THE RPDC FACULTY
Trish Thompson-Creamer, D.M.A.
Artistic Director and Founder
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Trish is the founder and artistic director of Rythum Plus Dance Company in Stoney Creek. Her studio has been a pillar of the local community for over 30 years and was recently voted #1 in the Hamilton Community's Reader's Choice Awards.
Trish has been a coach and judge for the Ontario Gymnastics Federation, is a course conductor for Acrobatic Arts, and was instrumental in the creation of its Module 3 syllabus. She is a certified acrobatics examiner with Dance Masters of Canada, Chapter #38 (where she currently sits as president), she has appeared online as a guest teacher for CLI Studios, and is also one of the acro choreographers for Canada’s national team with World Performers. Trish’s dancers have held many regional and national titles with Dance Masters of America and American Dance Awards – two of her students are the immediate-past Teen Miss and Teen Mister Dance of America. Her dancers have also seen much professional success in the entertainment industry. Most recently, her students and choreography have been featured on Family Channel’s hit TV show, The Next Step, and CHCH’s Tiny Talent Time. Currently, she has a number of former students performing with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines on cruise ships all over the world. As a teacher, Trish strives to show dancers their full potential and hopes that her passion drives them to be the best artists they can be. Trish knows that her love for dance and acrobatics will continue for years to come and looks forward to another exciting and successful season at Rythum Plus Dance Company. |
Linda Collins, R.A.D., D.M.A
Former Ballet Director
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Linda Collins is a former full-time student of the National Ballet School of Canada in Toronto. Linda has been a dance teacher for over 35 years and owned and operated her own dance school from 1980 to 2013. Linda has received teaching certificates from the Canadian Dance Teachers' Association, British Association of Teachers of Dance, P.A.C.E., and Dance Masters of America (Western New York). Linda is also a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance.
Linda has taught master classes, audition classes, and adjudicated at a national level in both Canada and the United States. Linda is very proud to have been part of the Teachers' Training School program in Buffalo, New York, in which Dance Masters of America has developed a wonderful learning program for teachers. Linda has also developed a structured ballet program for teachers and students in Mexico. Many of Linda's students have been accepted as full-time students at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, National Ballet School, National Ballet Company, and Quinte Ballet School. Many of her dancers are currently performing on some of the major cruise ship lines in North America and in several professional dance companies. |
Tiffani Beauparlant, B.A., OCT, D.M.A., P.A.A.
Dance Instructor
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Tiffani Beauparlant has been a part of the Rythum Plus Dance Company family since 1999. She is a dance educator for the District School Board of Niagara where she runs the dance program at A.N. Myer Secondary School. At Rythum Plus, she specializes in tap but is well-versed in many disciplines. She is a certified Tap (examiner), Jazz, and Acro teacher with Dance Masters of Canada, Chapter #38. Tiffani has a Bachelor of Arts in French (specialist) from Brock University, a dance specialist from York University, and a Canadian teacher certification from D’Youville College. She has also completed her Alixa Flexibility Module 1 certification.
As a dancer, Tiffani has toured with Hoctor’s Dance Caravan as a Caravan Kid, was an assistant to Barry YoungBlood, and is a world silver medalist with the Canadian National Tap Team at the IDO World Tap Championships in Reisa, Germany (2000). Tiffani is a successful teacher and choreographer. Her students have won numerous overall high score awards as well as regional titles for Dance Masters of Canada and American Dance Awards. She is the teacher/choreographer of the reigning national Jr. Miss Bedazzled Dance 2023. Tiffani’s choreography has been featured in many shows including M.A.C makeup’s “Fashion Cares” and the “Greg Frewin Las Vegas Magic Review” in Niagara Falls. She was also invited to work with the Canadian National Synchronized Skating Team – Nexxice for their off-ice training. Most recently, Tiffani has become a jazz choreographer for World Performers Canada and was a consultant for an up-and-coming new Tap Syllabus, Tap Roots. Tiffani enjoys sharing her love for dance by guest teaching throughout the summers and adjudicating many competitions throughout Canada and the U.S. as she is a part of the Professional Adjudicators' Alliance. |
Valerie Saija-Moore, B.A., OCT, D.M.A
Dance Instructor
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Valerie has extensive dance training in all theatrical dance styles and aerial arts. She has trained with Rythum Plus Dance Company since 1993, and has taught since 2004, under the tutelage of Trish Thompson-Creamer. As an accomplished dancer, Valerie has held 8 Canadian regional titles, and the national title, Miss Dance of America 2008 for Dance Masters of America.
As a performer, Valerie has experience in theatre and film. As a young choreographer, Valerie has won numerous choreography awards while her students have won many high-score awards; she is also the teacher of recognition for multiple Canadian regional title winners with DMC. To further her dance education, Valerie travels to many workshops and is a certified member of Dance Masters of Canada, where she sits on the executive board as Chapter Secretary. With Dance Masters of America, Valerie has recently served as a National Title Director, is an elected National Area Director, and often adjudicates DMA's regional and national competitions. Valerie also has her Module 1 and Module 2 with Acrobatic Arts. Valerie has a Bachelor of Physical Education (Honours) and a Bachelor of Education degree, with teachable subjects in Physical Education and Mathematics from Brock University, and Dance from York University. She is a permanent teacher with the HWDSB where she is the dance specialist and program writer for HWDSB's new Audition-Based Program of the Arts at Glendale Secondary School. She has also choreographed six full Broadway-scored musicals for Glendale's Program of the Arts. Valerie is proud to be able share her passion and love for dance in both aspects of her life, as her students have successfully pursued professional dance careers in diverse contexts. |
Nina Strazzulla, B.A.Sc., D.M.A., P.A.A.
Dance Instructor
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Nina has been part of Rythum Plus Dance Company since 1992. She is well-versed in many dance disciplines and is on faculty with Centennial College’s Dance Performance Diploma Program.
Nina graduated on the Dean’s List with a Bachelor of Arts & Science and Classics (Honours) from McMaster University. She completed high-level exams in Vaganova and R.A.D. Ballet, received many national scholarships in acrobatics, and has certifications with D.M.A., P.A.A, Acrobatic Arts (M1/M2), and Alixa Flexibility (M1). As a professional dancer, Nina worked for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines as a dance captain, aerialist, and tumbler – being featured in Moment Factory’s Starwater, performing in Robert Stigwood’s Saturday Night Fever: The Musical, and demonstrating for their Toronto-based auditions. Other professional credits include placing in Top 40 of Seasons 2 and 3 of So You Think You Can Dance Canada, being a montage dancer in the Oscar-nominated movie Amelia, and touring with Spirit Productions. As a former Miss Dance of Canada, Nina is an active member of Dance Masters of Canada, Chapter #38. She is a past director of DMC’s Junior Membership Program and is now sitting treasurer on the chapter’s executive committee. As a dance educator, Nina's students have won many overall high-score awards and regional titles. Other teaching credits include working with the Canadian National Synchronized Skating Team (Nexxice), winning ADA’s Regional Young Choreographer of the Year, and being on the faculty of Northern Movement Acro Convention. Nina was recently voted #1 Dance Instructor in Hamilton Community’s Readers’ Choice Awards. She seizes every opportunity to further her dance expertise and loves inspiring the next generation of young dancers. |
Matthew O'Doherty-Adkins
Dance Instructor
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Matthew’s dance training began at the age of six in Norfolk, England where he trained in ISTD ballet, modern, and tap. At age 16, Matthew received a scholarship to attend one of London, England's most distinguished performing arts colleges, Millennium Performing Arts LTD.
Upon graduating with a national diploma in dance and musical theatre, Matthew went on to join the original cast of "The Osmond's Spirit of Christmas" and toured the United States with the Osmond Brothers. Matthew has had the privilege of working along side world-renowned choreographers such as Liz Imperio, Jeff Amsden, Anthony Lyn, Stephen Mear, and Raphael Bonachela. He has travelled the globe performing with Jean Ann Ryan Productions working as a featured dancer, company manager, dance captain, and choreographer. Matthew also worked for the company as a rehearsal director, teaching and directing the next generation of professionals for the cruise ship industry. Matthew has been recognized for his choreography. He has been the teacher of recognition for a former Junior Miss Dance of Canada, and most recently, his choreography won the highest contemporary mark at various competitions both regionally and nationally. Matthew’s choreography has even been featured and praised in the UK’s “Dancing Times” magazine. Matthew has pursued his love for dance education by guest teaching in school board dance programs and multiple dance studios across Ontario. Matthew's expertise and vast knowledge of the dance industry has also led him to become a well-sought-after judge for dance competitions throughout Canada and the United Kingdom. |
Aaron Adkins
Dance Instructor
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Aaron began dancing at the age of fourteen with the Rythum Plus Dance Company, training in all genres of dance. Upon graduation, he began to work for Disney onboard the Disney Magic, the Disney Wonder, at Hong Kong Disneyland, and Tokyo Disneyland. While with Disney, Aaron entertained audience members with his portrayal of various characters including Prince Charming, Hercules, and as a featured male aerialist, Tarzan.
Aaron has also worked for P&O Cruise Lines, Regent Seven Seas Cruise Lines, and Norwegian Cruise Lines as specialty aerial artist and guest entertainer, creating his own original show "Two Worlds”, with partner Prudence Caldwell. Their unique show which featured acrobatics, aerial arts, and adagio skills, prompted the duo to be approached by many talent agencies, circus companies, and casinos from across the globe. A personal highlight for Aaron was performing in London's West End, at the world-renowned Palladium Theatre. Aaron has recently completed his Module 2 Certification with Acrobatic Arts and is a guest dance instructor for the Hamilton Public and Catholic School Boards. Aaron was instrumental in setting the foundations for Glendale High School's Performing Arts Aerial Program, where in its first year, he choreographed the aerial portion for Tarzan: The Musical. Since then, Aaron returns to Glendale each year to help teach the performing arts students the aerial segment of their dance program. |
Rob Jensen
Dance Instructor
Mr. Jensen has over 35 years of experience dancing, teaching, choreographing, and adjudicating. A former Director on the Ontario Branch of the C.D.T.A. and a full member of Stage Division Tap and Jazz, Mr. Jensen also attained his Advanced 1 Cecchetti through examination by the National Ballet of Canada, successfully acquired his Module 1 and Module 2 with Acrobatic Arts, and is a post graduate and scholarship recipient of the Dance Master’s of America Teacher’s Training School in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, and Modern. Mr. Jenson is a co-founder and director of the PROFESSIONAL ADJUDICATOR'S ALLIANCE, and is on staff at Rythum Plus Dance Company and many other studios across the GTHA.
Mr. Jensen has been a freelance teacher in southwestern Ontario for many years, training and developing his talents as an inspiring choreographer and instructor. His award-winning choreography has been showcased at many competitions and festivals throughout Ontario. He has studied with such teachers as Dulcie Lee, Sam Fiorello, Bob Rizzo, Gus Giordano, Tom Ralabate, Anthony Morigerato, and Mike Minery. Mr. Jensen has taught workshops, summer schools, and master classes across Canada and the United States. Some of Mr. Jensen’s students have achieved many film, television, and Broadway credits; others have gone on to The National Ballet of Canada, Boston Ballet School, Point Park University, The New York City Rockets, and The Hochschule fur Schauspielkun,
Mr. Jensen is an accomplished and in-demand adjudicator, judging competitions across Canada annually. He has danced professionally in many industrial shows nationally, has worked professionally with Patti Labelle, Rita McNeil, the Bare Naked Ladies, Will Ferrell and Molly Shannon. He has appeared in several movies, commercials and T.V. specials. Mr. Jensen has been the choreographer for Genentech/Roche Pharmaceuticals Annual General Meeting, working with the senior executives and marketing department directors to help produce their opening awards ceremonies in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mr. Jensen's latest endeavor has been to dive into the world of podcasting! He has successfully launched the Dance Comp Chat podcast where he is found chatting and discussing all things in the world of Dance Competitions with amazing guests and artists from across Canada.
Mr. Jensen has been a freelance teacher in southwestern Ontario for many years, training and developing his talents as an inspiring choreographer and instructor. His award-winning choreography has been showcased at many competitions and festivals throughout Ontario. He has studied with such teachers as Dulcie Lee, Sam Fiorello, Bob Rizzo, Gus Giordano, Tom Ralabate, Anthony Morigerato, and Mike Minery. Mr. Jensen has taught workshops, summer schools, and master classes across Canada and the United States. Some of Mr. Jensen’s students have achieved many film, television, and Broadway credits; others have gone on to The National Ballet of Canada, Boston Ballet School, Point Park University, The New York City Rockets, and The Hochschule fur Schauspielkun,
Mr. Jensen is an accomplished and in-demand adjudicator, judging competitions across Canada annually. He has danced professionally in many industrial shows nationally, has worked professionally with Patti Labelle, Rita McNeil, the Bare Naked Ladies, Will Ferrell and Molly Shannon. He has appeared in several movies, commercials and T.V. specials. Mr. Jensen has been the choreographer for Genentech/Roche Pharmaceuticals Annual General Meeting, working with the senior executives and marketing department directors to help produce their opening awards ceremonies in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mr. Jensen's latest endeavor has been to dive into the world of podcasting! He has successfully launched the Dance Comp Chat podcast where he is found chatting and discussing all things in the world of Dance Competitions with amazing guests and artists from across Canada.
Lesley Cabrie-Frantowski
Ballet Director
HEADSHOT AND BIO COMING SOON.
Sarah Cox-Kelly
Dance Instructor
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Elizabeth Chappell
Dance Instructor
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Caitlynn Long
Dance Instructor
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Alexa Calder
Dance Instructor
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Rachel Miller
Dance Instructor
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Taylor Kelly
Dance Instructor
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Carter Creamer
Dance Instructor
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Sadie Macdonald
Dance Instructor
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Adina Mus
Dance Instructor
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Emmalee Jovanovic
Creative Instructor
HEADSHOT AND BIO COMING SOON.