Karen Davies Thomas Artistic Director Karen Davies Thomas, successor to Anna McCowan Johnson, is also owner and Director of the PSB Dance Academy, opened in 1989. Karen is a graduate of the National Ballet School's Teachers' training program and is accredited by the Royal Academy of Dance and the Imperial Society of Dance. After touring with dance companies in Europe & Japan, Karen returned to Canada to complete her Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours Degree at York University, during which time she performed throughout Ontario with the York Dance Ensemble. She was formerly Associate Director of Interplay School of Dance, where she taught for many years. Karen built a strong Modern Dance program and formed a performing dance company at Interplay. Recently, she has taught at the National Ballet School of Canada. Karen is married to Joel Thomas and they have three children: Dylan, Celine and Julie.
Anna McCowan Johnson Founding Artistic Director Anna McCowan Johnson (Anna Wilmont) studied ballet with Gweneth Lloyd, co-founder of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Company and spent her summers at the Banff School of Fine Arts. At age 16 she auditioned for Canadian entertainment icon Alan Lund and was selected for the popular Alan Lund Trio. She continued to perform at the CBC in many variety shows including "The Wayne and Shuster Show", "General Electric's Showtime" (hosted by Robert Goulet), and "The Big Revue" with Shirley Harmer. As a member of the Toronto Festival Dancers under the direction of Gweneth Lloyd she danced in many Canadian operas. She was 'The Girl from Boston' in the musical ,"Evelyn" with Tom Kneebone and was invited by the famous New York choreographer Lee Theodore Becker to dance in "Song of Norway". "Miss Anne", as she is affectionately called by her students, is a fully registered teacher with The Royal Academy of Dance and is a past board member of The Canadian Children's Dance Theatre and The Desrosiers Dance Company. She taught at Brian Foley School of Dance before opening her very successful school Interplay in 1983. She also taught at The Bishop Strachan School, Branksome Hall, and Mooredale House. Anna has recently retired as Artistic Director and has turned ownership of the school over to Karen Davies Thomas.She will continue to be actively involved with the school. Anna is married to Don Johnson, an investment banker and has two sons, Sean McCowan and Kaelin McCowan.
Ciprian Campianu Guest Teacher, Ballet Ciprian Campianu is a graduate of the Professional Teacher’s Training Program at the National Ballet School of Canada. He began his professional ballet training at the age of nine at the National Ballet School in his hometown of Bucharest, Romania. He danced for several years with the National Opera performing principle roles in classical ballets such as Giselle, Swan Lake, Copellia Sleeping Beauty, Anna Karenina and the Nutcracker. In 1997 he won the Oleg Danovsky International Ballet Competition with his interpretation of “The Afternoon of a Faun”. He was also a well-known performer on the two most popular live entertainment television shows for the two largest channels in Romania. After leaving Romania, Ciprian performed around the world in countries such as Germany, Japan, South Korea and France, where he performed at the world famous Moulin Rouge and Lido in Paris. His love for travel and foreign cultures led him first to Norwegian Cruise Line, and then Crystal Cruises, where he traveled the world for several years as the lead adage dancer of the Crystal Ensemble.
Elizabeth Ferenc Guest Teacher, Ballet Elizabeth was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, training with the Alberta Ballet School. In June of 2004, Elizabeth completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in the Art of Teaching Ballet, with the highest academic standing in her class at the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), University of Durham, London, England. During her tenure at the RAD, Elizabeth also received her Associate Status (ARAD) with Distinction, as well as the Licentiate Award (LRAD); the licentiate is distinctively recognized as only a selected number of ballet teachers have this status in the world. Elizabeth extensively studied the Classical Ballet Repertoire, European Folk Dance, Benesh and Labanotation, Choreographic Analysis, Educational Psychology and Analysis, European Historical Royal Court Dance and Music Composition, and concurrently obtained her Pilates Mat-Work Certification. In 2006, Elizabeth graduated with the highest academic average in her class from the University of Roehampton, London, England with a Masters of Arts in Ballet Studies. This specialized course allowed Elizabeth to study ballet within a broad cultural and artistic context while developing an elevated standard of scholarly acumen in ballet. Additionally, Elizabeth has a long history with the Ukrainian dance community and in 2000, as a dancer with the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers, toured across Canada in their production of Cinderella. Elizabeth has taught at the Central School of Ballet, one of the most esteemed vocational dance schools in the United Kingdom, and has been ‘Head of Ballet Department’ for three seasons at the Alberta Ballet School / Dance Alberta. Elizabeth is in the upper echelon of dance teachers in Canada and looks forward to bringing her expertise to the Interplay School of Dance.
Lara Kelly Musical Theatre, Tap, Junior Hip Hop, Intensive Jazz Program Lara Kelly has been teaching for over fifteen years, ten of which include Interplay. She is a dancer, actress, adjudicator and instructor. Lara has danced in numerous shows including Cher's Farewell Tour (North American Tour) and International Stars of Magic (North American Tour). She has trained in Toronto, New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles and has taught workshops across Canada and The United States. Her film and television credits include, Degrassi: The Next Generation, The Dresden Files, Devil's Perch (OLN), Run Robot Run (Darius Films) and The Store (CBC). She is pleased to be returning for yet another exciting year at Interplay.
Stephanie Landry RAD Senior Program, Senior Youth Ensemble Stephanie Landry, native of Montreal, Quebec, moved to Toronto Ontario at the early age of ten to pursue her classical training at the National Ballet School. She then joined the National Ballet Company of Canada and enjoyed a 15-year career. As well as performing in Toronto with the regular seasons, she traveled annually to eastern and western Canada, United States, Mexico and frequently to Europe. The Company’s rich repertoire offered Stephanie a wide variety of roles, from corps de ballet to soloist, as well as to Principal character works: to name a few, Les Sylphides, Giselle, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Bayaderka, Onegin, Coppelia and especially the Balanchine Ballets. The magnitude of talent within the Company itself was a continuous source of challenging inspirations. But if that wasn’t enough, fervent dedication and aspirations were always renewed with the multitude of world renowned guest artists performing alongside the Company’s dancers. Upon retirement in 1991, Stephanie began teaching and brought to the training the added skill of conditioning and injury-prevention technique called Pilates. She has given countless dance workshops, has successfully brought students to competitive performances, and has adjudicated herself in Ontario and Western Canada. Having joined Interplay, Stephanie looks forward to sharing her years of experiences and knowledge with up and coming students.
Christina Neves Tughan Guest Teacher, Jazz Christina started dancing at the age of 4. She joined PSB Dance Academy’s jazz and ballet programs at the age of 8, and later was accepted into the Profile Dance Company. While studying various dance forms as a member of Profile, Christina won many awards, both as a solo dancer and in group performances, including Best Senior stage performer (IDC), High Entertainment Award (Much Too Crowded). She also demonstrated her exceptional talent as a choreographer when she won the first two choreographic workshops. She was then invited to set pieces on the Company as a guest choreographer. Christina’s pieces won several awards, such as Overall Senior Group at the Muskoka Ballet Gala (Beautiful, Going Under, Empty Chairs, Hagamos, and Forgive Forget). Christina has also won best senior choreography/High score awards at Sur La Pointe/Dance Connection (Empty Chairs, Hagamos, Forgive Forget, Blurry and A Day without Rain). Christina’s choreography also includes Paint it Black, Feelin Good, Hype, Everytime, O Fortuna and All that Jazz. Although she left the Profile Dance Company as a performer in 2005, she is now a Jazz instructor for both the recreational and intensive jazz programs at PSB. She continues to choreograph pieces in various dance forms (Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Contemporary) for the Profile Dance Company. Aside from her work with PSB, Christina has taught for the ACE after school program in Scarborough, and at the Kinetics School of Baton and Dance. Christina is a University of Toronto and Centennial College graduate and is currently working in the pharmaceutical field. Christina looks forward to working with PSB for many years to come and is pleased to be joining Interplay as a guest instructor.
Shannon Nezda Intensive Ballet, RAD Exam Program Shannon began taking ballet lessons at the age of 5 at Interplay. With the encouragement of founder Anna McCowan-Johnson, Shannon auditioned for and attended the National Ballet School, Quinte Ballet School and The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School summer programs. At age 16 she attended the full time professional program at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, where she participated in a program to introduce the professional students to teaching. It was during that program that Shannon developed her love of teaching ballet. Shannon returned to Interplay and trained under the current Artistic Director, Karen Davies Thomas. She went on to attend Ryerson's dance program. Shannon has completed all Royal Academy of Dance exams up to the Advanced level, and received Distinction on her Royal Academy of Dance teaching exam. She has also completed the elementary and intermediate Cecchetti exams. Shannon has performed in Summerworks, Ffida, a fundraiser with guest artist Evelyn Hart, and as a dancer for the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra, as well as other events. However, her passion is teaching ballet to young dancers, which she has enjoyed for over 10 years.
Suha Ozler Junior Ballet, Mooredale Outreach Ballet Program Suha Ozler began her dance training at the Istanbul City Conservatory in Turkey, and continued her dance education at The National Ballet School of Canada, George Brown College and Ryerson University Faculty of Applied Arts. Suha danced professionally with The Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Company, gaining tremendous experience with famous choreographers from around the world. She has danced professionally in many classical, contemporary and modern dance pieces, including Coppelia, Don Quixote, Laila and Mecnun, Spartacus, Swan Lake, Faust, Giselle, La Bayadere, La Sylphide, Les Sylphides and The famous 3 Act Ballet by Gavin MacMillan. Her repertoire also includes Opera ballets such as Aida, Lucia de Lamermoor, The King and I, The Magic Flute, The Merry Widow and Turandot. Suha had the opportunity to tour in Europe, and danced in the famous ancient Asphendos Amphi-theater in Antalya. This performance would mark the first Antalya Summer Festival, dedicated to classical Music, Ballet and Opera. Suha has also been involved in acting, modeling, choreographer and assistant choreographer for various fashion shows and music videos in Istanbul. In 1994-95 she worked with producers from Europe to put together the Vision Show, which brought the fashion world to Istanbul, showing designer clothes. In 1997 Suha returned to Canada to become a teacher. She graduated from The National Ballet School Teacher Training Program and has achieved her associate in both Cecchetti Ballet and National Dance faculties as well as Advanced level in R.A.D. Suha has been teaching in various dance schools in Ontario since 1999 and is passionate about her career. She continues to pass on her knowledge as an ex-professional dancer, to choreograph for dance competitions and to prepare children for dance exams.
Faye Rauw Junior Jazz, Tap & Advanced Jazz Program Faye Rauw hails from Humboldt, Saskatchewan. She has traveled extensively around the world dancing professionally, teaching workshops, performing and choreographing for various dance companies, as well as performing for Royal Caribbean Cruise lines. She is one of Canada’s high demand dance judges, teachers and choreographers, traveling as far as Australia to judge their National Dance Championships.Faye has had the pleasure of working with the likes of Marlon Wayans, Charo, Ben Vereen, as well as Rob Marshall and Catherine Zeta-Jones in the Oscar & Golden Globe winning movie, “CHICAGO". She has also been captured as one of the video dancers in U2’s “Vertigo” tour and the CBC/BRAVO dance movie, “Roxanna” with Greta Hodgkinson from the National Ballet of Canada and Rex Harrington. Most recent, Faye can be seen in the new movie release of “Hairspray” with John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer and Queen Latifa. Faye's acting credits have been seen on the TV series “MONK”, Walt Disney’s “The Sixth Man”, along with various commercials and Canadian feature films. Faye has been recognized on the entertainment TV show, ET Canada, for her accomplishments in the industry. Faye has choreographed for the NBA, AHL, CFL, Steve Nash Charity Classic, KRG Children’s Charity Gala, KING DAVID The Musical, the stage tour for CANADIAN THUNDER, the Canadian product launch for Brittney Spears fragrance, CURIOUS, CHIN Picnic and has choreographed for recording artist Kristine W. Faye’s choreography has been seen on Western University Dance Team, Pride Toronto, ALI Entertainment and OIP Dance Company. Most recently, Faye choreographed the musical "Billy Bishop Goes to War" for the Souris Valley Theater Festival. Faye has been recognized as an ambassador for Lululemon athletic wear. She teaches and choreographs at the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts and recently, Faye started her own dance and choreographic workshop series titled Fayez1 Productions. Her passion to create and perform makes Faye a true inspiration to work with.
Jannine Saarinen Intensive Modern, Recreational Modern, BSS Day Program Jannine Saarinen began dancing at the age of six. She trained at schools such as The School of Classical and Contemporary Dance, Interplay, Canadian Children’s Dance Theatre, and PSB Dance Academy. She has studied classical ballet (both Cecchetti and RAD), modern, and jazz, training with Marielle Carruthers, Glenn Gilmore, Jean Geddis, Arwyn Carpenter, and Karen Davies-Thomas. She went on to graduate with honors from the George Brown College Dance Performance Studies Program and she received the Certificate of Professional Development from Ballet Jörgen Canada. While at George Brown she worked with many excellent teachers and choreographers such as Che Chun, Bengt Jörgen, Michelle DeBrouwer, Kathleen Rea and Sylvie Bouchard. She began teaching in 2003 and currently teaches at PSB Dance Academy, Interplay and the Swansea School of Dance. She has also been a guest teacher at City Dance Corps and Martha Hicks. Professionally, Jannine has worked with several excellent choreographers, including Donna Greenburg, Marlee Cargill, and Viv Moore. She has performed in fFIDA, Dance Ontario Weekend, Artist’s Play, Nuit Blanche and at many other venues. In 2006, Jannine created Jay9 Dance Projects to choreograph and produce character-based dance that is versatile and expressive. Her work incorporates modern dance with elements of theatre and also draws on her experience in other dance forms. She collaborates with different artists on a piece by piece basis and these talented performers perform her work in shows such as Artists’ Play, In a White Room, Danceries, Talent Defined, Junction Arts Festival, Dance in Dundas Square, and the bi-monthly cabaret series Eros, Thanatos, and the Avant-garde. In the last two years Jay9 Dance Projects has produced two successful themed cabarets. Currently, Jannine is working on projects for SummerWorks Theatre Festival and Nuit Blanche ’09.
Lucie Ward Intensive Ballet, RAD Exam Program, Junior Youth Ensemble At age 4, Lucie immigrated to Canada from Malta. Lucie was a competitive gymnast until her passion turned to dance. Her formal dance training started in New Brunswick with The Rothesday Ballet School at age 12. By age 17 she had completed all the RAD grades and majors up to Advanced. After dancing in several professional summer programs, including The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, and performing in numerous musical theatre productions, she finished high school and came to Toronto. In 1992 she graduated from the Teacher Training program at Canada’s National Ballet School, where she completed all the Cecchetti ballet exams up to Advanced. Miss Ward was awarded distinction in both ballet and National Associate teachers’ exams. During this time she trained vocally at The Royal Conservatory of Music. Further dance education included: The Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, The Russian Ballet Institute (Vaganova Method), Ballet Jorgen, Metro Movement, The Joy of Dance, Canada’s National Ballet School and University of Waterloo. Lucie has been teaching ballet in the greater Toronto area: for over 16yrs at Interplay, Randolph School for the performing Arts, Bishop Strachan, Branksome Hall, Toronto Lawn and Tennis Club, Oriole Nursery School, PSB dance Academy and Canadian Dance Company. Lucie has performed, choreographed and guest taught in numerous Musical Theatre productions and studios across Atlantic Canada and Ontario. She has been featured on CBC radio, acted in commercials, and adjudicated competitions. In February 2005, Miss Ward was pleased to accept a position as guest National teacher at NBS through the Cecchetti Society of Canada and accepted a substitute teaching position for Teresa Randall (Junior Associate’s level 4 & 5) at NBS in the fall of 2005 and spring 2006. Lucie’s teaching career has done a full circle since her first job with Karen Davies Thomas at PSB Dance Academy in 1991 and is thrilled to work with Karen and the Interplay team once again.
Charissa Zoetmulder Junior Ballet, Branksome & Mooredale Outreach Ballet Program Born in Toronto, Charissa Zoetmulder started her dance training at the age of four with Artistic Director Anna McCowan-Johnson at Interplay. Upon graduation from the National Ballet School, Charissa began her post-graduate training and work in dance throughout Europe, in cities such as Amsterdam, London and Cannes. In 2001, she danced as a soloist with the Jeune Ballet de Cannes in Paquita at Le Festival de Danse de Cannes among principal guest artists of the Paris Opera Ballet, and the following year was selected to dance in the Monaco Dance Forum in Monte Carlo. Returning to Toronto after two years in Europe, Charissa began working at Interplay as Office Administrator and Counselor of Dance at Interplay's Erin Gilmour Summer Workshops. She teaches young students up to Grade 2 RAD and is now the Registrar for the Interplay office. Charissa performs with Interplay's Youth Ensemble as a guest artist and she has acted in short films, music videos, advertisements and commercials. Recently, Charissa landed a dancing role in the film Stepping Up, the sequel to the film Save the Last Dance.
ACCOMPANISTS
Chris Cawthray Drummer and Percussionist Chris Cawthray holds a BFA-Music from York University (Toronto), where he focussed on Carnatic music with Trichy Sankaran, improvisation with Casey Sokol, and jazz. He assisted Trichy Sankaran at the World Percussion Intensive at Simon Fraser University (Vancouver), where he also studied with Glen Velez, Sal Ferreras and Albert St. Albert. Chris has studied in private lessons with Rich Greenspoon, Chad Wackerman and Marvin "Smitty" Smith. As a performer, Chris has specialized in drumset and percussion/hand drums as a leader in his own groups and with a variety of artists in the fields of rock, folk, jazz, world music, funk, pop and improvisation. As a composer, Chris has written for his own performing groups, for film, and for modern dance, including several works for PSB. Chris' efforts have spawned the creation of his production/distribution company, musicformovement.com, which publishes and distributes his recorded works (2004 album "winter music," 2005 DVD of his solo drumming entitled "solodrums"), as well as the work of producer Kip Hanrahan and dancer/choreographer/author Arwyn Carpenter.