Faculty/Staff

Traditions Academy of Dance

Alison Grebenc: B.A (Hon.); A.I.S.T.D.; R.A.D. R.T.S

Miss Alison has been dancing since age 4. As a student she has studied Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) Ballet and Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (I.S.T.D.) Modern Theatre, Tap & Jazz. She has also studied Lyrical and Musical Theatre.

Miss Alison has been dancing since age 4. As a student she has studied Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) Ballet and Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (I.S.T.D.) Modern Theatre, Tap & Jazz. She has also studied Lyrical and Musical Theatre.

In Secondary School she studied dance for 5 years as part of a performing Arts Program. She was an award winning original member of the internationally competitive In-Ta Kids dance troupe.

After Secondary School, Miss Alison studied Ballet under Nadia Potts at Ryerson University (Toronto). Following that, she earned an Honours Degree in Fine Arts as a Dance Major from York University (Toronto). She has also studied dance in England with the I.S.T.D.

Miss Alison earned Associate certification in Modern Theatre & Tap with the ISTD & also an Associate Diploma in Modern Theatre with the ISTD. She is also a Certified RAD Ballet teacher. She has entered students for exams for R.A.D. Ballet & I.S.T.D. Modern Theatre, Tap & Jazz for over 10 years.

Her experience includes more than 15 years of teaching for The Studio of Dance and Performing Arts (Whitby), Steps Ahead Dance Centre (Cobourg) and the Lindsay Dance Studio (Lindsay). She also taught in the Dance Program at Seneca College (Toronto) and at Paul Dwyer Secondary School (Oshawa) in their performing Arts Program.

She has taken Master classes with such notables as: Mia Michaels (Internationally recognized choreographer – So You Think You Can Dance); Janice Barringer (New York City Ballet Company); Gus Giordano (‘Grandfather’ of American Jazz – choreographer for the White House shows, the Academy Awards & founder of the Chicago Jazz Congress); Charles Kelly (well known NYC choreographer, author of The American Tap Dictionary & Principal of the D.E.A. Teacher Training Program); A.J. Rousseau (Tap Dogs).

As a performer she has had roles in the musicals Grease and The Boyfriend, as well as many industrial promotional shows and dance demonstrations.

As a Choreographer her work includes several community theatre musicals and has been twice nominated for T.H.E.A. awards for best choreography for a musical for Nunsense and Nunsense II. Miss Alison is a Platinum award winning choreographer.

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Miss Emily Gibson

Emily Gibson is a professional dancer and teacher, working in the GTA. As a young adult, she completed her Royal Academy of Dance ballet exams up to and including Advanced l. During her time in Toronto, she has also trained in performing arts at both George Brown College and The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, where she studied ballet, jazz, and modern. Throughout that time, she had the pleasure of working with artists such as Sharon Moore, Ryan Lee, Anisa Tejpar, Darryl Tracy and others. Emily is best known for her versatility as she models, acts, and performs contemporary, latin, Bollywood, ballroom, and hip hop for various dance companies in the city. She has also co-produced charity dance showcases, donating all of the proceeds to foundations such as the Sick Kid’s Foundation and Make A Wish. Her credits include PrideTO, Bravo Dance Company, Limitless Compound, Sensual Heeling, MM Entertainment, Hit and Run Productions, Liberty Entertainment, Sheertex, Cheekbone Beauty, Zootch, and BNF Dubai. With her substantial teaching experience and having choreographed for all ages throughout the GTA, Emily is excited to join the Traditions faculty for the 2023/2024 season!

Miss Becky has trained extensively in Ballet, Modern, Lyrical, Jazz, Tap, and Musical Theatre. Her dance career began at the age of 3, at the Studio Of Dance and Performing arts. From 1995-2003 she was a member of the Inta Kids dance troupe where she travelled to international competitions in both Orlando, Florida and  Las Vegas, Nevada. While in Las Vegas, she was offered a full

Scholarship with Dance Educators of America (DEA) for their Ballet intensive workshop. As a student, she studied Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) and received a Highly Commended on her intermediate Ballet exam. 

 

Miss Becky has taken workshops and master classes with such notables as: Blake McGrath (internationally recognized choreographer - SYTYCD); Brian Friedman (choreographer for Britney Spears, Cher, Beyoncé); and Faye Rauw (Hairspray and Chicago) to name a few. 

 

Professional experience includes opening act for the Neutron Fitness competition in Ottawa, which was broadcast on TSN. Extra work in both Television and Movies. Promotional modelling for dance competitions/dance charity benefits. 

 

As a choreographer her work includes co-choreographer for the production of “The Musical firefighter” Co-choreographer for Kids Help Phone PSA video. Her Choreography was chosen to perform at the Dance For It benefits alongside Canadian SYTYCD alumni. She is an award winning choreographer who has received numerous choreography awards from competitions in both Canada and the United States. 

 

Miss Becky has 13 years of teaching experience. She has been entering students in ISTD Modern Theatre exams for over 10 years. She has had students dance on Team Canada, and many who have gone on to pursue careers in the arts. 

 

Miss Becky strives to emphasize creativity, in an environment that is safe, interactive, focused, and fun! 

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Miss Simpson

Denise Simpson R.A.D.; B.A.T.D.

Mrs. Simpson is a Ballet Teacher, Choreographer and Adjudicator. Mrs. Simpson credits her artistic background and love of the arts to her family coming from a line of artists, musicians, and dancers.

Mrs. Simpson is a Ballet Teacher, Choreographer and Adjudicator.

Mrs. Simpson credits her artistic background and love of the arts to her family coming from a line of artists, musicians, and dancers.

Mrs. Simpson’s dance career began at the age of three where she studied tap, ballet, jazz, acro, baton, and highland at the Dennis Moore Theatre School of Dance. At age eleven she entered and graduated from the National Ballet School of Canada’s full time professional program. She went on to attend Ryerson University, George Brown College and York University’s dance programs while training abroad in her summers at Pineapple Dance Studios in Covent Garden, England.

Mrs. Simpson’s has danced roles such as leading Willie opposite Vanessa Harwood and Mazurka girl in Les Sylphides. Mrs. Simpson’s has performed in the Unwanted choreographed by Jean Louis Moran and has had roles created for her such as ‘White Girl’ by Angela Leigh.

Mrs. Simpson’s career has taken her to places such as Hong Kong as a guest teacher and to Cuba as part of a Canadian delegation of artists. Mrs. Simpson’s enjoyed the opportunity of being head of the dance program at O’Neill Collegiate’s performing arts program for many years.

Mrs. Simpson’s has worked for 17 years at Seneca College teaching the elite gymnasts and skaters as well as teaching recreational dance, working in administration and was director of their summer dance program. Mrs. Simpson ran and owned her own dance studio ‘The Dance Class’ for ten years in Richmond Hill.

Mrs. Simpson’s creativity has been sought out by dancers as well as national level gymnasts and skaters. Mrs. Simpson’s is artistic coordinator for the Danceforit benefit working with talents from So You Think You Can Dance, the National Ballet of Canada and Tap Dogs. Mrs. Simpson was head judge on the reality Kidzforit TV series.

Mrs. Simpson is a registered Royal Academy of Dance Teacher and is a Life Member with the British Association of Teachers of Dance. Mrs. Simpson hopes she can bring her expertise and passion for dance to the studio.

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Miss Jaden

Miss Jaden has over 20 years of dance & performance experience. She trained in RAD Ballet & ISTD Modern & Tap completing her Advanced exam in Modern. She also has extensive training in jazz, lyrical & contemporary. Most recently, Miss Jaden is certified in Acrobatic Arts Module 1 & has also completed her Alixa Flexibility courses in Module 1 & 2, certifying her in the proper techniques of stretching & flexibility. Miss Jaden has been a dance instructor & choreographer for 10 years. Her experience includes teaching at various studios in Durham & Northumberland. She has taught in some colleges & secondary schools in the GTA. Her experience includes teaching in the UK as well as the USA. Additional experience included charity events & galas both as a performer & choreographer. Miss Jaden loves performing, teaching, choreographing, & exploring innovative change in all genres of dance. She is very proud, passionate, & excited to be teaching at Traditions Academy of Dance, the studio where she was well trained & fell in love with dance.

Miss Jaden has over 20 years of dance & performance experience. She trained in RAD Ballet & ISTD Modern & Tap completing her Advanced exam in Modern. She also has extensive training in jazz, lyrical & contemporary.

Most recently, Miss Jaden is certified in Acrobatic Arts Module 1 & has also completed her Alixa Flexibility courses in Module 1 & 2, certifying her in the proper techniques of stretching & flexibility.

Miss Jaden has been a dance instructor & choreographer for 10 years. Her experience includes teaching at various studios in Durham & Northumberland. She has taught in some colleges & secondary schools in the GTA. Her experience includes teaching in the UK as well as the USA. Additional experience included charity events & galas both as a performer & choreographer.

Miss Jaden loves performing, teaching, choreographing, & exploring innovative change in all genres of dance.

She is very proud, passionate, & excited to be teaching at Traditions Academy of Dance, the studio where she was well trained & fell in love with dance.

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Traditions Academy of Dance

Mr. 'H', (B.A.; B.Ed.; M.Ed.)

Mr. ‘H.’ received his formal dance training through the I.S.T.D. (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) Modern Theatre, Tap and Jazz syllabi. He has also taken Master classes with such notables as:

Mr. ‘H.’ received his formal dance training through the I.S.T.D. (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) Modern Theatre, Tap and Jazz syllabi. He has also taken Master classes with such notables as: Mia Michaels (Internationally recognized choreographer; Gus Giordano (‘Grandfather’ of American Jazz – choreographer for the White House shows, the Academy Awards and founder of the Chicago Jazz Congress); Charles Kelly (well known NYC choreographer, author of The American Tap Dictionary & a founding staff member of Sheer Talent Dance Competition. 

Mr. ‘H’ has been a dance instructor for over 20 years and during that time was the competition coach for The In-Ta Kids Dance Troupe – an international dance competition troupe. As a Choreographer he has choreographed several community theatre musicals & along with his daughter has been twice nominated for T.H.E.A. awards for best choreography for a musical. His performing experience includes parts in the Musicals: “The Boy Friend” and “Chess”; and a small part in the movie “Hoover vs. The Kennedys”; He has performed in several trade and marketing shows. Currently, Mr. ‘H’ is a Lifetime Member of Dance Educators of America, the prestigious dance teacher organization.

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Traditions Academy of Dance
M

Miss Veronica was born in Mexico City & started dancing at the age of 5 taking Ballet, Spanish and Folkloric dance at The “Academia de Danza Coppelia”. She also learned tap & jazz & became certified dance instructor in 1980. She continued dancing and teaching dance while attending University where she earned a degree in Industrial Engineering. In 2004, Miss Veronica moved to Canada. A year later she earned her Salsa Babies® Instructor Certification. In 2008 got certified as Zumba ® instructor. Other certifications as AquaZumba ® Zumba Gold ®, Zumbini ® SFIC and Salsa Tots ®

Her more recent experience teaching experience includes: Cardio Salsa, Tap, Salsa for couples, Zumba ®, Zumba Gold ® Aqua Zumba ® Kindernastics Salsa Babies and Salsa Tots, Latin Party Mix in Whitby, Oshawa, Courtice and Bowmanville

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Miss Natalie Manson

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Michelle is a highly sought-after teacher and choreographer with over 25 years of experience. She has competed nationally and internationally, receiving top marks, overall awards, and workshop scholarships. She is a licensed RAD Registered Teacher, an AISTD Modern Teacher, and a graduate of the prestigious O'Neill Collegiate and Vocational Institute Performing Arts program. Michelle spent a year studying In England and received her BA (Hons) with Distinction from Queen's University.

Michelle earned her MFA in Choreography and Dance Dramaturgy from York UniverSty, where she was also a guest teacher and choreographer for the York Dance Ensemble. Michelle has been a workshop teacher and adjudicator for the Muskoka Ballet Gala and she has also choreographed for film projects. Always looking to bring arts to the community, Michelle is a part of the "Artist in Schools" program with the York Catholic School Board teaching drama and dance. Michelle is constantly taking workshops and courses to ensure she provides the highest quality of training. Most recently, she has been certified in the distinguished Progressing Ballet Technique program by Marie Walton-Mahon. Michelle's students have been accepted to notable dance programs and performances, including, York University, Ballet Jorgen, and World Performers Canada. Michelle is a proud member of the Professional Adjudicators Alliance and she hopes to inspire all dancers with her guidance and knowledge. Known for her caring approach, Michelle's greatest joy lies in helping dancers develop their own sense of artistry'

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Mr. 'C'

As a former student of T.A.D. Colin, Mr. 'C', returns to us as the Hip Hop Teacher and Choreographer.  Having performed Hip Hop routines for 10 Years, Mr. 'C' brings to his classes a wide variety of styles, grooves and moves.                       

As a former student of T.A.D. Colin, Mr. 'C', returns to us as the Hip-Hop Teacher and Choreographer. Having performed Hip-Hop routines for 10 years, Mr. 'C' brings to his classes a wide variety of styles, grooves and moves. He draws inspiration from many of the leading names in Hip-Hop including Jabbawockeez, Ian Eastwood, Alexander Chung, Les Twins, and Will Adams. Mr. 'C' is constantly updating himself on what is trending in the Hip-Hop realm. 

Mr.'C' continues to attend George Brown College in the Commercial Dance program taking Hip-Hop, Jazz, Modern and Ballet along with Acting and Music Theatre. He has also taken classes with some well-known Toronto Teachers including Ofilio, Sinbadinho, Apolonia Velasquez, Derek Sangster and Derek Johnson. With this Mr. 'C' brings a wealth of technique and styles to all his classes.

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