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FACULTY 

Meet our staff:

ERIN MOORE

(Headshot by dke photos)

Owner/ Artistic Director/ Instructor

Education & Certifications at a glance:

*BFA Honours, Specializing in Dance

*BEd Primary/ Junior Division

*Special Education Part 1

*OCT Certified Teacher

*Acrobatic Arts Certified

 

          Erin first discovered her passion and love for the art of dance at the young age of two. Erin has trained throughout her life in the disciplines of jazz, tap, modern, lyrical, contemporary, and ballet, including participating in her BATD Ballet Examinations. Erin was accepted into the York University Dance Program in 2007 and graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours degree specializing in dance.

          During her time at York, Erin trained intensively in the disciplines of ballet, modern, and jazz, under the instruction of such professionals as Karen Bowes- Sewell (National Ballet of Canada), Claire Wootten (Alberta Ballet Company), Helen Jones (Martha Graham Company), Donna Krasnow, Annie Wood, and Julia Sasso. Erin has performed in pieces by choreographers such as Darcy Callison (Down the Road), and Megan Andrews, the Executive Director and founding editor of the Canadian dance magazine the dance current.

          Erin also actively participated in dance works choreographed by fellow York University dance students, in annual productions at York University entitled “York Dances”. Erin has been fortunate enough to take class from such artists as Christopher House (Toronto Dance Theatre), one of Canada’s leading modern dance choreographers, as well as perform at events such as the Pride Festival in Toronto, ON.         

          Upon graduating from York University, Erin received her Bachelor of Education from Lakehead University, her Special Education Part 1 Qualification, and became a certified teacher with the Ontario College of Teachers. Erin has worked with children in a variety of education and arts based settings throughout the Greater Toronto Area. These include teaching in public and private schools, daycares, and dance studios. Erin has also worked for the City of Toronto teaching dance to students in various recreational facilities throughout the GTA. It is through these experiences that she has had the opportunity to apply her knowledge of child development alongside her keen interest in dance and safe movement practices. Most recently, Erin had the opportunity to choreograph for a local performance art group entitled Street Ballerinas.

             Erin has studied anatomy and motor development as it relates to dance, and believes in creating an inclusive, nurturing, and fun dance environment. She believes in ongoing professional development, and is excited to share her passion for dance with the community. She aims to create a space where children feel free expressing themselves, building self-confidence, and becoming well-rounded dance artists.

SHARON HARRIS

Owner/ Administrative Director

          A lifelong resident of Eastern Ontario, Sharon has a strong background in customer service including having owned two businesses in the Brockville area, one being a successful dance school. 

          Sharon has been involved with dance in a multitude of capacities over the past 25 years such as, studio owner, backstage director, as well as dance parent. She looks forward to being able to provide a positive and supportive atmosphere for both students and parents at Arabesque Academy of Dance.

          Sharon is excited to serve the AAD families, as well as to promote community involvement and service through supporting local events and charities. 

(Headshot by dke photos)

Education & Certifications at a glance:

*Developmental Services Worker

*30+ Years of Customer Service Experience

 

 

KRISTEN TACKABERRY

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Assistant Artistic Director/

Instructor

Education & Certifications at a glance:
*B.Sc (Kinesiology)
*Diploma in Fitness and Health Promotion
*Artistic Gymnastics & Trampoline Certifications
*Risk Management Training 
*Alixa Flexibility (Module 1 & 2)
*Acrobatic Arts Certified

 

          Kristen started taking dance and gymnastics at a young age.  She trained and competed in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, musical theatre, hip hop, and modern dance, as well as vocal, theatre, and cheerleading; but found her passion specifically in acrobatics.  She started assisting classes at the age of 12, and completed her ‘coach in training’ hours at a local gymnastic club at 13.  From there, she went on to become a Certified Gymnastics Coach (artistic gymnastics: sport specific, theory, and trampoline through NCCP). Through this training she also completed her risk management training, and participated in spotting and coaching workshops. Kristen then began teaching her own classes, and choreographing numbers. By age 15 Kristen won a Young Choreographer's Award for her first competitive acro piece.

          Kristen has gone on to complete her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Guelph-Humber, as well as attaining a diploma in Fitness and Health Promotion from Humber College.  From this, Kristen has gained a vast knowledge of the human body, biomechanics, proper training techniques, and injury prevention.

          Kristen has worked with a variety of athletes, and specifically dancers of all ages and styles, across Ontario.  Kristen believes in ensuring a safe and fun learning environment, while providing new skills and techniques in every class. Most of all, she believes in connecting with each student she works with, and helping them to succeed as both a dancer, and as a person.

ELIZABETH COOTE

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Instructor

Education & Certifications at a glance:
*Advanced Diploma in Music Theatre Performance
*Bachelor of Music Theatre 
*BEd Int./Sr. Division (Drama, Music)
*OCT Certified Teacher
*ADAPT Certified
*Acrobatic Arts Certified

          Liz has been dancing since the young age of 3 years old, and teaching dance since the age of 14. She is trained in Musical Theatre, Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Acro, Contemporary and Lyrical.  Liz loves to teach dance and her favourite styles are Acro, Tap, and Musical Theatre. 

          Liz graduated from St. Lawrence College’s Musical Theatre program in 2014 and graduated from Queens University in 2018 with her bachelors degree in the SLC/ Queens combined Musical Theatre program. Liz has performed in many shows in her time at SLC. Some of these shows include New Faces 2012 (soloist), The Mikado (Noble lady), 42nd Street (Ethel), Anything Goes (Dance Captain), and Les Miserable (Chorus/Mme. Thenardier under study). Liz had the wonderful opportunity of performing with Queens Musical Theatre in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Miss. Jones), as well as being a part of many different production roles, including Vocal Director for Queens students on broadway's production of Hair. This past summer she was involved in Blue Canoe's production of Newsies, playing the role of Albert, and dancing in many of the ensemble numbers.

          Liz recently graduated from Queens University with a Bachelor of Education in the Intermediate/ Senior division (drama & music), and is a certified teacher through the Ontario College of Teachers. Liz is certified under the A.D.A.P.T syllabus, as well as Acrobatic Arts. “I truly believe in the arts as a wonderful outlet for children to express themselves and be creative.” 

          Liz enjoys being a part of the Arabesque Academy faculty team and hopes to continue to learn, grow and inspire through dance. 

GEORGIA DEAN-SAVAGE

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Instructor

Education & Certifications at a glance:
*Obtaining BSCH 
*IDTS Candidate
(International Dance Teaching Standards) 

          Georgia is an Arabesque Alumni, having started dancing and assisting at Arabesque since their opening year. Overall, Georgia has danced for eleven years, and danced competitively for eight of those years. Some of the styles she trained in include ballet, jazz, lyrical/ contemporary and acro. Additionally, she has many years of gymnastic, cheerleading, and tumbling experience. She strives to share her love of dance with her community by organizing, choreographing and participating in all dance related events/ opportunities for her school, local art projects, and fundraisers.  

 

          Georgia was an assistant dance teacher throughout her teen years, teaching students across all different ages, abilities and styles of dance. She is a current candidate with the International Dance Teaching Standards, and has gained much experience working with children both at Arabesque and apart from the studio.

 

          Outside of the dance world, Georgia has a great love for math, science and languages. She is currently entering her second year at Queen’s University, where she is taking life sciences (BSCH,  and one day hopes to go to medical school. She also speaks both English and French. 

 

          Georgia absolutely loves working with children, and is so excited to be part of the Arabesque family again!

MADDY PALMER

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Instructor

Education & Certifications at a glance:
*BA - Drama
*MA - Arts Leadership
*Advanced Diploma in Music Theatre Performance *Artistic Gymnastics Certification

          Maddy's first love, discovered at age 3, was dance. 2 years later, Maddy discovered a second passion: gymnastics. She loved mixing dance in her gymnastics routines and gymnastics into her dance numbers. She competed in both sports from a young age, representing Eastern Ontario at Provincial Gymnastics Championships and taking part in group, duet, and solo performances at dance competitions in Ontario and Quebec. Maddy knows what it means to work hard and have fun doing something she loves.

 

          Maddy ultimately chose dance after high school, pursuing a music theatre performance career which led her to stages across Canada (BC to PEI!). Some of Maddy's favourite credits include: Les Feux Follets (Charlottetown Festival), Nancy in Fancy Nancy, Virtue in Anything Goes, Lou Ann in Hairspray (Lower Ossington Theatre), Eva in Bring It On, and Sally in Cabaret (Queen's Musical Theatre).

 

          After a few years, Maddy realized the nomadic life of a professional performer wasn't for her, and decided to pursue university degrees in arts administration. Maddy learned to combine her passion for the arts with her business skills to support other performers, demonstrated in her roles at the National Ballet of Canada and now at Queen's University's Faculty of Arts & Science. Performing has turned back into a hobby of Maddy's and she is thrilled to return to the dance studio to share her love of dance with students once again. Maddy is especially thrilled to be teaching at Arabesque this year, and reuniting with Sharon and Erin (who choreographed a number or two of Maddy's while they were dancing together growing up:) ).

GRACE QUINN

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Instructor

Grace started dancing at 3 years old, and started teaching at age 14. She danced competitively beginning at the age of 8, until graduating high school in 2020. She trained in ballet, jazz, tap and lyrical. Her favourite styles to teach are ballet and tap. 

 

Grace is currently completing her bachelor of kinesiology at Queen's University, and is currently in her 3rd year. Through her studies she has gained knowledge of the human body and its biomechanics. She intends to become a paediatric health care professional one day. 

 

Grace is very excited to be joining the Arabesque family! 

Education & Certifications at a glance:
*Obtaining B.Sc- Kinesiology

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