Instructors and Musicians
Charissa Willson
Artistic Director | Owner | Head Instructor
Born in Toronto, Charissa Willson started her dance training at the age of four with mentor Anna McCowan Johnson. Her love for ballet led her to The National Ballet School's professional ballet & academic program, dancing numerous roles each year in the schools annual productions, including The National Ballet of Canada's 'The Nutcracker'. After graduating from The National Ballet School with honours, she was awarded the Floyd S. Chalmers Grant by the Canada Arts Council, and began her post-graduate dance training and work throughout Europe. In 2001, she danced as a soloist with the Jeune Ballet de Cannes in 'Paquita' at Le Festival de Danse de Cannes along with principal guest artists of the Paris Opera Ballet.
Charissa has been teaching ballet (Royal Academy of Dance syllabus), Music and Movement, and Creative Movement for children in Toronto since 2004, and is a trained Early Childhood Educator from Durham College. As music, movement, and singing are integral at Harmony, Charissa, incorporates piano with vocal harmonies in every class. Her love of teaching young children has lead her to develop unique programs for ages 10 months - 10 years at Orange Dot Inc., Toronto private schools including Branksome Hall and The Bishop Strachan School - as well Mooredale Community Centre, The Toronto Lawn Tennis Club and Whitney Junior Public School.
Charissa's classes always involve singing along with movement, incorporating creative imagery, children's nursery rhymes and stories to encourage the use of imagination and expression through dance and music. Her passion for the arts and for working with children inspired Charissa to found Harmony School of Dance in 2011. She is also a member of WeJam Toronto Ukulele Group. All creative movement and ballet programs offered reflect Charissa's expertise and experience as both a dance professional and beloved children's instructor. Her unique and engaging approach to children's dance education harmonizes ballet with musicality, creativity and imagination!
Abby Silvera
Instructor & Music Curriculum Manager
Abby grew up in Richmond, BC, where they began dancing at the age of 4. They trained heavily in ballet, as well as contemporary, tap, jazz, voice, acting and musical theatre while growing up. They performed excerpts from the Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Paquita over the years, and received distinction on their Advanced II RAD ballet exam. In 2017, they had the opportunity to attend Boston Conservatory's Musical Theatre Dance Intensive, which inspired their decision to focus on musical theatre after high school.
Abby moved to Toronto to attend Randolph College for the Performing Arts, and graduated in 2020. They are currently working with an emerging collective as an interdisciplinary theatre artist, as well as a babysitter. They also play piano and guitar, and enjoy reading books and writing songs.
Brooke Rourke
Instructor
Hello! My name is Brooke Rourke. I am an actress and dancer currently located in Toronto, Ontario. Growing up as a competitive dancer, I quickly found a love for storytelling through movement.
Since graduating from Randolph College for the Performing Arts (Governor Genera's Award Winner), I have immersed myself in the entertainment industry, performing in musicals, dance concerts, and multiple film and television projects. Some recent credits to date have included, performing at Nuit Blanche in a multidisciplinary piece entitled “Operations”, working on the short film Patchwork Hero, and playing Fredrika in A Little Night Music.
With over 10 years of teaching dance to all levels and ages, I strive to ensure a safe and open environment where every student can grow and be their true self free of judgement.
Colleen Scott
Instructor
Colleen Scott is a Toronto based singer, actor, and dancer. She attended Randolph College for the performing arts then was fortunate enough to work in The Lower Ossington Theatre. Colleen has been a Girl Guide, a camp councillor, and an assistant in schools. When she is not dancing or making music Colleen is reading, swimming, or learning about plants.
Hayley Rourke
Instructor
Hi my name's Hayley Rourke (they/them or she/her). I'm a queer gender non-conforming artist located in Toronto, Ontario, and a recent graduate of Randolph College for the Performing Arts. Since graduating my colleagues and I have created a collective entitled Skeletons collective where we devised a movement-based play entitled Fishbones. As a group, we hope to perform a variety of new works including Fishbones in the New Year.
I'm inspired by film and physical performance art and hope to be a part of multidisciplinary work that challenges people, gender, and the notion of what film and theatre can be. Coming from a dance background my body and the connection with my peers is a vital part of my work. I've taught children for over 10 years now and have gotten to share a special bond with each of my students. Teaching Is very important to me. I ensure each child is comfortable by going at their own pace then safely encouraging them to grow as dancers and as people. I believe in representation, diversity, and accessibility. As a teacher and performer, I will strive to ensure change within the industry and not look past these things. We must hold ourselves accountable.
Jen Fong
Instructor
Jen is an interdisciplinary artist and performer originally from Regina, Saskatchewan. She has been training in dance and musical theatre for as long as she can remember. She began teaching in 2015, and recently spent a year directing a musical theatre performance program for kids and teens back home in Regina. She's constantly inspired by the energy and passion of young dancers and artists. She graduated from Randolph College for the Performing Arts in 2021, and is actively working in the theatre and film communities both in Toronto and Saskatchewan. A lover of all forms of art, she is also currently working on an undergrad in Visual Arts. Jen is grateful to be a part of the talented team at Harmony, and she loves sharing her passion for both ballet and music with the next generation of dancers!
Kennedy Ledingham
Instructor & Social Media Manager
Born and raised on Vancouver Island, Kennedy is now Toronto based theatre artist and triple threat. In her youth, Kennedy trained extensively for 15 years in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Hip Hop, Pointe, Lyrical, Contemporary and Musical Theatre, but her passion for dance did not stop there. By 8 she began dancing and singing competitively and by 11 Kennedy joined True Colours Youth Company of Performing Arts who she studied with for 7 years as a dancer and choreographer on top of her competitive schedule. Later in her youth Kennedy attended Performing Arts BC 7 times competing in Modern, Stage and Musical Theatre respectively and by 18 she completed all her AIDT Modern Examinations with Distinction, AIDT Gold Lower tap with Distinction and RAD Intermediate ballet. Out of high school, Kennedy went on to graduate from Sheridan College's Honours Bachelor Music Theatre Program where she was able to expand her training and her love for dance. Since graduation she has continued to perform, teach and adjudicate across Canada and feels so lucky to share her passion with her students.
Now in her 10th year of teaching, Kennedy is very excited to be joining the team at Harmony School of Dance and to begin sharing her passion and knowledge to help inspire the students.
Lenny McGowan
Instructor
Lenny McGowan (they/ them) has been dancing since the age of four and always enjoyed ballet, modern, and musical theatre. They grew up in Dundas and are now currently a student at Toronto Metropoliton University in Media Productions. They're very passionate about dance and thrilled to be a part of Harmony's amazing team.
Amariah Faulkner
Assistant Instructor
Amariah Faulkner grew up in Barrie, Ontario, and began dancing and singing at three. She has a strong foundation in RAD ballet, ISTD tap and modern, as well as RCM vocal. With a BFA from Sheridan's Musical Theatre Performance Program, she is a passionate actor, creator, and teacher. She's worked as a performer with companies such as Mirvish, Musical Stage Co, Nickelodeon, and CBC. You may recognize her voice from some of your kids favourite animated shows, such as Daniel Tiger's Neighbourhood, Creative Galaxy, Wild Kratts, and Aurthur. She strives to instill the same passion and curiosity she has for art in young performers.
Annick Robledo
Assistant Instructor
Originally from the Dominican Republic, Annick is a classical ballerina, musical theater actress, and singer who just graduated from the Honours Bachelor of Musical Theatre Performance Program at Sheridan College.
Annick has performed in numerous original dance shows and ballets such as: Amor Brujo, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Hot Jazz, Sleeping Beauty, among others in her hometown ballet academy, Ballet Clasico Santiago, where she trained for more than eight years.
In 2015, she graduated from Ballet Clasico Santiago, receiving the professional title of classical ballerina and pedagogy in levels I, II and III under the Cuban National Ballet School certification.
In addition to dance, Annick developed a devotion for musical theatre when she performed as Ariel in her first musical, Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr. She later participated in shows such as Aladdin, The Great Gatsby, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, Cats, and Alice in Wonderland, in the national theatre of her country. In May 2019, Annick graduated from the Canadian College of Performing Arts with the Two-Year Enriched Performing Arts Diploma in Victoria, BC.
Annick is thrilled to be teaching at Harmony School of Dance and is passionate about helping younger generations find their voice and artistry through the world of dance.
Fiona Younger
Assistant Instructor
Fiona started taking Ms. Charissa's ballet classes as a toddler and continued with dance till she was about 10 years old. She is now a high performance alpine skier and a high school student at Branksome Hall. Fiona enjoys working with younger children and is excited to help them find their passion for dance!
Gwendolyn Dejani
Assistant Instructor
Gwendolyn has been a longtime fan of ballet and dance. She started dancing when she was just two years old, studying with Miss Charissa at the Harmony School of Dance during the year and in summer camps. When she was seven, she joined the National Ballet of Canada School, first in the Junior Program, then for several years in the Certificate Program where along with Classical Ballet she studied Character Dance and started On Pointe.
Gwendolyn is a student in the Senior School at the Bishop Strachan School where she also enjoys track & field, cross-country and volleyball. During the winter months she also loves skiing in Collingwood.
She is thrilled to be returning to Harmony School of Dance to work with Miss Charissa and the students this summer.
Jenna Geen
Music Curriculum Manager
Jenna Geen (she/they) is an interdisciplinary artist. She is trained in a variety of mediums including theatre, music, dance, and movement. Jenna is curious about the various ways in which theatre and dance can be used to investigate ideas, and ask new questions. In addition to their work as a performer, Jenna is also a sound designer (Paprika '22) and musician/songwriter. Jenna is passionate about using live performance methods like dance and music in innovative ways; always remaining curious and open to the exploration process.
Jordan Shime
Assistant Instructor
My name is Jordan and I am a high school student. I did Ms. Charissa's ballet program when I was younger, and have many amazing memories from it that still mean so much to me today. I could not be more excited to help other young ballerinas create memories and a love for dance and music that they will treasure for years to come!
Marina Bournas
Assistant Instructor
Born and raised in Toronto, Marina Bournas has trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, acrobatics and musical theatre from the age of 3. She began her training at the Martha Hicks School of Ballet and graduated from Dance Pointe Toronto after completing several years as a competitive dancer. From a young age, Marina was passionate about the arts, and trained in the Triple Threat Program at Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts where she began to take her love for musical theatre more seriously. Marina went on to attend Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts in Toronto, where she was a member of the music theatre, dance, and vocal program.
She is currently studying Political Science and European Affairs at the University of Toronto, hoping to pursue a career in law. Marina is also minoring in Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies and is adamant about keeping the performing arts a constant part of her life. She is very excited to join the Harmony School of Dance team and passionate about passing on her love for dance and music to children!
Sophia Khan Basu
Assistant Instructor
Sophia started dancing at the age of 2. She has been trained and certified in RAD ballet from grades 1-Advanced Foundation. She also trained in Limon modern dance technique for over 10 years. Alongside her dance training, Sophia also studied as a classical singer from the age of 9. She successfully competed in classical music competitions and at the age of 16 joined the vocal studio of Jean MacPhail. For two years, Sophia was a vocal student at the Phil and Eli Taylor Academy at the Glenn Gould School in Toronto.
Outside of her own training, Sophia started working at Harmony School of Dance & Music at age 15, and has been working here ever since. She has assisted Miss Charissa during the school year and at Fairy Princess Ballerina Camp every summer. Sophia is passionate about sharing her love of music and dance with children.
Sophia is currently finishing her Bachelor of Arts degree in History at McGill University.
Caitlyn Lopez-Howie
Assistant Instructor
Caitlyn Lopez-Howie is a performer based in Toronto, Ontario. She has been dancing since she was 4 years old and has explored numerous genres including ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, hip hop, musical theatre and acrobatics. At 13, she received a Broadway dance scholarship which gave her the opportunity to work under industry choreographers and dance at the Amsterdam theater in New York. This is where she found her passion in musical theater and performing. Working as a choir scholar, Caitlyn has studied singing, sight reading and harmonizing within group and solo opportunities.
Caitlyn has recently graduated from the Commercial Dance program at George Brown College, where she has refined her technique and talents in dancing, singing and acting. Currently she works for the Toronto Blue Jays “JFORCE” dance team while also being a seasonal actor for Casa Loma’s events and performances throughout the year. She has participated in numerous student produced documentaries and films in the GTA, and has been represented in the Oakville Film Festival 2024 as an actor.
Caitlyn is passionate about storytelling through movement and creation, and sharing her love for the arts by encouraging and inspiring others. She strives to be an active, positive and supportive influence for younger generations and advocates for a safe learning environment where artists have the opportunity and resources to grow.
Alisha Sawyers
Pianist
My name is Alisha Sawyers and I am a professional Pianist. For as long as I can remember, music has been a source of joy, expression, and a means of connecting with people of all kinds. I have been playing the piano for just over 15 years, and am a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University's Honours Bachelor of Music program where I studied classical piano under the distinguished Dr. Heather Taves. I believe that music is an extremely powerful tool of self expression, and creativity and thus I make improvisation and composition of utmost priority in both my artistry and pedagogical practice.
Evan Tanovich
Pianist
Evan Tanovich is a Research Assistant, Teaching Assistant and Master of Arts student at the University of Toronto. He studies music theory, historical compositional practices and the intersections of Canadian law and music. Evan has been teaching piano and working as a collaborative pianist in Toronto for 5 years. He received a Bachelor of Music in composition with a minor in political science from the U of T in 2022. In his free time Evan loves listening to Detroit sports-talk radio, playing vintage pinball machines, and improvising at the piano.
Jayne Abe
Pianist & Music Curriculum Manager
Born and raised in Hokkaido, Japan, Jayne Abe is currently in her third year of study at the University of Toronto Faculty of Music, pursuing her degree in piano performance in the studio of Dr. Lisa Tahara. She has been playing the piano since the age of four, and found her passion towards collaborative music making as she pursued her musical education. Both her enthusiasm in collaborative piano and her own cultural heritage led to a private creative project with Chihiro Yasufuku, named Hibiki project, which is an online platform that celebrates Japanese art and music culture. She currently plays with singers, instrumentalists, in a piano quartet, and works as a pianist for Voice Graduate Pedagogy Program at the University of Toronto, expanding her career path as a professional collaborative pianist.
During her undergraduate years, she participated in and received prizes from the Pacific International Piano Competition, Toronto Kiwanis Music Festival, Ontario Music Festival, and more.
Jonah Nung
Pianist
Jonah Nung is a pianist and music director based in Toronto. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in music education with a minor in composition at the University of Toronto. Jonah has a strong interest in collaborative piano and frequently accompanies his peers in rehearsal and performance. He has also been involved in numerous theatre productions as a music director, rehearsal pianist, pit musician, and crew member and has worked with Hart House Theatre, No Strings Theatre, the U of T campus theatre community, and X Musical Theatre Company. Jonah is very excited to be playing piano for Harmony School of Dance and Music!
Sara Seangcharoen
Pianist
Sara is a Thai-native pianist and piano teacher. At a very young age, Sara had her first piano lesson from her mother and fell in love with the it. She did her bachelor in music in Classical Piano Performance at Mahidol University in Thailand. Currently, she is studying the Applied Music and Health master program at University of Toronto.
Sumi Kim
Pianist
Sumi Kim was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. She had been an amateur pianist while completing her Bachelor’s degree in Food Science.
After relocating to Yukon, Canada, she has appeared frequently as a soloist and collaborative pianist in the Whitehorse music scene. Performances include Gallery recital series at the Yukon Arts Centre, Rotary Music Festival and solo recitals.
Sumi Kim is currently pursuing her studies, Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance at the University of Toronto Faculty of Music with Dr. Younggun Kim. She is the recipient of the Mary-Margaret Webb Piano Performance Award and Richard Iorweth Thorman Jazz Scholarship.
Yiannis Foulidis
Pianist
Yiannis Foulidis is a composer, pianist, and educator currently based in Toronto. He has been playing piano since the age of 3, and holds an ARCT Diploma in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music. He enjoys an active career as a musician in Toronto, with a studio of roughly 15 weekly students, and an ongoing composition practice. He is very happy to join the Harmony team!
