Catherine McRae AISTD, ACDTA
Owner/Instructor

Catherine is a highly qualified professional dancer and instructor. She attended a 3 year Post-Secondary Dance Teacher Training Program which she completed in just 2 years. Graduating with Honors in all her professional level Exams, she is now a fully registered Associate Member with the Imperial Society for Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) and the Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA). Catherine most recently trained in New York City at the annual Dance Teacher Magazine's Summer Conference.

Catherine is actively involved in the communities of Conception Bay North and Trinity Bay bringing the studio's performing groups to dance at various venues and events throughout the year. Each December she produces the "Christmas Spectacular" for the Bay Roberts Festival of Lights. This event incorporates all areas of Performing Arts and is 100% volunteer. All proceeds from this production are donated to local charities.

Believing strongly in continuing her training Catherine regularly participates in classes, workshops and performances, and has had the opportunity to study under some of North America's most renowned Master Teachers and Choreographers including: Brian Friedman, Shane Sparks, Peggy Baker, Sorella Englund, Finis Jhung, Cris Judd, Bob Rizzo and many more…

Performance/Choreographic Credits

Catherine's performance credits are among the best in Newfoundland over the last 15 years. She has had the opportunity to be apart of many prestigious dance and performance troupes, along side the best dancers and performers that Newfoundland has to offer.

• Catherine was a featured dancer for the Matthew Celebrations in Bonavista in 1997, for which Queen Elizabeth was present.
• In 1999, she was a member of a 50 dancer crew for Soiree '99, celebrating 50 years of confederation. For the Soiree '99 kick off, Catherine was one of 3 dancers selected to perform at a private party for the Prime Minister.
• In the same Year, Catherine was cast in the dance troupe for the Millennium Celebrations on New Year's Eve on the St.John‘s Water Front. She performed onstage with Newfoundland's best in front of 200,000 people!
• Catherine was cast as a Principal Dancer for the original Our Diva's Do Broadway show at Mile One in 2004, and since has been continuously cast as a Lead Dancer in 3 productions of Our Diva's Do Christmas, being given solo work during each show. Catherine's talent was recognized by the show's Director and Producer, and in 2007 she was asked to lend her hand to some of the choreography. She choreographed a beautiful Viennese Waltz and a Lyrical solo piece.
• Most recently, Catherine will give her expertise to the Cupids 400 celebrations this summer. She has been hired as Lead Choreographer, and will work with Ged Blackmore, Brian Way and the Cupids 400 committee in preparation for the performance of “Seeds of Settlement”, an original Musical written by Ged Blackmore. The production will be performed in Cupids on August 17th & 22nd, and guests will include the Prime Minister and visiting Royals.

Her Qualifications include:

• ISTD Associate Modern Theatre
• ISTD Associate Tap
• CDTA Associate Ballroom, Latin American
• ISTD Advanced 2 Tap
• ISTD Advanced 1 Modern
• CDTA Silver Dancing Standard in Ballroom & Latin American.
• ISTD Advanced Level training Cecchetti Ballet, including Associate work.
• Dance Teacher Magazine Summer Conference, NYC.(2008)
• The PULSE Advanced Level.(2008)
• Certificate from The National Ballet School of Canada "Moved to Dance" Teacher Training Seminar, Toronto. (2007)
• Certificate from Broadway Dance Centre International Dance Teachers Seminar at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, NYC. (2006)
• ISTD course for New Grades Syllabus {Primary Class, Grades 5&6} in Modern & Tap. (2005)
• Broadway Dance Center International Dance Conference, NYC (2004)
• Professional Study at Broadway Dance Centre, NYC (2002 & 2003)

Tana Simmons
Office Administration

Tana, or 'Ms. Catherine's Mom' too many, has been actively involved in the world of dance for over 24 years. As the full time Office Administration at Catherine's Dance Studio she is responsible for costumer service, accounting and general office management. Tana's love of dance has followed her daughter through many years of classes and performances onto the inception of Catherine's Dance Studio in 2002. She is a proud supporter of each and every student, and is a warm and welcome face to see when you arrive at the studio.
During our Studio Productions, Tana takes on the challenging role of 'Stage Manager', putting all of the lighting and sound cues into her capable hands.

Sandra Blackmore LISTD
Cecchetti Ballet

Inspiring dancers for over 25 years Sandra teaches classical ballet firmly rooted in the tradition of Enrico Cecchetti, while incorporating current techniques and new developments from the international community. Drawing from her studies in contemporary dance, anatomy, history along with a variety of classical dance styles Sandra teaches with a broad and dynamic perspective. A performer herself for many years, she encourages a rhythmic, energetic use of space and with a strong sense of performance.

Dance for Sandra began in St. John's under the guidance of Phyllis Angel. At age 15 she attended her first of many intensive summer studies programs. Sandra returned to Toronto pursuing full time training, primarily in classical ballet while also developing her other interests in flamenco, modern, jazz and character dance. Benefiting from studies with a wide variety of teachers she attended programs at the Lois Smith School of Dance/ George Brown College, Joan Kohal Studio of Ballet as well as summer seminars at the National Ballet School and York University.

Returning to the province she established her own studio in 1982 while enjoying many freelance performance and teaching opportunities.

In demand as a guest teacher and private coach, she has assisted dance teachers with their exam preparations including the Associate degree, the first level teaching qualification of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. With success she has taught and entered dancers for the Primary through to Advanced 2 level examinations. Many of Sandra's students have furthered their studies outside the province and have careers in the arts that include performance, teaching, technical and administration with ballet and contemporary companies, festivals and musicals.

As a performer and choreographer Sandra has worked with Newfoundland Dance Theatre Young Dancers Company, Neighbourhood Dance Works, Resource Centre for the Arts, Kittiwake Dance Theatre, Sound Symposium, Festival of New Dance, Labrador Creative Arts Festival as well as countless independent performances.

Sandra has been honoured with many grants for both creation and professional development from the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council. Other agencies, including the City of St. John's and the Margaret Saul Scholarship, have assisted Sandra's continued professional development that has taken her to Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Victoria, Vancouver, Canada and New York City, U.S.A.

Sandra accepted appointment to the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council in 1998. She served as Dance Representative from 1998 - 2004 and as Chairperson from 2000 - 2004. In 1992 Sandra was appointed the Cecchetti Society of Canada's first Newfoundland representative and in 1996 was elected to the National Council for two terms. Since its formation Sandra has also been a member of the Dance Teachers Association of Newfoundland.

Drawing on these experiences Sandra continues to develop programs that build a solid technique with core strength while encouraging musicality and creativity; guiding aspiring artists of all ages and abilities to discover their potential.

Teaching Credentials:

• Licentiate Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing Cochiti Society Classical Ballet Faculty (1989)
• Associate Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing Cochiti Society Classical Ballet Faculty (1982)
• Sandra also holds the following certificates.
• Applied Anatomy and Physiology Certificate Part 1 Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (1994)

Sandra holds the following Cecchetti Dance Exams:

• Elementary (now known as Intermediate)-1979
• Intermediate (now known as Advanced 1)-1981
• Advanced (now known as Advanced 2)-1993