Our Teachers
Commitments from our Teachers
Our Teachers in Ajax
Miss Anastasia - Competitive Manager & Choreographer
Anastasia Vasilevski grew up in Toronto, Ontario where she trained in competitive dance with the renowned Denise Lester Dance Academy. At the age of 16, decided to further her dance career by continuing to perform and teach for in styles such as Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Acro, Tap and Hip Hop. Through her teaching, she has become an award winning competitive dance choreographer. She obtained her associate degree from the BATD in both Ballet and Modern. She is also a proud member of the Professional Adjudicators Alliance. Anastasia has taught in studios all across the Greater Toronto Area, as well as both curriculum and guest classes in the Toronto District School Board. She traveled to Los Angeles to receive training ay the prestigious Millennium Dance Complex Los Angeles in their Certificate Program in both Hip Hop, and Heels. Anastasia has performed in various local dance showcases, music videos for Toronto artists, as well as at the 2016 NBA All-Star Weekend. She has choreographed for the University of Toronto Pom Team, the Harlem Globetrotters halftime performances, as well as the Scarborough Music Theater. Anastasia still continues to receive training as both a dancer and a choreographer, as she believes there is always more to learn.
Miss Angie - Tap, Ballet, Hip Hop & Acro Instructor
Angie Ashwin has been dancing since the age of 7. She has been teaching dance for over 30 years and was a Dance Studio owner for over 20 years. Angie has trained in a variety of dance disciplines including Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Highland, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Modern.
Angie completed her first year of the Dance Masters of America Teacher program and is a Licentiate with the Canadian Dance Teacher’s Association (CDTA) in Tap and Jazz, as well as an Associate Member
in Ballet and Modern. Angie previously served on the Ontario CDTA Board as both the Stage Committee Chair and as the Vice President. She is currently an Ontario Modern representative for the National
Association.
Angie has her Double Major Bachler’s Degree from York University in Physical Education and Health and Society. She went on to receive her Diploma in Fitness in Lifestyle Management from George Brown
College and then completed her Bachelor of Education with OISE. She is currently a qualified Elementary School teacher with the PVNCCDSB.
Miss Amanda - Acro Instructor & Competitive Choreographer
Amanda Hall is an award winning choreographer, accomplished dancer, teacher, performer and adjudicator who has been dancing since the age of 3. As a young dancer, Amanda trained in the disciplines of, ballet, jazz, tap, acro, modern, contemporary and lyrical, competing across Canada and the USA. Her performances also include regional shows, television shows, and industrial showcases.
Amanda is a certified Member of the British Association of Teachers of Dance in Ballet, Stage (tap), Modern and Acro. She is also certified with Acrobatics Arts and Professional Adjudicators Alliance.
Amanda graduated with a Masters degree in Kinesiology and Physical Education from Wilfrid Laurier University. Studying anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and sport psychology. During her time at university, Amanda was the coordinator for the dance department and artistic director for their biannual showcase.
With her education and years of teaching experience, Amanda has a comprehensive understanding of how the human body is supposed to move and uses this to help develop her dance students safely.
Amanda loves to share her passion for dance with her students while teaching a fun and effective class each week.
Miss Amanda - Acro, Ballet, Creative Combo, Mom & Tot, Jazz, & Tap Instructor & Administrative Assistant
Amanda Timpson has been dancing for over a decade, with experience in genres such as ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, tap, and more. Now, Amanda is a part of the Durham College/Ontario Tech University Ridgebacks varsity dance team. She has worked with many dance professionals through teaching, assistant teaching, marketing, day camp, and event planning. Amanda has performance experience including dancing at non-profit events, sporting events, and religious events, among others.
Outside of dance, Amanda has years of experience working with kids including years of summer camp and youth leadership programs. Additionally, she is in school for Sport Management at Durham College where she is dedicated to educating herself on the benefits and downfalls of extracurricular activities to create stronger programs for the next generation.
Outside of dance and working with youth, Amanda has much experience working in media design. Throughout her post-secondary schooling, she has taken marketing courses, and has used that experience to work with many small businesses by running their administration and social media.
Miss Danielle - Administrative Assistant
Danielle Dean has a wealth of experience in both the business world as well as years of experience in Aid and Development with international children’s charities. Part of her work history includes starting the first volunteer program in Romania which involved the recruitment and training of volunteers from around the world to work with marginalized youth. Through this program Danielle was able to introduce both art
and dance to the youth she was working with.
Among other initiatives, Danielle was honoured to be able to start the first “Big Brother, Big Sisters” program in Romania. Danielle worked at both the government and ground level to advocate and change the lives of Romanian orphans and street youth. During this time Danielle also worked on Development programs in Bosnia and Albania.
Danielle was also one of the first Canadian franchisees of The Body Shop. Having sold her franchise a few years ago she is excited to work with Creative Connexions Performing Arts Centre. Danielle has also been a devoted dance mom for the past 16 years as both of her daughters have danced competitively.
It is one of Danielle's greatest pleasures to see dancers grow in both skill and confidence through the art of dance.
Miss Danielle - Acro, Ballet, & Lyrical Instructor & Competitive Choreographer
Danielle Smith is a Toronto/Durham based dancer. She began her dance training at a prominently ballet focused studio, and throughout the years she has expanded her dance vocabulary through various other dance genres and has recently graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University’s Performance Dance program. She now primarily focuses on contemporary movement practice, as a choreographer and performer.
She has worked with notable dance artists such as Hanna Kiel, Bobbi Jean Smith and Or Schraiber Fall For Dance North, Alyssa Martin Rock Bottom Movement, Aria Evans, Roberto Campanella and Robert Glumbek Pro Arte Danza, Hanna Keil, and Stephanie Lake Company. Danielle considers herself a multi disciplined artist.
Aside from her dance practice she works as an actor/model, and can be seen in advertisements for companies such as Softmoc, Party City, Chevrolet Canada, The Source, and most recently has had a lead role in a Hallmark mystery movie. Danielle uses her experiences in other practices to broaden her understanding of art and movement, and strives to challenge her students to take risks in order to reach their fullest potential.
Miss Jazmine - Ballet & Jazz Instructor
Jazmine Thomas is a Toronto raised, professional dancer known for her strong contemporary background with great versatility in ballet, jazz, aerial silks, acro, tap, musical theatre, and hip hop.
Jazmine has trained extensively throughout her life obtaining experience in competitive dancing, ballet examinations, professional auditions and performances, and as a teacher and choreographer.
She started her pre-professional training at Taylor Dance Centres and continued on with Liberty Dance while attending and graduating from Cardinal Carter Academy of the Arts. During this time she obtained a variety of scholarships to conventions like Radix, Jump, VIP, and NUVO in Toronto, Los Angeles, New York, and Paris. Jazmine has also obtained successful ballet examinations with the Royal Academy of Dance at the advanced levels.
She further pursued her professional training at Contour Dance Academy where she primarily focused on her love for contemporary and ballet dancing. During this time, she also attended York University focusing on a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
As a professional dancer, Jazmine has worked closely with independent artists like Sharlan Cuffy, Tianna Therriault, Joie Ann Merana, Kevin Howe, Shawn Bracke, Cora Kozaris, and Eryn Waltman.
She is also a dancer with the Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line, where she developed a love for silk aerial training and performing.
Jazmine loves to share her joy, passion, and expertise through teaching while she continues to expand her knowledge and repertoire as a professional dancer, teacher, and performance arfist.
Miss Maria - Ballet Instructor
Maria Cavazzon has been involved in dance education for the past 30 years. She is a Life Member of The British Association of Teachers of Dancing (B.A.T.D) in the areas of Ballet, Jazz, Stage, and Modern Jazz and is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT). Additional certifications include Acrobatic Arts (Module 2), Acrobatic certification through the Canadian Dance Teachers Association (C.D.T.A), and Alixa Flexibility (Module 2). Maria is also a certified Dance Adjudicator holding memberships with Professional Adjudicators Alliance and Acro Dance Adjudicators by Acro Dance Teachers Association. Maria is also a Special Educational Assistant with the Toronto District School Board.
She began her career teaching recreational dance at the local community center. From there she went on to teach at various studios throughout the GTA at recreational, part time and competitive levels. Maria also carefully prepares her students for annual B.A.T.D Ballet and Modern exams up to and including Professional Examinations.
She continues to expand her knowledge and training by attending workshops, seminars and courses each year to continue to grow as a teacher and pass along her knowledge to her students.
Maria has adjudicated throughout Ontario and British Columbia. She is excited to adjudicate and hopes to educate, inspire and encourage dancers to continue to work with care and perseverance to reach their full potential.
Miss Tayjah - Musical Theatre Instructor
Tayjah Nedrick is an aspiring model, talented dancer and artist! She is based in Toronto, ON, Tayjah prides herself on being energetic, kind willing and excited to work at Creative Connexions Performing Arts Centre.
