Watts Up?

Instructor/Choreographer

Born and raised in Toronto, ON, currently residing in Brampton, ON. Currently working in the post-secondary sector as an Operations Coordinator for Humber College. Also, currently I am instructing Zumba and creating choreography for classes and dancing for Afro Latino Dance Company and Tropicana Queens. My education- Bachelor degree in Justice Studies and currently pursuing my Masters of Education in Adult Education and Community Development at the University of Toronto (OISE). I have also conducted various Zumba Masterclasses where I incorporate different rhythms and engagement pieces into the class. I have also recently provided the City of Brampton with a Zumba Masterclass for their in-house fitness professionals. During their professional development training, I was given the opportunity to share my knowledge and expertise within the fitness and education field. The 90 minute workshop consisted an array of different methodologies regarding formulating, producing and enacting a fitness class. I have always loved to dance since I was a little kid. As soon as I reached the age of 16 I decided I wanted to further explore my desire of dance and take classes specializing in Latin dancing (Cuban Salsa, Rumba and Afro-Cuban), Brazilian Samba and Kizomba.

By the age of 17, I was a part of a Semi-Professional dance group at the Afro Latino Dance Company until the age of 19. As soon as I finished high school and entered into university and working full-time, performing and going to rehearsals were a bit much for my plate. I decided to take a mini break from professional dancing and pursue my career in Zumba so I can share my passion of dance and relay it into fitness for others. In 2015 I got certified in Zumba and started teaching at LA Fitness and privately at various schools. I Obtained various certifications such as: Zumba B1 & B2, Pro Skills, Zumba Gold, Strong by Zumba and many other in-house fitness training’s from LA Fitness.

I have also completed my Canfitpro Fitness Instructor Specialist certification designed to educate instructors into formulating and performing safe and effective group fitness classes.

Instructor/Choreographer

Sarah started dancing Ballet at the age of three years old and was put into ballet when her parents noticed that she would literally walk across the floor on her toes. She studied at Sean Boutilier Academy of Dance and was chosen to train in the special training program. While studying at Sean Boutilier, she trained in the Cecchetti method with intensive exam training. She was thrilled to be able to be part of the production Swan Lake. After intensive ballet training, she changed it up and studied in the competitive stream at Canadian Dance Company. Training in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Pointe and Lyrical and traveled all over North America receiving many awards. Sarah not only has a passion for dance but also singing and acting.

She is a graduate of The Randolph College for The Performing Arts, which is a triple threat performing arts school in Toronto. She also was one of the dancers on the TV show Class Act dancing with Gregory Hines. After graduation she studied Ballroom dance in South America and in Toronto. Since graduating from Randolph’s, Sarah has been teaching Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, lyrical, Hip hop, Zumba, Mom and baby classes, Mom and tot classes to children and adults, at a recreational, fitness and competitive level.

Sarah has recently received her Progressive Ballet Technique L1 Certified (PBT), held at the National Ballet of Canada, where she trained to condition young dancers in strengthening their developing muscles and proper alignment. She is also a Master Trainer at Barre Life Fitness in Oakville, where she instructs and certifies other participants.

Sarah has extensive teaching experience in the performing arts from dance, drama, singing, musical theatre, and fitness. She realized that in teaching the creative arts such as: dance, music and drama, that she became interested in her student’s emotional wellbeing as dancers. Her interest in play therapy heightened when she realized that many of her students with behaviour problems, learning disabilities and low self-esteem were greatly benefiting from her drama teaching technique. This prompted Sarah to explore the notions of therapeutic play when working with children.

She is presently doing her MA in child psychotherapy part-time, while she continues to teach and choreograph ballet which is her first true passion and the core of where it all began for Sarah. While strengthening on ballet technique and using the Barre method, Progressive Ballet and Sarah’s creative ballet choreography, your child’s confidence to perform on stage will strengthen and overlap into all their dance studies and further education for their life. Sarah’s philosophy is, “a confident dancer physical and mentally will create a strong and confident adolescent and adult for a successful career/life in whatever they decide to do.” Sarah looks forward to a great year of dance and meeting all her students!

Instructor

Kevin Krisen is a Toronto based dance artist who started his journey through dance at Watts School of Dance. During his time at the studio he studied Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre and Acro.  Kevin is a graduate from the GBD Dance Performance Program. Through his GBD training, he cultivated both his professional classical technique and artistic versatility while working with a range of prominent dance artists. In his first year, Kevin was selected to perform in Company B, a training company founded by choreographer Malgorzata Nowacka in association with GBD. The company performed contemporary and modern pieces across a range of Toronto venues. During his time at school he was given great opportunities to work with many distinguished artist such as Danny Grossman, Anisa Tejpar, Darryl Tracy, William Yong, Hanna Kiel and Cynthia Macedo.

Kevin was accepted into both Cadence Progressive Contemporary Ballet and Pro Arte Danza Summer Instensive 2014 and successfully completed both. The following year he was hired as a company member with Cadence Progressive Contemporary Ballet under the training and supervision of Artistic Director Courtnae Bowman. Kevin’s company training continued working with Courtnae in their debut of “Excerso” that was presented at Dance Weekend Ontario.  That same year he was also given the opportunity to perform in “Swan Lake” with Canadas Ballet Jorgen in partnership with George Brown Dance. Kevin’s industry experience continued in his second year at GBD when he was chosen by CBJ faculty member, Mercedes Bernardez, to perform with the Cuban contemporary company, Danza Corpus Canada. He performed as a soloist in their production “The Gift”. On the culminating night of their show he was presented with a full scholarship to “TEADE” International Summer Intensive in Matanza, Cuba.

Kevin also gained industry connections by working with alumni and guest artists in GBD’s annual productions, IN HÄUS and Unleashed. Working with choreographer Christopher Knowles he was cast in two pieces that were shown in both “FEVER AFTER DARK” and “CHOREOBALL” at the Much Music MOD Club.  In his graduating year Kevin graced the Dance Weekend Ontario stage once again with the production of “Charlotte Sometimes” a grad piece by Derek Sangster.

Upon graduation Kevin joined Danza Corpus Canada as principal dancer, performing a vast amount of contemporary ballet pieces throughout the city. His work with the company has been another significant element of his continuous growth and performance career.  His exposure to diverse dance artists and styles at Cadence Progressive Contemporary Ballet and Danza Corpus Canada, gave him strong foundation for his future dance work. His demonstrated abilities in the GBD studios further landed him a performance role in Casa Loma’s Legends of Horror for 3 consecutive years after choreographer Anisa Tejpar observed his work in class. In the summer of 2015 Kevin became a member of Hit&Run Dance Productions a production company under the ruling of co-directors Jennifer Nichols and Anisa Tejpar. His work in production has allowed him to engage with brands such as AMAZON,  Way Home Festival, REBEL,  Boom Radio 97.3CHBM-FM, and REVLON Pro Canada. As his exposure to the commercial industry increased he began working with choreographer Jennifer Nichols and was cast as SSE Dancer on the “Global TV” hit show “Salvation”. He was also selected to be a dancer in the HUM TV Awards, an award show for Pakistan’s Film Industry that was broadcasted on an international level.

In the fall of 2018 Kevin was hired as a corps guest artist with the National Ballet of Canada, presenting “Anna Karenina” by John Numier at The Four Seasons Centre for Peforming arts. His exposure to the company has taken his performative career to all new heights. His latest work with the company has been in the stage production of “Alice in Wonderland”. Kevin has found satisfaction and enjoyment in a variety of dance work, from classical ballet to commercial dance and encourages young dancers to never stop learning and to continue to strive to new peaks.

Instructor/Choreographer

From a very young age, Heidi Lorenz always knew that she wanted to perform. She began her training as a competitive dancer at Watts School of dance and won numerous awards including “Highest Mark”, “Highest Soloist”, and “Adjudicators Choice Awards” for Most Potential. As a teen, Heidi attended the dance program at Cawthra Park Secondary School and began working in film and television. Her charisma and technical excellence landed her many roles in several productions including the Family Channel’s “The Next Step” and “Backstage”, Slice’s “Rich Bride Poor Bride” and broadcasted events such as “Miss Universe Canada”. Heidi’s experience and determination led her to Ryerson University where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts and was awarded with the Pamela Hackett “Excellence in Dance” Scholarship.

Heidi has trained and performed across North America and has had the opportunity to work with world renowned choreographers such as Amanda Cleghorn, Kristen Carcone, Kelly Shaw, Jaques Monfiston, Gadfly, Hanna Keil, Allen Kaeja, Matjash Mrozewski and many more.

She continues to be a central figure in the dance community, participating in intensives such as “MIP” in New York City (2017), Kenny Pearl’s “Emerging Artist Intensive” (2017/2018) and “Pro Arte Danza” (2018). Heidi’s love for dance has translated into an even greater passion for helping young dancers uncover their potential in the studio and on stage. She has volunteered her time to help choreograph numerous student works and has been a dance instructor for many years. As Heidi’s dance career continues to evolve, her passion for both dance and teaching grow with it!

Instructor/Choreographer

A native of Windsor Ontario, Perri is trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern, Hip Hop, Lyrical and Contemporary. She competed for several years in the US, attending several Nationals and winning scholarships along the way. She attended Windsor Centre for Creative Arts and expanded her training into Singing, Acting and Musical Theatre.

Perri went on to graduate from 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.

Ms McCall 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.

Perri then moved to 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 (London, UK), Italia Conti Arts College ( London, UK). She was honoured to be invited back to work with the 1^st years at Ryerson University as an Assistant Teacher. Last summer Perri attended and successfully graduated from the ABT (American Ballet Theatre) National Curriculum Teacher Training Program Levels Primary-4.

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”. 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, Joseph and the technicolour Dreamcoat and Wicked to name a few.

Instructor/Choreographer

Amy Wysocki (formerly Adams) is a passionate Toronto-based artist with over 25 years of training and experience as a dancer, while focusing the past 10 years on developing and expanding her skills as a teacher, choreographer and adjudicator. A graduate of the International Student Visa Program at Broadway Dance Center in New York City, where she trained in contemporary dance, working closely with mentors Cat Cogliandro and Jenn Freeman. Some performance experiences include; Icona Pop “I Love It”, ABC’s Good Morning America, Classified “Payday” music video, Toronto Fringe Festival, Toronto Dance Teacher’s Expo, CNE Bellosound “Sketch Stage” and Much Music’s Electric Circus New Years Eve Bash.

Amy’s journey began in Mississauga, Ontario where she trained for many years as a competitive dancer in a variety of styles, including ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, musical theatre and pointe. As a dance graduate of the Regional Arts Program at Cawthra Park Secondary School, Amy furthered her technical training in modern (Limon and Graham techniques), cultural dance styles, choreographic skills, improvisation, dance history, kinesiology and nutrition.

Amy furthered her education at McMaster University, attaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour. While she completed her studies at McMaster, Amy co-Founded and co-Directed a highly successful competitive university dance team called Verve Dance.

Amy is co-founder and co-Artistic Director of a professional contemporary company, based out of Toronto, called Point Of View Dance Project. The company completed two successful show runs of a full length work titled, “Wireless Connection”. P.O.V. Dance Project has choreographed work for Fever After Dark, The Bazaar, Toronto Fringe Festival, CNE Bellosound “Sketch Stage”, Raise The Rhythm fundraisers, and many more. The company has also been featured in The Dance Current Magazine.

Amy is a certified Barre fitness instructor and a member of the Professional Adjudicators Alliance.  She teaches, choreographs and adjudicates across Canada, with award winning choreography and recognized students.  Amy strives to continually grow and develop as a dancer, teacher and choreographer. Leading by example through hard work and determination, Amy loves to inspire and share her passion with others.

Instructor/Choreographer

Nick, the founder and director of the up and coming dance company Airtight Entertainment, Choreographer, Performer and dance teacher. Nick has been dancing since age 7, and has remained passionate and inspired from the very beginning.

From that point on his love for self expression through the art of dance has continued to grow. He has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop Contemporary, Tap, Urban underground dance genres, African, and Caribbean dance, and is always looking for the new and next thing that is going to help to further diversify himself through dance.

“I’m all about the groove”, and having said that, Nick has danced on television, and on stage in shows produced by Warner Brothers, Nickelodeon, Nickelodean Germany, Universal Studios, Paramount Canada’s Wonderland, Slice TV, Bacardi, Mercedes Benz Jully Black,Rogers, HBC, various recording artists such as Aleesia, Shawn Desman, Victoria Duffield, Lloyd Banks, Euro Super Groups and artists like US5, Lexington Bridge, Jimi Blue. As well as performing with Tokyo Hotel, Jermaine Jackson, T-Pain, Fabulous, Busta Rhymes. Choreographer of the Canadian National Hip Hop team, as well as a resident choreographer on YTV’s The Next Star.

In addition to teaching at studios across Ontario, he has been fortunate to travel all across Canada, and the US, and North Western Europe- teaching in the UK, Portugal, Amsterdam, Paris, Germany, Barbados, and Brazil.

Airtight Entertainment company members have been featured in productions by Disney, Family Channel, CW’s hellcats, CW’s Nikita, So You Think You Can Dance Canada, YTV’s The Next Star, Cirque de Solie and so much more.

Instructor/Choreographer

With over 20 years of dance experience, Corey Gayadeen has always sought out ways to continue learning and improving as a dancer, instructor, choreographer and adjudicator.  Growing up in Toronto, Canada, Corey trained in the competitive dance circuit in addition to attending Cawthra Park Secondary School’s regional arts program as a Dance Major.  While best known for his tap choreography, Corey takes a lot of pride in his versatility.  Throughout his career he has received extensive training in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Modern, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary, Acrobatics and power tumbling.  Corey has had the opportunity to work with many world-renowned choreographers and has danced for large companies such as Mary Kay intl., CIBC and Miss Canada intl.  He has performed and competed throughout Canada, the United Sates and Europe, winning various high score awards and titles.  While representing Canada at the IDO World Dance Championships, Mr. Gayadeen earned two gold medals and was ranked 2nd in the world for tap dance.

In addition to his dance education, Corey Gayadeen has obtained an Honors Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario.  It was during this time that he truly discovered his passion for teaching dance.  Corey has had the opportunity of teaching and choreographing for numerous competitive dance studios and intensive workshops.   He is also thrilled to be able to share his knowledge to a wide audience as a member of the Professional Adjudicators Alliance.  Corey understands the importance of safe and efficient dance and challenges himself to use his Kinesiology background as much as possible while dancing, teaching, and adjudicating.

Owner & Artistic Director

Ashley Watts is a sought after teacher and choreographer with extensive knowledge in the dance industry both onstage and offstage in areas of training, performance, choreography and costume design.

Ashley is the successful Owner & Artistic Director of WSD since 2006, and Co-Director of SHOCK Dance Challenge – one of Ontario’s leading dance competitions since 2010.

With Ashley’s professional and nurturing coaching skills, her students have had the opportunity to win awards locally and internationally. Ashley’s students have performed with The National Show Team – Greece, The National Show Team – Spain, Five Star Dance Company – Mexico, CNE Rising Star Finalists, and featured on television shows on Family Channel and Slice.

Many of Ashley’s students have been accepted into Regional Arts Programs and Post Secondary Dance Programs. Many of them are now working professionals in the dance industry. Most recently, one of WSD’s graduates accepted a position with The National Ballet of Canada.

Ashley’s choreography has led her to be the recipient of numerous choreography awards both locally and internationally. Most recently, two of Ashley’s pieces, performed by talented WSD dancers, were nominated for the International Dance Awards People’s Choice Award.

Ashley believes that it is important to use your skills to give back to the community. Ashley has choreographed routines for The Canadian Cancer Societies “Relay For Life” events, the Credit Valley Hospital’s Palliative Care Centre’s Fundraiser “The Butterfly Ball”, Kids Fun Fair Mississauga, and Carassauga to name a few. Ashley also had the opportunity to choreograph for Slice Television Networks “Rich Bride, Poor Bride” featuring WSD’s own talented dancers.

Ashley feels that it is important to stay on the forefront of the ever-evolving dance world so that she can provide her students with the very best in dance education. She is thrilled to be sharing her extensive knowledge and love of dance with the Watts School of Dance students!