The Kingston School of Dance
- Professional Teaching Staff
| Ebon Gage Artistic Director "Anyone who’s witnessed a dance class taught by Ebon Gage has seen his enthusiasm for his craft and for the people he teaches." (Pursuit Magazine) Ebon Gage, our newly appointed Artistic Director, is a graduate of the Canadian College of Dance/Ryerson University where his studies included: I.S.D.T. in Modern, National Dance, Ballet (RAD). Upon graduation, he created his own dance company, Inside Edge Danceworkz and co-owner of a musical theatre school, Maneuvers Dance Theatre. His fusion of Latin Jazz and Afro Dance, has made him a sought after choreographer and instructor bringing his unique style to cruise ships, master classes and appearances on City TV, Toronto for Breakfast Television, "The Nature of Things" with David Suzuki and "Flare" Television, introducing "Ritmo Workz", an alternative to body conditioning. His stage credits include; Dancer and Assistant Director for "Folk Ballet Theatre" and guest artist with "Dance Breakers", The Canadian Opera Companies production of a "Merry Widow" and "Carmen", 4 seasons with Ross Petty’s Christmas Pantomimes starring, Karin Kain, Veronica Tenant and Salome Bey. Touring across Canada and the USA in several corporate shows and has performed for the Canadian Armed Forces in Alert and the Middle East in "Front Line 90". He has provided choreography for the Roy Thompson Hall in partnership with The National Ballet of Canada in a "Salute to Vienna", "Heritage" a musical theatre show for Ontario Place Toronto, "OH CANADA" a month celebration of Canadian history in Epcot Walt Disney World Florida, "CATS" for the Wellington Street Theatre, "West Side Story" and "I Said I" for the Grande Theatre Kingston, assistant choreographer for CBC, Live from Parliament Hill Ottawa in the July 1st celebrations, choreography for "Doc" starring Billy Ray Cyrus and "The Other Me" starring Andrew Lawrence for the Disney channel. Ebon’s enthusiasm and diversified background in dance have developed his role as a guide, creating an atmosphere of encouragement, discovery and excitement, regardless of a student’s technical ability. Unions: ACTRA, Canadian Actors Equity Association, and Skate Canada | |
| Crystal Autumn Day Ms. Day has over twenty years of dance training and experience. Having studied at K.S.D. herself, under the direction of Len Stepanick (L.I.S.T.D.) she is very pleased to be the new Ballet Mistress here. Ms. Day spent every summer training in Cecchetti Ballet at The Quinte Ballet School of Canada under the direction of Brian Scott (F.I.S.T.D.) and at The Royal Winnipeg Ballet in Winnipeg Manitoba. A graduate of the School of Performing Arts at George Brown College in Toronto Ontario, Ms. Day received rigourous training in Classical Ballet, Modern dance, Anatomy/Biology, Music and Drama. She has had the privilege of training with Jean Geddes, Bengt Jorgen of Ballet Jorgen, Che Chun of the National Ballet of Canada and renowned dancer and teacher Mary Jago. While studying at George Brown Ms. Day performed with Sylvie Bouchard of Corpus Modern Dance company. She also worked and performed with renowned Canadian choreographers Alan Kaeja and Kathleen Rae. Upon returning to Kingston, Ms. Day started a dance program at C.F.B. Kingston that would allow under privilleged kids the opportunity to dance. Possessed of an almost encyclopedic knowledge of Ballet, Ms. Day is thrilled to share her passion and her art with the next generation of dancers. |
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| Melissa Mahady Wilton Melissa is the founder and Director of ConCorpsDance Inclusive Dance Programs, a Kingston-based organization devoted to creating dance programming accessible to all people, regardless of their ages, abilities, or special needs. Ms. Mahady Wilton is a inclusive dance educator who holds a Master's degree and doctoral training in Clinical Psychology, and has worked with children, adults, and families with special needs for over ten years. Ms. Mahady Wilton has over twenty years' formal dance training across a broad range of disciplines, including classical ballet, jazz, tap, international ballroom dance, folk, and flamenco. She currently provides inclusive, integrated movement programming to a number of organizations in Kingston; including H'art School of Smiles, Extend-A-Family, the Kingston Family YMCA, Holy Cross Secondary School and Winston Churchill Public School. Ms. Mahady Wilton is also the Vice Chairperson of the Board and Fundraising Coordinator for Canada DanceSport, Inc., where she is leading the development of Canadian wheelchair ballroom dance programming. She is possesses current Red Cross Standard First Aid and CPR certification. Ms. Mahady Wilton is passionate about the joy, creativity, and physical awareness that dance can provide to people of all abilities. She hopes to challenge common misconceptions about the limits of who can participate in dance, and hopes to inspire her students to become ”dancers without borders”. |
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| Annastacia Smith, BFA hons. Annastacia has 25 years of pre-professional and graduate level training. She holds a BFA honours in dance from York University, as well as her level one certificate in gymnastics. She has performed professionally for many stage companies, including MYT, and Mirvish productions. She trained in Toronto where she was accepted into many summer intensives including Quinte, and NBS. At age 13 she was accepted to Cawthra Parks School of the Arts, where she majored in dance, and minored in theatre. She trained in Limon and Graham techniques, under such teachers as Sharon Wong (Alvin Ailey Dance Company), and Coralee McClaren (Toronto Dance Theatre and received a scholarship to join the dance program at York University. During her time at York, she trained under such staff as Darcy Callison (Toronto Dance Theatre) Donna Krasnov, (Daniel Lewis Repertory Dance Company) and Karen Bowes-Sewell (NBS.) Annastacia’s goal is to give all her students the highest quality of training, regardless of age or ability, and impart her passion for dance to her students. |
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