Introducing the Citrus Dance Inc. Instructors:
Cecile Thomas (RAD RTS ABATD)
(Co-Director)
Growing up I loved to dance. My parents decided to put me in Ballet classes. I trained from the age of 4yrs old to 19yrs of age at Lynn Morrison’s School of Ballet School.
I was a part of many performances and competitions throughout Canada the United States, England and Scotland. While dancing at Lynn’s we were also invited to Dance at a Royal Gala in England. We were lucky to take part in Ballet Company Dance classes in London England and Manchester.
While attending the Ryerson Dance program, I received instruction from Nadia Potts, a soloist from the National Ballet Company for 12 yrs. I achieved my Elementary Exam Certificate for National Dance.
After starting my family, I achieved my Teachers Certification through the Royal Academy of Dance three year training program. Since then I have been preparing and entering students into their RAD exams.
I am always improving my knowledge of Teaching and Ballet by participating in Master classes and Teachers Workshops. So I can create strong and beautiful dancers!
Just this summer (2010) I participated in a Master Class and Repertoire Class with Frank Augustine. I loved every minute of it!!!
With all my experiences and Knowledge I feel that I can give the best to my students at Citrus Dance Inc.
Jenee Gowing (Bachelor of Arts from Ryerson University)
(Co-Director)
Miss Jenee is thrilled to share her passion and love of dance with the students and faculty of Citrus Dance Inc.!!!
Jenee began her dancing in her home town of New Hamburg, Ontario and continued her intensive training in Toronto where she graduated from Ryerson University’s Theatre-Dance Program. Jenee danced, created, toured and performed with Verve Mwendo Dance Company in Halifax Nova Scotia. Her choreography has been showcased at Atlantic New Dance Festival, Kinetic Studio, Acadia Theatre Company, Halifax Young Company, Maritime Performance Group, Time Canada’s Marketing Department and at Toronto’s Cultural Awareness Week. Jenee was a movement lecturer in the Theatre Studies Department at Acadia University in Wolfville N.S. In 2005 Jenee and her family moved to Orangeville where she has been actively involved in the community. Her choreography has been showcased with Theatre Orangeville, the Sweet Adelines, and T.O.Y.S choir. She continues to offer movement/contemporary/modern workshops across the province and has won numerous choreography awards at dance competitions. Jenee is still a perfomer herself and will take every opportunity she can to be on stage! Jenee, her husband Wes and children Jackson and Eden are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new baby due November 2009.
Karen Stuckey (P.A.E.C.)
Miss Karen is a full member of P.A.E.C. in the disciplines of Jazz and Tap and is a graduate of Sheridan College Music Theatre program. She has performed in such musicals as Nine, Brigadoon, and 42nd Street, and toured with the 9-piece show band Midnite Hour. For the past 10 years Karen has been teaching and preparing students for their Jazz and Tap examinations as well as competitions, while also choreographing musicals for various public schools across Dufferin County. Karen is pleased to share her passion for performance and her on-stage expertise with all her students.
James Maiato
James started his dance career at Deborah Thomson School Of Dance in Brampton. He has dance training for fourteen years in jazz, lyrical, ballet, contemporary, modern and hip hop. He competed in competitions all over North America, winning numerous awards. James worked his way up to successfully graduating from George Brown College with intensive professional dance training in ballet, jazz, contemporary and modern while gaining a great dance experience at George Brown College, he was awarded with a scholarship for best technical dancer. He also took the opportunity to do volunteer work for the world wide company Ballet Jorgen. James also attended numerous workshops in Toronto including one taught by celebrity dancer Hok from So You Think You Can Dance. James is both honored and proud to share all of his knowledge and life experiences with all of his students at Citrus Dance inc.
Kerri-Ann Paradis Hutton
Kerri-Ann began her dance training at an early age. Her drive and dedication led her to the School of Toronto Dance Theatre, where she graduated from the Professional Training Program. She has had the honour of working with some of the world’s most talented teachers and choreographers like Christopher House, Danny Grossman, Julia Sasso, Sharron Moore, and Michael Trent to name a few, and including performances with Bill James SENSES (2000), Rachel Browne’s KJ4 (2000), Susan Kendal’s ERROR IN THE SITUATION (2003) and WHISTLING MATILDA (2005), Miranda Abbott’s FELL (2003 & 2004), Lincoln Shand with Kaeja Dance Lab (2004), DANCE Film PROJECT with Nicki Nigro (2009), and has had the honour of performing for Quincey Jones and Mathew Modine. Today, Kerri-Ann continues to study modern dance from the world renowned dance artist David Earle, and company members of Dance Theatre David Earle.
Kerri-Ann has been busy choreographing since 1996 with several of her works being presented throughout the GTA. Her passion for dance and her in depth ideals of human behaviour, compliment the partnership with Michelle Grierson and the creation of No. 9 Collective founded in 2009. Just this past year Kerri-Ann and Michelle created a new company of young adult dancers called No.6 Collective, the two companies performed recently in their production of “Falling Dark”.
For the past 15 years Kerri-Ann has been teaching all ages, from pre-school to adult the art and beauty of dance. Some of the schools where she has shared her passion for dance have included; Orangeville District Secondary School, The School of Toronto Dance Theatre (General School and Children’s Program), The City of Toronto Parks and Recreation (Dance Program Coordinator), Inspirational Theatre Company (Co-founder), Academy of Performing Arts on Broadway, and now with Citrus Dance Inc.
Kerri-Ann is also an Honorary Graduate of the Child and Youth Worker Program at Humber College. Her experience in both dance and counselling directed her straight to Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS), where she has resided as a Residence Counsellor for the students since 2004. She spends any available time assisting Chiropractor Dr. Ron Hill, and dancing her heart out. This fall, Kerri-Ann will begin her training in the Foundations of Expressive Art Therapy with ISIS-Canada, and begin her journey with Yoga Therapy Toronto studying to become a yoga therapist in the future.
Laurie Moore (Vocal Instructor)
Natasha Boldireff (Yoga Instructor)
