Aimee Hamilton Vapsva (Director/Teacher)

Aimee Hamilton Vapsva is an Honours graduate from the Dance Program at Ryerson Polytechnic University, and is a proud member of Dance Masters of America (DMA). Aimee is delighted to have realized her long-time dream of owning and operating her own dance studio.

Aimee began dancing at the age of 4 and received extensive training in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical, Modern and Musical Theatre. Her years of training earned her countless awards, scholarships and titles at competitions throughout Canada and the United States, including American Dance Awards Dancer of the Year. While at Ryerson, Aimee received the “Most Potential Dancer” scholarship and trained under the direction of Nadia Potts, former principle dancer at The National Ballet of Canada. Aimee also had the pleasure of working with acclaimed teachers, choreographers, acting coaches and vocal instructors such as Vicky St. Denys, Stelio Calagias. Karen Duplisea, Mairlyn Smith, and David Walden. Upon graduation, Aimee performed in two Broadway Revues onboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines followed by 3 years, performing at Huntsville’s Deerhurst Resort in “Sing 2001”, “Excite the Night”, and “Impact”.

Aimee started sharing her love of dance with young dancers while in high school, and taught at a number of studios in the GTA throughout her academic years. Since becoming a full time dance teacher 12 years ago, Aimee has attended many teacher workshops where she has had the pleasure of taking classes from Mia Michaels, Brian Friedman, and Wade Robson to name a few. Her students and choreography have won numerous overall awards at competitions in Canada and the United States, including Mini National Champions at OnStage NewYork in Orlando, Florida. Aimee’s goals as a teacher are to inspire passion for dance, to promote technique and self-confidence and to bring out the best in her students in a positive and supportive atmosphere.

Kristy Leigh Baggetta (Competitive Director)

A dancer since the age of three, Kristy grew up in her Mother’s dance studio along with Aimee (Director of Artistic Dance Scene). Kristy is trained in Jazz, Tap, Ballet (R.A.D.), Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, and Modern. A competitive dancer since the age of 6, Ms. Baggetta has been blessed with numerous awards and titles. Her love of choreography led Kristy to follow her dream and share her passion for dance with talented dancers of all ages. Ms. Baggetta is an in demand choreographer at studios across Ontario and she works with students of all ages producing award winning routines. Many of Kristy’s choreographic works have been recognized with choreographer’s awards at competitions across Canada and the U.S. Never to sit back, Kristy continues to grow and expand her art with workshops in both Canada and the U.S. Students of Kristy’s have been honoured to achieve many titles, scholarships and awards as well as being members of Canad’a world tap and jazz teams that compete in Europe each year.

“Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.” A motto Kristy stands by and equates with each student she guides as they follow their dream to dance.

Kristy has worked with talented teachers and choreographers over the years both in Canada and the U.S. She strives with each student to provide them with the best in dance education working closely with her students to help them achieve their goals and become the best dancers they can be.

Kristy has been teaching at Artistic Dance Scene from the beginning and is filled with excitement over what this upcoming year will bring as she continues to be an important part of the Artistic Dance Scene family.

Nicole Marrello (Cecchetti Ballet) – BA, TTP (Dip) – NBS, CSC-CICB

Nicole has been involved in the dance community for more than thirty years. She trained in ballet, jazz, and tap at dance schools in Toronto before her acceptance into the professional training program at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. She completed the joint teachers training program with the National Ballet School of Canada and York University. Nicole has had the pleasure of being mentored by many acclaimed teachers including, Glenn Gilmour, Donna Krasnow, Shirley Tetreau and Brian and Faye Foley. She currently holds the Enrico Cecchetti Diploma (part A) and her Associate Diploma with the Cecchetti Society of Canada, as well as her jazz and tap certification with the Associate Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (ADPAT).

Before coming to Artistic Dance Scene, Nicole taught at dance schools throughout the Greater Toronto Area as well as summer classes with the American Academy of Ballet. Her students continually receive top marks on their ballet exams and gain high honors at dance competitions. She has had students go on to train with the National Ballet School, Quinte Ballet School, and the School of Alberta Ballet; as well as gain acceptance into post secondary dance programs at York University, Ryerson University and George Brown College.

Nicole believes that dance is a life long endeavor and that one should never stop learning. She is currently enjoying a renewed relationship with tap and has loved working with Kim Chalovich and the dancers of What’s On Tap. She also continues to do professional upgrading and has completed the Progressing Ballet Technique seminar, Alixa Flexibility modules 1 and 2 and Acrobatic Arts module 1 in the past year.

Chelsea Gibbs

Chelsea Gibbs started her dance training at the young age of four at the Sandra Amodeo Dance Studio. At the age of six she started competing and won numerous special and overall awards for her performances. At age eleven, she was the youngest to audition and become a member of the semi-professional tap company “iTap Youth Company,” based in Hamilton, Ontario, under the direction of, the late, Kimberley Timlock. She also successfully completed her B.A.T.D. Tap and Jazz Exams, R.A.D. Ballet Exams and her P.A.E.C. Tap Exam. She is a fully certified teacher under Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (Tap and Jazz), Dance Masters of America, Chapter #38 (Tap), and Acrobatic Arts (Module 1). She is a certified Acro Dance Adjudicator through the Acro Dance Teachers Association and a member of the Professional Adjudicators Alliance. Chelsea obtained her Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto and her Master of Arts in Leadership degree from the University of Guelph.

Chelsea’s performing highlights include: the International Modeling and Talent Association (IMTA) in New York (own choreography), the Olympic Torch Relay Performance Team, the Canadian National Tap Team, Chicago Human Rhythms Project, and Montreal Tap Fest. She had the opportunity to perform with professional tap companies such as Bringing Tap Back under the direction of Everett Smith and What’s On? Tap! under the direction of Kim Chalovich. In 2018, she was invited to perform with Andrew Prashad and Travis Knights at the Young People’s Theatre gala called, “Imaginarium: Jewel in the City.” She has also taken Master classes from tap enthusiasts such as Savion Glover, Jason Janas, Bril Barret, Starinah Dixon and Lisa La Touché. Chelsea’s mentors are Emmy award winner Ted Louis Levy, and sisters Chloe and Maud Arnold of the Syncopated Ladies. Most recently, Chelsea was hired as the Tap and one of the Jazz choreographers for the show “Snowed In for Christmas” that featured students in the Music and Dance Theatre Program at St. Lawrence College in Brockville, ON.

Over the years, Chelsea has appeared in numerous commercials and television shows such as “The Next Step”, “IIFA Awards”, “Breakfast Television”, “Motives and Murders” and “Voice of a Child” to name a few. To further her professional development, Chelsea has attended workshops and conventions such as The Dance Teacher Summit (Long Beach, CA), Broadway Dance Center’s

Dance Teacher Workshop in (Manhattan, New York), Toronto Teacher Expo (Toronto, ON), and Jump Start Intensive: Radar Techniques with Rebecca Davies, and Krista & Autumn Miller (Toronto, ON)

Ryann Dantes

Always a dancer at heart, Ryann started dancing at the age of 2.5 years old. Initially, as a recreational ballet dancer and later on expanded her interest in jazz and tap Ryann joined a part time pre competitive dance team at 8 years old and progressed up to full time competitive dancer and has trained in ballet, tap, jazz and modern.

In 2016, Ryann represented Canada at the IDO World Dance Challenge in Germany. where she and her team finished 6th in the world. Ryann auditioned and was offered a spot with World Performers Canada to compete in the 2019 Dance World Cup Portugal where she received 3 medals (Gold and 2 Bronze) in tap duet/trio, small group, and large group categories.

Ryann was also a member of a pre-professional tap company, The Rhythm Ensemble. During the summer months, she attended many summer dance intensives including Broadway Dance Center, Toronto Rhythm Initiatives (TRI) and Tap Dance Centre (TDC).

Ryann is excited to be a part of the ADS faculty and thrilled to work with students to develop strong dance technique with an emphasis on building confidence and individual artistic expression but most importantly share her passion for dance.

Caitlin Meyer

Caitlin Meyer (she/her) is a multidisciplinary dancer, teacher, and choreographer in the Tri-City area and GTA.  Before pursuing a professional career in the industry, Caitlin grew up dancing competitively under the direction of Kimberly Kay, Jay T. Schramek, and Kathryn Kuwabara at Dimensions in Dance.  Here, she also worked and connected with established choreographers including Marinda Davis, Evan Supple, Kristin McLaughlan Gomez, Kristy Baggetta, Christina Digiuseppe, Alyssa Petrolo, Danny Lawn, Akira Uchida, and Stephanie Rutherford.

Caitlin holds a BFA in Honours Psychology and a Minor in Marketing from University of Guelph.  While attending University of Guelph, Caitlin was a company member of Gryphon’s Dance Pack, University of Guelph’s varsity competitive dance team.  Her dancing and choreography was heavily recognized during this time, and, in her final year on the team, Gryphon’s Dance Pak were undefeated Varsity Champions.  Through Dance Pak, Caitlin featured in Rachel Vanderlee’s “Forgive You” at Dancing for Dogs, and in Chiara and Valentina Ghizzardi’s piece “Let Me Out!” at Mod Club’s Choreo Ball.

Caitlin also has a Choreography Certificate from Broadway Dance Centre.  She was a YoungCreators Choreography Finalist in 2018 with her piece “That Day”, and has only become more sought after as a creative and educator since.  Caitlin’s other credits include touring with Ballet Jörgen, performing with Drayton Theatre, Camille’s “You’re So Beautiful” music video under the direction of Jeff Dimitriou, dancing Normal People Collective choreography in a SHEBAD music video, becoming a Little Pear Garden company member, being a soloist at YOUTH DAY Toronto 2022, and performing at Walt Disney World Orlando. Dance has brought Caitlin opportunities to travel to Australia to expand her teaching skills, as well as through the East Coast of the USA as one of two Powerpak Senior Apprentices in 2016.

Caitlin is incredibly passionate about dance as a form of storytelling, and connecting with others.  She is thrilled to share her love of dance with each inspiring performer.

Tanya Chavez Cronin

Tanya discovered her love of dance at age 7, and from the first time she stepped on stage she knew that was where she wanted to be. She attended Summer Intensives at Quinte Ballet School and The Nashville Ballet and was a corps member and soloist with both with the BIC Ballet Company under the Direction of Marvin Askew and the Niagara Civic Ballet Company under the Direction of Beverly Feder F.I.S.T.D. She obtained vocational exams in both Cecchetti, and R.A.D. ballet. As she expanded her training, she had the opportunity to perform with the Danny Grossman Dance Company for two seasons of their Residency Program. Once graduated from high school, she continued her studies at Ryerson University graduating with Honours from the Theatre Dance Program. After graduation, Tanya joined Jean Ann Ryan Productions, where she was Dance Captain aboard several cruise ships for Norwegian, and Regal Cruise Lines. Tanya had the opportunity to choreograph a new show for the cruise ships fall foliage tour through the Maritimes & St. Lawrence Seaway in Canada. She has been able to travel as a guest performer and choreographer as well as presenting her own work in Toronto as a featured artist in Nuit Rose.

She decided to take a break from traveling and enter the world of teaching. She obtained a position at the Medicine Hat College Conservatory of Music and Dance where she discovered her love of sharing her passion for dance with future generations of dancers. Tanya became the director of the dance program shortly after arriving and built a strong pre professional, competitive and recreational program within the conservatory. She is a strong believer in giving back, and while at the conservatory was able to raise over $25,000 for charities through dance.

Students of hers have been accepted into professional programs such as Toronto Metropolitan University, York University, AMDA, George Brown, Julliard, University of Calgary, National Ballet School, Quinte Ballet School, JKO, Ellison Ballet, as well as numerous summer intensives such as Paris Opera Ballet and Vaganova Ballet Masters. Many of her students are dancing throughout North America and beyond as well as teaching newer generations of dancers.

Tanya has worked and trained with choreographers and Dance Masters including, National Ballet Mistress and former Principal Dancer – Nadia Potts, Jean-Aimee LaLonde from the Derosiere Dance Company, renowned Jazz Choreographer – Vicki St.Denys, ARAD & Examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance – Audrey Looker, Founder of the Quinte Ballet School – Brian Scott F.I.S.T.D., Internationally award-winning Choreographer and Artistic Director of the Nashville Ballet – Paul Vasterling, Artistic Director of the Singapore Dance Theatre – Janek Schergen, as well as many others.

Tanya believes in life long learning, and continues to further her knowledge of dance, by attending conventions, workshops and seminars as often as possible. She has obtained her certification in the ABT NTC levels pre-primary to 5, Progressing Ballet Technique, ADAPT, and Kaeja Elevations.

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Jade Moussa

Jade Moussa is currently in her first year of her Masters in Neuroscience at Wilfrid Laurier University. Jade has been a competitive dancer since the age of five and trained in Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Ballet, Contemporary, and Hip Hop. She previously trained at Artistic Dance Scene for over five years until she graduated in 2019.

Jade has many years of teaching experience where she ran Artistic Dance Scenes summer camp program for years along with working with other members of the faculty in instructing and choreographing. Jade has continued to dance throughout her four years at University with the Laurier Dance Team and is looking forward to sharing that passion of dance through teaching. She believes in creating a positive environment for students/dancers to grow and pursue their love of dance. Jade is thrilled to be a faculty member at Artistic Dance Scene and looks forward to the working with all the amazing dancers.

Paige Clark

Paige began dancing at the age of three and has been involved in the dance community ever since. She trained as a competitive dancer for 12 years, studying in disciplines such as tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, and modern. She obtained high marks in RAD ballet examinations (completing her Intermediate examination) as well as CDTA tap and jazz examinations throughout her career as a dancer. At her home studio, Paige had the opportunity to work with industry professionals such as Juliana Kelly, Cora Kozaris, Mark Samuels, Lindsay Campagna, Brodie Masse, David Norsworthy, and Stephanie Rutherford. She assisted recreational and competitive classes in multiple disciplines for over seven years. Through assisting, Paige found her passion for helping young dancers improve their technique and coached students to find confidence in themselves and their abilities. As an assistant, Paige choreographed multiple recreational routines and assisted in the choreographing of several competitive routines. Her attention to detail and desire for her students to achieve greatness, coupled with the guidance of her mentors, led her students to countless victories. Paige attended many intensives and conventions over the years and had opportunities to grow as a dancer outside of her home studio by attending the Eastern Canadian Tap Conference, Toronto Rhythm Initiative Summer Youth Intensive, Fresh Dance Intensive, Rutherford Movement Exchange, as well as dancing for Walk Off The Earth at Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival. When Paige graduated secondary school and went on to attend the University of Guelph, she joined and soon captained the Guelph Gryphons Tap Pak, the University of Guelph’s competitive tap dance team. As a Co-Captain, Paige was able to teach and improve the technique of her peers as well as choreograph multiple routines for advanced level tap dancers. She led her team to win many awards and quickly gained recognition in the University level competitive dance community. After graduating from the University of Guelph with a HBSc in Marine & Freshwater Biology, Paige began teaching competitive and recreational tap dance. Since then, she has been praised by adjudicators and peers for her dynamic choreography, attention to detail, and her ability to instil a love for tap dance in her students. Paige is fully certified through the Tap Dance Centre and teaches a syllabus that focuses on a thorough understanding of tap dance terminology, history, and musicality.

Lauren Rose Whyte

Lauren Whyte is an outstanding choreographer and performer. Lauren is trained in Acro, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Ballet and more. Gymnast at age 2 and competitive dancer at age 11, Lauren was granted many awards and titles throughout her competitive gym and dance career. She is well known for her extensive knowledge of Acro, Jazz, Contemporary and Lyrical and has choreographed many award winning routines for studios across Ontario.

Lauren has worked alongside many famous choreographers, including SYTYCD stars, Mia Michaels, Hani Abaza, Melissa Mitro, Tatiana Parker, Amanda Cleghorn, Tokyo, Leon Blackwood and more. Lauren has also worked with famous choreographer Talia Favia and Hollywood choreographer/producer Paul Becker. Lauren was also a backup dancer for Serena Ryder for her Opening Performance, in the 2015 Pan Am Games, “Together We Are One”.

Lauren has been teaching both recreational and competitive dance since age 15. She has worked with all ages from mini to senior students. She is a very technical-based dancer and is constantly pushing her students to the best of their ability. She has taught everything from regular seasonal classes to teacher seminars, focusing on Acro, Jazz, Contemporary and Lyrical. She encourages young dancers to explore and find new ways of moving in a safe and fun environment. Lauren is constantly learning, training and improving herself as a dancer. This is very beneficial to not only herself but to her students as she’s constantly bringing something new to the classroom. Every student who walks through her door leaves class feeling a sense of accomplishment and motivation.

Brittany van den Heuvel

With over a decade of experience as a dance teacher and choreographer of all levels from beginner recreational to advanced competitive, Brittany is looking forward to joining the Artistic Dance Scene family.

Brittany is certified ADAPT (Jazz and Tap) and Acrobatic Arts (AAC1, AAC2), as well as an AcroDance Preschool instructor. Brittany has spent the last 8 years in Oakville where, through her commitment to each dancer’s long term growth as artists, athletes and teammates, she has led studios to achieve Top Studio, Top Choreography, Dance-Off Championships, Top Studio Spirit and more. She is always looking for new ways to continue her professional development in an effort to bring the best instruction to her students. Brittany enjoys connecting with dancers and studios from all over and she finds great value in guest teaching, adjudicating and choreographing.

Prior to graduating from York University’s Dance Education program in 2015, and her Bachelor of Education from Trent University in 2017, Brittany trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre and Vocal. While performing and competing, she also completed extensive examinations, including Cecchetti Classical Ballet and in Jazz and Tap through the Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (ADAPT). Brittany has had the honour of working with notable teachers such as, Richelle Kinley, Mr. Brian Foley, Lauren Van Gijn, Ashley McNeil (Miller), Glenn Gilmour, John Ottman, to name a few. Brittany’s days as a young dancer helped her develop an eye for excellence and attention to detail.

For Miss Brittany, dance class is where high energy meets high standards in technique, artistry and performance. After years of mounting countless polished, entertaining and award-winning routines, she is most proud of the life skills that every one of her students learns during their time together each year. Working together to ensure every dancer has a chance to soar and exceed their highest expectations, Miss Brittany is excited to instill a love of dance in each and every one of her dancers at ADS.

Katie McKinney

Katie started dancing at 3 years old starting with recreational jazz and ballet. She immediately fell in love with dance and moved into a full time competitive program at the age of 5 where she added acro, hip hop, lyrical and contemporary to her repertoire. Katie has also competed as a competitive gymnast and tumbler throughout the years. She is continuing to dance competitively as she takes a gap year before moving on to pursue a BFA in Fine Arts with a major in Dance at York University next year.

Katie graduated from the Dance program at Cawthra Park Secondary School where she trained extensively in ballet and modern as well as being able to perform in several productions. During her time at CPSS she was also given the opportunity to learn and grow as a choreographer, culminating with her choreography being featured in her graduating year. Katie had the opportunity to represent Canada on the international stage in 2018, as part of the Showdance team that competed at the IDO World Dance Championships in Prague.

Katie is always striving to learn and grow as a teacher. Over the summer months she taught at various camps and intensives including programs at The Talent Room and the Flourish Intensive, as well as completing her Level 1 Acrobatic Arts certification. She is very passionate about mental health and works with The Flourishing Space to bring Mindset workshops to dancers promoting both a healthy mind and a healthy body.

Katie can’t wait to share her lifelong passion with the students at ADS, not only building strong dance technique and supporting their artistic expression, but also promoting a healthy mindset and sharing her love of dance.