Meet Our Team!

Laurie-Ewart McLean

Founder/Owner/Director/Recreational and Competitive Instructor

Dancing since the age of four, Laurie has been the founder, owner and director of Laurie Ewart's Danceworks for 23 years. She started teaching at the age of 16 falling in love with the aspects of running a dance studio. Throughout her dance career, she competed at national competitions receiving numerous awards. Laurie danced in a professional dance show, Viva Niagara, for 10 years and also worked for the magician, Ken McCreedy. After graduating from Brock University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, she opened her studio and preceded to follow her dream and build it to what it is today.

Beverley Feder

Ballet Instructor

Beverley trained for twenty years at the Spear School of Ballet Arts and the National Ballet of Canada. She holds her F.C.U.S.A, C.I.C.B, and F.I.S.T.D with Cecchetti Ballet. She is a principle teacher and examiner for Cecchetti, in addition to her numerous accomplishments. Beverly is the artistic director for the Greater Niagara Ballet Company and is the owner and principle instructor of the Feder School of Classical Ballet.

Nadine Coffey

Competitive and Acro Instructor

With over 30 years experience in the world of dance, Nadine Coffey is a certified dance teacher, choreographer and adjudicator through Dance Masters of America, Royal Academy of Dance, Acrobatic Arts and the International Academy of Dance Adjudicators. After graduating from Mayfield Secondary School for the Arts as the Valedictorian, Nadine went on to obtain an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology and Physical Education, a Masters of Science in Education and is now an Ontario Certified teacher working for the DSBN.

Mariette Feltrin

Ballet Instructor

Mariette graduated Brock University with a degree in Mathematics/Dramatic Arts and Education. With 21 years of dance experience, she has completed her Advanced 1 in Cecchetti ballet and is also a certified member with Cecchetti USA. Mariette is a certified instructor for Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) and is a principle dancer for the Greater Niagara Ballet Company.

Serena Feltrin

Ballet Instructor

Serena graduated Brock University with a degree in Physical Education and Education. With 21 years of dance experience, she holds her Advanced 1 in Cecchetti ballet and is also a certified member with Cecchetti USA. Serena is a certified instructor for Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) and is a principle dancer for the Greater Niagara Ballet Company.

Matthew Ceasar Cruz

Hip Hop Instructor

Matt "Babyboy" Cruz is the founder of Bucc N Flvr DANCE CREW est. 2009. Street dancer/choreographer from Eastside Toronto, Matt brings that Toronto flavour with the blend of Krump techniques and energy. He aims to preserve the true essence of Hip Hop and represent the culture as he "Spreads Love, Spreads Light and Has Fun." Matts accomplishments include: 2010 Stomp Champions, 2011 Blackout 2K11 Champions, 2012 MuchMusics NewMusicLive Best Dance Crew, 2012 UDO Canadian Champions, 2012 UDO World Championship in Blackpool, England (Team Canada), 2014 Royalton Punta Cana Resort and Casino Guest Artists/Crew, 2015 Toronto International Film Festival Kreesha Turner back up dancer, 2015 Nick Cannon Fundraiser New York City back up dancer, 2016 UDO World Championship in Glasgow, Scotland (Team Canada.)

Gillian Rodrigues

Competitive Instructor

Gillian is a recognized dancer, teacher and choreographer. She has trained and competed at highly ranked dance studios in the GTA, receiving awards such as highest mark of the competition and Face of Fever at Fever Dance Champions. She graduated from Mayfield Secondary School's Regional Arts Program with a specialty in dance. Currently, Gillian is enrolled in the Primary/Junior Concurrent Education program at Brock University, working towards a BA in Child and Youth Studies while simultaneously achieving her BEd in Education. While at Brock University, Gillian has been a dancer and choreographer for Brock's competitive dance team, Badgers Dance Pak. She has been acknowledged with several special awards, choreography and overall awards at university dance competitions for her work.

Natalie Tacuri

Competitive Instructor

Natalie is currently completing her Master of Arts in Child and Youth studies at Brock University, where she is focusing her thesis research on competitive dancers in postsecondary. Prior to coming to University, Natalie graduated from Mayfield Secondary School's Regional Arts Program specializing in dance. While completing her Honours Bachelor of Arts, Natalie was a part pf the Brock Badgers Dance Pak for four years as a dancer and choreographer. As a competitive choreographer, Natalie has been recognized with various special awards, choreography awards, and overalls at university-based dance competitions, including top mark of the competition at Rhythm Dance Ch

Tatum McLean

Competitive and Recreational Instructor

With 19 years of dance experience and 15+ years as a competitive dancer, Tatums top successes include being a 2x gold medalist and 1x silver medalist at the Dance World Cup held in Spain. Tatum has been a recognized dancer throughout her career receiving prestigious awards including Top Senior Soloist. Tatum has been a part of Five Star Dance Company, Greater Niagara Ballet Company and World Performers Canada. Tatum has trained under Cecchetti ballet and has completed her exams with multiple honours up to Grade 10. Currently, she is studying Kinesiology at Brock University while committing to the universities competitive dance team, Badgers Dance Pak.

Emily Grady

Competitive and Acro Instructor

Emily has been dancing since the age of 5 and has been competing for 15+ years while studying a variety of dance styles. Emily has completed her Intermediate Advanced R.A.D. ballet exam with distinction and holds many titles including Petite, Junior, Teen and Miss Dance of Canada. On a professional level, Emily is grateful for the opportunity she had performing on the popular show, Family Channel’s “The Next Step”. Emily also has been used to perform as a demonstrator for Acrobatic Arts at the CLI Studios in Los Angeles as well as a demonstrator for the Acrobatic Arts App. Currently, she studies at Brock University and is enrolled in the Medical Science program. Emily is a part of the Badgers Dance Pak there, and enjoys being a dancer and choreographer for the team.

Gracie Hodgson

Competitive Instructor

Gracie began dancing at 9 years old and immediately fell in love with the creativity and athleticism needed to pursue dance. She has achieved numerous Canadian and American dance scholarships and was selected to tour with Hollywood Vibe Dance Convention as a part of their company. Most recently Gracie has danced on the varsity dance team at Brock University-Badgers Dance Pak and has been the president of the team for her last 2 years of undergrad. At the university level, she has received multiple overall awards for both dance and choreography. She is now pursuing a masters of public health at Brock and aspires to share her talents with the next generation of young dancers.

Claire Dingwall

Recreational and Acro Instructor

Claire has been part of the Danceworks family since the age of 2 1/2, competing since the age of 7. Claire has won many high score solo and group awards, special awards and the title of Miss. Shine Acro 2019. Claire has been a member of the Greater Niagara Ballet Company for 10+ years. She has trained in Cecchetti ballet and completed examinations with multiple honours grades. She  is currently studying grade 9 ballet curriculum. Claire is a certified Acrobatic Arts Instructor. She will be attending Brock University to study Kinesiology starting September, 2021.

Arden Ljungberg

Recreational Instructor

Arden began dancing at 3 years old and dance has been her true love ever since. Arden has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Acro, Hip Hop, Contemporary and Lyrical throughout her many years of dance. At age 5 Arden began competing in dance and had the opportunity to attend some of North America’s most prestigious dance competitions and intensives where she and her team received numerous overall awards. Currently Arden is a member of the Brock Badgers Dance Pak at Brock University. This team has allowed Arden to continue her love for dance throughout university and compete against the top university teams. Along with dance Arden is currently in Concurrent Education at Brock University.

Valerie Rapp

Office Manager

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