Jane Davis-Munro (RAD-RTS, ECE), Artistic Director
Artistic Director & Co-Founder
Jane Davis-Munro has been a professional dancer, choreographer and dance educator for the past 40 years. Ms. Davis-Munro is a Registered Educator, Tutor, Mentor and Practical Teaching Supervisor with the Royal Academy of Dance, the largest international examining body for the training of Ballet dancers and educators. She has been invited to teach for the Royal Academy of Dance and the National Ballet School’s teacher training program and is well known in Canada, USA and the UK as a dance educator with expertise in the field of Ballet as well as dance for pre-school aged children. Ms. Davis-Munro holds Advanced certificates in Ballet through the Royal Academy of Dance as well as Modern and National Dance through the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance. She is a graduate of Ryerson University Theatre Department specializing in Dance and holds a certificate for Early Childhood Education. She is currently writing and developing a pre-school performing arts curriculum combining her over 30 years of working with pre-school aged children in the field of dance and art. In her rich and varied career Ms. Davis-Munro has trained students who have gone on to become professional dancers and teachers, working in Canada and Internationally. Ms. Davis-Munro holds numerous certifications and has earned practical experiences for the past 40 years in regards to the technique of Ballet and is one of Toronto's most highly regarded Ballet educators. She believes dance is a fundamental part of a child's development physically, mentally and artistically and works everyday to continue spreading this philosophy.
Carolyn Pratley (RAD-RTS), Curriculum Manager
Ballet Department Director -
Ballet, Pre-School
Carolyn took her first Ballet class in Dorval, Que,, when she was four years old. It was an instant love affair that has resulted in a teaching career that has now spanned over 20 years. In addition to her BA in Psychology from the University of Ottawa, Carolyn holds the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Teaching for Certificate, as well as the Teaching Diploma. Carolyn studied under her mentor, Helene Tassie of Ottawa, Rockland, ON, exposing the small Eastern Ontario town to dance classes in a bilingual setting. Here, Carolym continued to enjoy much success, entering many students in RAD Ballet exams, ADAPT (Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers) Jazz exams and amateur dance competitions. She took great pleasure in watching her small studio grow and her dancers flourish. It was difficult to leave Ottawa, but Carolyn is happy to have found Pegasus and continue to share her love of dance. Carolyn lives in East York with her husband and their young son, William.
Katie Sutton (B.F.A., B.Ed), Ballet & Performance Co. Manager
Jazz Department Director -
Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop,
Contemporary, Performance Team
Katie Sutton is a graduate of the three year George Brown Dance Performance Studies Program where she studied under well-established artists Annie Wood, Stephen Findlay, to name a few. Katie is recently the proud graduate of York University’s Bachelor of Fine Arts Program and Bachelor of Education Junior / Intermediate Division. She has a strong passion for dance and it all began at the age of six where she grew up as a competitive dancer for eleven years in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Acro, Lyrical and Musical Theatre. In 2003 Katie travelled to Germany to represent Canada in the World Dance Championships; where her small tap group brought home the gold. Katie has completed her Primary through to Intermediate examinations with the Royal Academy of Dance with high levels of Distinction. She has gone on to perform in several functions and charity events such as The Teddy Bear Affair hosted by CityTV and the Chocolate Ball with The Dance Company. Being able to inspire, teach and care for others has always been Katie's passion. Teaching provides Katie with an invaluable opportunity to positively influence the lives and education of others. Katie is looking forward to many upcoming projects this year with the Performance Teams and is very excited to continue her contributions to Pegasus and the world of dance.
Lara Munro, Customer Care & Studio Manager
Pre-School, Ballet, Modern
Lara Munro was introduced to dance at the age of three and as an older child joined Modern dance company Canadian Children's Dance Theatre. She completed her Intermediate (Advanced One) Ballet Exam under the Royal Academy of Dance. Lara trained as a Pilates instructor with the Stott Pilates Method. She began teaching pre-school age children at Pegasus in the Childhood Expressions program and is an accredited Kindermusik Educator. Lara has continued her work in the community outside the dance studio as a La Leche League Leader and a board member of the Storytellers for Children. She has three sons with whom she spends her days telling stories, rhymes and riddles and singing songs.
Lara Munro was introduced to dance at the age of three and as an older child joined Modern dance company Canadian Children's Dance Theatre. She completed her Intermediate (Advanced One) Ballet Exam under the Royal Academy of Dance. Lara trained as a Pilates instructor with the Stott Pilates Method. She began teaching pre-school age children at Pegasus in the Childhood Expressions program and is an accredited Kindermusik Educator. Lara has continued her work in the community outside the dance studio as a La Leche League Leader and a board member of the Storytellers for Children. She has three sons with whom she spends her days telling stories, rhymes and riddles and singing songs.
Lia Munro, Business Manager
Business Manager
Growing up at Pegasus, Lia has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Modern. She holds a Masters of Arts in Drama from York University and has worked as a dramaturge, director, company manager and producer in the independent theatre and dance scene in Toronto since 2012. Lia has managed the costume and performance departments at Pegasus since 2008 and is excited to now be managing the business side of the dance studio where she was raised. When not working at Pegasus, Lia is proud to be part of the volunteer team with gritLIT Readers and Writers Festival in Hamilton, ON.
Briar Munro, Marketing Manager
Marketing Manager
Briar grew up dancing and working at Pegasus Studios. She holds a diploma in Fitness and Lifestyle Management, is a certified personal trainer, holistic lifestyle coach and Pilates instructor and is certified as a Physiotherapy Assistant. Through ownership of Fly Girl Fitness she developed many business and marketing strategies which she is implementing as the Marketing Manager at Pegasus Studios. She is thrilled to be back working alongside her family and supporting the families at Pegasus.
Alysia Charbonneau
Tap, Contemporary, Jazz
Originally from North Bay, Ontario, Alysia has been competitively dancing since she can remember. In high school she expanded her repertoire and began taking acting and vocal classes at the competitive level as well. She moved to Toronto to study at George Brown College in the Commercial Dance program, where she graduated with honours in August of 2017. Upon graduation, she co-founded Nonstop Dance Collective, a contemporary dance company. In November 2017 she also played the role of Voytek Frykowski in Echo Production's "Charlie: Son of Man", a dance-theatre show about the life of Charles Manson. Most recently, Alysia performed in the Toronto Fringe Festival and the Windsor Fringe Festival as part of the cast of "Hooked", directed and choreographed by Kristen Pepper.
As a teacher, Alysia has been choreographing and teaching since the age of 15, beginning at Dance Expressions de danse. She has taught all styles including tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, contemporary, and musical theatre. She has also taught and choreographed for their competitive dance team. Upon graduating George Brown College, Alysia began teaching at So Dance Studios, under the direction of Melissa So. Alysia is so excited to begin teaching at Pegasus, and cannot wait for the season to start!
As a teacher, Alysia has been choreographing and teaching since the age of 15, beginning at Dance Expressions de danse. She has taught all styles including tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, contemporary, and musical theatre. She has also taught and choreographed for their competitive dance team. Upon graduating George Brown College, Alysia began teaching at So Dance Studios, under the direction of Melissa So. Alysia is so excited to begin teaching at Pegasus, and cannot wait for the season to start!
Ava Phenix-Ng
Ballet
Ava is delighted to be returning to the Pegasus community, where her love of dance was fostered for 15 years. Under her mentors at Pegasus, she successfully completed graded and vocational examinations with the Royal Academy of Dance, including Advanced 2. Ava is entering her third year of the Teacher Training Program at Canada’s National Ballet School, where she will work towards attaining her RAD Registered Teacher Status. She holds her Progressing Ballet Technique certification, and is committed to ensuring that her students derive the physical, social and emotional benefits of dance. Ava is looking forward to contributing to the inclusive environment that Pegasus provides and is eager to support the dancers in reaching their goals. Ava has recently taken on the role of Production Assistant to help with all things Showcase related.
Caitlin Gillespie
Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop
Caitlin is a Pegasus Dance Studios Alumni where she has trained in RAD ballet, modern, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop and musical theatre. Caitlin has been a role model at Pegasus taking part in the Pegasus STEP and Apprenticeship Program assisting in a variety of styles, while also assisting the Pegasus Performance Team throughout her training. Caitlin has gone on to become a YPAD Certified teacher and train in the MTJGD program.
Caitlin not only has a love for dance but a love for music and acting. Caitlin studied at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts, where she majored in the Dance and Musical Theatre programs. Caitlin is currently studying at Ryerson University in the Sports Media Program and hopes to bring the skills she learns to the dance community. Caitlin has now joined our marketing team as Marketing Coordinator.
Caitlin not only has a love for dance but a love for music and acting. Caitlin studied at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts, where she majored in the Dance and Musical Theatre programs. Caitlin is currently studying at Ryerson University in the Sports Media Program and hopes to bring the skills she learns to the dance community. Caitlin has now joined our marketing team as Marketing Coordinator.
Cherise Solomon
Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop
Cherise Solomon started dancing at the age of 14 in her first year of high school. Little did she know, dance would become her life passion. Cherise is an avid performer who has danced with multiple dance companies in Toronto including, The Girls Club, Boss Dance Company and Dark Dance Company . She even took her training to New York City at Broadway Dance Centres International Student Visa Program. Cherise is a multi-disciplined individual. Cherise recently graduated New Media at Ryerson University with honours, and is Assistant Festival Manager of StArt Youth Presenting Art (StArt YPA), which is a multi disciplinary youth art festival based in Scarborough.
Dryden Graham
Art
Dryden is a graduate of Pegasus Studios and began taking the Saturday morning art classes at Pegasus the age of four, continuing for fifteen years. He has also assisted in these classes during the school year and at the summer Dance and Art camps for the past five years, and works at the reception desk at Pegasus.
His art education also includes at Luc Sculpture, and Wexford Collegiate School of the Arts. Dryden has pursued other areas expressing his visual arts with work on set construction and painting for community theater. He is currently in his second year at Art College for Illustration and Sequential Arts and working with IATSE local 58 Theatre Union.
His art education also includes at Luc Sculpture, and Wexford Collegiate School of the Arts. Dryden has pursued other areas expressing his visual arts with work on set construction and painting for community theater. He is currently in his second year at Art College for Illustration and Sequential Arts and working with IATSE local 58 Theatre Union.
Kennedy Dale-Johnson (RAD-RTS)
Ballet
Kennedy is a graduate of the Teacher Training Program at Canada’s National Ballet School and holds registered teacher status with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and the International Society of Teachers in Dance (National Branch). She also carries teaching qualifications with Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), Silver Swans, and Dance for PD with the Mark Morris Dance Group. Kennedy’s choreography has been seen in collaboration with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Orchestra and Fuse (formerly Vera Causa Opera).
Kennedy is passionate about the importance of dance and the positive influence it has on people of all ages and walks of life. She is excited to join the Pegasus faculty and looks forward to
sharing her love of dance and knowledge with her students.
Kennedy is passionate about the importance of dance and the positive influence it has on people of all ages and walks of life. She is excited to join the Pegasus faculty and looks forward to
sharing her love of dance and knowledge with her students.
Lauren Peter (RAD-RTS)
Lauren Peter grew up dancing competitively in Georgetown, ON and then completed the
George Brown Performance Dance Studies Program with honours after high school. She then
went on to do a mentorship with Ballet Jörgen and performed in The Nutcracker and Swan Lake
while touring across Canada. Afterwards, Lauren decided to go to Canada’s National Ballet
School for their Teacher Training Program, where she refined her teaching skills and found her
passion for making the dance world a more inclusive space. She now has her Registered
Teacher Status with the Royal Academy of Dance and is passionate about teaching dance to
people of all ages and abilities.
George Brown Performance Dance Studies Program with honours after high school. She then
went on to do a mentorship with Ballet Jörgen and performed in The Nutcracker and Swan Lake
while touring across Canada. Afterwards, Lauren decided to go to Canada’s National Ballet
School for their Teacher Training Program, where she refined her teaching skills and found her
passion for making the dance world a more inclusive space. She now has her Registered
Teacher Status with the Royal Academy of Dance and is passionate about teaching dance to
people of all ages and abilities.
Nancy Lehan (RAD RTS - NBS TTP (Dip)- BADE)
Ballet
Nancy Lehan is a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance and a Community Dance Specialist. She is a graduate of Canada’s National Ballet School’s (NBS) Teacher Training (Dip) Program and holds a Bachelor's of Dance Education from The University of Bath. As a dance educator, Nancy has extensive experience developing and leading dance programming for people of many ages and abilities. Nancy has completed additional study in Adaptive Dance with the Boston Ballet School, Dance for Parkinson’s Disease (PD) with the Mark Morris Dance Company, and Dance for Dementia with NBS and Baycrest Hospital. Nancy is a full-time artistic faculty member at NBS and teaches in their post-secondary, recreational and community programs. She specializes in adaptive dance programs for children with developmental and physical differences.
Nicola Pantin
Jazz, Contemporary
Nicola Pantin is a dance instructor, choreographer and dancer. Some selected teaching credits include Ryerson University, Shanghai Theatre Academy, Etobicoke School for the Arts, RHSA, Wexford Collegiate, numerous TDSB schools and private dance schools. Some selected choreography credits include numerous dance and theatre productions at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival (2004-2012) Charlottetown Festival, Shanghai Theatre Academy, Imusicals, George Brown Dance (Unleashed, Nextstage) Sheridan (Musical Theatre) La Jolla Playhouse (assoc. choreographer for Yoshimi) Harbourfront World Stage, Nuit Blanche, Summerworks, Springworks (Stratford ON) YPT, TNB, Citadel Theatre, Second City, Spark/Expect Theatre, Red Barn Theatre, Humber River Shakespeare, Shakespeare in the Rough, Ffida, Theaturtle. She has received two Dora Mavor Moore awards for Outstanding Choreography (Jacob Two Two Meets the Hooded Fang, RJ Remixed) and a gold medal at Les Jeux de la Francophonie (Corpus). Some selected film and video choreography include Mise En Scene (NFB) Bare Knuckle Duet, The Table Dance, various music videos. Nicola also performs as an independent dancer locally and internationally. Nicola is co artistic director for 3degrees, an independant dance theatre company in Toronto. Nicola has been teaching online jazz and modern classes for Creative Children's Dance Centre and Pegasus Studios and will continue with several online dance classes for Canada's Ballet Jorgen, Ballet Creole and TEADE (Cuban dance festival) She will also be choreographing the online version of Beats and Intentions in the Fall 2020 and is on faculty at George Brown Dance.
