus Studios in Toronto for nine seasons and was the “Head of the Vocational Graded Syllabus” for six seasons.

She has an extensive background in ballet, theatre and modern dance. Laurie was awarded scholarships for study at Les Grands Ballet Canadiens, Les Ballet Jazz and the Banff School of Fine Arts. After receiving a Diploma in Dance from George Brown College, she joined the Alberta Ballet School’s Professional Programme. Laurie danced with Alberta Ballet. Her performance experience includes Alberta Ballet’s Firebird, Snow Maiden, Cinderella, Coppélia and the Nutcracker as well as numerous contemporary works.

Laurie is dedicated to art of teaching classical ballet and passionate about working with her students to find the learning style that is best suited to them. Within the process of sharing her knowledge and passion for performance and artistic excellence, Laurie enthusiastically anticipates learning from her students and watching them develop intellectually, physically and artistically. Laurie is currently on sabbatical and we hope to have her return very soon.

Trevor Hewer

Trevor is a piano teacher and composer. He has studied music at the University of Toronto, earning both Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Composition. During that time, he was also a member of an improvised piano duo that met weekly and produced a recorded Podcast. Creating new music, arranging music, and looking for new ways to combine music with other mediums are still his favourite interests, something he’s been very fortunate to find an outlet for at Balletomane.

  • Balletomane is home to a 7,000 square foot facility with 4 dance studios.
  • Separate changing facilities for students at all levels.
  • Parent lounge / waiting area with complimentary magazines.
  • Student lounge / homework area – sofas, desks, kitchen & refrigerator, television with complimentary DVDs, complimentary WIFI.
  • Classes run from Monday to Saturdays.