Karen's passion for the disciplines of dance and vision of excellence continue to sustain PSB, with the help and encouragement of a strong support team of dance instructors, musicians, staff, parents and dedicated students--making it one of the finest dance studios in the Durham/Toronto area.

Faculty and Staff
Karen Davies Thomas Director of PSB, Director of Cecchetti Ballet Program, Intensive Ballet Program, Profile Dance Company Director and Choreographer 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 touring with 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. She was formerly Associate Director of Interplay School of Dance, where she taught for many years. Karen built a strong Modern Dance program and formed a performing dance company at Interplay. Karen acquired ownership of Interplay in July 2006, and is now Interplay's Artistic Director and Principal. Recently, Karen has taught at the National Ballet School of Canada. She has two young daughters enrolled at PSB, who might just be following in her footsteps.
Chrissy Burrows Cecchetti Ballet Instructor Chrissy trained in the Cecchetti method of ballet under Karen Davies Thomas, Jean Geddis and Glenn Gilmour, and has been dancing in the Toronto area for over 20 years. In 2004, she successfully completed the highest level of accomplishment in the syllabus, the Enrico Cecchetti Diploma. In the summer of 2007, Chrissy obtained her Associate, the first Cecchetti teacher's qualification. She has danced with PSB’s Profile Dance Company for many years, performing numerous lead roles, such as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, the Black Swan in Swan Lake, and a dancing role of Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty, to name a few. In addition to her accomplishments at PSB, Chrissy has spent time dancing with other companies across Canada and in Europe . She performed the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy as a guest lead for the Owen Sound Ballet, and has danced with Ballet Jorgen’s youth company. She has also danced for PSB’s own Jannine Saarinen in a piece featured at a showcase of local choreographers in Toronto, and has danced with Thierry LeFloch at the Academie de Mediterranean in Marseille France. Chrissy has danced in western Canada for the Vancouver Goh Ballet, the Edmonton School of Ballet, and most recently in Ballet British Columbia’s apprentice program. While pursuing her dance interests, Chrissy earned a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science and works full-time as a systems analyst.
Kendal Charbonneau Jazz and Tap Instructor Kendal has been dancing for over 15 years in ballet, tap, jazz, acro, musical theatre, and hip hop. Dancing with several dance schools in Durham and competing across the province, Kendal is an experienced performer. In 2006, Kendal earned her associates certificate for Ballet with the British Association of Teachers of Dancing. She later went on to pursue her BATD associate certificate for Stage Craft, a combination of jazz, tap, and performance. Kendal is a graduate of Dunbarton High School where she won several awards for Vocal Music as well as the Musical Theatre award for her graduating class. Kendal's numerous solos, duets and trios earned her many awards at competitions over the years, including overall top score award. In addition to dance, Kendal is a fully certified artistic gymnastics and trampoline instructor with the NCCP. Currently a student at the University of Toronto, Kendal is pursuing a life science degree in Human Biology while double majoring in French.
Ciprian Campianu Guest Teacher, Ballet Ciprian Campianu is a graduate of the Professional Teacher’s Training Program at the National Ballet School of Canada. He began his professional ballet training at the age of nine at the National Ballet School in his hometown of Bucharest, Romania. He danced for several years with the National Opera performing principle roles in classical ballets such as Giselle, Swan Lake, Copellia Sleeping Beauty, Anna Karenina and the Nutcracker. In 1997 he won the Oleg Danovsky International Ballet Competition with his interpretation of “The Afternoon of a Faun”. He was also a well-known performer on the two most popular live entertainment television shows for the two largest channels in Romania. After leaving Romania, Ciprian performed around the world in countries such as Germany, Japan, South Korea and France, where he performed at the world famous Moulin Rouge and Lido in Paris. His love for travel and foreign cultures led him first to Norwegian Cruise Line, and then Crystal Cruises, where he traveled the world for several years as the lead adage dancer of the Crystal Ensemble.
Wayne Corinaldi Advanced Hip Hop Instructor Wayne Corinaldi has 23 years of experience as a Hip Hop dancer/choreographer. Performances include Much Music Video Awards, Nathan Phillips Square, and Millennium Celebration Niagara Falls. Wayne has been a choreographer for the DLM Dance and Entertainment Company (1998-2003), the Harbourfront Centre (June 1999-2001), the Quinte Ballet School (Summer 2007), and he is currently choreographer with the PSB Dance Academy (2000-Present), Interplay (2006-Present), and the London School of Dance (2003-Present).
Glenn Gilmour Intensive Senior Ballet Instructor Glenn Gilmour is world renowned. He is a former principal dancer with the National Ballet Company of Canada and teacher at the National Ballet School. Glenn trained in Toronto under the direction of Celia Franca, Betty Oliphant and David Adams. He then studied with Anthony Tudor in New York and with Stanislas Idzikowsky in London, England. Glenn's dancing career was as principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada and soloist with the London Ballet and Ballet Rambert. He has been a senior teacher for the past 30 years at the National Ballet School, and is a Fellow and Examiner with the Cecchetti Society of Canada.
Catherine Kourkounakis RAD Ballet, National Dance, Intensive Ballet Instructor; Profile Dance Company choreographer Catherine is a Registered Royal Academy of Dance teacher. She is experienced in teaching all levels of the RAD syllabi and holds a Teaching Diploma Specializing in the Teaching of Children. In 1999, Catherine continued her dance studies in the National Ballet School Professional Development Program, including an Honours Associate in National Dance. She joined the PSB Faculty in February 2000 and has developed and taught the Junior Division, RAD Major Classes, Junior Intensive Division and is active in choreographing and staging for the Profile Dance Company. She and her husband have an almost grown family of three talented and artistic children, two of whom are pursuing careers in the arts. She hopes her legacy will be to pass on her love of music and dance.
Stephanie Landry Intensive Ballet, Pointe & Pilates Instructor, Profile Dance Company Choreographer Stephanie Landry, native of Montreal, Quebec, moved to Toronto Ontario at the early age of ten to pursue her classical training at the National Ballet School. She then joined the National Ballet Company of Canada and enjoyed a 15-year career. As well as performing in Toronto with the regular seasons, she traveled annually to eastern and western Canada, United States, Mexico and frequently to Europe. The Company’s rich repertoire offered Stephanie a wide variety of roles, from corps de ballet to soloist, as well as to Principal character works: to name a few, Les Sylphides, Giselle, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Bayaderka, Onegin, Coppelia and especially the Balanchine Ballets. The magnitude of talent within the Company itself was a continuous source of challenging inspirations. But if that wasn’t enough, fervent dedication and aspirations were always renewed with the multitude of world renowned guest artists performing alongside the Company’s dancers. Upon retirement in 1991, Stephanie began teaching and brought to the training the added skill of conditioning and injury-prevention technique called Pilates. She has given countless dance workshops, has successfully brought students to competitive performances, and has adjudicated herself in Ontario and Western Canada. Having joined Interplay, Stephanie looks forward to sharing her years of experiences and knowledge with up and coming students.
Christina Neves Tughan Advanced and Intensive Jazz Instructor, Profile Dance Company Choreographer Christina started dancing at the age of 4. She joined PSB Dance Academy’s jazz and ballet programs at the age of 8, and later was accepted into the Profile Dance Company. While studying various dance forms as a member of Profile, Christina won many awards, both as a solo dancer and in group performances, including Best Senior stage performer (IDC), High Entertainment Award (Much Too Crowded). She also demonstrated her exceptional talent as a choreographer when she won the first two choreographic workshops. She was then invited to set pieces on the Company as a guest choreographer. Christina’s pieces won several awards, such as Overall Senior Group at the Muskoka Ballet Gala (Beautiful, Going Under, Empty Chairs, Hagamos, and Forgive Forget). Christina has also won best senior choreography/High score awards at Sur La Pointe/Dance Connection (Empty Chairs, Hagamos, Forgive Forget, Blurry and A Day without Rain). Christina’s choreography also includes Paint it Black, Feelin Good, Hype, Everytime, O Fortuna and All that Jazz. Although she left the Profile Dance Company as a performer in 2005, she is now a Jazz instructor for both the recreational and intensive jazz programs at PSB. She continues to choreograph pieces in various dance forms (Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Contemporary) for the Profile Dance Company. Aside from her work with PSB, Christina has taught for the ACE after school program in Scarborough, and at the Kinetics School of Baton and Dance. Christina is a University of Toronto and Centennial College graduate and is currently working in the pharmaceutical field. Christina looks forward to working with PSB for many years to come.
Shannon Nezda Ballet, RAD Exam Program Shannon began taking ballet lessons at the age of 5 at Interplay. With the encouragement of founder Anna McCowan-Johnson, Shannon auditioned for and attended the National Ballet School, Quinte Ballet School and The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School summer programs. At age 16 she attended the full time professional program at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, where she participated in a program to introduce the professional students to teaching. It was during that program that Shannon developed her love of teaching ballet. Shannon returned to Interplay and trained under the current Artistic Director, Karen Davies Thomas. She went on to attend Ryerson's dance program. Shannon has completed all Royal Academy of Dance exams up to the Advanced level, and received Distinction on her Royal Academy of Dance teaching exam. She has also completed the elementary and intermediate Cecchetti exams. Shannon has performed in Summerworks, Ffida, a fundraiser with guest artist Evelyn Hart, and as a dancer for the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra, as well as other events. However, her passion is teaching ballet to young dancers, which she has enjoyed for over 10 years. Shannon is a dance instructor at Interplay and is pleased to join the PSB teaching staff.
Suha Ozler Junior Ballet Instructor Suha Ozler began her dance training at the Istanbul City Conservatory in Turkey, and continued her dance education at The National Ballet School of Canada, George Brown College and Ryerson University Faculty of Applied Arts. Suha danced professionally with The Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Company, gaining tremendous experience with famous choreographers from around the world. She has danced professionally in many classical, contemporary and modern dance pieces, including Coppelia, Don Quixote, Laila and Mecnun, Spartacus, Swan Lake, Faust, Giselle, La Bayadere, La Sylphide, Les Sylphides and The famous 3 Act Ballet by Gavin MacMillan. Her repertoire also includes Opera ballets such as Aida, Lucia de Lamermoor, The King and I, The Magic Flute, The Merry Widow and Turandot. Suha had the opportunity to tour in Europe, and danced in the famous ancient Asphendos Amphi-theater in Antalya. This performance would mark the first Antalya Summer Festival, dedicated to classical Music, Ballet and Opera. Suha has also been involved in acting, modeling, choreographer and assistant choreographer for various fashion shows and music videos in Istanbul. In 1994-95 she worked with producers from Europe to put together the Vision Show, which brought the fashion world to Istanbul, showing designer clothes. In 1997 Suha returned to Canada to become a teacher. She graduated from The National Ballet School Teacher Training Program and has achieved her associate in both Cecchetti Ballet and National Dance faculties as well as Advanced level in R.A.D. Suha has been teaching in various dance schools in Ontario since 1999 and is passionate about her career. She continues to pass on her knowledge as an ex-professional dancer, to choreograph for dance competitions and to prepare children for dance exams.
Erin Poole Junior and Adult Ballet, Jazz Instructor Erin has been dancing since she was 3 years old. She began training at PSB at the age of 8 and was accepted into the Profile Dance Company at the age of 9. She has been trained in Cecchetti Ballet by Karen Davies Thomas and Glenn Gilmour and has attained her Advanced 2 Cecchetti. She is trained in jazz and lyrical technique by Christina Neves. Erin graduated with Honours from Cardinal Carter Academy of the Arts and was awarded the Dance Award in Grade 10. During her years at Cardinal Carter, Erin was trained in Graham and Limon Modern by Julia Lava and Marlene Engenheiro. She also danced the lead role in an original narrative, modern dance film, "The Marriage" choreographed by Julia Lava. In Grade 12, she choreographed a Fosse Jazz piece for Cardinal Carter's annual "In the Making" performance. Erin has also attended the National Ballet School of Canada's Summer Program. In 2006, Erin was a finalist at the CNE's "Rising Star" competition with the jazz trio "Feeling Good," choreographed by Christina Neves, and a semi-finalist in 2008 with the solo "Are You," also choreographed by Christina Neves. In 2006, Erin was awarded 'Best Technique" and 'High Senior Soloist' at the Muskoka Ballet Gala. She has performed various lead roles in PSB's performances, including Giselle, 'Aurora' and 'Lilac Fairy' in Sleeping Beauty, 'Swanhilda' in Coppelia, and the Sugar Plum Fairy pas de deux with National Ballet of Canada company member, James Leja. This past year, Erin trained in Marseilles, France at Académie Méditerranéenne under the instruction of Thierry LeFloch and Mitou Manderon, former principal dancers of the Roland Petit Company de Marseilles. She has competed in the "International Concour de Grasses" and the "International Concour d'Aix en Provence" in which she placed 2nd for her Gamzatti variation and 2nd for a contemporary solo which she choreographed on herself. While in Marseilles, Erin also trained with the contemporary ballet company Ballet D'Europe, under the direction of Jean-Charles Gil. Erin intends to pursue a career in professional dance and is currently pursuing dance job opportunites in Canada. Erin is beginning her second year of teaching at PSB. She has also taught at Interplay School of Dance and Bishop Strachan School.
Faye Rauw Guest Instructor Faye Rauw hails from Humboldt, Saskatchewan. She has traveled extensively around the world dancing professionally, teaching workshops, performing and choreographing for various dance companies, as well as performing for Royal Caribbean Cruise lines. She is one of Canada’s high demand dance judges, teachers and choreographers, traveling as far as Australia to judge their National Dance Championships.Faye has had the pleasure of working with the likes of Marlon Wayans, Charo, Ben Vereen, as well as Rob Marshall and Catherine Zeta-Jones in the Oscar & Golden Globe winning movie, “CHICAGO". She has also been captured as one of the video dancers in U2’s “Vertigo” tour and the CBC/BRAVO dance movie, “Roxanna” with Greta Hodgkinson from the National Ballet of Canada and Rex Harrington. Most recent, Faye can be seen in the new movie release of “Hairspray” with John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer and Queen Latifa. Faye's acting credits have been seen on the TV series “MONK”, Walt Disney’s “The Sixth Man”, along with various commercials and Canadian feature films. Faye has been recognized on the entertainment TV show, ET Canada, for her accomplishments in the industry. Faye has choreographed for the NBA, AHL, CFL, Steve Nash Charity Classic, KRG Children’s Charity Gala, KING DAVID The Musical, the stage tour for CANADIAN THUNDER, the Canadian product launch for Brittney Spears fragrance, CURIOUS, CHIN Picnic and has choreographed for recording artist Kristine W. Faye’s choreography has been seen on Western University Dance Team, Pride Toronto, ALI Entertainment and OIP Dance Company. Most recently, Faye choreographed the musical "Billy Bishop Goes to War" for the Souris Valley Theater Festival. Faye has been recognized as an ambassador for Lululemon athletic wear. She teaches and choreographs at the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts and recently, Faye started her own dance and choreographic workshop series titled Fayez1 Productions. Her passion to create and perform makes Faye a true inspiration to work with.
Jannine Saarinen Musical Theatre, Modern, Junior Ballet Instructor Jannine Saarinen began dancing at the age of six. She trained at schools such as The School of Classical and Contemporary Dance, Interplay, Canadian Children’s Dance Theatre, and PSB Dance Academy. She has studied classical ballet (both Cecchetti and RAD), modern, and jazz, training with Marielle Carruthers, Glenn Gilmore, Jean Geddis, Arwyn Carpenter, and Karen Davies-Thomas. She went on to graduate with honors from the George Brown College Dance Performance Studies Program and she received the Certificate of Professional Development from Ballet Jörgen Canada. While at George Brown she worked with many excellent teachers and choreographers such as Che Chun, Bengt Jörgen, Michelle DeBrouwer, Kathleen Rea and Sylvie Bouchard. She began teaching in 2003 and currently teaches at PSB Dance Academy, Interplay and the Swansea School of Dance. She has also been a guest teacher at City Dance Corps and Martha Hicks. Professionally, Jannine has worked with several excellent choreographers, including Donna Greenburg, Marlee Cargill, and Viv Moore. She has performed in fFIDA, Dance Ontario Weekend, Artist’s Play, Nuit Blanche and at many other venues. In 2006, Jannine created Jay9 Dance Projects to choreograph and produce character-based dance that is versatile and expressive. Her work incorporates modern dance with elements of theatre and also draws on her experience in other dance forms. She collaborates with different artists on a piece by piece basis and these talented performers perform her work in shows such as Artists’ Play, In a White Room, Danceries, Talent Defined, Junction Arts Festival, Dance in Dundas Square, and the bi-monthly cabaret series Eros, Thanatos, and the Avant-garde. In the last two years Jay9 Dance Projects has produced two successful themed cabarets. Currently, Jannine is working on projects for SummerWorks Theatre Festival and Nuit Blanche ’09.
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