Grace Villanueva, Artistic Director, Choreographer, Teacher Grace leads Thrill Dancers with a firm, fair and loving approach. An award winning choreographer in her own right; Grace has been featured in the Ottawa Sun, as one of Ottawa’s top Hip Hop teachers. From 2002-2006 Grace ran her own Hip Hop / Jazz Troupe, DanceFX; with huge success. DanceFX performed at various venues around the Ottawa area, was a featured act for University of Ottawa's GeeGee's Basketball and Football half time entertainment, and had the opportunity to perform at prestigious events like Ottawa Gala 2005, at the Ottawa Congress Centre. Grace started dancing at the age of 3 in Ottawa. She continued her dance training in the Durham Region with Theatre Dance Academy, one of the area's most popular studios until the age of 19. She has been fortunate enough to train with many well respected teachers including Vlad Novitski (Vlad's Dance Company) and Stelio Calagias (Metro Movement) Grace was an entertainer for Sunquest Cruises; from 1997 - 1999, getting the opportunity to teach and perform ballroom / latin dance. Grace's own professional dance experiences include industry trade shows for name brands such as Mazda and Air Canada, featured performances at the Canadian National Exhibition, and salsa dancing on national television for CTV's Canada AM. Grace came to Thrill Dancers in October of 2003 first as a substitute teacher, then as its full time Competitive Director. In July 2008 Grace became the Artistic Director of Thrill Dancers. Michele Shuster, Musical Theatre / Tap Teacher Michele is ecstatic to be joining the amazing faculty at Thrill Dancers. Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, she has been training in dance for over 18 years. Having won such prestigious awards as the L.A. Dance Force Senior Achievement, she earned training at the famous EDGE dance studio in LA. She has also been the recipient of scholarships from Manitoba Dance Festival, Triple Threat Dance Convention, 5,6,7,8 Showtime, DanceFuzion, and many others. Michele has begun to make a name for herself in Ontario by choreographing Bare: the musical in Toronto, to which she received rave reviews. Michele was also selected to represent Canada in Tap and Hip Hop worlds 2006, and 2007. Her previous stage credits include High School Musical 2 (Martha Cox/ Choreographer), Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts/Belle/Choreographer), Seussical the Musical (Sour Kangaroo), Chicago (Velma), The Wiz (Evillene) as well as choreographing numerous other shows. Michele comes with a whole new slew of ideas and can’t wait to start off another great year! Zach Kostjuk, Recreational Teacher Zach has been with Thrill Dancers for the past four years. In that time his mastery of technique and performance has grown, and he has been consistently recognized and awarded for his performance qualities and love of dance at various competitions around Ontario and Quebec. Zach began dancing at the age of six and began competing at the age of 10. Zach won Top Senior Soloist at Shine Dance Gatineau in 2009 and 2010. He continues to further his dance training by taking classes in Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Tap, and Ballroom, and taking workshops with famed choreographers such as Blake McGrath from So You Think You Can Dance. He has been a teacher's assistant for the past 4 years and is excited to be sharing the art of dance with a new gerneration of dancers! Sidney Marshall, Recreational Teacher Bio Coming Soon! Tamara Freethy, Guest Teacher / Choreographer Tamara is another one of Grace's talented sisters! Tamara started training at the age of 4 at Theatre Dance Academy. She continued her formal dance training at Vlad's Dance Company, studying with renowned choreographers, Mary Kate Felber and Linda Garneau. She now on the faculty of Step With Style Dance Productions. For the past two competitive seasons, Tamara has had the unique distinction of winning Highest Overall Soloist at ALL her dance competitions! Tamara has been involved with Thrill Dancers since the summer of 2005. Tamara has had the chance to take workshops with Tyce Diorio, Brian Friedman and Travis Wall from So You Think You Can Dance. At "The Next Level" Dance Convention Tamara was recognized and awarded for her dancing by Brian Friedman. Tamara is a featured dancer for "Fitness Junky"; an athletic store, where she has danced for fundraisers and fashion shows. Tamara is also a featured instructor for Shock Value Dance Intensive in Montreal. Thrill Dancers congratulates Miss Tamara on her next "voyage". Tamara is currently dancing on board the Mariner of The Seas (Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines). Maria Freethy, Guest Teacher Maria has been a valued guest teacher and choreographer at Thrill Dancers for the past three years. Maria began her dance career at the age of 4; her teacher being her oldest sister, Grace Villanueva! Maria studied dance at Vlad's Dance Company in Richmond Hill, under the tutelage of Vlad Novitski. There she learnt many different styles of dance and excelled in adage (couples dancing involving complex partnering and lifts). Maria is an accomplished dancer; winning many Highest Overall Soloist Awards. She was American Dance Awards Dancer of the Year for the Toronto region in 2004 and 2005. She went on to become one of the Top 10 North American Dancers of the Year for 2004 and 2005. Maria's t.v. credits include the CBS TV movie "Blood On Her Hands" with Susan Lucci and YTV's "Alpha and Omega". Maria returns to us, having danced on one of the largest ships in the world, Royal Carribean Cruise Line's "Freedom of the Seas". This year Maria has had the opportunity to teach dance all over Canada. She is a popular guest teacher in Toronto and surrounding areas and recently was apart of the dance faculty at the Okanagan Summer Dance Intensive in Kelowna British Columbia. Maria is currently on the dance faculty of Step With Style Dance Productions in Oshawa, Ontario. Danny Lawn, Guest Teacher / Choreographer Danny Lawn got his start at Thrill Dancers; dancing with the competitive team for 3 years before moving on to dance with Denise Smith Dance Studio. With Denise Smith Dance Studio, Danny was awarded many titles including Mr. Candance 2005, and Mr. Starpower 2006. In 2007 Danny was awarded Mr. Capezio 1st Runner Up at Coastal Dance Rage. This special mention was given to Danny by an impressive faculty including So You Think You Can Dance Choreographers, Shane Sparks, Mia Michaels, and Brian Friedman. Danny has always kept close ties to the school that first gave him the love of dance. Danny returns to us as a guest teacher and choreographer. Last year his choreographic piece "Where Does The Good Go" was awarded the "ULTIMATE SHINE AWARD" at Shine Dance Gatineau 2008. This award is given out to the highest overall group mark for the entire competition, Recently Danny has been working and taking class as a professional dancer in Toronto, having the opportunity to perfom on CBC's "How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?", and getting to dance for such artists as Katy Perry and Blake McGrath.. We are very proud of Danny for making the Top 14 on So You Think You Can Dance Canada. Most recently, Danny can be seen performing in the new Shawn Desmond video "Shiver". Patrick Derry, Guest Teacher / Hip Hop Choreographer Patrick Derry is a dancer, choreographer and instructor. Beginning his training solely in Break-dance. It was not long after that Patrick expanded his dance education to include all forms of the performing arts. Patrick was honoured to be awarded a scholarship to the “Be Discovered” workshop in L.A.. While in Los Angeles he trained with Shane Sparks for a number of sessions. Patrick has also trained at many prestigious studios such as The Edge, Millennium Dance Complex, and the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. He has attended numerous conventions and workshops, taking classes with Mia Michaels, Brian Freidman, Benji Shiwmmer, Blake McGrath and Stephen tWitch Boss. Patrick also has the distinction of being personally recognized as an up and coming talent in the dance world by Blake McGrath and Stephen tWitch Boss. . Patrick joined Step with Style Dance Productions to complete his training under the direction of Amanda Coatham and Sasha Chifman as a part of their triple threat program. Patrick has a vast knowledge of many different forms of dance including; Ballet (Vaganova-Russian Syllabus), Tap, Jazz, lyrical, Hip Hop, Krump, Break-dance(Nu School), Caporiera, Acro, Musical Theatre, and Adage (Partnering), he also has been trained in Drama and Voice. As a competitive dancer/choreographer Patrick has earned scholarships, specialty awards, and choreography awards. Patrick, now a professional dancer is in high demand. Performing in and around Toronto for prestigious shows like the 2010 Bell Gala (the largest fundraising Gala Event in Canada). Patrick will soon be on his way to the U.S. He will be performing on board the Radiance of the Seas (Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines). |
THRILL DANCERS - 173 King St W, 3rd Floor, Brockville On - 613 498 1629
FACULTY
 |  |  |  |  |  |
 |
 |
 |