Mrs. Tracey Coward, Director

 ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Clara has trained at the competitive level in various dance styles (Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Tap, and Hip Hop) from a young age. She studied at York University, where she completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts with honours in Dance and a double major with her Bachelor of Education. Clara studied at the Pavlova International Ballet School in Bergamo Italy on scholarship for a summer and took classes in LA with choreographers such as Stacey Tookey. She has trained and completed examinations in both RAD and Cecchetti ballet syllabi. 

Clara has many years of performance and choreography experience. She toured with ballet company, Ballet Jorgen Canada for three years, playing the lead role Klara in their version of the Nutcracker. Clara participated in dance competitions and showcases with her dance studio and high school dance program. She has both performed in, and choreographed various dance pieces throughout her studies at York University- primarily contemporary and modern. She has continued her training at ONE since 2017 and has enjoyed performing with the contemporary team and teaching drop-in classes. 

Clara is very passionate about dance education in Ontario schools and co-created a school program providing dance workshops from kindergarten to grade 8 that support expectations and requirements of the Ontario dance curriculum. She is a committee member for the Pulse Ontario Dance Conference which is held bi-annually that aims to support dance education in Ontario schools. 

Clara enjoys working as an elementary school teacher during the day and studio teacher in the evenings. Clara also enjoys teaching kids yoga as a certified Rainbow Kids Yoga teacher. Clara has experience teaching contemporary, modern, ballet, jazz technique, hip hop and choreography to various age groups for over 9 years. Clara is thrilled to be a part of the En Avant faculty to share her love and passion for creative expression and movement. 

Dance artist and instructor, Josie Hadden, embodies an enthusiastic passion for dance. At the age of three, she started her dance training at York Dance Academy in Aurora, ON with a specialization in ballet technique. During her 15 years training at YDA, she studied various dance forms, performed at competitions and conventions and completed ballet examinations with the Cecchetti Society of Canada. 

In 2017, at the age of fourteen, Hadden starred in Roman Gubin’s short film, Pollyanna. Through this experience, she developed a second passion for acting and the dramatic arts. Pollyanna has been showcased in numerous international film festivals and won ‘Best Short Film’ at the DRIFF International Film Festival in 2018. 

During her summers, Hadden expanded her dance knowledge and trained at the National Ballet School of Canada, Royal Winnipeg Ballet School of Canada and Quinte Ballet School of Canada. While pursuing summer training, she was inspired by and worked closely with industry professionals including Josh Assor, Kelly Bale, Nicole Coppens and Catherine Taylor, to name a few. 

Josie is beyond excited to share her passion for dance with EnAvant Dance students and teach recreational and competitive classes. 

Dara started taking dance classes at the age of four, which sparked her lasting passion for dance. She enjoys dancing in many disciplines including jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and musical theatre, but ballet is her main focus. At the age of seven, Dara started competitive dance, winning many special awards and scholarships to dance programs. Dara also trained in RAD classical ballet. She has achieved high scores on both her Intermediate Ballet and Grade Eight examinations. In 2016, Dara performed in Ballet Jorgen’s production of the Nutcracker. Recently, Dara has been certified by Once Upon A Ballet, in teaching preschool and young dancers. Dara is so excited to be a part of the En Avant Dance family and share her love of dance with her students.

Nikki began her dance career at the age of two which sparked a lifelong passion for dance and the performing arts. Nikki has trained in several genres of dance in the sixteen years she has been dancing so far, including ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical, modern, hip hop, and musical theatre. She has competed in numerous styles of dance across the province with the studios she trained at. Nikki has recently completed summer dance intensive programs at The National Ballet School of Canada and The Ballet Jörgen. She was given the position of Dance Captain in Saunders Musical Theatre’s production of FAME in the spring of 2018. Nikki will be studying at Western University beginning in September 2019. Nikki is so excited and thankful to be joining the En Avant family and hopes to share her love of dance with other aspiring young dancers! 

Veterinary technician by week, dance teacher by weekend, Emma Petrie, mom of two is very excited to be back in studio Highland dancing!

Miss Emma began dancing when she was four years old.

Emma enjoyed competing at Highland Games all over Ontario as well as performing at long-term care facilities, street fairs and talent shows. Miss Emma has excelled in her BATD Highland Dance examinations and received the British Award. 

Highland dance is a family tradition that spans three generations in her family and she is excited to share the valuable lessons that come with dance.

 Emma looks forward to Pas de bas-ing again with students and bringing this new dance style to En Avant Dance!