Karen Davies Thomas
Artistic Director of PSB & INTERPLAY – Cecchetti Ballet, Enhanced and Intensive Ballet, PSB & INTERPLAY Dance Company
Read Karen Davies Thomas' Biography
Karen is a graduate of the National Ballet School’s teacher’s training program and is accredited by the Royal Academy of Dance and the Imperial Society of Dance. 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 founded the PSB Dance Academy in 1989 and was formerly Associate Director of Interplay School of Dance, where she taught for many years and built a strong Modern Dance program and formed Interplay Dance Company. She acquired ownership of Interplay School of Dance when founder Anna McCowan Johnson retired in July 2006. Karen is married to Joel Thomas and has three children: Dylan, Celine, and Julie. Her two daughters are enrolled at PSB, and just might be following in her footsteps.
Alex Berry
Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, Jazz
Read Alex Berry's Biography
Alex Berry is an emerging Toronto based artist.She started at PSB Dance Academy at the age of 2, training in many styles from ballet, contemporary, jazz, modern, pointe, musical theatre, improvisation, to tap and hip hop. A member of the competitive team, Alex took on the role of Dance Captain in her last 2 years of high school. Alex graduated from Cardinal Carter Academy for the Art’s dance program in 2016 and obtained her BFA in Performance Dance at Toronto Metropolitan University in 2020, where she received additional training in acting and vocals. Alex has had the opportunity to perform works by choreographers such as: Bobbi Jene Smith, Or Schraiber, Vicky St. Denys, Charles Moulton and Peter Chin. She has trained at several renowned summer programs through her years: The National Ballet of Canada's Summer Intensive, Peggy Baker's Summer Intensive, as well as training in the Metamorphosis Method. Alex has been teaching dance and movement based classes to kids ages 18 months to 18 years old for over 5 years. Alex is excited to be back as part of the PSB & INTERPLAY Academy of Dance faculty team. She cannot wait to share her joy of movement and is ready to inspire and be inspired by the next generation of dance artists.
Tanner Boyer
Tanner graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelors in Fine Arts in Dance. Since then he has danced with contemporary company Dark Circles Contemporary Dance, and Chicago Jazz company Giordano Dance Chicago. He has performed with Royal Caribbean Productions as a professional dancer and aerialist, performing for audiences in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, and North America. During this time Tanner was part of the original cast for “Showgirl” and “Effectors.” Tanner now dances in the world famous cabaret Moulin Rouge in Paris France for the show “Ferrie."
Tanner has made a name for himself during his time at the University of Arizona as the leader for choreography and creativity in his undergraduate class. He choreographed ten works for the University of Arizona Stevie Eller stage, both for faculty and student shows. Tanner Boyer's choreography has been premiered both nationally and internationally and has been invited to prestigious ceremonies such as the University of Arizona college of fine arts graduation convocation. He has also received numerous awards for his choreography such as the Celebrity Create choreography competition first place winner and the U of A college of fine arts creative achievement award. Tanner has taught at well known studios such as Extensions Dance Co and Visceral Dance Center in Chicago. He also is a certified personal trainer with the National Academy of sports medicine.
Rebecca Brown
Acro, Gym Skills
Read Rebecca Brown's Biography
Rebecca’s gymnastics career began at the age of 2 with a Parent and Tot class. Her love for the sport led her to the competitive team where she competed provincially for 10 years. During her time as a provincial gymnast, she took up coaching which allowed her to share her love for gymnastics with others. She retired from competing at the age of 17 when she started her degree in psychology. Rebecca just could not give up the sport and started training again once a week in a program for retired gymnasts. Her accomplishments have fuelled her desire to spread her love for gymnastics to young athletes through her gym skills classes at our studios.
Bretonie Burchell
Social Media and Marketing Director
Modern, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Improv
Read Bretonie Burchell's' Biography
Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Bretonie began her dance training at the age of three. Her artistry and passion for dance grew into something that could not be ignored. As a young dancer her determination was something to be admired. Before graduating high school she had already performed on a cruise line, was chosen to travel and perform in a professional choreography competition, and danced and trained with the best in Seattle, Los Angeles, New York, and London, England. She was recognized as a scholarship recipient at numerous conventions and received the title “Dancer of the Year” at ADA dance competition in Calgary. She moved to Toronto, Ontario at the age of 17 to pursue her career in dance. The new city broadened her spectrum of dance and she was able to perform in the genres of Hip Hop, Contemporary, and Street Jazz, to name a few.
Bretonie has appeared in Music Videos (Shawn Desmond, Blake McGrath, Young Avs) on Television (MTV, Love Trap) on stage in countless productions (A.C.E Awards New York, Toronto’s Choreographers Ball, I Move Forward etc) and even on the runway (Alternative Fashion Week, LG Fashion Week). This past year she has worked extensively as both a dancer and a teacher. June marked the beginning of her professional weekly open class ran out of RightFoot Studio, one of Toronto’s thriving hubs for urban dance. She has also been welcomed on the faculty of Fresh Dance Intensive which has allowed her to teach all over Ontario. As a dancer she was welcomed as a part of Jasmyn Fyffe Dance Company and was a part of the award winning production of “Pulse” in Montreal Fringe. She is also currently working with RiaToss Productions on their re-installment of the successful show “Marina Antoinette”. Whether it be teaching or performing, Bretonie has found great joy in the art of dance and hopes to spread this joy at every opportunity.
Minuet Charron
Ballet, Multi Dance, Hip Hop
Read Minuet Charron's Biography
Minuet “Min-T” Charron is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer from Nova Scotia. A company member of Impetus Movement, directed by Dawson Lloyd, she is also training at Dance Arts Institute (formerly The School of Toronto Dance Theatre) and Kode Red Academy under Jac Valiquette.
A student of many dance forms, Minuet started in competitive dance before joining the Maritime Conservatory School of Dance Professional Training Program. There, she studied concert styles such as ballet, jazz, modern, character, and pointe. She often trained with Kathleen Doherty and her company Votive Dance in vernacular jazz dance. In Halifax, she expanded her horizons through the world of street styles alongside her concert dance education. Minuet started with breaking (breakdancing) under her mentor Nick “Gennew” Nguyen of FL&SH Crew. She would go on to practice hip hop, house, jazz funk, commercial choreography, heels, waacking, and more.
In 2020, Minuet was mentored by Bo Park (New York) in her virtual program PARK. Soon after, Minuet would complete the Professional Training Program at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks in Calgary, and joined competitive training crew Alpha at illFX Education.
She has been teaching dance since age 14, at studios across Nova Scotia, Calgary, and Toronto. She has taught an array of ages, from kids’ creative movement to adult classes. In addition to choreography for her students’ solos, duos, and ensembles, she has choreographed for various theatrical productions.
Minuet has been developing her personal style over the years, drawing inspiration from the many dance forms she adores to bring out her authentic choreography. She strives to constantly learn, play, and create, and hopes to help every student she works with to find and embrace their personal style, nurturing a space for the growth and individuality of each student.
Kimberley Ganter
Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical
Read Kimberley Ganter's Biography
Originally from Saskatchewan, Kimberley moved to Vancouver in 2010 to follow her dreams and pursue a career in dance. She was accepted into the Intensive Training Program at Harbour Dance Centre where she trained in many different styles and immersed herself into the Vancouver dance scene. The following summer she was accepted into the prestigious Source Dance Company under the direction of Joanne Pesusich. She completed two seasons performing and touring with the company, working with choreographers from all over North America.
After 5 years of training, teaching and working professionally in dance and acting in Vancouver, Kimberley relocated to Toronto to continue to train and push herself in her craft because she believes you can never stop growing as an artist. Having extensive teaching experience in various styles of dance, Kimberley is thrilled to be a part of Interplay and cannot wait to share her passion with the students this season!
Monique Jovanov
Competitive Division Director
Jazz
Read Monique Jovanov's Biography
Monique is an Etobicoke School of the arts and Ryerson University Alumni. She is a resident guest artist for the Etobicoke school of the arts, musical theatre program and a teacher and choreographer for PSB and Interplay Dance.
As an established Choreographer and an experienced dancer and teacher, Monique’s style reflects her technical background as well as her ability to fuse physical dynamics with organic expressiveness.
Monique has toured and danced all across Canada, US and Europe. With credits spanning the globe, Monique has worked with some of the most established artists, actors and directors in the industry. Monique’s choreographic assistance was featured on CTV’s hit show, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA. Monique has also had the opportunity to assist with choreography for film and Television shows such as, KIM’S CONVENIENCE, HANDMAID’S TALE, AMERICAN PIE -BETA HOUSE MOVIE, SUN LIFE FINANCIAL CANADA COMMERCIAL and most recently worked with Canadian Actress Sarah Gadon and the very popular James Franco in Hulu’s mini series 11-22-63. Monique has performed for many worldwide touring productions like GREASE and HAIR the musicals. Monique has also had the privilege to choreograph in the Opening Ceremonies for THE INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S GAMES hosted in Windsor Ontario, as well, The Welcoming and Closing ceremonies of the 2016 PAN AMERICAN GAMES hosted in Toronto, Ontario.
Monique has taught in schools and studios all across the country. Her students have gone on to achieve outstanding and flourishing dance and theatre careers. Her choreography has won several awards and overall recognitions. Monique is constantly inspired by her students and fellow creatives everyday and enjoys finding new ways to explore her creative boundaries through teaching and choreography.
Antonella Martinelli
Ballet
Read Antonella Martinelli's Biography
Antonella Martinelli was born in Santa Fe, Argentina and trained at Canada’s National Ballet School where she was the recipient of the Peter Dwyer Award.
Antonella joined The National Ballet of Canada as a RBC Apprentice in 2007 and became a member of the Corps de Ballet in 2008. Before her retirement in 2022, Antonella has danced the role of Kitty in the North America premiere of Anna Karenina. Her repertoire also includes Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, Carmen, The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, The Nutcracker, Onegin, Cinderella, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Winter’s Tale, Nijinsky, The Merry Widow, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Seagull, Pinocchio, An Italian Straw Hat, Apollo, Chaconne, The Dream, Marguerite and Armand, Paquita, The Four Seasons, The Four Temperaments, Symphony in C, The Concert, Etudes, Glass Pieces, The Second Detail, Approximate Sonata 2016, Emergence, Cacti, Petite Mort, Paz de la Jolla and Orpheus Alive.
Dominique Tersigni
Contemporary, Acro, Gym Skills, Jazz, Lyrical
Read Dominique Tersigni's Biography
Dominique Tersigni is an emerging Toronto-based freelance artist. She started at Interplay as a competitive dancer, where she studied multiple styles of dance such as ballet, contemporary, jazz and improvisational techniques. While training at Interplay she was graced with many awards such as the Muskoka Ballet Galas Patricia Upcraft award and the Glenn Gilmour scholarship. Dominique also attended the CNE's Rising Star in 2015 and placed 2nd overall. After completing her high school diploma she began to explore the dance industry in Toronto, she took open classes at the top studios while learning from some of Toronto’s best choreographers like Alvin Collantes, Kelly Shaw, Cora Kozaris, Lauren Runions and Hanna Kiel. In July 2016 she attended Ignites summer intensive co-run by David Norsworthy and Kristen Carcone where she was able to perform work by Riley Sims. Dominique has worked with choreographers such as Kylie Thompson, Shawn Bracke, Christina Digiuseppe, Emily Law, Melissa Williams, Allain Lupien, and Jessica Ford in events such as Fever After Dark, Choreographers Ball, Industry Night, The Next Step TV show and the Parapan Am opening ceremonies. Most recently Dominique attended ProArte Danza's Summer intensive where she performed work by Tori Mehaffey and Robert Glumbek. Currently, Dominique trains with the Chimera Projects Company B run by Malgorzata Nowacka.
Lucie Ward
Student Liaison to Artistic Director
Ballet, Yoga, Pilates
Read Lucie Ward's Biography
At age 4, Lucie immigrated to Canada from Malta. Lucie was a competitive gymnast until her passion turned to dance. Her formal dance training started in New Brunswick with The Rothesday Ballet School at age 12. By age 17 she had completed all the RAD grades and majors up to Advanced. After dancing in several professional summer programs, including The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, and performing in numerous musical theatre productions, she finished high school and came to Toronto.
In 1992 Lucie graduated from the Teacher Training program at Canada’s National Ballet School, where she completed all the Cecchetti ballet exams up to Advanced. Miss Ward was awarded distinction in both ballet and National Associate teachers’ exams. During this time she trained vocally at The Royal Conservatory of Music. Further dance education included: The Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, The Russian Ballet Institute (Vaganova Method), Ballet Jorgen, Metro Movement, The Joy of Dance, Canada’s National Ballet School and University of Waterloo. Lucie has been teaching ballet in the greater Toronto area: for over 16yrs at Interplay, Randolph School for the performing Arts, Bishop Strachan, Branksome Hall, Toronto Lawn and Tennis Club, Oriole Nursery School, PSB dance Academy and Canadian Dance Company.
Lucie has performed, choreographed and guest taught in numerous Musical Theatre productions and studios across Atlantic Canada and Ontario. She has been featured on CBC radio, acted in commercials, and adjudicated competitions. In February 2005, Miss Ward was pleased to accept a position as guest National teacher at NBS through the Cecchetti Society of Canada and accepted a substitute teaching position for Teresa Randall (Junior Associates level 4 & 5) at NBS in the fall of 2005 and spring 2006. Lucie’s teaching career has done a full circle since her first job with Karen Davies Thomas at PSB Dance Academy in 1991 and is thrilled to work with Karen and the Interplay teams.
Aleksandar Antonijevic
A native of Yugoslavia, Aleksandar Antonijevic studied at the National
Ballet School in Novi Sad. He was a soloist with the Zurich Opera Ballet in
Switzerland and Principal Dancer with The National Ballet of Canada for
over 20 years.
Mr. Antonijevic has danced leading roles in most of the major works in the
company’s repertoire including principal roles in Giselle, Onegin, Romeo
and Juliet, The Sleeping Beauty, La Sylphide, Manon and Alice’s
Adventures in Wonderland as well as numerous George Balanchine ballets,
including Apollo, Diamonds and Rubies from Jewels, Theme and Variations
and Stravinsky Violin Concerto. He has performed lead roles in Opus 19/
The Dreamer, the second detail, Forgotten Land, Etudes, Song of a
Wayfarer and Chroma.
He created several principal roles in works by James Kudelka, including
Prince Ivan in The Firebird and Siegfried in Swan Lake.
Mr. Antonijevic danced the role of Petruschka in the Canadian premiere of
Nijinsky by John Neumeier as well as the role of Trigorin in Seagull.
An accomplished international guest artist, Mr. Antonijevic has performed
with English National Ballet, Inoue Ballet Japan, Ballet Santiago of Chile
and PACT Ballet South Africa and has partnered many of the world’s finest
prima ballerinas, including Susan Jaffe, Viviana Durante, Lucia LaCarra,
Evelyn Hart and Tamara Rojo.
Mr. Antonijevic is also an award winning photographer. His work has been
featured at CONTACT, Toronto’s annual international photography festival
and in eight private exhibitions. He has photographed for some of the
major arts organizations in Toronto including The National Ballet of
Canada, SoulPepper, Peggy Baker Dance Projects, Pro Arte Danza and
others.
In 2011, Mr. Antonijevic was awarded the Rolex Dancers First Award for
his role as the White Rabbit in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and in
2009, he won the Dancers First Award for his portrayal of Don Jos in
Carmen.
Upon retiring from stage Mr. Antonijevic has become a sought after
teacher, coach and stager of ballets as well as a juror at ballet competitions.
He staged Nr.24 by Guillaume Cote for The National Ballet of Canada in
2015.
In 2016 he staged parts of Erik Bruhn’s Swan Lake on Royal Danish Ballet
in Copenhagen, as part of Nikolaj Hubbe’s new production of the same
ballet.
In 2017 he was invited by the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow to stage a full
length production of Alexei Ratmansky’s Romeo and Juliet and went back
to oversee the world simulcast of the same production in 2018.
In August 2019 he was a member of the jury of Global Dance Competition in
Vancouver, Canada.
Quotes
Onegin
“The performance of his career. He imbues the character with such pools of
darkness, such wellsprings of suppressed fire that the sexual tension here
is palpable.” Ballet Review, 2010
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
“Aleksandar Antonijevic's manic movements as The White Rabbit reveal
this longtime Principal Dancer's range and versatility.” National Post, 2012
Apollo
“Antonijevic gets closer to the unattainable with each performance.” The
Toronto Star, 2011
Mercedes Bernardez Carret
Artistic Director - The Carret Dance Conservatory
Classical Division - Mercedes Bernardez-Carret
Argentinean born Mercedes Bernardez-Carret has had an international career as a Principal Dancer
and Ballet Mistress in several ballet companies in Argentina, Chile and Venezuela. Ms. Bernardez
served as Artistic Director at Quinte Ballet School (1997 to 2003) and Ballet Mistress at Alberta
Ballet (2003-06). As a sought after guest teacher, Ms. Bernardez has taught at many preprofessional
ballet schools including the Richmond Academy of Dance and Dance Umbrella (Vancouver, BC) Alberta School of Ballet , Ballet Creole Canada. She is also a permanent guest teacher at the acclaimed University of North Carolina School of the Arts (Winston Salem, USA).
Ms. Bernardez teaches company class for The National Ballet of Canada and Ballet Jorgen Canada. Faculty of National Ballet of Canada In Studio. Ms. Bernardez acts as Artistic Advisor for Les Pettit Ballets in Ottawa and is the Associate Director of Danza Corpus Canada. Ms Bernardez is also permanent guest teacher and coordinator for the International Dance Intensive TEADE , that takes place since 2011 in Matanzas , Cuba ; and co-directed the first Virtual Version of TEADE in its ninth version last July 2020 and Winter TEADE 2020. One of the achievement of this last year is that TCDC became a member of the prestigious International Council of Dance UNEACO (CID) therefore TCDC graduates will be granted a CID certificate of training for a professional dance career.
Chrissy Frechette
Rui Huang
Martine Lusignan
Kealan McLaughlin
Ruby Moreno
John Ottmann
Erin Poole
Faye Rauw
Céline Sekulov
Adam Sergison
Julie Thomas
Read Julie Thomas's Biography
Julie is currently studying at McGill University in Montreal and is Coordinator/Choreographer for Mosaica Dance Company at McGill University.
Kylie Thompson
Kylie Thompson (she/her) is a multi-disciplinary performer, creator and educator residing in Toronto, Ontario (Treaty 13 territory). She considers herself an ally to the BIPOC and LGBTQ2S+ communities and is committed to ongoing education, conversation and action towards equality and decolonisation of Western Dance practices. She believes that dance is simply movement language; and holds a unique perspective in the dance industry as she continues to train in street dance forms as well as contemporary theatre/ballet based techniques. Her body of work and practice is physical, collaborative and bridges between stage and screen. She shoots, produces, choreographs, edits, curates, writes and acts; some of her credits include TIFF, Danceworks, Fringe Festival, Barenaked Ladies, Airplane Boys, Kiesza, Gadfly Dance Company, Dance: Made in Canada Festival, and more. She believes that play and experimentation are crucial; and is dedicated to a life of learning and creating. www.kyliethompsoncreative.com
Flora Chen
Erik Geddis