Faculty

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.

Elvira McLeod

Elvira McLeod is a committed dance teacher who has been in the dance world for about 15 years. Starting as a competitive dancer, her dedication while training everyday and the passion she built in dance, is what led to her personal career choice to be what it is; a dance teacher and choreographer. She is now the coach to competitive dance teams and is a guest choreographer and teacher around the Toronto GTA.
Elvira is certified in ISSA Group Fitness Training and is currently a fitness instructor alongside her dance profession. She is an experienced choreographer in hiphop, open, jazz funk and contemporary dance styles. She has a RAD Ballet Certificate and is skilled in teaching a broad range of dance styles with passion and individuality.
Elvira has received many awards throughout the years, including special awards and scholarships for both her dancing and her choreography. She has received scholarships to AMDA and CDNC. Along with this, she was awarded at the Xtreme Dance Champions for her original choreography with the highest overall soloist mark, 2 additional scholarships, a choreography award, and the second overall highest mark of the competition.
Elvira became interested in an urban fusion between hip-hop and contemporary, that incorporates the classic street styles of popping and animation with the fluidity and emotion of contemporary. After finding a unique methodology, she began to perform pieces of choreography that suited her specific style, and this was met with great success. She believes in combining creativity and passion with strength and perseverance when teaching dance, while also maintaining an open and comfortable relationship between dancers in order to allow the mental well being of students to be a priority.

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.

TBA

 

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.

Natalie Coffa (Jazz/Ballet Teacher)

Natalie Coffa is currently studying Dance and Consecutive Education at York University and is heading into her 4th year is September. Part of York University’s dance team, York Lions Dance Energy, Natalie continues to striuve as a dancer winning awards at Univeristy Dance Competitions & Challenges.

A highly traied dancer in Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Lyrical, Modern, Ballet & Pointe, Natalie also holds accredation with Honours in R.A.D., Vaganova and Cecchetti Ballet Syllabi.
A competitive dancer sonce the young age of 5, Natalie has held many titles, won many overall awards and scholarships both in Canada and the United States, and was honoured to receive a bronze medal at the World’s Dance Competition in Germany.
Natalie has also attended the prestigious Joffrey School of Dance in New York City working with the best choreographers and teachers, and applies these tool to the dancers she teaches each week.

Natalie’s love of all dance has made her the strong teacher and choreographer she is today. She is thrilled to be on staff at Artistic Dance Scene and looks forward to continuing to work with the dancers and inspire them to be the best they can be.

Lauren Rose Whyte (Acro Teacher)

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.

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