NEW STAFF MEMBERS!!

This year Dance Dreams School of Dance welcomes two new members to our dance staff, Ms. McQueston and Ms. Marino to our school and we look forward to working with you during the exciting year that lies ahead!!

With many years of experience, Dance Dreams School of Dance has acquired a select few teachers with the common bond of the love of dance.

 
  GILLIAN BROOKS 
  B.F.A, B.Ed, M.Ed, ACTRA Member (Film & Television)
  Dance Instructor/Principal

Ms. Brooks knew at the tender age of  six that she had a passion for dance. She trained and strived for versatility in many dance forms such as tap, jazz, character, modern and ballet at both a competitive and professional level She studied dance at Ryerson University and York University where she attained her Bachelor of  Fine Arts Degree (Specialized Honours) in dance. She was also  the  Dance Publicity  Coordinator for the York University Dance Department.  She trained  in Classical ballet forms of Chechetti, Russian and Royal Academy of Dancing methods.She also coached students for professional auditions for film and television throughout Toronto and taught workshops at high schools. Gillian was a dance instructor at  Seneca College as well as the Dance Supervisor for their dance camps for five years. She is an Associate of  the B.A.T.D. (British Association of Teachers of  Dancing) as well as a Member of the RAD (Royal Academy of Dancing). She has danced in  music videos, commercials and movies which have aired throughout Canada  and the United  States and is a Member of  A.C.T.R.A. for  film and television. She has her  Bachelor of  Education degree (York University) and is  currently an Elementary school teacher. She recently attained her Masters of Education Degree (York University). Ms.Brooks  fulfilled her dreams of opening up her own dance school with the arrival of  Dance Dreams  School of Dance which  opened in September 1999. Ms. Brooks  hopes to share her knowledge of dance to her students. Her goal is to offer safe fun classes where students can learn the technical aspects of dance while encouraging a creative environment.

SARAH MCQUESTON

Ms. McQueston grew up in Newmarket Ontario where she was introduced to the study of dance at Huron Heights Secondary School. Upon her first experience with the art form, it immediately became an essential element in her life. She possesses a strong fascination with the exploration of movement and is driven by the endless realm of discovery and creative fulfillment that the study and art of dance entails. The predominance of her training has been in modern, ballet and jazz dance styles. As well as performing and training at various institutions in New York, Montreal and Toronto, Ms. McQueston studied dance at York University and health sciences at the University of Waterloo. She is currently a student in the professional training program at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre. Ms. McQueston has been teaching dance to children, youth and adults as well as working with children through the classroom and recreational setting for seven years. In addition to instructing dance classes, she also works as a private tutor for the York Region District School Board. 
 

GUEST TEACHERS:

  SUSAN KENDAL
  Photo courtesy of The Dance Current

 
Susan is an independent dance, choreographer, educator and costume designer in Toronto. Born and raised in Edmonton, Susan first  encountered modern dance with the Alberta Children's Creative Dance Theatre. She studied, taught and costumed ballet, jazz and modern dance at the Edmonton  School of ballet  from 1990 to 1998. Susan was an inaugural  member of the Edmonton Contemporary Dancers (ECD) for  whom she is still a guest choreographer and teacher. She attended the 1997 Jazz Dance World Congress in Wiesbaden, Germany with  the ECD as the Canadian representatives that year. Susan graduated  from the School of Toronto Dance Theatre's Professional Training Program where she worked with many esteemed teachers and choreographers. As a part of  her fourth year graduate  project there, she had the privilege to study and perform the solo work of Peggy Baker and Julia Sasso-both eminent Canadian performers and choreographers. Susan has  performed and presented works in various series  including: The Fringe Festival of Independent Dancers, Danceworks to name a few. Her teaching work includes facilitating dance workshops in Toronto Public schools and the direction of the Seneca College's summer dance program. Susan is an editorial assistant and a writer of the Dance Current magazine.

  CATALINA FELLAY
  Photo: The Esmerelda Enrique Company

 

Catalina Fellay is a Toronto based dancer with a unique background. She joined the Esmeralda Enrique Dance Company in 1995 with a diverse training in dance. She began her study of  dance with renowned teacher  Esmeralda Enrique at the age of nine with Spanish dance. After having graduated from Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts where she trained in  Classical  ballet, modern dance and jazz. Catalina decided to continue her education and graduated from York University with a BFA in dance. She is now working towards a MA in dance reconstruction at York University with a focus on the Sevillanas Boleras. Her professional experience as a teenage dancer included membership in companies such as Theatre Flamenco and The Toronto Ballet Ensemble, and as a member of the Xing Dance Theatre of Canada where she performed and trained as a  contemporary ballet and Chinese dancer. With such a wealth of experience in a variety of dance styles, Catalina has often choreographed over the years and her  work is reflective of her cross-cultural  approach. Catalina enjoys teaching in schools and  across Toronto giving workshops.