Introducing The Studio’s Teachers

All Studio teachers are trusted, caring, qualified professionals. Beginning teachers and assistants must complete a work study program and the T.A.P.P. Workshop. They qualify by demonstrating high skill levels in their chosen dance disciplines, above-average organizational skills and first-class commitment.  We are fortunate to have such wonderful teachers and  award winning choreographers.  Join Us!

Janice Crowe, Director

Janice Crowe’s experience as a dancer, choreographer, adjudicator and workshop leader spans five decades. Earlier in her career, Janice studied extensively with Montréal Choreographer John Stanzel and Las Vegas Choreographer Bill Dick. She has appeared as a dancer on CBC and CBOT shows broadcast in Ottawa and Toronto, and has performed in, and choreographed, many Ottawa Region theatre productions. Janice has adjudicated at competitions held in the Ottawa area and led dance workshops in Ottawa, Toronto and the United States. Janice opened The Studio in September 1992. She is certified as a Teacher of Jazz, Tap and Creative Movement by the Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers A.D.A.P.T.)

Jennifer Vorobej, Director

Jennifer Vorobej brings a passion for dance to the classroom—and the aim to inspire every dancer in The Studio. Jennifer’s career in dance began at an early age and continued with workshops throughout North America and classes in New York City’s Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway. Jennifer is a certified Teacher of Jazz and Tap by the Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (A.D.A.P.T.) An award-winning dance choreographer, she has also choreographed theatre productions. In addition, Jennifer has worked as an adjudicator for dance competitions in Canada. Among the many students she has helped train, several have moved on to pursue professional careers.

Maria Cuglietta:  SRB ASSOC, ADAPT CERTIFICATION:  Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary

Maria has been dancing with the Studio School of Dance since the age of 4. She started dancing competitively at the age of 6 and continued competing until she graduated at the age of 18. Over the years she has trained in various dance styles including Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Contemporary. Prior to graduating, Maria was a teacher’s assistant for 5 years where she would experience first hand how to train and work with young dancers. As of 2022 Maria has successfully completed her ADAPT teacher training and is a certified dance instructor and in 2023 she completed her Associates Certification with The Society of Russian Ballet.  At the Studio School of Dance Maria teaches both competitive and recreational classes in the styles of Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Acro, Contemporary and Lyrical. She is excited to pass on all the knowledge she has accumulated over her years to each and everyone of her students. 

Allie Lewis: A.D.A.P.T – Jazz/Contemporary/Lyrical

Allie’s passion for dance and down to earth personality is apparent in every class she teaches. She prides herself on the ability to foster meaningful relationships with her students while maintaining professionalism and providing exceptional dance education. Allie has been teaching at The Studio since 2002, during which time she has grown both as a choreographer and dance instructor. Allie is a certified ADAPT dance instructor, has a BA in Psychology, and a Master of Arts in Counselling and Spirituality.

Heather Harvey, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Ballet, Lyrical, Stage/Musical Theatre, Acro

Heather’s passion is tap but she also loves to teach jazz, ballet, acro dance, stage/musical theatre, and hip hop. She is an accredited Tap and Jazz Teacher through ADAPT (Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers) and was previously an Associated Member in Tap and Jazz through CDTA (Canadian Dance Teachers Association). She had trained locally in tap, jazz, ballet, and stage/musical theatre, and has added acro dance and hip hop to her repertoire. She has performed, competed, and choreographed in many styles of dance, and has attended and continues to attend a variety of dance workshops. Heather has over 35 years of dance experience including teaching and choreographing for both recreational and competitive students ages 2 – 72. She has been teaching at The Studio for the past 13 years and at other local dance studios prior to The Studio. Heather loves to share her passion for dance with others and to see what her students (at any age, at any level) can achieve.

Amanda LeClaire Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Yoga

Amanda has been dancing since the age of 3. After completing her training at The Studio School of Dance in all disciplines as a competitive dancer, Amanda went on to dance professionally in New York with Carnival Cruise Lines, Karma Dance Theatre, Performing for Benny Benassi/Steve Angelo/Nervo/W&W, Assistant teacher with Broadway Dance Centre’s Michelle Barber.

Worked with Sapphire Dance Company, Toronto, Odyssey Showcase with ‘History of Canadian Music’. Amanda discovered the joy of Yoga and is now a fully certified Hatha and Yoga Tune Up Instructor specializing in Yoga for Dancers. We are so pleased to welcome Amanda to our teaching staff and know that her joy of dance will be infectious!

  Ann Cameron – Hip Hop, Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet ADAPT

  As a young dancer, Ann’s passion for dance was present in everything she did. While travelling across the continent to attend competitions, Ann made sure she      was in every workshop, audition, or master class offered. As a result, she has had the opportunity to train and perform with many of the industry’s most sought  after professionals in cities like Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New York City. As a dance instructor, Ann prides herself on working with dancers across all ages and  levels of ability. Whether she’s teaching a beginner-level recreational class, giving a master class to advanced students, or choreographing for a professional production, Ann ensures that her dancers are working to their fullest potential and getting the most from the experience. In addition to being an instructor and choreographer, Ann also acts as Director for the Hip Hop company at The Studio School of Dance. She is an accredited instructor with the Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (ADAPT) and is proficient in many styles including Jazz, Contemporary and Ballet. In addition to instructing dance, she also acts as an adjudicator for dance competitions across North America. Ann’s love of dance has only grown throughout her life and she has danced professionally with groups such as Culture Shock Ottawa, Karma Dance Theatre, The SixO Power Dancers and Odyssey Showcase. Ann strongly believes in the power of dance, no matter the style, and is motivated to help bring dance to every child who wants to learn. It is for this reason that she is proud of her affiliation to The Chance 2 Dance foundation as a supporter and instructor. Aside from her busy dance life, Ann also works as a Developmental Services Worker, providing support to individuals of all ages who have disabilities. She is currently working in a Physical Support Program at a local high school.

Ky Sauve

First stepping into a dance class at the age of 2, Ky has been in love with the art ever since. She started competing at the age of 7 and has trained in multiple styles including jazz, lyrical, tap and contemporary. Ky has completed level 3 and 4 BATD exams for jazz and ballet, receiving honours for all. She continues to train herself along with a performance troupe, TRAPT, which specializes in hip hop, jazz and lyrical styles.

Taryn Peardon .  Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Ballet & Lyrical, Acro (AACT1). CLI Studios Certified Teacher 

Originally from Calgary, Taryn began studying music and dance at a young age, training in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical and Musical Theatre, and competing with Elite Dance Academy and The Alberta Dance Academy. After graduating from The Alberta High School of Fine Arts she received a Bachelors Degree in Music Performance while continuing to perform as a dancer and musician with various local companies, and has toured throughout North America, Costa Rica, and China.

Taryn has always had a passion for teaching, and has over 20 years of experience as a teacher and choreographer. She currently holds teaching certifications with Acrobatic Arts and CLI Studios, and is always looking to learn new skills. She enjoys working with students interested in becoming teachers, and has had former students move on to successful teaching careers in dance, music, and figure skating.

Melissa Spence  Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Ballet, & Musical Theatre

Hailing from Smiths Falls, ON, Melissa Spence has been dancing since her first plié at age 7. Her journey in dance includes study of ballet, modern, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary and Musical Theatre. Melissa earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts—with honours— from York University in 2007, specializing in dance science. Following completion of her undergraduate studies, Melissa performed leading rolls in adaptations of Alice in Wonderland, A Christmas Carol, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and other original full length works. Her professional career has taken her across Great Britain, the United States and Canada.  Melissa has developed unique and motivating teaching methods that lead her students to numerous scholarships, titles and awards of distinction at the regional and national competitive levels. Her students have represented Canada at the World Show Dance Championships in Germany, Poland and Russia, and have gone on to professional careers in dance, theatre, film and circus. Melissa is highly recognized and awarded for innovative, dynamic and emotional story-telling choreography.  In addition to her career in Show Dance, Melissa is a fully qualified Ballroom and Social dance instructor.  She is continuously furthering her education in dance history, pedagogy, injury prevention and kinesiology, which are strong passions of hers.

Melissa is happy to be back in Canada and looking forward to sharing her inspiration and artistry with the students of The Studio School of Dance.                                             

Aviva Sternberg.    Jazz, Tap, Kindersteps, Ballet, Contemporary

Aviva began dancing at the age of 3, and she cannot imagine her life without the beautiful art form in it.  She has trained in the disciplines of jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical and contemporary. She has been with The Studio School of Dance for nearly 10 years, as a competitive dancer and now teacher/choreographer. She adores working with children, and watching them grow as dancers. She is currently completing her BA in Psychology, and hopes to be an elementary school teacher in the future. 

Hannah Wiens   Ballet (RAD) Modern, Contemporary

Growing up in Ottawa Hannah’s passion for dance was sparked when she started ballet lessons at 3 years old.  Through her school years she competed in competition including the Youth of America Grand Prix, Candance and American Dance Awards earning many titles and gaining valuable experience as a dancer.  Having completed all Royal Academy of Dance Vocational exams and Solo Seal, she moved to New York after graduation to attend the school of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre on full scholarship.  While living in New York Hannah studied under, worked with and performed with some of today’s most internationally renowned ballet and modern masters.  In her career as a performer, Hannah mostly worked for Disney Cruise Lines as a dancer, singer swing and dance captain performing in award winning shows ‘Beauty and The east and Frozen’. With many years of teaching, associate teaching and choreographing experience Hannah has developed a dynamic teaching style focused on conceptualization and true understanding of both the technical mechanics and artistry of dance.  As a teacher Hannah aims to instil confidence and a strong work ethic in every student.  Hannah is also pursuing a Bachelor of Health Sciences from Queen’s University.  Hannah is thrilled to be teaching at The Studio School of Dance and is looking forward to helping dancers become the best version of themselves

Administrators:

Vicky Bunker – Administration (CP)