Aimee Hamilton Vapsva (Director/Teacher)
Aimee Hamilton Vapsva is an Honours graduate from the Dance Program at Ryerson Polytechnic University, and is a proud member of Dance Masters of America (DMA). Aimee is delighted to be realizing her long-time dream of owning and operating her own dance studio.
Aimee began dancing at the age of 4 and received extensive training in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical, Modern and Musical Theatre. Her years of training earned her countless awards, scholarships and titles at competitions throughout Canada and the United States, including American Dance Awards Dancer of the Year. While at Ryerson, Aimee received the “Most Potential Dancer” scholarship and trained under the direction of Nadia Potts, former principle dancer at The National Ballet of Canada. Aimee also had the pleasure of working with acclaimed teachers, choreographers, acting coaches and vocal instructors such as Vicky St. Denys, Stelio Calagias. Karen Duplisea, Mairlyn Smith, and David Walden. Upon graduation, Aimee performed in two Broadway Revues onboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and has had the opportunity to work with numerous renowned choreographers such as Robert Desrosiers, Jean-Aime LaLonde, and David Campbell. For 3 years, Aimee could be seen performing at Huntsvile’s Deerhurst Resort in “Sing 2001″, “Excite the Night”, and “Impact”.
Aimee started sharing her love of dance with young dancers while in high school, and taught at a number of studios in the GTA throughout her academic years. Since becoming a full time dance teacher 10 years ago, Aimee has attended many teacher workshops where she has had the pleasure of taking classes from Mia Michaels, Brian Friedman, and Wade Robson to name a few. Her students and choreography have won numerous overall awards at competitions in Canada and the United States, including Mini National Champions at OnStage NewYork in Orlando, Florida. Aimee’s goals as a teacher are to inspire passion for dance, to promote technique and self-confidence and to bring out the best in her students in a positive and supportive atmosphere.
Aimee is an accomplished dancer, teacher, choreographer and adjudicator, and looks forward to sharing her love of dance with students at Artistic Dance Scene.
Kristy Leigh Baggetta (Jazz/Lyrical/Contemporary Teacher)
A dancer since the age of three, Kristy grew up in her Mother’s dance studio along with Aimee (Director of Artistic Dance Scene). Kristy is trained in Jazz, Tap, Ballet (R.A.D.), Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, and Modern. A competitive dancer since the age of 6, Ms. Baggetta has been blessed with numerous awards and titles. Her love of choreography led Kristy to follow her dream and share her passion for dance with talented dancers of all ages. Ms. Baggetta is an in demand choreographer at studios across Ontario and she works with students of all ages producing award winning routines. Many of Kristy’s choreographic works have been recognized with choreographer’s awards at competitions across Canada and the U.S. Never to sit back, Kristy continues to grow and expand her art with workshops in both Canada and the U.S. Students of Kristy’s have been honoured to achieve many titles, scholarships and awards as well as being members of Canad’a world tap and jazz teams that compete in Europe each year.
“Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.” A motto Kristy stands by and equates with each student she guides as they follow their dream to dance.
Kristy has worked with talented teachers and choreographers over the years both in Canada and the U.S. She strives with each student to provide them with the best in dance education working closely with her students to help them achieve their goals and become the best dancers they can be.
Kristy is delighted and filled with excitement over what that years will bring as she is welcomed into the Artistic Dance Scene family.
Megan Ferris (Ballet Teacher)
Megan began dancing at the age of three in Burlington, Ontario. She has trained extensively in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Modern and Musical Theatre. Over the years Megan received many overall awards, titles and scholarships for her competitive dancing. She has been teaching and choreographing in and around Ontario since 2006 and enjoys every minute of it! Her students have received various awards for their hard work, also receiving various choreography awards. Megan continues to further her love of dance and technique by attending a variety of workshops throughout Ontario and the United States.
With exciting plans to continue her ongoing learning and development, Megan is currently pursuing her education in the Cecchetti method of Ballet and looks forward to the new and exciting challenges and opportunities this will bring.
Eager to pass on her love of the arts to children of all ages, Megan had the pleasure of directing a summer dance and musical theatre camp in Oakville, Ontario. Currently studying Early Childhood Education at Ryerson University, Megan hopes to use her knowledge and capability in the area of child development along with her dance experience to create an outstanding and progressive learning environment for children at Artistic Dance Scene.
Johnathan Morin (Tap/Hip Hop Teacher)
Constantly pushing the boundaries and limits, Johnathan Morin is growing into one of Canada’s biggest tap threats. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, John began dancing at the age of 8 and never looked back. Has has been trained by Barabra Vargas, Danny Nielson, Gail Ledger, and Anne Marie Schotte to name a few. Also in that time, he has had the pleasure of taking classes from many of taps greatest artists such as Dr. Jeni Legon, Dr. Harold Cromer, Jason Samuel Smith, Chloe Arnold, Bril Barrett, Andrew Nemr, Max Pollak, Lisa La Touche, and many more!
In 2009 John was an intern at Tony Waag’s New York City Tap Festival and spent three weeks in New York training and representing what Canada has to offer! In 2010 he had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Jason Samuels Smith and was the Cutting Contest Champion at the 2010 Vancouver International Tap Festival.
To say it plain and simple, Johnathan loves dance and hopes to share that with all of his students at Artistic Dance Scene, and everyone he performs for.
Sarah Breuls (Jazz, Tap, Ballet Teacher)
Sarah began dancing at the age of 4 in Oakville, Ontario and it has been a huge part of her life ever since. She is trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Musical Theatre and Hip Hop. Growing up, she competed throughout Ontario where she was awarded with numerous overall and title awards. After graduating from her dance school in Oakville, Sarah went on to George Brown College where she completed the Dance Performance Preparation program.
As a teacher, Sarah is passionate about what she does; having fun with her students while bringing proper technique and creativity into the studio. She is very passionate about children and inspiring them to try new things while having fun. She will forever be a student learning to grow as a dancer, choreographer, and as a very enthusiastic teacher.
Sarah looks forward to sharing her enthusiasm with her students at Artistic Dance Scene.