Annastacia Smith
Artistic Director / Studio Owner
Holding her BFA hons. Dance from York University, now in her 29th year of teaching. Annastacia is trained and certified in RAD, CDTA, Acrobatic Arts and Cangym, PBT and as a ADTA Acro Adjudicator. Her genres include Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Acro, (and specialty acro) Modern (Limon and Graham), Musical Theatre, and Contemporary/Lyrical. She holds her NCCP and AAC1 for Acrobatics and gymnastics. She trained in a variety of professional programs, such as NBS, York University, and Mirvish Productions. Annastacia has consistently won top choreographer for 29 years, and along with our incredible staff, is able to achieve a top overall studio placement each year.
Crystal Clark
Administrative Director / Studio Owner
Holding her Acrobatic Arts Certification, and her ADTA Acro Adjudication certificate Crystal has been in the dance industry for the past ten years. Serving as the Studio Director she spent decades working in finance and business before becoming a studio owner, and manages all day-to-day operations, administrative tasks, and is our competitive liaison.
Diego Arvelo
The youngest dancer to be accepted into the Ballet of Santo Domingo, joining the company at age 16. He had the opportunity to tour with the company through South America (Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and Cuba)
Mr. Arvelo continued his education in dance, studying the techniques of such greats as Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, and Martha Graham. Since he came to Canada, he has furthered that training by studying R.A.D Ballet as well as C.D.T.A Jazz and Ballet, as well as Vaganova Ballet Technique. He is a certified instructor for the British Association of Teachers of Dance (B.A.T.D).
Amia Ogieva
Amia has extensive training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre and Acro; however Hip Hop and Contemporary has been her focus and passion. She got her start in choreography while studying dance at University. Amia has been training the next generation of dancers since 2017, and is a current faculty member of the Canadian Dance Company and Hoofers Performing Arts. Amia brings her commercial experience to the classroom; having danced for artist such as rIVerse and Tynomi Banks from Canada’s Drag race. She is still working professionally, continuing her training and is competing with her crew and studio Keystone.
Gizella Witkowsky
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Gizella Witkowsky graduated from the National Ballet School and joined the National Ballet of Canada in 1975 and enjoyed an illustrious 20-year career with the company. During that time, she performed lead roles in all of the major classical ballets and has worked with many world-renowned choreographers and had the honour of performing with some of the world’s greatest dancers. Ms. Witkowsky also has extensive experience in theatre and dance productions both in Canada and abroad. She has taught master classes at numerous Ontario dance festivals. Ms. Witkowsky continues to help develop and inspire future generations in the world of arts.
Gerard McIsaac
A double alumnus of the Canada’s National Ballet School, Mr. McIsaac is a highly regarded and accredited Professional Dance Educator Master.
Certifications include Diploma with Distinction from the NBS Teachers Training Program for Former Professionals, Mutually Recognized Teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance, ballet faculty member with Dance Masters of Canada and International Dance Teachers Association of Great Britain, and Professional Adjudicators Alliance.
Kristina McIntosh
Kristina McIntosh trained at the Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement, Quinte Ballet School of Canada and dance intensives at Banff Centre for the Performing Arts, Pittsburgh Ballet School and Princeton Ballet School. Upon graduation, she attended Ryerson University, graduating with a Theatre Diploma and Royal Academy of Dance teaching certificate and the Cecchetti Society of Canada. Kristina performed with the Paula Moreno Spanish Dance company before starting her teaching career with the Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement.
Lauren Lafayette-Brooks
Lauren Lafayette Brooks studied Theatre Performance at Humber college. She is a professionally trained and working voice and vocal artist, and has recently been certified through Acrobatic Arts. Lauren is dedicated to helping young dancers express themselves creatively and grow in confidence and skill. Lauren Lafayette Brooks is an accomplished professional teacher, with backgrounds in dance, drama and vocals. A graduate from Humber College Theatre Performance program, and her Acrobatic arts certification, she brings a wide spectrum of personal performance experience, and advanced training to her students. She is energetic, fun, and dedicated to helping young dancers express themselves creatively and grow in confidence and skill.
Rebecca Funari
Rebecca began her training in Winnipeg, Manitoba at Studio One School of Performing Arts where she discovered her passion and love for dance. She moved from Winnipeg to Belleville and began her professional training career at the Quinte Ballet School of Canada. She is a graduate with a Certificate in the Arts and is a member of the Cecchetti Society of Canada.
ACCOMPANISTS
Tibor Csaszar
Tom Dietzel
Terry Brooks
ODA Art Project Facilitator
Terry Brooks , holds a B.A.Hons Degree in Art and Design from Leeds Polytechnic, an Art Teacher’s Certificate from Leeds University , and a BSW Degree from Ipswich College of Further Education.
Before emigrating to Canada in 1990 , he worked in the U.K. in the fields of Education, and Social Work. After arriving in Ontario he worked for the Children’s Aid Society for twenty years and he is now retired and living in Brighton, Ontario.
He is a practising artist, photographer, and musician , and a member of the Brighton Arts and Culture Council , where he has been involved in staging musical concerts and art shows since 2010.
Terry also volunteers at the Brighton Library assisting with the Storytime and Singalong Programme for pre-school children and their parents. He can often be found in nearby Presqu’ile Provincial Park where he seeks out and photographs birds and other natural subjects.
Father of two charming daughters, and grandfather to seven delightful grandchildren, he is excited to share his knowledge and experience of the arts with children and youth under the umbrella of the Ontario Dance Academy.
