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.
Bretonie Burchell Hip Hop Instructor
Brittany Duggan Ballet Instructor, Outreach Programs Brittany Duggan is an independent contemporary dancer, choreographer, teacher and writer in the Toronto area. She studied at York University, graduating with a BFA in Dance in 2009, and is currently Production Coordinator for The Dance Current magazine. Recent choreographic credits include work for The Creative Republic’s THIS IS DANCE, McMaster University, Parahumans Dance Theatre and Toronto’s Fringe Festival. Professional dance credits include a Bravo!FACT film with Darcey Callison, a Nuit Blanche installation with Peggy Baker and frequent interpreting for dance artist Susan Kendal of Pocket Alchemy. Brittany currently teachers contemporary at the Davis Studio of Dance in Whitby and is becoming a regular guest teacher at secondary schools in the area as well as for the Cecchetti Society in Toronto.
Lisa Emmons Ballet Instructor Lisa loves to teach dance. Since 2000 she has taught beginners and professionals: ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, and Hatha yoga. During her classes, Lisa aims to be engaging, allowing her passion to guide her. She opens the door for her students to go beyond their personal best and to delight in their artistic and technical skills. Lisa’s aspiration is to invite her students to delight in their creative energy and spirit which is a skill they can apply to all aspects of their life. 2011 was an eventful summer where Lisa was able to study and train at the prestigious ImpulsTanz festival in Vienna. She studied choreography from Rosas dance company (Brussels) and advanced contemporary partnering work with Inaki Azpillaga of Ultima Vez. Since the fall of 2005, Lisa has had the privilege of performing with Lightning Strike Art Productions (LSAP) in Toronto, Germany and New York. Lisa is often invited to teach company class or yoga for LSAP and serves as rehearsal director for many of Lara Wirick Bernstein’s (Artistic Director of LSAP) choreographies. Lisa was a member of Motus O Dance Theatre (2002-2006) where she had the opportunity to perform a variety of roles involving dancing, physical theatre and acting. With Motus O she toured Ontario and the East Coast of Canada. Lisa graduated in 2004 from York University with a BFA with Honours and is a member of CADA. Lisa wishes to thank the inspiring teachers and artists in her life; her husband, Michael, and son, Quintin, for their love and support.
Amy Blake Hoffman Bishop Strachan Ballet Instructor B.Sc. (Psychology), University of Toronto, Associate Diploma, CSC – CIBC, Enrico Cecchetti Diploma Amy’s passion for dance began with her early ballet training with accomplished teachers such as the late Nancy Campbell, Patricia Bradshaw, and a multitude of international teachers. She attended the National Ballet School’s Teacher Training Program, graduating in 1992. A devoted student and teacher of the Cecchetti Method, Amy has completed the prestigious Enrico Cecchetti Diploma. Combining her professional experience and her formal training Amy has spent the last 20 years dedicated to continued training, teaching students of all ages (beginner to advanced), choreographing, as well as administering and managing dance programs across the Greater Toronto Area. Specific managerial roles include: Principal of Interplay School of Dance, Principal of the Post Secondary Program at George Brown College School of Dance, and she also co-developed the Bishop Strachan School Summer Arts Workshop in Dance & Art. Amy’s affiliation with Interplay began in 1994 and she is thrilled to be part of the Interplay team.
Ruby Moreno Acro Instructor Ruby has been dancing for 20 years. She began her training at PSB Dance Academy. Ruby trained intensely in Jazz, Modern, and Cecchetti ballet method (Advanced 1 level achieved) under the direction of Karen Davies Thomas, Glenn Gilmour, and Jean Geddis. At the age of 9 Ruby joined PSB's Profile Dance Company and began touring the province with the performance based dance troupe. Ruby continued to train for 12 years intensively in multiple dance styles with the Profile Dance Company and has won multiple group, trio, duet and solo awards at competitions. After graduating from PSB, Ruby trained at George Brown College in the Dance Performance Studies program. Ruby then expanded into fitness, doing a co-op program at Extreme Fitness and then completing her Les Mills Body Flow Group Fitness Certification with Goodlife Fitness Clubs. In the last 2 years, Ruby has had many opportunities to perform as a professional dancer. She was accepted into the dance companies of Lady Luck Productions and RS Divas Dance Company. In the summer of 2011 Ruby opened her own entertainment and dance company, À GO-GO ENTERTAINMENT. Ruby has been assisting and teaching for over 8 years in disciplines such as Hip-hop, Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Stretch and Strength, and Acro. Recently Ruby has worked at studios all over Toronto and the GTA specializing in Acro. Ruby currently holds her Gymnastics Ontario Level One Coaching certification and is working with Scarborough Gym Elites Gymnastics Club to complete her sport specific certifications. Ruby constantly expands her knowledge of dance, gymnastics, and fitness in order to always improve on her teaching methods. She is excited to work with Karen Davies Thomas again and the Interplay team.
Christina Neves Tughan Intensive Jazz, Interplay Dance Company Instructor 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 RAD Ballet Instructor 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.
John Ottmann Intensive Ballet Instructor John Ottmann started his career in 1983 at The National Ballet of Canada after training at The National Ballet School and L’Ecole Superieure de Danse du Quebec. Over the course of his 22 year performing career, John gained a reputation as a highly versatile and powerful dance artist on the international scene. He has performed for companies, including the National Ballet of Canada, Ballet British Columbia, Alberta Ballet, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Mascall Dance, Danstabat, Quorum, Fortier Danse Créations, and Holy Body Tattoo. He has spent years developing a progressive approach to teaching which achieves both technical excellence and artistry while based in sound anatomical principles. John has deepened his knowledge through training in structural alignment, the Pilates method, Gyrotonics, as well as courses in the Franklin method, learning theory, anatomy, physiology and Kinesiotherapy. John has taught and/or held position of rehearsal director for professional companies, such as Cirque du Soleil (“ZAIA”), The National Ballet of Canada, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, BJM Danse (Ballet Jazz de Montreal), La La La Human Steps, Company Marie Chouinard, O Vertigo Danse, Cas Public, Alberta Ballet, Toronto Dance Theater, Ballet British Columbia and the Dutch National Ballet. As a master teacher, John has taught for the following schools, institutions and workshops: Transformation Danse-Festival Transatlantic, Ballet Divertimento, Ballet BC Mentor Program, CADA, Dance Teq Toronto, Arts Umbrella, The Vancouver Ballet Society, Anna Wyman School of Dance Arts, Richmond Academy of Dance, Main Dance Bridging Program, Breaking Ground, Harbour Dance Centre, Simon Fraser University, Marin Ballet, LADMMI (Les Atellier de Danse Moderne de Montreal Inc.), and the O Vertigo Summer Intensive.
Erin Poole Intensive & Recreational Jazz & Lyrical Instructor Erin has been dancing since she was 3 years old. She began training at PSB at the age of 8 and was accepted into the Profile Dance Company at the age of 9. She has been trained in Cecchetti Ballet by Karen Davies Thomas and Glenn Gilmour and has attained her Advanced 2 Cecchetti. She is trained in jazz and lyrical technique by Christina Neves. Erin graduated with Honours from Cardinal Carter Academy of the Arts and was awarded the Dance Award in Grade 10. During her years at Cardinal Carter, Erin was trained in Graham and Limon Modern by Julia Lava and Marlene Engenheiro. She also danced the lead role in an original narrative, modern dance film, "The Marriage" choreographed by Julia Lava. In Grade 12, she choreographed a Fosse Jazz piece for Cardinal Carter's annual "In the Making" performance. Erin has also attended the National Ballet School of Canada's Summer Program. In 2006, Erin was a finalist at the CNE's "Rising Star" competition with the jazz trio "Feeling Good," choreographed by Christina Neves, and a semi-finalist in 2008 with the solo "Are You," also choreographed by Christina Neves. In 2006, Erin was awarded 'Best Technique" and 'High Senior Soloist' at the Muskoka Ballet Gala. She has performed various lead roles in PSB's performances, including Giselle, 'Aurora' and 'Lilac Fairy' in Sleeping Beauty, 'Swanhilda' in Coppelia, and the Sugar Plum Fairy pas de deux with National Ballet of Canada company member, James Leja. This past year, Erin trained in Marseilles, France at Académie Méditerranéenne under the instruction of Thierry LeFloch and Mitou Manderon, former principal dancers of the Roland Petit Company de Marseilles. She has competed in the "International Concour de Grasses" and the "International Concour d'Aix en Provence" in which she placed 2nd for her Gamzatti variation and 2nd for a contemporary solo which she choreographed on herself. While in Marseilles, Erin also trained with the contemporary ballet company Ballet D'Europe, under the direction of Jean-Charles Gil. Erin intends to pursue a career in professional dance and is currently pursuing dance job opportunites in Canada. Erin is beginning her second year of teaching at PSB. She has also taught at Interplay School of Dance and Bishop Strachan School.
Faye Rauw Intensive & Recreational Jazz, Tap & Lyrical Instructor 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.
Adam Sergison Guest Teacher A professional dancer, actor/singer, Adam has worked with some of the industry’s most admired companies including Disney and Mirvish Productions. He danced the role of Tadzio in the Canadian Opera Company's critically acclaimed production of "Death in Venice". He appears in the ensemble dance cast of the movies “Camp Rock” and “Harriet the Spy: Blog Wars”. On stage, he was a member of the Toronto cast of “We Will Rock You” (Mirvish), “Peter Pan” (Neptune), "West Side Story" (Neptune) and recently performed as Mr. Mistoffelees in "Cats" (Rainbow Stage). Adam performed with Toronto’s Premier Jazz/Contemporary Professional Dance Company: The Helix Dance Project in their full length dance production entitled “Rain-Life in Full Bloom” and with Fayez1 Productions in "Grief: Another Common Bond". A personal highlight was the opportunity to assist Mia Michaels during the first season of “So You Think You Can Dance Canada”. He has worked with industrial shows such as The LiveRight Gala for the Canadian Liver Foundation, Puma Fashion Show, Rogers Cup and he has appeared in several national commercials.As a choreographer and teacher, Adam has conducted workshops for The Travelling Stage at Durham elementary schools as well as many dance studios throughout the Greater Toronto Area. He recently co-choreographed and danced a piece for the Toronto's Original Choreographer's Ball. His training includes ballet (Vaganova), jazz, hip hop, lyrical, tap and partnering. His thirteen successful years as a competitive dancer have given Adam valuable perspective and he loves to share his knowledge by giving back to the dance community.
Lucie Ward Intensive RAD Ballet, Junior Ballet Instructor, Administration for Intensive Program 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.