faculty
The artistic staff at the Martha Hicks School of Ballet come from many diverse, professional backgrounds such as the National Ballet School’s Teacher Training Program, Ryerson Polytechnical Institute and other recognized dance institutions. The aim of our staff is to provide a positive and caring atmosphere as a background for learning the discipline of dance. Whether the student is 3 or 20 they will feel welcome and encouraged to explore the magic of movement. In addition to the primary instructors, many of our classes also have trained assistants who aid the teacher in demonstrating steps and technique as well as correcting the students. Professional pianists accompany and inspire every creative movement and ballet class.
MHSB also prides itself on a high level of administrative service to its clients. There are three full time staff members who work diligently to ensure parents are kept well informed of every aspect of their programs. Martha Hicks is always pleased to speak with parents who have any questions or concerns.
Director
Martha Hicks
Martha Hicks was born in London, Ontario, where she began ballet lessons at the age of five. She continued her training in Toronto and upon completion of high school entered the full-time dance program at George Brown College.
After intensive training in ballet, modern, jazz and choreography, she was accepted into the Teacher's Training program at the National Ballet School.
In 1990 Martha graduated from the three year program with the school's honour of distinction and began teaching immediately. In September of 1992, Martha returned to the Lawrence Park area and opened her own school - The Martha Hicks School of Ballet. The school started with one venue and 60 students. Through love, dedication and hard work, Martha has built one of the biggest and most reputable schools in Toronto. Today MHSB has eight locations providing over 1000 aspiring young dancers with superb training in an energetic, caring environment.
Teaching Staff
Dana Bondy
Dana began her training at the Peacock School of Dance in Fort Erie, where she studied as a principal dancer and instructor. There, she performed at various competitions across Canada and the United States achieving numerous awards. She has received international recognition at Euro International Spain Tour with Peacock. After sixteen years working with the school, Dana moved to Toronto to complete a certificate in performing arts at George Brown. As part of the George Brown dance team, she traveled to New York to perform on the Sally Jesse Raphael show and studied at The Broadway Dance Centre. Since then she has trained with Toronto's hip hop company, Thrive, as well as choreographing and performing with the Honeykats. Dana has also worked with the Toronto People with AIDS Foundation in their yearly shows as a jet girl in West Side Story, as well as a chorus member in Moulin Rouge. Further credits include the Toronto Roadrunners dance crew, Fashion Cares 2005 Bollywood Cowboy, Rethink Breast Cancer Soiree Fundraiser Burlesque Show, and this summer's Pride Parade. Dana is currently performing with Stardust Follies Musical Revue at the Sanderson Centre in Branford. Through teaching and performing in Toronto, Dana has created a name for herself with her charismatic style and passion to perform.
Ulrika Englund
Ulrika is a native of Sweden. She started taking jazz classes at the age of 10 that later advanced into ballet, tap, hip hop and modern classes. During her teens she spent most of her spare time in the dance studio. She graduated from the Ballet Academy of Gothenburg in 1998 with a certificate in professional dance studies. Immediately she was hired to work as a performer with a UK-based cruise line and she danced her way around the world.
Ulrika moved to Canada in the fall of 1999 and continued to pursue her dance career in Toronto. She has been a part of the MHSB faculty since 2000 and loves sharing her passion for dance with students of all ages. Ulrika is also hard at work as the costume coordinator for MHSB and every year tackles the daunting task of dressing every single one of the dancers for each and every recital!
Ulrika likes to stay current by taking dance classes and workshops whenever possible. She is fresh out of a dance teacher's seminar and she is ready to inspire, encourage and motivate her students to be the best dancer they can be!
Brigitte Grenier
Born and raised in Sudbury, Ontario, Brigitte Grenier has been performing on stage as a dancer since the young age of 5 years old. Performing and competing for over 18 years, she is trained in various disciplines such as Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Modern and Ballet. She continued to dance and teach younger dancers through her years at Laurentian University, where she graduated with a Human Kinetics Degree, specializing in Health Promotion. During this time Brigitte would travel to Toronto every summer to take workshops with leading dance professionals such as Marty Kudelka, Luther Brown, Siona Jackson, Stelio Calagias, Linda Garneau and Shawn Byfield.
It has been through her passion and love for dancing that Brigitte decided to pursue her career and lifelong dream as a dancer here in Toronto. Brigitte is currently part of the Toronto Argonauts Cheerleading team. Being a third year veteran, Brigitte has been awarded the role of captain this season where she will lead her squad through cheers and sidelines during the games and choreograph dances to be performed on field. Brigitte is also a part of the hip hop company The Honeykats with Dance Kraze Productions. Other professional performance include The Jamie Kennedy Show, Dance Ontario 07 and 08, Casino Rama and various corporate events within the city. Brigitte is thrilled and excited to be a part of the Martha Hicks School of Ballet teaching staff for her second year.
Lisa Hamilton Hrycajkiw
Lisa began dancing at the age of five in Rothesay, New Brunswick. As a young private school student, Lisa began assisting dance classes at the Rothesay Ballet School. Assisting soon became her passion, and this passion became her incentive to become a student of the National Ballet School. In 1990, Lisa auditioned and was accepted into the National Ballet School Teacher Training Program for which she moved to Toronto. She graduated in 1993 with a Cecchetti Associate Diploma, certified by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (CSB). Lisa has followed her passion by teaching creative movement, ballet, pointe, national dance and private ballet classes at many schools throughout Toronto.
Lisa has been employed by The Martha Hicks School of Ballet for over ten years. Not only is Lisa a wonderful teacher, she is also the assistant office manager, and usually the friendly voice that answers the phone. Through all of her hard work, Lisa helps keep the school running smoothly and is looking forward to many more years at The Martha Hicks School of Ballet.
Angeliki Kourkounakis
Angeliki Kourkounakis has been dancing since the age of three and teaching and assisting dance classes since the age of sixteen. Ms. Kourkounakis is completing her diploma in the Teacher Training Program at Canada’s National Ballet School and has completed her Registered Teacher Status with the Royal Academy of Dance. She is an honors graduate of the dance department at Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts and has dance background with training in ballet, modern, jazz, musical theater, tap and gymnastics. Ms. Kourkounakis has trained as a dancer at professional ballet schools such as L’École Supérieure de Ballet Contemporain de Montréal, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School and Canada’s National Ballet School. Ms. Kourkounakis has her Level 1 Artistic coaching qualification with Gymnastics Ontario, and heads a dance program at a gymnastics club in Scarborough. In her spare time Ms. Kourkounakis loves boating and downhill skiing.
Wendy Jiménez
Ballet dancer born in San José, Costa Rica, she started her classical ballet studie in 1995 at the Academia de Ballet Clásico Flor del Carmen de Montalbán, then she represented her country at the VI Certamen Infantil-Juvenil México 1997 where she was given an Honorable Performance Award. In 2003 she enters the Academia Superior de Ballet Clásico de Costa Rica under the Direction of Fiori Darlington where she is part of the “Pájaro de Fuego”presentation in 2004 along with first level venezuelan dancers, creating the “Ballet Internacional de Costa Rica” the first National Ballet Company in that country. She moved to Toronto to be part of the National Ballet School as she was accepted in the Teacher Training Program where she is currently in her 2nd year. She is very happy to be part of the MHSB staff as a Ballet Teacher, she wishes to share her knowledge and her very special charisma with the students.
Alysha Lockyer
Alysha began her training in creative movement with the Royal Conservatory of Music at the young age of 3 and shortly after began ballet, theatre and modern dance classes at the Canadian Children’s Dance Theatre. During her 15 years at C.C.D.T, she had the opportunity to perform all over Ontario as part of the young professional company.
After high school, Alysha was accepted into the 3 year professional training program at the School of Toronto Dance Theatre where she continued her studies in the Graham-based technique, ballet, Limon, Horton, African, contact improvisation, music and bouffon. In her 3 years, she had the chance to work closely and perform works by many of the industry’s top choreographers including Michael Trent, Julia Sasso, Danny Grossman, Holly Small, Sharon Moore and Sylvain Emard just to name a few.
Upon graduating, Alysha spent most of her time performing. She joined Lotus Urban Dance Company in 2004 where she performed in many of Toronto’s dance festivals, corporate events and fashion shows including Milk & Honey, A Choreographer’s Ball, Diesel/New Religion Fashion Show, Toronto’s Alternative Fashion Week, Stomp Urban Dance Show, and the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life fundraiser. In addition, she was hired to work with the Italian contemporary dance company “Studio Festi” for the City of Toronto’s Live with Culture celebration.
Alysha has spread her passion for movement, music and physical fitness throughout many studios and fitness centers throughout Toronto. This will be her 10th year of teaching ballet, modern dance, hip hop and fitness to children and adults of all ages. She has worked for the Catholic District School Board, City of Toronto, Royal St. Georges, Upper Canada College, Sports Clubs of Canada, Glendon Athletic Center & Women’s Fitness Clubs of Canada. She is looking forward to another fabulous year at Martha Hicks!
Jenna Lyttle
Jenna Lyttle began her dance training in the Cecchetti Method of Classical Ballet at a very early age. After completing all of the Grade Examinations during her adolescence and complementing her ballet training with various dance forms such as tap, jazz and musical comedy, Jenna attended York University to major in Dance. Exploring the realm of modern dance, dance sciences, dance production as well as performance, she attained a Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree with Honours. Upon developing a more specific focus in ballet and pedagogy, Jenna pursued her studies at The National Ballet School’s Teacher Training Program where she graduated in 2005 with her Cecchetti Associate Diploma. Jenna is very excited to be a part of The Martha Hicks School of Ballet Teaching Staff and looks forward to all that the world of dance may bring!
Kiyoko Makimura
Kiyoko started her classical ballet training in Osaka, Japan, and continued in Toronto. She has studied Russian, RAD, and Cecchetti methods of ballet. She studied in the Professional Development Program at National Ballet School in 2003/04 and is a graduate of the three years Teacher Training Program in Professional Division at Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. Kiyoko has completed the examinations for R.A.D. Advanced 1, National Dance Advanced 1, and Cecchetti Advanced 2. She holds her Associate teaching qualification for Ballet with the Cecchtti Society, and is also certified for National Dance with I.S.T.D.
Kiyoko has taught Creative Movement and Pre-Ballet to young children in community programs, has been a substitute teacher for ballet class in the Recreational program at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, and she has been teaching at MHSB since the 2007-2008 season.
Kiyoko is very happy to be part of the teaching staff of Martha Hicks School of Ballet.
Melissa Nascimento
Melissa’s passion for dance began shortly after she took her first steps at 13 months. To date, she is skilled in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Latin and her favorite, Hip Hop dance. She continues to explore the world of dance.
Melissa has performed and choreographed for the CFL Hamilton Tigercats and the Ontario Raiders Lacrosse Dance Teams. She has worked with Toronto based R and B group “Heat”, choreographing and performing in their music video “Brown Eyes”. Melissa also choreographed their 2003 show for Canadian Music week at The Docks. Melissa is a performer and Associate Director of Thrive! Entertainment. She has performed in several shows with the company in and around the city and has had the privilege to choreograph in both the 2002, 2003 and 2006 Thrive! Showcases at the Betty Oliphant Theatre. Melissa has also performed and choreographed for City Dance Corps Talent Divined at the Al Green Theatre. Recently she can be seen in the latest “Mc Fly” music video. With 14 years of teaching experience, Melissa continues to work at several dance studios, high schools and elementary schools such as, Cawthra Park School of the Arts, Rosedale Heights School of the Arts, Pegasus Studios, City Dance Corps, and Pine Ridge Secondary only to name a few. Her choreography has won awards at several dance competitions in Ontario. She continues her training with the hope that she can give back what has been given to her in twenty-two years of dance. When asked why, her response is “FOR THE LOVE OF IT”. Sharing her love of dance as a performer, choreographer, instructor and stage manager has given her the opportunity to meet and work with some of the most influential artists in Toronto. Melissa participated in the 2008 Mille Femmes photo shoot. Her picture can be found amongst 1000 influential women in the arts, from all over the world.
Melissa is a strong believer that dance and the arts is the key to keeping today’s youth of the streets. She has and continues to coordinate and assist in various charitable events for, Sick Kids Hospital, Red Door Family Shelter, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Rethink Breast Cancer, Youth Rally’s, Summer Camps for Children in Need, and Arts for Kids of Toronto.
Summer of 2007 Melissa was personally invited by the Azorean government in Portugal to perform and choreograph at their annual dance festival “Dances of the Senses, Memories in Movement.” You can find her on OMNI television sharing her love of dance on a program called “Canada Contacto” She is the Director and creator of Total Motion Dance with Mel and the Co-Founder/Director of Women in Dance, a creative showcase celebrating the female dancer. Her warm smiles and personality are definitely contagious! She is never out of ENERGY and always ready to HIT THE FLOOR!
Jody Osmond
Jody came to Toronto leaving behind the rocky shores and salt sea breezes of Newfoundland. She's been dancing since she could walk and singing since she could talk.
Since being in Toronto she has graduated from the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts triple threat program and played Lisa, a lead role in the hit musical "Mamma Mia!" where she also understudied the role of Sophie. She played the leads Winnifred in "Once Upon A Mattress" and Charlene in the world premier of the musical "Route 66". Not to mention having had the privilege of taking a Master Class from the late Gregory Hines.
Before coming to Ontario, in fact at the age of three, Jody found her love of dance playing a smurf in her year end recital. She continued her studies and later became a teacher at the Wanda Allix Dance Studio. Specifically studying Cecchetti Ballet, Tap and Jazz. She has performed at Epcot Center, workshopped in Disney World and with her Show Choir, won the gold medal in the International Show Choir Competition. Jody was able to express her love for singing and dancing and choreography for six years in Carl Goulding's production "Etcetera".
"J" has been teaching at MHSB for two years now and is excited to see what the next year has in store!
"Dance like there's nobody watching… sing like there's nobody listening…"
Pamela Ann Reid
Pamela began her training in ballet, jazz and tap in Cambridge, Ontario, at the age of nine. She continued her studies at Ryerson Polytechnic University where she earned her diploma in Theatre/Dance Performance, adding studies in modern, pilates, acting and singing to the list.
After graduation, she left to work for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines as a dancer and singer. Upon her return, she joined the Toronto Raptors Dance Pak, where she spent three seasons performing as well as doing guest choreography for both the Junior and Senior teams.
She has appeared in various music videos, short films, infomercial, children's shows, print ads and on T.V., as well as performing and choreographing for dinner theatre shows, dance festivals, magic shows, and corporate and charity events. One of her favorite roles was playing Rosaline in "Romeo/Juliet Remixed", where she also acted as dance captain.
She has been teaching for over 10 years and likes to sharpen her skills by taking classes in New York and Los Angeles whenever she gets the chance. She is looking forward to her third season as a Honeykat! She enjoys taking Yoga in her spare time.
Lindsay Roden
Lindsay is currently in her final year of University. Upon completion Lindsay will graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, majoring in dance from York University. Already Lindsay has completed her Diploma studying at George Brown College where she was in a highly intensive dance training program. Through her studies at both College and University, Lindsay has obtained valuable skills for her budding teaching career as well as her performance and choreographic career path.
Along with putting a lot of time and energy into school, Lindsay has found the time to perform. She has had the opportunity to work with many wonderful choreographers and companies around Toronto. This year Lindsay performed in a musical called The Mikado where she was a featured dancer and part of the chorus, put on by a company named The Alexander Singers and Players. Lindsay was also a part time member in Sheelah Brouwers Dance Company and was a featured dancer and choreographer for many productions. Another incredible highlight was working with Alan and Karen Kaeja on a dance film called The Coffee Shop. Lindsay played the role of a French maid. She was also part of The Dance Company for three seasons where she performed Moulin Rouge, Chicago, and Through the Ages. Along with being a part of the Company, Lindsay was a cheerleader for the Toronto Lynx soccer team.
Not only does Lindsay go to school and perform, but she also loves to work with children of all ages. She finds teaching rewarding because if she can share with children her love of dance and can see them enjoying themselves she feels that she has accomplished a lot!
This will be Lindsay's fourth year on staff and she can't wait to see old faces and meet new ones.
Lindsay is really enthusiastic about running both the Junior and Senior Companies with Martha Hicks. Together they have come up with some new and exciting performance opportunities and some great choreographers for each different Company. Get ready for a fantastic year!
Maytinee Salyajivin
Maytinee is known at The Martha Hicks School of Ballet as Ice. Ice started dancing at age 4, at The Jaymar School of Dancing in Aurora, and to this day continues her relationship there as a teacher.
Before becoming a teacher, Ice was a full time student at The National Ballet School. During her time as a student at NBS she was selected to dance in the famous ballet "The Nutcracker", as well as various other company pieces. Ice graduated from the school in 1991.
She has now been teaching throughout the Toronto area for 9 years, and has taught at The Martha Hicks School of Ballet since 2001. Ice's unique style teaching, brings a challenging yet rewarding learning experience to her students. She is looking forward to another successful year at MHSB.
Kristine Stefansson
Kristine Stefansson began her dancing career at the tender age of four starting at the Mount Royal conservatory of Dance in her home city of Calgary Alberta. She then went to train at the Alberta Ballet School of Dance in their professional division. She also spent her summers training with the RWB as well as the Banff Dance center. Kristine has also trained with the Young Canadians, where she would perform in front of thousands of people every year for the Grandstand show at the Calgary Stampede.
She then moved to Victoria BC where she is a Graduate of the Canadian College of Performing arts in their year 2 enriched studies program. From there she has worked for The Spirit of a Nation Company, under the Direction of Jacques Lemay (Land Dancer, Spirit of a Nation) where she was brought on in her second year as artistic assistant. She has also worked with Jesters Corner (Victoria’s Secrets, The Decameron) Gotta get a Gimmick ( Arlen in The Gardens, lead dancer) Abracadabra Productions, (lead Dancer magic assistant). As well she has worked with the Story theatre Company, where she toured all over North America and was invited to Singapore to perform at the Act One international Children’s Festival.
Kristine has also been a Choreographer for different companies such as Abracadabra Productions, Gotta Get a Gimmick, and Toronto Arial Dance, as well as many independent productions. She has also been a writer for a group collaborative called “Tag.” Currently Kristine is training with arial silks and hoop work for Toronto Arial Dance and can be seen performing around the greater Toronto Area.
Annie Wood
Annie Wood is a critically acclaimed choreographer, a sensitive teacher and a passionate performer. Her vibrant energy is truly contagious! As the director of DanceFuzion, Wood is committed to providing excellence in dance education and industry exposure to young, aspiring talent, Dance Teachers and dance audiences around the world. Some of Ms. Wood's choreography credits include work on CTV, CBC, Global, TSN and TMN. The NBA Toronto Raptors Dance Pak, DeerHurst Resort,StepUP Comedy Troupe, Regent Cruise Lines, and many live events including: Bell Mobility, Pfizer, Career Edge, CIBC, Rogers AT&T and Grinell Fire Protection to name just a few. She has presented work for festivals including FFIDA 2004, FFIDA 2003, The Art of Fashion Benefit for Breast Cancer, The Junction Arts Festival, ArtsWeek Toronto, Dance Ontario's DanceWeekend 2005, A Tsunami Benefit, The prestigious Dancers For Life Aids Benefit, The Choreographers Ball and The Milk and Honey Series in Toronto. Annie has also worked with celebrities including Jon Secada, Nelly Furtado, Jack Soul, Alannis Morrisette, Amanda Marshall and Gregory Hines. She has performed around the world and has taught at professional dance schools such as George Brown College, Sheridan College, The Randolph Academy, The Quinte Ballet School and The Alberta Ballet School. Annie has won many teacher recognition awards and teacher achievement awards. She continues to share her love for dance with students and teachers world wide with passion, support and constant encouragement.