Laurel
Ashbee-Rodgers
BEd, BFA(Hons Dance),OCT, AISTD, RAD
Bio:
A Whitby resident for over 30 years, with over 20 years of dance training in various dance arts and over 15 years of teaching experience in and around the G.T.A. Laurel has danced and choreographed competitively for over 10 years within Canada and the United States in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Lyrical, and Musical Theatre. During this time, she has trained with top industry professionals such as Mia Michaels (So You Think You Can Dance), Gus Giordano, Joe Tremaine, Frank Hatchett, Charles Kelley, Joe Lanteri and Siona Jackson just to name a few.
A member of the Ontario College of Teachers and a graduate of York University in Toronto, Ontario. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, as well as a Bachelor of Education degree in Dance and English, specializing in the Intermediate and Senior divisions. During her years at York University, she was a dancer/choreographer for various performances, including York Dances and the York Annual Jazz Show. She was an original member of the York Dance Team, specializing in Hip-Hop, Jazz and Cheer Dance.
Laurel is an Associate Member with the Internationally recognized Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) of London, England. Along with Associate status, she holds her Advanced 2 Tap & Advanced 2 Modern. She is also a member with the prestigious Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) of London, England and holds her Intermediate status in Ballet.
Most recently, she has been working towards completing the 200-hour RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) Training with Shasta Townsend of Balanced Life Yoga and will soon be a 200-hour certified yoga instructor and member of Yoga Alliance. Laurel hopes to one day travel to India to further her yogic studies.
As a professional, Laurel continues to train and to further enhance herself, in order to deliver the utmost quality in dance training to each and every one of her students.
Laurel’s CV:
Education:
BFA Honours Dance Degree, York University 1999-2004
Principal Instructors: Karen Bowes-Sewell, Norma-Sue Fisher-Stitt, Donna Krasnow,
Mary-Elizabeth Manley, Selma Odom, Sara Porter, Holly Small, Claire Woott.
BEd Degree in Dance Education and English, York University 2000-2004
Scholarships and Awards
York University Entrance Scholarship 1999 - 2000
Ontario Scholar 1999
OAC
Dramatic Arts
1999
Performance / Choreographic:
York Dances, performer and choreographer 2003 - 2004
York University Jazz Show, performer and choreographer 1999 – 2004
York University Dance Team performer, 1999 – 2000
Teaching, Choreography & Guest Workshops
Expressions
Dance Centre Inc, Whitby, ON; 2003 – Present
Artistic Director, Teacher, Choreographer
Sir William
Stevenson P.S.
Whitby, ON; January 2009
Dance Teacher / Choreographer for an Elective Dance Program
Southwood
P.S.
Ajax, ON;
October - December 2008
Dance Teacher / Choreographer for a Lunch-Time Dance Program
Cynthia’s
Creative Dance Arts, Pickering, ON; Jan 2003 – June 2003
Dance Teacher / Choreographer
London School of Dance, Toronto, ON; Sept 2002 – June 2003
Dance Teacher / Choreographer
O’Brien
Dance Centre, Ajax, ON; August 2002
Guest Teacher for Workshop Classes
Hoofers
Performing Arts, Oshawa, ON; August 2002
Guest Teacher for Workshop Classes
Heartbeat
of Dance, Oshawa, ON; April – June 2002
Part-Time Teacher / Choreographer for year-end production
Town of
Whitby Parks and Recreation (Community Schools Program) 1995-1998
Dance instructor / choreographer
Studio of
Dance and Performing Arts, Whitby ON: 1993 – 1999
Teaching Assistant & Substitute Teacher on occasion
Memberships, Certifications, Conferences
Tara Forbes - RAD RTS, ADAPT
Bio Coming Soon
Cati Carnovale - BEd, ABATD
Bio Coming Soon