About PSB & Interplay Dance

PSB Dance Academy was founded by Karen Davies Thomas in 1989. In its humble beginnings, PSB opened its doors to 12 young, aspiring dancers, and the school has grown to over 400 students. Interplay was founded in 1983 by Anna McCowan Johnson and upon her retirement, ownership of the school was turned over to Karen. Karen joined the schools to become PSB & INTERPLAY Dance Academy.

Karen is a graduate of the National Ballet School Teacher Training Program and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours Degree in Dance, Psychology and French from York University. She is accredited by the Royal Academy of Dance and the Imperial Society of Dance, Modern and National Dance Branch. Karen is a fellow in the Cecchetti Society.

After travelling, and training and touring with the Toronto Dance Theatre and dance companies in Europe & Japan, Karen returned to Canada to complete her Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours Degree at York University, during which time she performed throughout Ontario with the York Dance Ensemble. Her teaching experience includes, among many other schools, The National Ballet School of Canada, Ballet Jörgen and George Brown College, York University, Ryerson University, L’école superieure Méditerranéenne, Quinte Ballet School, Claude Watson Program for the Arts at Earl Haig Secondary School, Mooredale House, Branksome Hall, and Bishop Strachan School. Karen has adjudicated in local competitions in Toronto and throughout Ontario.

Karen has trained and worked with renowned choreographers like Betty Oliphant, Carole Chadwick, Glenn Gilmour, Mavis Staines, Jean Geddis, Deborah Bowes, Kenny Pearl, Darrel Tracey, Pat Miner, Pat Fraser, Karen Duplisea, David Earle, Holly Small, and Donna Krasnow.

Karen is married to Joel Thomas and has three children: Dylan, Celine, and Julie. Julie and Celine both inherited Karen's passion for dance. Julie is a dancer at PSB and Celine is a recent graduate now studying at the University of Ottawa. Dylan, although not a dancer, was mentored by his father to keep fit. Dylan is a certified personal trainer and has started up his own business Conquer Bootcamp.

PSB & INTERPLAY continues to focus on teaching classical ballet in both the Cecchetti and the Royal Academy of Dance styles and offers classes for ages 3 to Adult. Programs include recreational, pre-professional, and competitive, in various dance forms, including Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Acro, Tap, Musical Theatre, and more, depending on age, ability and desire. Both schools offer intensive and enhanced dance training for talented students who wish to pursue a professional career in dance, as well as the opportunity to perform with the Profile Dance Company and Competitive Division. Private coaching is also available. 

PSB & INTERPLAY instills well-being, discipline and a love for learning in children that lasts a lifetime.

Summer dance programs are offered for both intensive and recreational students. Many students trained at PSB & INTERPLAY are accepted at Canada's most prestigious dance schools: the National Ballet School of Canada, Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, Alberta Ballet School, Goh Ballet School, and Quinte Ballet School. Through participation in study abroad dance programs, students have been accepted to study full-time at "L'Académie Méditerranéenne de danse" in Marseille, France. PSB & INTERPLAY is proud to have several alums complete post-secondary degrees and have become certified to teach dance at PSB & INTERPLAY and at performing arts schools.