Faculty

Sarah Lockett, A.R.A.D., A.I.S.T.D.

Executive Director (1979)

The Director and founder of our school is Sarah Lockett, A.R.A.D. An Associate of the Royal Academy of Dancing and Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, Ms. Lockett trained in Canadian and British schools and performed professionally before founding OSB in 1979. Ms. Lockett is also the Executive Director of the Ontario Ballet Theatre, a professional touring company founded in 1980.

Tara Roberts - Ballet

Managing Director (2007)

Tara is a graduate from the George Brown Dance Performance Studies Program. Upon graduation she received the Dean’s Award and the Professional Development Certificate. Tara has worked with many prestigious choreographers and directors and with Ontario Ballet Theatre. Tara is the Managing Director of Ontario Ballet Theatre and Ontario School of Ballet. Tara is currently enrolled in the Royal Academy of Dance Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies Program.

Shannon Whelan - Tap

Associate Director Tap (2005)

Shannon trained under the RAD and ADAPT Syllabi. She was a competitive team dancer at Can-Dance, American Dance Awards and Footloose Internationals in Chicago in 2001 and in Las Vegas in 2002. Shannon has been teaching and choreographing ADAPT Jazz and Tap syllabus and her students have continually excelled in their examinations. Shannon is a full member of ACTRA and continues to work as a professional performer.

Debbie Wilson - Ballet

Debbie Wilson began her career with the Cincinnati Ballet Company where she was promoted to soloist and rehearsal assistant. She has worked as dancer/rehearsal mistress for several companies throughout Canada and the US. Her rich background as dancer, teacher and rehearsal director reflects a lifetime of work with some of the greatest artists of our time, a lifetime reflected in her resonant choreographic voice.

Kara Duncan - Jazz (2005)

Kara Duncan is a dancer, dance instructor, actress and choreographer. With over 16 years of Competitive dance training, Kara has trained and performed with some of the best the dance world has to offer. She has trained and choreographed dancers at various studios and private schools around Ontario. Her students have won many over-all titles, high scores, and scholarships from the most respected dance organizations in North America. Kara has recently returned home after sailing the seas on Carnival Cruise line as a performer and dance instructor. Kara is a graduate of Ryerson University.

Elisha Galotti, B.A., R.A.D., R.T.S. – Ballet

From early childhood Elisha studied dance, and by age 13 received commended on her Royal Academy of Dance Elementary Ballet Exam. Elisha’s training includes jazz, tap, modern, highland and musical theatre with world renowned teachers and performances in many musicals. She was Director of Ballet at the Sheila Milne School of Dance before joining OSB in 2003. Elisha is pleased to be returning to OSB for the 2010-2011 season.

Dane Gulston – Hip Hop

Dane (a.k.a. Tallup) was born in Belmont, Trinidad & Tobago and had the makings of a true dancer even at a very early age. Dane has been in many contemporary music videos and film media including videos by Keisha Chante, Melanie Dura, Kardinal Offishall and many more. Determined. Talented. Creative. Dane’s abilities are as apparent as his stature. His innate sense of timing and drama along with his natural energy and skill make him a fantastic hip hop teacher! This is Dane’s second season with OSB.

Stefanie Poland - Acro

Stefanie is a graduate of the Regional Arts Program at Mayfield Secondary School and is in the Concurrent Education Program for Teachers at University of Toronto. Stefanie trained in gymnastics for 8 years and was a competitive dancer for 10 years at Performing Dance Arts. She is also a graduate of the ADAPT Teacher Training School and is qualified to teach in Jazz, Tap, Acro, Lyrical and Ballet. Stefanie won the regional title for her Acro solo and has received the Highest Academic Award in Dance for 2007 and 2008 at Mayfield. She specializes in Acrobatics and is looking forward to teaching Acro at Ontario School of Ballet this year.

Anya Willis - Jazz (2008)

Anya attended the Northern Ballet School, Manchester UK where she trained in RAD, achieving Honours in Advanced, and ISTD, achieving Honors in Advanced Ballet, Tap and Jazz. Upon graduation, she joined the European Ballet where she danced the Blue Bird pas de deux in Sleeping Beauty, then toured with the English National Ballet in Derek Dean’s production of Swan Lake. She has also performed as Victoria (the White Cat) in Cats, was a dancer/singer in Broadway Boulevard, was a dancer in a famous illusion show Mystique and has worked for Celebrity Cruise Lines as an aerialist and dancer. Since moving to Canada in 2008 Anya has taught and choreographed for All that Dance and this is Anya’s third season with Ontario School of Ballet.

Serena Ali, BFA (Hons), RTS, RAD T.Dip., RAD T. Cert. - Ballet

Serena earned her BFA (Hons.) in Dance from York University, has extensive RAD teacher certification and BATD jazz training. Ms. Ali has been teaching ballet, jazz and modern dance across Canada since 1989. Many of her students have gone on to become successful dance professionals. She is excited to be joining the OSB teaching faculty as well as the administrative team for her second year.