Christina is the Owner/Director of Thrive Dance Academy. With over 12 years teaching experience, and 26 years dancing in the studio, she comes with a plethora of knowledge and skills to help and encourage dancers to achieve their ultimate best. Throughout Christina's dance career, she's trained competitively with award-winning choreographers in Acro, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Pointe, and Musical Theatre, which ultimately lead her to York University's Dance Program with a focus on Ballet and Modern techniques. During her time at York, she had the ability to perform, study, and explore all aspects of professional dance. Christina graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in dance, and a minor in Kinesiology. Since graduating in 2014, Christina has continued her education by attending teacher workshops all over Canada and the USA, furthering her credentials with certifications in; Acrobatic Arts Module 1 & 2, YogaFit Level 1, Thai Yoga Therapy, and won Reader's Choice for Best Dance Instructor in 2018. She has won multiple overall awards for her choreography & creative concepts. Christina is extremely grateful to fulfill her dream as Owner/Director, something she has longed for from her Tiny Dancer years, and believes in creating a safe and welcoming space for all.
At age 4, Miss Vanessa knew that dance was going to be a part of her life forever. Fast forward 18 years, her love and passion for dance only burns brighter. Throughout her career, she has trained competitively with award-winning choreographers in Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Musical Theatre and Acro. She also competed in the award-winning Hip Hop crew The ARTillery lead by Thrives very own Miguel Ramirez and CJ Destacamento. Miss. Vanessa is an active choreographer and dance educator across the greater Hamilton area.
Karly’s love for dance was instilled in her at a young age by the teachers at a small local Hamilton dance studio. She trained as a competitive dancer growing up which led to post-secondary opportunities with Ryerson’s Urban Hip Hop Union and McMaster’s Verve Dance Team. Karly was a cheerleader for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for four seasons, two of which she was a Captain of the team, getting to choreograph for the team and perform in front of thousands of fans at Tim Hortons Field and Grey Cup Festivals. She has taught recreational and competitive classes at various studios in Hamilton and the surrounding area. She has completed an Honours Bachelor of Communications degree from McMaster University and studied Autism and Behavioural Science at Mohawk College.
Karly’s passion for learning and education led her to work as an Educational Assistant with the HWDSB where she strives to help every student she encounters reach their full potential each and every day. Karly is committed to her own professional development by continuing to attend workshops and classes led by top industry educators. She is eager to share her love for dance and learning with the students of Thrive!
Karly’s passion for learning and education led her to work as an Educational Assistant with the HWDSB where she strives to help every student she encounters reach their full potential each and every day. Karly is committed to her own professional development by continuing to attend workshops and classes led by top industry educators. She is eager to share her love for dance and learning with the students of Thrive!
Daring to follow her artistic dreams, Alyssa Nedich has been working as a dance instructor, choreographer and movement director for over ten years. Always willing to try something new, she has developed a versatile portfolio with experience in competitions, classrooms, theatres and on movie sets. Alyssa has been dancing since the age of 9, and since graduating high school has spent her time teaching and choreographing across the country.
You can catch Alyssa and her work on stages and screens across Canada, whether she’s performing herself or working behind the scenes creating, curating and developing new work. Alyssa has also recently stepped into the role of adjudicator, giving the next generation of dancers the feedback and encouragement they need to grow and develop.
Alyssa’s recent creations, choreography and casting include:
Transcendent ( Hamilton Arts Week 2019)
In Between Dreams and Sleep (2018)
Time Flies (Dusk Dances 2018)
Psyche (iNtegrated Parts 2018)
Communal Solace- featured at the 2017 Frostbites Festival and Dusk Dances 2017 The Geoff Hudson Band’s “Big Old Angry Sea” music video
With a passion for musical theatre, Alyssa has choreographed over 15 musicals, including the Canadian premiere of Sideshow. She is also part of Hamilton’s “I Am An Artist” banner campaign that celebrates diversity in the local artistic community. Alyssa’s creativity is ever-reaching and she’s continually developing competitive and performance pieces for soloists and groups, all while investing in her community. Alyssa believes that dance is for everyone, and is passionate about sharing the ability to dance with all. Her enthusiastic energy in the classroom allows everyone, whether a beginner or an experienced dancer to take away a special experience. Dance, for Alyssa, is a chance to give people confidence and she believes it has an important role to play in her hometown.
Having taught most forms of dance for over a decade, Alyssa is on demand throughout Canada as a choreographer and trained adjudicator. She is a certified Rhythm Works Instructor, has received certification from Alixa Flexibility modules 1 & 2, and is a proud member of the Professional Adjudicators Alliance. Alyssa is excited for the opportunity to share her knowledge and passion for performance with those looking to further their dance training.
Miguel Ramirez found his passion for dance at a young age, and has been able to teach and inspire young dancers today. He is a choreographer and drummer who has free styling abilities that have been perfected throughout his career. Miguel is trained in all forms of dance. He successfully runs his own workshops accompanied by other well known choreographers, including some from So You Think You Can Dance. Miguel continues to develop his technique and refining his talents by training all over Canada and USA
Miguel has won numerous awards including; top choreographer, highest overall groups, top scoring hip hop routines and genius concepts. He is the choreographer of High Diamond's music video “face the music”, choreographer's assistant for the 2011 Canadian national hip hop team, Co-founder of the hip hop crew ARTillery and also a performer with Airtight Entertainment. He teaches at numerous studios and is well known for his extremely clean routines. He mentors his students with a fundamental message: with hard work and dedication, anyone can achieve greatness.
Miguel has had the opportunity to take his talents worldwide including Trinidad and Tobago instructing dance and Afro Caribbean drumming. He always takes time to give back to the community by volunteering at orphanages sharing his many joys and talents with others. He always encourages his students to get involved in different community projects as it builds the passion they have for dance. Miguel, truly believes that, “Great dancers can also be great people" .
Miguel has won numerous awards including; top choreographer, highest overall groups, top scoring hip hop routines and genius concepts. He is the choreographer of High Diamond's music video “face the music”, choreographer's assistant for the 2011 Canadian national hip hop team, Co-founder of the hip hop crew ARTillery and also a performer with Airtight Entertainment. He teaches at numerous studios and is well known for his extremely clean routines. He mentors his students with a fundamental message: with hard work and dedication, anyone can achieve greatness.
Miguel has had the opportunity to take his talents worldwide including Trinidad and Tobago instructing dance and Afro Caribbean drumming. He always takes time to give back to the community by volunteering at orphanages sharing his many joys and talents with others. He always encourages his students to get involved in different community projects as it builds the passion they have for dance. Miguel, truly believes that, “Great dancers can also be great people" .
Stephanie Truman began dancing at age six and has studied many styles, including classical and contemporary ballet, jazz, modern, acro, pointe, lyrical, and musical theatre. During her training, Stephanie achieved great success in dance competitions, including becoming the World Champion in the Ballet Duo category with her sister in 2007 and 2009. Her love of dance led her to York University’s dance program with the goal of becoming a dance teacher and sharing that love with her students. Stephanie graduated Cum Laude from the program in 2014 and now holds a BFA with Honours. She also has certification with the Society of Russian Ballet and with Acrobatic Arts. Stephanie has danced for Emmy award-winning choreographer Debra Brown in Panamania, the cultural festival accompanying the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Para-Pan Am Games. Stephanie currently teaches ballet, jazz, acro, lyrical, and modern at dance studios in Southern, Ontario.