Anjelica Gilroy
ADAPT CERTIFIED, Alixa Flexibility M1
Ms. Anjelica began her dance training at the age of 3 in the styles of ballet, jazz and tap. At the age of 6 she began competing in those styles, and as she got older started training and competing in acro, hip hop, lyrical and musical theatre. Throughout high school she performed and choreographed for the musical theatre program, and was awarded the musical theatre scholarship upon graduation. She completed her RAD ballet exams through intermediate, as well as her ADAPT exams in jazz and tap through intermediate level 3.

In 2012 she was honoured to be apart of the Canadian National Tap Team, directed and choreographed by Everett Smith (top 4 finalist on So You Think You Can Dance Canada). The team traveled to Germany and competed in the IDO World Championships.

In summer 2021 Ms. Anjelica successfully completed her Alixa Module 1 flexibility course along with her year 1 of ADAPT Jazz & Tap Teacher Training.

Ms. Anjelica’s teaching is focused on strong technique, musicality, and to create a positive and motivating environment. She is grateful to be able to share her passion for dance with her students, leaving her classes feeling inspired and confident

Shauna Bartley
B.A.T.D CERTIFIED, ADAPT CERTIFIED, PBT CERTIFIED,
ACROBATIC ARTS M1 & M2
For over 20 years Ms. Shauna studied Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, and Acro. Her passion for instructing young dancers started at the age of 14 when she began assisting classes. Ms. Shauna was later hired as a full-time teacher at the age of 18 in the disciplines of Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Acro and Musical Theatre. To gain more knowledge and experience, Ms. Shauna attended and successfully completed the 3 year A.D.A.P.T (Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers) certification program, 2 year Performance Dance program at George Brown College, Level 1 and Level 2 in acrobatics through the Dance Educators of Canada Forum for Acrobatic Dance, completed the Acrobatic Arts Module 1 and 2 certification and recently became certified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT).  Ms.Shauna is also a certified member of BATD.

In the last 14 years as a teacher and choreographer, students that she has had the honor of working with have won numerous awards including; Young dancer of the year, choreography awards and many overalls in groups, duets, trios, and solos. Throughout her many hard working years as a teacher/choreographer Ms. Shauna had the opportunity to work as an Assistant Artistic Director and Office Manager to add to her working knowledge within the dance world.

Ms. Shauna takes great pride in creating a positive and motivating learning experience. She is very enthusiastic towards sharing her passion for dance with all the young dancers that she has had the privilege of working with and strongly encourages them to set goals and dream big.

Madison Mapes
BA.H, ADAPT CERTIFIED, ACROBATIC ARTS M1
Ms. Madison has loved dancing since she joined at the age of 3. She became competitive shortly after and was successful and passionate about being a dancer. She won many awards, overalls and choreographed high school musicals until she completed high school. Along the way during studio training she completed up to Grade 7 RAD ballet exams and trained in upper level ballet classes upon completion. She also completed all of her ADAPT exams up to Intermediate 3 jazz and tap.

After teaching her first class Ms. Madison knew it was the right career for her, she has always been interested in making an impact on children and what could possibly be better than doing it as a dance teacher? Ms. Madison has been a recreational and competitive teacher for multiple years and choreographed many routines during this time that have had great success.

In summer 2021 Ms. Madison completed her ADAPT teacher training to be fully certified for jazz and tap and her Acrobatic Arts Teacher Training Module 1 for Acro. She achieved her BA.H in Psychology from York University in June 2020 and during her time completed many dance courses, classes and attended workshops to keep up her training. She is in the process of becoming an Early Childhood Educator through St Lawrence College Online Program to hopefully add to her career as a dance teacher.

Using what she has learned in her education and her strong love for children she is excited to see where being a dance teacher can take her. She has worked at Whitby Dance Company for multiple years and is excited to continue to make a positive impact on the dancers.

Jonard Vasquez

Mr. Jonard has been an avid hiphop dancer who’s passion dates back to an early age. He was the Head Choreographer for Fo’real Dance Company for 6 years and as an Advisor for a year. During his time with Fo’real, they achieved multiple podium placements and awards at hiphop competition such as Ontario University Competition for HipHop, Beatdown, Bring Your Own Beat, World of Dance Toronto.

Currently, Mr. Jonard  trains with Keystone Dance Company to excel as an instructor and as a dancer in the style of street dance with the overall culture of hiphop.

Mr. Jonard also teaches competitive and recreational hiphop in hopes to inspire those who are interested in learning dance movement through hiphop.

Kathleen Rogers
ALIXA FLEXIBILITY M1, ACROBTIC ARTS PRESCHOOL CERTIFIED, ADAPT YR 1
Kathleen is a WDC alumni with 14 years of dance experience in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Acro, Hip Hop, Lyrical and Contemporary. She has been dancing since the age of 2 and it’s been her passion ever since!

During Kathleen’s dance career she has had the amazing opportunity to dance with the Toronto International Ballet in their yearly performance of the Nutcracker alongside the Bolshoi Ballet dancers for three years. She also has had the chance to dance in the Globetrotters half time show and perform with her amazing WDC team at Disney!

 As a proud graduate of Whitby Dance Company, Kathleen understand firsthand the transformative power of dance education. From novice to a seasoned performer, Kathleen has grown through the studio’s nurturing environment, and now it’s her turn to create that nurturing space for you!

Kathleen is now Alixa Flexibility Module One Certified. This certification not only enhances her understanding of the human body’s capabilities but also equips herself with innovative techniques to help you reach new levels of flexibility and grace. In addition to that, Kathleen has also  earned her Acrobatic Arts Preschool Certification. This will enable her to seamlessly blend the beauty of dance with the thrill of acrobatics, offering your little ones a dance experience that provides creativity, coordination, and confidence.

Kathleen is so excited to be back with the WDC team taking on the role of teaching and enrolment coordinator! Kathleen is excited to dance with you and hopes to inspire a new generation of young dancers. 

Kalie Hunter

Kalie is excited to be joining the team at Whitby Dance!  She is a graduate of the School of Alberta Ballet/University of Calgary and is a professional performer/choreographer.  Her (selected) theatre credits are Mamma Mia, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Wizard of oz the Panto, Annie, Cinderella the Panto (Drayton Entertainment,)  Mamma Mia, Joseph (Tweed & Co,) CATS (Panasonic/Mirvish,) Spamalot, Mamma Mia (Stage West Calgary,) Robin Hood, S’narled (Capitol Theatre,) White Christmas (MTC,) Dirty Rotten Scoundrals and Beauty and the Beast 2x (Theatre Calgary,) Beauty and the Beast 2x (Citadel Theatre,) and Silverseas Cruise Lines.  (Selected) Film/TV credits are Nightbooks, Resident Evil, Star Trek Strange New Worlds, Star Trek Discovery, Suicide Squad, 11/22/63, State Like Sleep, Ghost Annie in Pay The Ghost, Season 1 and 2 of The Strain, Bang Bang Baby, Tiny Dancer, The Ron James Show and Nikita.  Kalie is the owner of Metro Movement Dance Studio in Toronto; one of Canada’s longest running drop in professional studios and she is also a sought after adjudicator and works coast to coast.  She is thrilled to be joining the team and looks forward to working with you all!

Merle Gonsalvez
B.A.T.D CERTIFIED
Merle Gonsalvez brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Whitby Dance Company team. With degrees in Dance and Education from York University, and certification from The British Association of Teachers of Dance and Acrobatics Arts, Merle is highly trained in ballet, tap, jazz, acro, modern, and Afro-Caribbean dance.

Her impressive career spans over 30 years, during which she has taught, choreographed, and performed professionally across the Greater Toronto Area. Merle is also a former company member of Ballet Creole, further highlighting her extensive background in the dance community.

In addition to her dance credentials, Merle serves as an elementary teacher with the Toronto Catholic District School Board. She is enthusiastic about bringing her diverse skills and passion for dance to Whitby Dance Company and looks forward to contributing to the growth and success of her students.

Emma Bray-Brezina
B.A.T.D. CERTIFIED (BALLET AND JAZZ)

Ms. Emma has over 15 years of extensive dance training in multiple disciplines.  She studied at various schools, including Jorgen Dance Academy, Canada’s National Ballet School, and Randolph College for the Performing Arts.  She also trained at a local dance studio, where she was an award-winning member of their competitive team for over 10 years.  She has successfully completed numerous dance examinations, most recently her Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) Advanced 1 ballet exam.  At present, she is continuing her dance training in the Dance Performance Program – Classical Ballet Stream at George Brown College.  She is also concurrently completing her degree in Psychology at the University of Toronto.

Ms. Emma loves performing, and has had the privilege of dancing in a number of professional dance productions.  Most notably she toured for four seasons as Klara in Canada’s Ballet Jorgen’s The Nutcracker – A Canadian Tradition.  Other performance highlights include: Romeo and Juliet (National Ballet of Canada); The Nutcracker (National Ballet of Canada); and Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet (Canada’s Ballet Jorgen).   

Ms. Emma is passionate about sharing her love of dance with the next generation of young dancers.  She was an assistant dance teacher for eight years at a competitive dance studio before becoming a dance instructor for the City of Toronto.  She taught numerous disciplines to children of all ages at a number of centres, including the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre.  While teaching for the city she completed her teacher training through the British Association of Teachers of Dancing (B.A.T.D.).  She has Associates Certifications in both Ballet and Jazz.  She is so excited to be part of the Whitby Dance Company team!