Lorinda has been involved with dance since the age of four and is an accomplished performer, choreographer, instructor and adjudicator. She is trained in multiple dance disciplines including Tap, Jazz, Highland, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Contemporary and Lyrical. She competed successfully throughout Western Canada and the United States winning numerous awards and titles including several top honours for her Tap and Musical Theatre performances. Lorinda has trained with many accomplished performers and educators including Bryan and Faye Foley, the late Gregg Russell, Debbie Dee, Miller and Ben, Shelley Tookey, Judy Dorland, Gail Scott and more. Lorinda trained through the Red Deer College and University of Calgary dance and stage programs while also completing a College Level Bachelor of Education, Elementary program. 

Lorinda worked with the C.A.T. in Alberta choreographing the company’s renditions of the Wizard of Oz, Annie and Grease. Working in capacity as a choreographer combined with her B.Ed., sparked a desire to teach the joy of dance to others. 

With her CDTA British Columbia membership in Tap and Jazz, Lorinda has been teaching the art of dance to students for nearing 40 years with outstanding results. She successfully launched the tap dance program at a Lower Mainland school of the arts in B.C and brought the program to over 75 students within 2 years. She is extremely proud of the accomplishments and many titles her students have held over the years including becoming members of Team Canada Tap, World Performers Canada Tap and Ballet Teams, Rhythm Ensemble, numerous overall awards, scholarships, commercials, television, cruise ship performances and continuing the legacy of teaching dance. 

Throughout her time as a competitive dance teacher and choreographer, Lorinda has received many awards for her unique and compelling choreography and her ability to create teams with outstanding sportsmanship and spirit.

Knowing that the love of dance begins at an early age, Lorinda excels at teaching the community’s youngest performers. Through her loving, caring and patient way Miss Lorinda fosters a safe space for the children as young as 2.5 to excel. Miss Lorinda is extremely proud to be able to get all of her little ones on the stage at the recital each year to perform all by themselves.

Lorinda created Stage Presence School of Dance in the Fall of 2014 with one goal in mind – to create a studio where dancers of all abilities would feel comfortable to learn and grow in their love of dance. SPSD is very much a family owned and operated business with her daughter, Miss Kristen running the Competitive and Ballet programs, her daughter Hailey teaching within the Competitive program and her husband, affectionately known as Mr. Kevin, managing all the recitals and community performances and supporting the continued growth of SPSD.

Lorinda is proud to have been a member of the Centre Wellington Dance Community for more than a decade and eagerly participates in community events such as raising money for the New Groves Hospital, Canada Day Celebrations and Fitness Awareness in the Community Schools. She looks forward to continuing to share her love of dance with all dancers from the tiniest tots to the most experienced of adults.

Karen has touched the lives of many students over the years from Kitchener -Waterloo to across the country. She was the co-owner of Classic Productions, which exhibits theatre talent through variety shows.

 

She successfully worked with DMA Chapter #43 Pageants and Performing Arts Competitions, American Dance Awards the Canadian Tour, owned and Operated Starmaker Dance Festival for 12 seasons, Dance Dance Dance for 6 years and Dance Dance Canada for 4 years. Her goal is to create a positive experience for everyone involved.

 

Through Dance Dance Canada, Karen created, directed and choreographed the DDC ShowTeam that performed a variety show overseas in the summer. The ShowTeam traveled to Costa del Sol, Spain in 2006 and toured in 2007 with Monarch Classic Cruises, to many beautiful Greek Islands.

 

Karen teaches at various dance studios, all age and all levels. She especially likes teaching the adult classes. At the community centers, elementary and secondary schools she teaches jazz classes and swing dance that have become very popular. As well as Jazz, Tap, Lyrical and Song and Dance she teaches Liturgical dance within Waterloo region for the Hamilton Dioceses.

 

Karen has been involved in dance all of her life. She started dancing at the age of 3yrs old and competed & performed until she went to Sheridan College for Musical Theatre. She has been a competitive dance teacher for over 30yrs and has judged for many organizations across Canada and the U.S. Headliners, ADA, DDD, BDTA, Bedazzled, Kiwanis Festivals, DMA US State Pageants, Dance Odyssey, Let's Get Loud, Bedazzled and many more.

 

Ms. Prior Cashin has won numerous awards for costuming, choreography and performance. She is known for being creative and original and was thrilled to win Creative Concept Awards for her work in 2000, 2004, 2006,2008, 2011 & 2012. 

 

Karen's favorite place is the theatre. She works with schools and Musical Theater companies as their director/choreographer and has collaborated on over 30 musicals. In November 2013 Karen choreographed Anne of Green Gables at the Centre in the Square which her daughters performed in as well.

 

Karen is CDTA, DMA and IADA certified.

 

Kristen began her dancing career with the prestigious Peggy Peat School of Dance in Maple Ridge, British Columbia. Through her training with notable talents including Jocelyn Peden, Belinda Sobie and Margaret Derksen, Kristen was able to perform in many professional venues from a very early age.

 

Kristen performed for Queen Elizabeth II during her Golden Jubilee Celebration as well as for the International Olympic Committee for Vancouver’s bid for the 2010 Olympics. In addition, she was an integral part of the internationally recognized Pacific National Exhibition performing in their rendition of "Zydeco Jam" and "Outrageous".

 

Kristen competed throughout Western Canada and the United States in tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, song & dance, musical theatre and hip hop winning numerous titles and overalls often being asked to perform in the finals or “best of the best” wrap productions.

 

Kristen is R.A.D Ballet trained and has successfully completed the intense examinations earning top results throughout. As well, Kristen has earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Guelph and her Bachelor of Education degree from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. She is also a certified Progressing Ballet Technique instructor and has completed her Acrobatic Arts Module One certification.

 

During her teaching career which spans over a decade, Kristen's students have enjoyed success both competitively as well as performance based earning overall titles, special awards, scholarships and achieving personal bests and goals. Kristen's ballet students have gone on to perform in productions with Ballet Jorgen and competed internationally. The delight Kristen feels when helping a student finally master that new step, position or skill is worth more than all the trophies on the shelf.

 

As our competitive team director and a founding SPSD faculty member, Kristen has helped develop the competitive dance team into a well-rounded, talented group of performers who in addition to consistently scoring well at competitions, also have a reputation for being kind, supportive members of the dance community. An award-winning competitive ballet choreographer, Kristen strives to be innovative and inspire a love for ballet in her students.

 

Fulfilling a dream she has had since a young competitive student in British Columbia, Kristen looks forward to adding another decade of excellence in dance instruction to the Centre Wellington community.

With over 20 years of dancing experience, Kasia started dancing at a young age at her home studio in Kitchener, Ontario. Over the years she has extensively trained in many styles including; Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern, Pointe, Hip Hop and Tap. Growing up, Kasia competed with her home studio at various regional and national competitions across Ontario and the United States. She also has over 10 years of teaching experience in various genres such as Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, and Contemporary for dancers that are beginner to advance.

 

Kasia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Honours Psychology from the University of Waterloo. She was fortunate enough to continue pursuing dance while in university as a member of the University of Waterloo Dance Company, competing against other universities across Ontario. In her final year on the team, she was chosen to be the Assistant Captain.

 

Kasia has completed her ballet exams with the Royal Academy of Dance. She has also achieved a Dance Teacher Certification, Module 1 with International Dance Teaching Standards and CNADE Resource Certification from Canada’s National Academy of Dance Education. She always loves to learn and seeks ways to continue improving!

 

Kasia is very excited to be joining the Stage Presence School of Dance family on a regular basis this season and can’t wait to share her passion and love for dance with all her students!

Miss Zoey was a seasoned competitive dancer with an impressive 13-year journey in the world of dance. Her dedication and talent have led her to victory in numerous overalls and scholarships, showcasing her excellence in the art form. Proficient in a variety of dance styles such as Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Acro, and Lyrical, Miss Zoey’s versatility and skillset are truly commendable.

 

She has achieved success in her Cecchetti ballet exams up to grade 5 and earned her Acrobatic Arts Certification in 2022, further solidifying her expertise in the dance realm. She is also working towards her ADAPT teachers training certification in 2024.

 

One of Miss Zoey’s notable achievements includes performing two roles in the Nutcracker for the Canadian Ballet Youth Ensemble (CBYE) alongside dancers from the prestigious National Ballet of Cuba. This experience granted her the opportunity to grace the stage at the Gran Teatro de La Habana in Havana, Cuba, a momentous highlight in her career.

 

Additionally, Zoey’s creative flair shines through as she choreographed a music video for a local artist and YouTube creator, showcasing her passion for both dance and artistic expression. As well as choreographing multiple award winning competitive routines over the past 5 years.

 

Miss Zoey’s quest for growth and learning has seen her participate in various workshops across Canada, where she had the privilege to train under renowned choreographers such as Stacey Tookey, Caroline Torti, Travis Wall, Mindy Conto, Ray Leeper, and more. This exposure to diverse styles and techniques has enriched her artistry and expanded her horizons as a dancer.

 

She continues to train and develop technical training in Jazz, HipHop, Acro, Lyrical and Contemporary.Miss Zoey is thrilled to impart her knowledge and ignite the same passion for dance in her students. With her experience, talent, and dedication, Miss Zoey continues to inspire and make her mark in the world of dance.

 

With over a decade of experience in the dance industry, Anna Ricketts has dedicated herself to learning, teaching, and sharing her passion for dance and artful movement with her students. Anna has trained and competed in various styles, including acrobatics, jazz, ballet, contemporary, tap, pointe, lyrical, musical theatre, and hip hop, earning numerous awards for her technique and dedication. She has also attended workshops led by notable talents like Jordan Clark, Kim O'Neill, Briar Nolet, and more.

 

In addition to her dance career, Anna is a Graphic Designer for the Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games and works as a freelance designer on projects for companies such as Toronto Metropolitan University, Irvineside Farm, Erica Glover, Fergies Fine Foods, and more. A true creative, she brings her love for the arts and imagination into everything she does.

 

As an Acrobatic Arts certified teacher, Anna not only instructs but also nurtures her students, fostering a love for movement, a sense of boundless possibility, and self-confidence. She began her teaching journey as an assistant in acro classes at SPSD, where she spent several years learning and helping to develop the acrobatics program with a focus on safe progression and having fun being upside down! Today, she teaches acrobatics, contemporary, jazz, and ballet, both competitively and recreationally, with the same enthusiasm and creative flair.

 

Anna is honoured to be part of the Stage Presence faculty, where she continues to teach and learn alongside her mentors, friends, and students at her home studio.

Hailey’s dance journey began as an accomplished competitive dancer of 13 years, where she has competed regionally and nationally through the styles of Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Lyrical, Acro, Musical Theatre and Hip-Hop. She began her dance career at the age of 3, and has loved it ever since. Hailey has taken part in numerous dance programs, teams, workshops, and intensives throughout her career of dance, and has been awarded numerous scholarships and achievements.

 

Her love and commitment for Tap was fulfilled when she attended the Motor City Tap Fest in Detroit, where she took part in classes, and workshops taught by the late Gregg Russell, Denise Caston, Jenefer Miller, Avi Miller and Ofer Ben, Debbie Dee, Ray Hesselink, and more. She was also given the opportunity to perform a professional routine, the Future Stars of Sole for the Motor City Tap Fest choreographed by Jenefer Miller.

 

Her hard work and dedication to Tap gained her the title of Tap silver medalist, as she represented Canada at the International Dance Organization, where she competed with Team Canada in Reisa, Germany, at the Sachsen arena. Through this experience she was able to learn from a number of professionals including Matthew Clark, and Teresa Domingues.

 

Hailey spent her summers attending Canada’s Ballet Jörgen intensives, where she gained professional insight into the world of Ballet. She has been taught through multiple styles, specifically R.A.D. Her love for Ballet strengthened as she was given the opportunity to partake in professional ballets including Coppélia, the Nutcracker, and Anne of Green Gables where she was able to perform alongside professionals of Ballet Jörgen.

 

She has performed for World Performers Canada, after being awarded a position. Through this experience she was able to carry out her beloved styles of Tap and Ballet. Hailey and her teammates earned multiple silver and bronze medals on the world stage.

 

Hailey has worked with a number of industry professionals and leaders throughout her career, such as Kim O’Neil, Tracy Cairn, Joe Perez, Jay T Schramek, Lorinda Crawford, Bengt Jörgen, Kim Chalovich, Jessica Westermann, Yanis Marshall, Clea Iveson, Hiroto Saito, and many more.

 

Hailey has successfully transitioned into role of teacher and choreographer where she has already earned numerous choreography awards and her students have achieved top marks for their Tap and Lyrical pieces.

 

Hailey has been a proud dancer of Stage Presence School of Dance, and is incredibly excited to put forth her knowledge and experience to those who truly love to dance.

Sarah is a classically trained dancer with over 25 years of experience on stage. Her training began at The Dance Exchange where she began dancing at the age of three and then continued at The Canadian Dance Company. Sarah is trained in RAD Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre and Hip Hop. Sarah has competed in competitions across Canada and The United States earning competitions highest and perfect scores, as well as many regional and national overalls. Sarah has trained with some of the industries most recognized teachers such as Allain and Dawn Lupien, Jerome Bob, Debra Burr, Michael Knight, and many others.

 

As a young dancer Sarah worked as an assistant teacher which is where her love of teaching began. She has sought growth and development through her participation in conventions and workshops led by industry leaders such as Allison Holker, Dee Caspary, Mia Michaels, and many others. She also worked for The Dance Project Convention where she was able to share her love of Tap with other teachers, choreographers, and students.

 

After her competitive dance training, she moved on to coach and choreograph for the competitive dance team at Bishop’s University, where she continued to train and compete across Ontario and Quebec as an adult. During her time there, she earned her bachelor’s degree in applied psychology and an honours in sociology. She has also had the privilege to choreograph for multiple fashion show productions which included brands such as Calvin Klein, Kitsch, Hatley, and other French Canadian designers and brands. Her diverse experience in working with a variety of professionals, teachers/choreographers and students has fueled her passion for all styles of dance in and outside of the classroom.

 

Miss Sarah is always seeking ways to grow as a dancer, as a teacher and as a person. She is a part of the Centre Wellington community and her passion for dance shines through everything she does. Sarah is bilingual and encourages her French speaking students to bring their knowledge of the language into the classroom. As a teacher she strives to help every dancer find their confidence and creates a safe place for everyone to be themselves.

Kiersten de Witt is a wonderful addition to the Stage Presence teaching staff, eager to share her expertise with Centre Wellington dancers.

 

Miss Kiersten’s love for dance began at the age of 3 and continued into her first ballet lessons at age 10, setting herself up to explore dance in various areas. She trained in the styles of ballet, pointe, tap, and jazz. Kiersten has been with SPSD since 2016. She is trained in the Royal Academy of Dance ballet curriculum and has assisted the SPSD teachers in their dance lessons since 2019. She is a fun and caring teacher, with experience assisting Miss Kristen and Miss Kasia in classes of all ages. A longtime teaching assistant and substitute dance teacher, the SPSD staff is proud to welcome Miss Kiersten to a staff teaching position! Kiersten is very passionate about dance, specifically ballet and pointe, and loves to express this through teaching others the same.

 

Miss Kiersten is an exceptional choreographer – who also makes her own costumes! She is excited to share her love of dance with other young dancers and contribute to the growth and happiness of those she teaches.