Faculty

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Dreams In Motion

Performing and Fine Arts School

Debbie Donaldson - Artistic Director & Dance Instructor

Debbie has been teaching dance for 25 years starting her own dance studio—Debbie’s Dance Academy in 1985. She holds an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing and is Certified with Canadian Dance Teachers Association. Debbie is also the President of Gananoque Community Musical Theatre.

Jacey Donaldson Kellar - Dance/Artscovery Instructor

Jacey began dancing when she was 3 years old. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo and a Masters in Science Degree in Childhood Education from SUNY Potsdam. She is a certified Pilates instructor through Body Harmonics and a certified fitness instructor through CanFit Pro.

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Gary Barratt - Drum Instructor
Gary began drum lessons in 1972 with Dick Baldwin who was then the principal drummer with the Canadian Forces Vimy Band. It was with Dick Baldwin where he learned the basics of drumming, drum set notation, and the appreciation of all styles of music including Jazz. In 1983 Gary spent a year studying percussion with Jim Petercsak - the award winning
professor and head of percussion at the Crane School Of Music in Potsdam New York. Gary continues to be an active, performing musician, playing and teaching all styles.
He has played and recorded with numerous bands in the UK, Europe, and Canada.

Leah Adams - Piano Instructor

Leah has been a school classroom and music teacher for over 30 years. She has directed many children’s choirs, and has accompanied the Gananoque Youth Choristers. She is a founding member and accompanist of the choral group Melodia Monday.

Dawn Kirkby - Acrobatics Instructor

Dawn began gymnastics when she was 10 years old. She competed and won many awards while attending The Trillium Gymnastics Club for 7 years. Since then she has been involved in a lot of activities such as dance, soccer, running and yoga. Dawn has a zest for health and wellness and is always looking to expand that knowledge. Dawn is also a Registered Massage Therapist.

Clifford Wedge - Drama Instructor

Clifford is a retired school teacher with a zest for the dramatic. He has taught at Dreams In Motion camp program for several years and has recently developed the Camp Chillax March Break Program.

Diane Stapley - Vocal Instructor and Musical Director

Diane is celebrating her 45th year as a Theatre/Television/Film professional.

Katrina Cross - Dance Instructor

Katrina has been dancing since she was 6 years old. She has competed in ballet, jazz, tap and contemporary. She hopes to inspire dancers to have passion for the art form.

David Day - Art Instructor

David Day born and raised in the Gananoque area. I have had over 25 years of artist works. I have worked for Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Batman, Spiderman, XMen, Harry Potter, Star Wars for Topps cards. I was taught by Canadian Comic Book Hall o Famer Gene Day.

Brett Desrosiers - Drama Instructor

Brett is a graduate of Theatre from both Algonquin College and the University of Ottawa (Specialization Degree). She has directed shows for Stigma Busters Productions, Desdechado Productions, and the NAC Hothouse Series, all up in Ottawa. Not only does she enjoy guiding a production but also enjoys hamming it up with Murder Mysteries. She has been a member of both Eddie May Murder Mysteries in Ottawa and Murder on the Funny Side in Cornwall. She started a company, Galloping Coconuts Productions and the first show will be at this year’s Ottawa Fringe Festival. She has worked with various companies ranging between comedies and serious dramas.

Stephanie Donaldson - Dance/Pilates Instructor

Stephanie has been dancing her entire life. She has an RN Degree from St. Lawrence College and works at KGH. She is a certified Pilates instructor.

Doug Gifford — Guitar Instructor

Doug has taught both guitar and piano for a number of years. His qualifications include: BFA music (York); MFA music (York); B.Ed. (Queens). His MFA was in ethnomusicology with a thesis on a central Ontario country singer; his B.Ed. is Junior/Intermediate level with music as a teachable. Doug has also worked as a camp counsellor for twenty years and has an excellent understanding of children, teaching and mentoring.

David Carr - Piano and Vocal Instructor

David began studying the piano at age seven and over the next several decades performed as soloist, accompanist and ensemble player. Early on, he developed a passion for vocal and, in particular, choral music which he has pursed as performer, teacher, coach and adjudicator. He has also studied music at Queen’s University and Missouri Western State College. David teaches piano, voice and theory to all students including beginners and younger performers. David is the Director of Island Voices and will soon be leading a show choir group at the studio.

Anthea Siobhan Morgan - Dance Instructor

Anthea hopes to share a healthy ballerina culture with young children and to inspire joy of dance. Working with two very gracious and great ladies of dance, Karen Kain and Esmeralda Enrique, has given Anthea a rich and varied cultural heritage to bring to Kingston, Gananoque, Brockville and the 1000 Islands. Raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, Anthea has danced professionally for 7 years with the National Ballet of Canada with Karen Kain, Nureyev, Baryshnikov and also danced with the Royal Ballet Covent Garden, Ballet Jorgen, and the Canadian Opera Company performed at the Met, Covent Garden, Stuttgart, Kennedy Centre, the National Arts Centre and in the arts festival for the Calgary Olympics toured throughout Europe and North America

Anthea has also taught flamenco for Esmeralda Enrique's Academy of Spanish Dance (Toronto). In 2001 she founded the 1000 Islands first Flamenco & Spanish dance company & school. She trained classically with Irine Fokine (Mikhail Fokine's niece, Mariinski), Luba Gulyaeva (soloist -Mariinski), Magadalena Popa (prima ballerina assoluta of Romania/Ballet Mistress NBoC),Dalal Ashcar's Teatro Municipal, Royal Ballet Upper School & National Ballet School (graduated 1986) and Dame Ninette de Valois.She is currently completing her ECE placements, and has been a nanny for OPP, military, diplomatic service and Queen's political science families for 17 years.

Malaya Taylor - Violin Instructor

Malaya was born and raised in Kingston and has just recently moved to Gananoque, where she is attending Grade 13. Malaya has been taking Suzuki method violin lessons since the age of 8 at the Canta Arya School for Strings in Kingston, under teacher Karen Kimmet. For the past five years she has participated in the Kiwanis Music Festival in Kingston-playing both solo and duet pieces. In 2009 Malaya became the Principle Second Violin with the Kingston Youth Orchestra, a role she continues to this day. In 2010 she won The MacFarlane Violin Award for her work with younger students at Canta Arya-the award is given out to only one recipient per year. She has also volunteered with the Kingston Symphony House Tours, Canta Arya School for Strings and the Kingston Youth Orchestra. Malaya brings a vast repertoire of music - both classical and fiddle tunes - to Dreams In Motion and is looking forward to sharing her love of music.

Heather Shortall - Office Administrator

Heather has been part of the Art world since she was very young; focusing on Singing, Acting, and Dancing. She has done shows with the Thousand Islands Playhouse, Gananoque Community Theatre, and the NAC in Ottawa. Recently she moved back from a 2-year contract working for Walt Disney World, and she cannot wait to spread the Magic and Pixie Dust into Dreams!