OUR TEACHERS

Andrea Douglas, is a dance educator, and choreographer. She received her training at The Guyana, National School of Dance, the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, Jamaica School of Dance, York University Faculty of Fine Arts Dance and the University of Toronto where she graduated with her B.F.A., M.F.A., and B.Ed., degrees. Andrea is a former dancer with the Guyana National Dance Company and the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica and trained with legendary Caribbean modern and contemporary dance instructors, Astor Johnson of Trinidad, Eduardo Rivera of Cuba, and Rex Nettleford of Jamaica.

Andrea founded the Children and Youth Dance Theatre (CYDT) in September 1993 as a community-based Dance program and for over 25 years has shared the joy of dance with children in metro Toronto communities such as Jane and Finch, Malvern, Flemingdon Park, and Lawrence Heights, TO. As an avid advocate for children in marginalized communities, Andrea also specializes in using Integrated Arts as a Differentiated Instruction process in the classroom She has inspired and empowered young students thru the arts in every school she has served as a teacher and administrator in TDSB. Andrea has facilitated Lecture demonstrations, presentations, and Dance workshop both locally and internationally. Her international Conferences presentations include Caribbean & Contemporary Movement Improvisation, “Masquerade Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”, “Dance and the Caribbean Child” and “Dancing Beyond all Odds”. Andrea has received numerous awards for her outstanding contribution to the arts at school and community level. She is the proud recipient of the BBPA’s 2013 Harry Jerome Award of Excellence in the Arts in Toronto, and the 2020 Guyana 55th Jubilee Award of Excellence for her Outstanding Contribution to Guyana’s Culture and Heritage.

ROSEMARIE PINNOCK

STUDIO MANAGER

Mrs. Rosemarie Pinnock joined the CYDT dance studio in 2020. She brings her high energy and her passion for dance. She has developed a unique formula for training dancers , so that they can reach their full potential.

In addition, she has coached and choreograph jazz and lyrical numbers and won overall junior group performance. Rosemarie had the opportunity to choreograph the winning performance at the youth talent show in Vaughan 2019 were she worked with Toronto up and coming artist Raymond To . As the Studio Manager, her goals are to inspire and develop young dancers so that they can reach their personal best at CYDT dance studio.

KEMORA FAITH MANNING

RECREATIONAL INSTRUCTOR: Afro-Caribbean, Tap & Pre-Competitive Hip Hop

Competitive Insreuctor: Mini Tap, Junior Tap & Jr. Hip Hop

Kemora has been dancing since she was 4 years of age. She is trained in the styles of tap, ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, Afro-Caribbean, and West African dance. Kemora received her formal dance training at the Children and Youth Dance Theatre of Toronto, where she performed with the Elite team at competitions including Starcatchers, On the Floor, Inspire Dance Challenge and Jump Dance. She attended the Etobicoke School of the Arts as a dance major and now attends York University where she is pursuing a double major, with Dance as one of her majors. Dancing has allowed her to grow her skills professionally, to travel and represent Canada in Barbados for the 13th annual Carifesta, Trinidad for the 14th annual Carifesta, Scotland for the first annual Commonwealth Youth Dance Festival, and Jamaica for the 2016 Marcus Garvey celebration. Kemora has also had the opportunity to transfer her skill to work behind the scenes and has directed 3 productions, “Owning Our Roots, Telling Our Truths” and “Black as Bright as the Sun”. Her philosophy in life is "Be versatile"

TAELOR COLEMAN

Recreational INSTRUctor: Beginner Acro, Pre-competitive jazz & Lyrical

Competitive Instructor Mini Acro & Mini Jazz

From a very young age, Taelor recognized the love she had for dance and made a commitment to evolve into the best dancer/performer she could be. Taelor  received her formal dance education at the Children and Youth Dance Theatre of Toronto, where she trained in common dance genres such as ballet, jazz, modern, tap and hip-hop, while still connecting with her cultural roots with West-African and Afro-Caribbean dance. 

Performing is at the forefront of her dance career and it has graciously allowed her to showcase her talent, not only in the city of Toronto but on an international scale.  She has performed with the CYDT Elite team at competitions including Starcatchers, On the Floor, Inspire Dance Challenge and Jump Dance, and has represent Canada in Jamaica for (DACI) Dance and the Child International Conference, in Scotland for the International Commonwealth Youth Dance Festival, in Barbados for the 13th annual CARIFESTA, and Trinidad for the 14th annual CARIFESTA (Caribbean Festival of the Arts).

Taelor’s training has also afforded her the opportunity to share her dance knowledge with young aspiring dancers ranging from ages 3 to 12 years old, and nurture her growing skills as a dance instructor in Toronto

Taelor continues training to elevate her skills, technique and creativity by challenging herself through various dance experiences and building her strength through training as a Dance Education student at York University. Her desire is to share the beauty of dance with the world and for others to see how much dance means to her through her performances and education of others.

TASHA MARIE RICKMAN

COMPETITIVE INSTRUCTOR: Ballet, Jr Acro, Jazz and Lyrical

“Tasha Rickman started at PSB Dance Academy as a competitive dancer, where she studied multiple styles of dance such as ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, hip hop, modern and acro.

After completing her high school diploma she began to explore the dance industry in Toronto, she took open classes at the top studios while learning from some of Toronto’s best. She has performed in events such as the Rogers Cup Flash Mob, Roots Commercial Flash Mob, Parapan Am Opening Ceremonies, Lucid Dream: A Multisensory Experience Art Show, CaribeMade Fashion Show, Sharleez Bridal Fashion Show as well as music videos and shows with multiple Jamaican Artists.

Dance has been an important pillar in Tasha’s life and now she enjoys sharing her love of dance with young aspiring dancers. Tasha has taught for the last 10 years in various styles at different locations across the GTA including dance studios, guest teaching in elementary schools and high schools. She has completed her Checcetti Intermediate Ballet Exam, RAD Intermediate Ballet Exam, Acro Foundations Theory and Artistic Foundations with Gymnastics Ontario and is currently obtaining her Acrobatic Arts Certification.

Tasha is thrilled to be a part of Children and Youth Dance Theatre and cannot wait to share her passion with the students this season!

TROVAUNNIE PARKS

Recreational INSTRUCTOR: Ballet AND aFRO-CARIBBEAN

A self-taught Dancer/Choreographer Trovaunnie Parks (Vaunnie for short) started her journey as a young aunty trying to entertain her nieces and nephews. She would teach them hand games, short routines, Step dance, which was a popular genre at the time. As an incentive, she would try to gather friends and families from the neighborhood to host a small talent show. For those who are interested in Acro, you would be pleased to know that she is a certified Level One Artistic Gymnastics Coach to Discovery Gymnastics and currently working towards gaining other certifications to expand her portfolio in both art forms. 

Vaunnie has work for the City of Toronto as a Specialty Dance Instructor where she spent 10 year teaching various genres such as creative movement, beginner ballet, hip-hop & Afro Caribbean to both genders between the ages of 3 to 12 , 13+ and adults. Her energy and work ethic caused the dance program to become popular. She created a safe space and platform for inner city children/youth to come together to share a common interest, dance. Vaunnie then became a Youth Dance Coordinator/Director for Stomp Toronto’s Urban Dance Competition. Vaunnie has also organized different events like flash mobs around the community and talent showcases at various facilities. Their hard work and dedication helped to bridge a gap within the communities.

Vaunnie has choreographed and performed live for solo music artists in Toronto along with being in a few music videos and festivals across the GTA, and strongly believes that you’re never too old to unlearn something in order to learn a new process for the betterment of self. In saying that Vaunnie is working toward a double major in Dance and Law at York University.. Vaunnie is excited and looking forward to sharing her story and knowledge with others while becoming the woman she is acquired to be for the future.