Dance Aarts Academy

About Us

10TH ANNIVERSARY DRAW

Kelly Aarts

Kelly Ann Aarts
Ryerson University Dance Graduate/RAD/IADA/IDTA/CDTA

Kelly Ann Aarts began her dancing career twenty-four years ago. She studied various styles of dance, ballet, pointe, tap and jazz. She received most of her early training at Centre Stage Dance Studio and continued her development with Moree School of Dance in Kitchener. Kelly Ann performed in the Stratford Festival of Canada’s production of Carousel. Kelly Ann performed a dual role as a farm child as well as one of the snow children. Shortly after, at the young age of ten, Kelly Ann decided to pursue her dream of becoming a dancer. She began assisting a variety of classes and continued to perform in school and community theatre productions. While dancing six days a week and traveling with a competitive team in Canada and the USA, Kelly Ann began teaching her own classes at the age of fourteen.

Kelly Ann completed her post secondary education at Ryerson University. She worked with well known instructors – Nadia Potts, Karen Duplisea and Vicki St. Denys while she continued her training to become a triple threat (dance, act and sing). She also continued to develop her teaching skills through the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). It was at Ryerson that Kelly Ann had the opportunity to train extensively in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop, musical theatre, pilates and creative movement. As owner and artistic director Kelly Ann opened a dance studio in Mitchell in 2000. Under her direction the studio quickly outgrew its facility and Dance Aarts Academy moved to its present location in Stratford Ontario.

Kelly Ann has completed the Russian graded ballet exams, 1-8. She also completed her graded exams 1-5 with the Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA) Through the ADAPT jazz and tap syllabus, she continued to further her training. Kelly Ann has completed the Intermediate and Advanced Major Ballet examinations, as well as her RAD teaching certificate with a Merit Standing. She has developed a very professional studio with a high standard for technique. As a result Dance Aarts’ Competitive Team has received top marks and many awards. Kelly Ann has received several choreography awards for her ability to develop a strong quality piece with a unique style and direction. She has also completed the International Adjudicators Course and is now recognized as a certified adjudicator across North America. She continues to expand her knowledge and training each year by regularly attending seminars and conventions to maintain her high level in dance standard.

Chelsea Coghlin

Chelsea began her dance lessons at the age of seven in Listowel, Ontario at Performance One Dance Studio where she was an assistant teacher and competitive team member. She then continued her training and teaching at Dance Aarts Academy with Miss Kelly. She has trained in jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, musical theatre, and hip hop, as well as being largely involved in her competitive team for many years. As a student, Chelsea won various overall and special awards at competitions across the province for both technique and stage presence.

Chelsea has completed her second year of a 3 year jazz/tap teaching certification program with the ADAPT (Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers) syllabus creators, Brian and Faye Foley, as well as training for years on the RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) ballet syllabus. While at university, Chelsea has taken numerous Advanced technique classes, as well as courses in Dance Improvisation, Composition, and Production. She continues to expand her dance portfolio by taking various workshops and training programs throughout the year, such as the Pulse Teacher Workshops with choreographers from So You Think You Can Dance.

In the Spring of 2010, Chelsea graduated from The University of Western Ontario in London, with Honors Specialization in Kinesiology and double major in Rehabilitation Sciences. She is currently employed at St. Marys Community Rehabilitation as a Kinesiologist. She is also an NCCP Certified Coach, Can-Fit-Pro Fitness Instructor, and a member of the Ontario Kinesiologist Association.

Chelsea looks forward to spreading her passion for dance to others in the Dance Aarts family and providing the best possible experience for every dancer who walks into the studio! Combining fun lessons with strong technique, Chelsea provides an energetic class which encourages students to push their limits and develop confidence and discipline for use in their everyday life.

Sharon Vasser

Sharon began her dance training at Dancer’s Workshop in Austin, TX, where she had the opportunity to perform all over the state with the junior company, Austin Dance Works, before joining Third Coast Jazz: A Professional Jazz Dance Company, where she was a member for 2 years. From there she moved to Los Angeles to continue her training at EDGE Performing Arts Center, and then continued on to get her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre at Texas State University. While there, she served as Assistant Artistic Director of Instinct Dance Theatre Company out of San Marcos, TX for 2 years.

Her other performance credits include: tribal member/dancer in Hair, Maheen/Ishtar in Medeas, Ophelia in Hamlet, a priestess in the independent film, Yorick, as well as an ensemble member of Vital Signs and Savage Love. Choreography credits include Savage Love, Oedi, Hair, the independent film, Yorick, and a touring production of Rumplestiltskin, as well as numerous competition and production pieces.

She has been teaching dance for 10 years to students 3 years old to adults, at all levels, recreational and competitive, including social dancing and dance and movement for actors. She believes in providing students with a solid technical foundation and a fun, energetic, and supportive class environment that encourages them to reach past their limits, to experiment with the shapes of the body, and to find the artistry and purpose behind the movement. She is thrilled to be joining the Dance Aarts family.

Ian Sadler

Since winning first Prize in the Syracuse International Oran Playing Competition in 1986, Ian Sadler has devoted himself almost entirely to the concert platform, dividing his time between presenting organ recitals and conducting choral concerts. He has presented recitals in Sweden, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, Hungary, Denmark, France and England. In Canada, he has commissioned and given premiers in many Canadian works and last season his 7th solo organ CD was released from St. James’ Cathedral, Toronto (Romantic Music for Organ, Volume 1). In 1999 Ian was presented with a Juno Award. Born in England Ian began his musical training as a boy chorister for five years at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London. He attended the King’s School, Canterbury from where he won the Organ Scholarship to Bristol University. During postgraduate study at London University, Ian was Organ Scholar at St. Paul’s Cathedral for two years. Ian holds degrees in musicology and education, with organ diplomas from Trinity College of Music and The Royal College of organists in London. In 1980, Ian moved to Canada following his appointment as Director of Music at Toronto’s Grace Church on the Hill and Choral Director at Upper Canada College. Ian is currently Artistic Director of the Stratford Concert Choir and The Cathedral Singers of Ontario. Each January and August the choir sings daily services for a week as choir-in-residence at a British Cathedral. Last year, during its 10th Anniversary year, the choir sang at Ely Cathedral, York Minister and St. Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh. For his dedication for promoting the organ and the music of Canadian composers, both at home and abroad, in August of 2007 the Royal Canadian College of Organists honoured Ian with their highest award, an Honorary FRCCO –Fellow of The Royal Canadian College of Organists.