A valued member of The Oakville Academy for the Arts Faculty for over seven years Tina graduated as Valedictorian from the Teacher Training Program (with Distinction) from Canada's National Ballet School. An accomplished dancer, instructor, and choreographer originally from Alberta, she is also a graduate of Ryerson University and achieved her degree in, Theatre: Performance Dance (BFA).
Tina has distinguished herself as a caring and dedicated instructor with an eye for detail.  She has trained with some of the world's best, while achieving full teaching certification with the Royal Academy of Dancing (RTS).  She is also a fully certified teacher with I.S.T.D. for National Dance and Cecchetti Ballet, as well as an associate member (C.D.T.A.) in ballet, tap, and jazz.  Tina has been very fortunate to study and take classes from leading dance filmmaker, Allen Kaeja of Kaeja d' Dance.  Her works have premiered at MADance Screen Salon, Wifibody Festival, presented by: Contemporary Dance Network Philippines  (CDNP), as well as Ladyfest Film Festival.
As a dancer Tina has received extensive training in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical and National.  Tina has danced with the Alberta Ballet, as well as the National Ballet of Canada's, productions of the Nutcracker.  She has performed on television, short films, musicals as well as onstage working with choreographers and producers such as: Darryl Tracy, William Young, Vicki St. Denys, Nadia Potts, Karen Duplisea, and Daniel Gariepy.  With over twelve years of teaching experience Tina has embraced her leadership role at The Oakville Academy of the Arts and wants to share her passion and love for dance with her students and other faculty members.

Monique Romasco is an established choreographer in the Canadian scene and an experienced performer and teacher. Her style reflects her technical background as well as her ability to fuse physical dynamics with contemporary expressiveness. Throughout her career Monique has worked and trained with reputable choreographers such as Danny Grossman, Lawrence Gradis, Jean Aimee Lalonde, Allen and Karen Kaeja, Gabby Kamino, Wes Veldink, Vicki St. Denys, Brian Friedman, Bradley Rapier and Melissa Williams, just to name a few.  After graduating from the Ryerson University Theatre Dance Program in 2000, Monique went on to create her own independent dance company "idDanse." The Contemporary Jazz Dance Company strived to push Jazz dance into the Toronto scene by collaborating with live jazz musicians. Their show "Instintual Impulses" premiered in fringe festivals across Canada and featured works by Alvin Ailey's Sharon Wong and Toronto's renowned choreographers Gabby Kamino and Vicki St. Denys. As a choreographer, Monique's work can be seen in films such as "American Pie--Beta House", Princess Cruise Line's "Under Cover" and "Piano Man" as well as Musicals such as "Hair" and "Grease". Monique has been asked to assist in creating works once again for the 2nd season of "So You Think You Can Dance Canada".  As a dancer, Monique has danced and toured with musical groups such as, DJ Chris Sheppard, Love Inc, Temperance, Emjay, Ivana Santilli and Michael Clark.  She has performed at the former GM Place in Vancouver for the former Grizzlies at the Half time show as well as "Summer Fest" at Paramount Canada's Wonderland, which featured acts such as Destiny's Child and Sean Desmond. Monique was also featured as a dancer for Jon Secada on the live taping of The Foster Parents Plan Television Special. Monique's musical theatre credits include the role of Cha-Cha Digregorio in "Grease", and The Drug in "Hair". She was also a featured dancer in two Vegas-style revue shows called "Generations" and "Bon Voyage" which premiered at Casino Windsor in Windsor, Ontario. Monique continues to perform and teach professionally across the country and abroad. She enjoys exploring her creative boundaries through her choreography and has recently been teaching on the Faculty of EXTREME DANCE convention tours. Monique is very excited to be entering her third year a a full time Faculty member  and can't wait to fuel the creative fires of all the wonderful dancers at The Oakville Academy!

Noland began dancing at the age of 6, and continued with a variety of other dance and movement classes throughout his school years. He has studied jazz, modern, ballroom, various folk dance classes, gymnastics and drama. In his continued development as a dancer Noland has gone on to more challenging and rewarding forms of dance, always craving to learn more. Noland's largest influences by far have come from "The Rock Steady Crew", that was established in 1977 by Bronx b-boys Jimmy D and Jojo.
When they started this crew in the streets of the Bronx, they had no idea that someday it would take them all around the world. Teaching and travelling to workshops with numerous instructors around eastern Canada, he has further honed his dance skills. In 1997, he began studying Capoiera Brazilian Art form and discovered the benefits of using the whole body for dance and that the strength and discipline of martial arts provides excellent cross-training. Around this time, he also received basic fitness and group fitness theory certification and began teaching fitness classes (core and stability, strength/flexibility and dance fitness). Passionate about health and urban style, Noland loves sharing his expertise with his students and helping them achieve their own personal bests.

Veronica Lincoln is excited to be entering her third year with The Oakville Academy for the Arts.  She began her dancing in Brampton, Ontario at 4 years of age and trained in all disciplines at a competitive level.  Veronica has completed extensive examinations in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz through Canadian Dance Teachers Association, the Cecchetti Society and the Royal Academy of Dance.  Veronica holds a B.F.A. from Ryerson University, and trained with such talents as Nadia Potts, Kenny Pearl, Darryl Tracy and Roberto Campanella.  She is currently the Dance Director for the Oakville Children's Music Theatre, and Centauri Summer Arts Program in Niagara Falls.  Veronica continues to train and perform professionally and has recently worked with such companies as Lindsay Ritter Productions, InDuo Danceworks, Curtain Call Players and the Toronto Fringe Festival.  Veronica is looking forward to another great year ahead at the OAA and helping her students to reach their personal bests.

Julie graduated from Ryerson University's Dance Program in 2009, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with Honours. During her time at Ryerson she studied extensively in Ballet, Modern and Jazz, while also having the opportunity to perform works by choreographers Robert Glumbek, Holly Small and Louis Laberge Cote. Born Halifax, Nova Scotia Julie began her early training there in ballet, jazz, tap, and modern, and developed her love for dance and its varied vocabularies.  
With a strong belief in differing and continual training Julie has also studied in summer programs at the Banff Centre, the School of Toronto Dance Theatre, the Ailey School and the ProArteDanza Summer intensive. Since graduating from Ryerson, Julie has been performing independently for Toronto based choreographers Pamela Rasbach (Typecast Dance Company), Miranda Abbot (Event Horizon Dance), Lacey Smith, Nicole Barber, Miranda Forbes and Irene Whittaker-Cumming (Being Human Dance). As a co-founder of Being Human Dance she has performed within Canada and the United States. Julie has been a wonderful and popular substitute instructor at OAA and is thrilled to be teaching at The Oakville Academy for the Arts  for the 2010-2011 Season and excited to share her love for dance with her students.

Miranda Forbes is a recent graduate from Ryerson University's Performance Dance program. She has trained in dance since the age of 4. She has trained in various disciplines including jazz, tap, ballet, modern, lyrical, hip-hop and musical theatre. During her time at Ryerson she was fortunate to study with Kenny Pearl, Nadia Potts, Karen Duplisea, Holly Small, Vicki St. Denys, Allen Kaeja, Christopher House, Louis Laberge-Cote, Cindy Macedo and Tanya Evidente. She has taught for many years and loves working with young children and frankly, dancers of any age! Miss Forbes loves to share her skills in a supportive and kind way. Miranda has also worked with director Drew Lint to create dance films Parallel Lines (2008) and Harvest (2009), and with director Nicole Bauzin on Lady Late Nite (2010). After graduation she worked with Kenny Pearl to remount David Earle's masterwork Sacra Conversazione, and most recently she worked with them on Sunrise and with Val Calam on Soft Firm Hand as part of the Emerging Artist Intensive. Miranda is a co-founder of Being Human Dance, with whom she recently toured to Texas for the Brazos Contemporary Dance Festival. She choreographed and performed in the BHD production of Liminal at Dancemakers in Spring 2010. Miranda has been a popular substitute teacher at The Oakville Academy for the Arts and is very excited about the opportunity to work with its wonderful Faculty and build new relationships with the students there. 

Rebecca Hall was appointed Music Director at The Oakville Academy for the Arts in September 2009. She has been teaching Music, Music Theory and Voice at the Academy for 7 years and is pleased to be entering her 8th year of instructing. Rebecca started playing and performing classical music at the age of 4 and believes that music is a lifelong commitment that is very fulfilling. She feels strongly that lessons should be an inspiring and enjoyable experience. Whether a beginner or advanced student, every level of learning is crucial to the next step. Rebecca supports The Academy's theory that every student will have a unique learning style and that one methodology doesn't work for everyone and therefore teachers need to be well educated, flexible and creative in their approach. Rebecca graduated with Honours from the McMaster University Music Program where she received a Bachelor of Music. She has also studied at Mohawk College where she completed a 3 year Intensive Performance Program under the tutelage of Pamela Van Welden. Trained in the Alexander Technique, a study of yoga-like posture and breathing, Rebecca can help relieve the nervousness felt by performers by sharing this technique for easy performance anxiety.   Over the years she has had a multitude of experiences performing as an accompanist and as a solo artist. Rebecca is a dedicated teacher and performer who looks forward to preparing fun and creative lessons for her students at The Oakville Academy for the Arts and supporting other Music Faculty with their teaching journey.

Ann is originally from Wisconsin and received her formal training at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (cello performance/education-scholarship recipient) and the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (musical theatre/voice). After her training Ann moved to New York City, where she performed in Off Broadway productions, workshops, and musical revues, one of note being at Lincoln Center. Ann was thrilled to teach at the Oakville Academy for the Performing Arts its first year. After taking a year off to perform in the Toronto production of "Mamma Mia", she is now back and excited about another great year of teaching.
Other theatrical credits include the national tour of "Riverdance", "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" (Brockville Center for the Performing Arts), "Phantom", "Of Thee I Sing", and "Gypsy". Ann has traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe and has been a featured performer on the high seas with Celebrity Cruises. Ann also freelances as a cellist and she co-leads a duo with violist Pamela Bettger titled "Just-Du-et". Teaching in the public schools as a strings itinerant teacher was also a rewarding experience. Ann likes to consider herself a diverse, supportive and friendly teacher.

Ghislain Aucoin is a very talented and driven musician from Bathurst, New Brunswick and looks forward to another wonderful season at The Oakville Academy for the Arts. Upon completing his RCM (grade 10) Piano, Ghislain continued to pursue his love of music and earned a Bachelor of Applied Music from Humber College where he studied jazz piano and voice extensively. He is the recipient of many awards including the Marilyn Michener Award (2008) and the Greg Weils Award (2009), both from Humber College. Nowadays, Ghislain enjoys teaching voice and piano for all levels and styles to his students at the Oakville Academy for the Arts. Ghislain's easy style and music acumen make him a wonderful teacher for students of all ages. He is engaging and his methods make learning a pleasurable and fun experience. Flexible in his style and approach he wants every student to have the best possible chance for personal success in their studies and his only goal is that he can share with students a little of what has made his life so much richer- his love affair with music. Ghislain was the Music Director for the Nancy White/Judith Lander concert series in the summer of 2011 and looks forward to setting new goals for his students in September and making sure they achieve them as soon as possible!

Mezzo-soprano Gis�le Fredette is a seasoned and accomplished singer, composer, dancer, actor and vocal teacher who graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honours Degree in Performance. She is now entering her third year teaching at OAA. She had the pleasure of hosting and singing for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. Comfortable in eight languages, Ms. Fredette has appeared internationally with major opera companies and with most Canadian and American symphonies. Gis�le has taught voice and performance privately at Sheridan College and St. Elizabeth High School for the Performing Arts.
Having been a teacher for over twenty years, she is often invited to teach master classes on audition, vocal technique and languages. Gis�le is a respected and sought after adjudicator for voice and speech arts in numerous music festivals throughout Canada. Gis�le is also a regular judge on the panel for the CNE Rising Star competition. Being perfectly bilingual (French and English), she often plays the dual role of Master of Ceremonies. Ms. Fredette has toured throughout Canada and Bermuda with an educational (bilingual) program of Opera for Schools and reintroducing music within the school system. Gis�le has numerous musical credits to her name from Eliza Doolittle in "My Fair Lady" to Anita in "West Side Story". Her opera credits range from Carmen in "Carmen" to Prince Orlofsky in "Die Fledermaus". Film credits include Eurydice in "OrfŽe and Eurydice", Prima Dona in the Emmy Award-winning film "Beethoven Lives Upstairs", and numerous television appearances and commercials. She also has numerous recordings of her own compositions available through her website. We are very excited to have Ms. Fredette returning for another season to share her passion for music and performance with the students of The Oakville Academy for the Arts!

Jordan is a kind hearted and fun loving instructor with a penchant for putting his students and everyone around him at ease. Jordan Venn studied music at Vancouver Island University and Humber College. He has several collaborative projects with well known Toronto musicians and has done session work for TV and Film. Jordan teaches both Guitar and Voice and has a very cerebral approach to teaching. Also, he offers theory and songwriting instruction. His teaching style explores the roots of music fundamentals to help students build technical skills to reach their creative potentials. Jordan has been teaching at OAA since 2007, has a very loyal group of students who embrace his thorough and fun teaching style.

Born and raised in Kitchener Ontario, Chad began playing drums at age 12. Quickly falling in love with the instrument, he sought out like minded musicians, gaining a wide variety of musical experiences with his peers in and out of high school. Desiring more knowledge, Chad began studying with renowned drummer Mark Inneo to grow as a musician.
After becoming a household name among professional musicians in the K-W area, Chad moved to Toronto to further his career and studies. While attending Humber College for Jazz on Drum set, he began studying with drumming greats such as Mark Kelso, Don Vickery, Davide Direnzo, Billy Ward, Terry Clarke, and Ari Hoenig, further increasing his knowledge and appreciation for his craft. Quickly making a name for himself, Chad began playing with artists in Toronto's jazz, rock, and R&B clubs, ranging from well-known Toronto R&B group Soular, to the aggressive funk metal band Pure Finesse. Chad currently resides in Toronto, and has been teaching at the Oakville Academy for 3 years. He is looking forward to sharing his talents, technical expertise, and progressive style with his students at the Oakville Academy for the Arts.

Chantal Morin is commencing her third year at The Oakville Academy for the Arts and is a passionate and dedicated teacher with a strong following.  A graduate of Briercrest Bible College in Saskatchewan (Associate of Arts and Music), Chantal has been sharing her gift in many different ways. Well versed in RCM practical and theory training, she is also very comfortable teaching and exploring improvisation techniques both vocally and on a piano.  She toured with the group called "Isaac" which consisted of 13 instrumental and vocalist members that performed across the western provinces and earned the "Band of the Year" Award.  Later, as Director of Music Ministries in her church, she spent six years training choir members and creating arrangements for an assortment of musical styles, instrumentations and vocal presentations.  As a busy mom of two beautiful little girls and director of a 40-member choir, Chantal feeds her passion for instruction by teaching students at The Oakville Academy for the Arts.  Her enthusiasm and excitement for music permeates every lesson as she genuinely cares for each individual, doing whatever it takes to nurture their own musical passion.

The Oakville Academy for the Arts is proud to give students a true performing experience with live musical accompaniment. Live pianists are used for ballet classes, Musical Theatre classes and recitals. Entering his third year with The OAA, the very talented Danny McErlain has been a mainstay of the Toronto music scene for three decades, his versatility keeping him in demand at clubs, on the concert stage, the theatre, and behind the scenes rehearsing performers for popular shows and opera.
A favourite accompanist with jazz vocalists, Danny can be found in intimate club settings, the recording studio, or directing live shows. In 2008 he performed with a 30-piece orchestra backing up Dame Shirley Bassey. On the road, Danny performs with Bob DeAngelis's Champagne Symphony Pops Orchestra presenting "A Tribute to Benny Goodman"  a 30-piece orchestra backing up Dame Shirley Bassey. On the road, Danny performs with Bob DeAngelis's Champagne Symphony Pops Orchestra presenting "A Tribute to Benny Goodman" throughout Canada and the United States including stops at Roy Thomson Hall and Carnegie Hall. Recent CD releases include vocalist Irene Atman's self-titled "Irene Atman", Carl Young's "Simply Sentimental", and "Champagne Memories", a Benny Goodman tribute. Among his musical theatre credits are "The King and I", "West Side Story", "Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat", and "Grease" (Sony Centre); "The Producers" at the Canon Theatre, "Forever Plaid" at the New Yorker Theatre, and regular appearances with comedian Martin Short at Casino Rama and Fallsview Casino. In the opera world, Danny is accompanist to Canadian tenor Mark Dubois at concert settings throughout Canada and the U.S., including Roy Thomson Hall and the 2007 Sherwood Music Festival in Edmonton. He has also accompanied soloists Maureen Forester, Kinga Mitrowska, Gisele Fredette, and Bruce Kelly. A popular rehearsal pianist, Danny answers frequent calls from the Toronto Operetta Theatre, Opera In Concert and Summer Opera Lyric Theatre for productions such as "The Merry Widow", "Candide", "The Mikado", and "Lady In The Dark." Danny also finds time to conduct the Civil Service Choir, Queen's Park and The Ambiance Singers of Mississauga. Mr. McErlain adds a very special quality to the classes at the Oakville Academy and he is thrilled to be part of our exciting programs.

Louise has been dabbling in everything art related since the age of 4. She has always known art was to be her career path, as it has been her passion throughout her life. She has experience in every art form and specializes in painting, drawing and three dimensional creations. Louise is a graduate from the Ontario College of Art and Design. There she studied illustration and received her Bachelor of Design degree in 2004. While at OCAD she spent a year abroad in Italy, studying the foundation of fine art, in Florence. Louise is a practising artist; both commercial and fine.
She participates in various shows in and around the city as well as doing commercial illustration work. Some recent shows have included a 24 hour art show called "Sleep is For Dead People" at The Whippersnapper Gallery, and showings at the Renaissance Cafe and Cafe Tu Tu Tango. She has also been published in the Toronto Star. Combining her two great loves, music and art, Louise is part of a performance duo called Entropy. She and accomplished pianist Jamey Rosen perform an improvised combination of visual art and music for audiences to enjoy. All the creations are created in the moment and are based on audience suggestion. They were invited to perform at the prestigious Chicago Improv Festival in May 2005, and the Toronto Improv Festival, in August 2005. Louise loves showing children the joy of art, and is impressed every day with the creative minds of each child. She enjoys being able to help each talented individual expand their artistic abilities, and to watch them blossom into budding young artists. She is looking forward to another great year of teaching at The Oakville Academy For The Arts. As she welcomes last year's talented students back she also looks forward to meeting new students that are wishing to venture into the creative world of art.

Nataly Kim is an Oakville-based artist.  She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree after completing the Illustration program at Sheridan College.  Brenda Clark, the creator of the famous "Franklin the Turtle" children's book series, personally awarded Nataly the Clark Book Prize in recognition of her children's book "Big is Better". Drawing and painting have always been Nataly's passions.  She finds inspiration in children's imaginations and drawings.  She is known and recognized for her artwork's warm, pastel colour palette and whimsical characters.  Nataly is looking forward to a successful future working in children's book and editorial illustration, in hopes of keeping a little part of her childhood alive through her work.  As an instructor at The Oakville Academy for the Arts Nataly enjoys sharing and inspiring children's creativity, helping them develop personal style and a passion for an entire spectrum of media. Ms. Kim looks forward to the upcoming season and is busy creating interesting projects for her student artists.