YOUR FACULTY

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Miss Sonia has developed over 35 years of experience from some of the most sought after dance educators and leaders in the dance industry both in Canada and North America.  B.A.T.D. Certified. RAD, Dance Masters of America, Member of Ontario Dance she focuses and specializes in Acrobatic Training, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Production and Kinder Dance Programming.  Trained as an all-round dancer/performer including singing.  She continues to personally train both in Canada and North America while developing Dance by Design School of Dance in Wasaga Beach.

Blessed with an incredible dance educator who gave her the foundations needed to proceed successfully Miss Joanne Champan, Sonia was afforded many opportunities.  Miss Dance of America, Modelling,  training in New York City, Buffalo and Toronto with some of the most recognized Masters.  Brian & Faye Foley who own the esteemed ADAPT Syllabus program.  The esteemed Rex Harrington of the National Ballet, Blake McGrath of "So You Think You Can Dance", Sir Twitch of "So You Think You Can Dance",  "Step it Up",  "The Ellen Show" just a few of his credits , Amy Wright Casting Director of "The Next Step" Tv Show and Al Blackstone Emmy Award Winning Choreographer.

SHE'S ABOUT COMMUNITY....

During this past year and a half our students learned what it was to hold onto faith, believe in themselves and others and seen what hard work and commitment brought to them.  Dance by Design led their students onto the Performance Recital Stage in 2021, To their Dance Photo Shoot and onto the Competition Stage.  Our Fall registration for 2021 is now busier than ever giving families the assurance we navigate excellent during difficult times.

We ensured that in 2020 no additional costumes were ordered and brought back an extensive amount of our previous costume line for families dancers to use on stage saving families the added financial stress.  This is community, responsibility and compassion.

Our team ensures that each year over $7700.00 dollars in Scholarships are presented to the children in and outside of Dance by Design.  This assists in some cases families that wouldn't otherwise be able to afford dance classes for their child.

Her connection to the Public Elementary, Private and Catholic Schools in the area are successful partnerships that provide the entire student body an opportunity in dance during electives and systematically during the term.

Also former Dance Coach and choreographer for Gymnastics and Cheer Teams.  She is also a  teacher/choreographer and called upon to step in when another organizations need assistance with choreography and elevated training.

Welcome to the DANCE BY DESIGN FAMILY.

Include all children, give them confidence and security and they will grow to be great human beings

SONIA METHERAL

Edmund “Edz” Gyamfi (born, 1986), better known by his stage name Edz Gyamfi, is a Ghanaian-Canadian dance choreographer from Ottawa, Ontario Canada. 

Born in Kumasi, Ghana Edz was exposed to dance at an early age. He was exposed to various genres of music from all around the world. In addition to cultural influences, Edz was also heavily inspired by his two older brothers who use to dance in the 80s.

Edz dedication to the Toronto dance scene has made him the proud recipient of three consecutive One Immigrant Productions (“O.I.P.”) dance scholarships (2011-2013), he's completed The Motivating Excellence (Intensive Program) series with world renowned Choreographer Rhapsody James.

Edz has completed the Freshman & Sophomore Program Intensive, organized by world renowned choreographer Luam Keflezgy called Rock the Industry in NYC. Edz also trained under another world-renowned choreographer for an Intensive in LA with Galen Hooks.

Edz considers his teaching style to be unique and very different from many studio dance choreographers. His approach to teaching is a genuine focus on history, foundation and technique before hitting the choreography aspect of the dance style. 

Edz is always looking to branch out and share his love of dance with anybody who seeks to learn and grow.

🏆 Recent accomplishments include the following:

•TO LIVE- THE ART SQUAD SEASON 1

•CBCarts “THE MOVE” SEASON 2

•SELF MADE NETFLIX SERIES- MADAM CJ WALKER

•BUJU BANTON- “TRUST” MUSIC VIDEO

Dance by Design is proud to have Mr Edz as a part of our team. His humble beliefs and core values has afforded him great opportunities with his creative style and his originality.  His heart is as big as his smile and he transcends this joy to all that are in his presence.  Edz ensures our students both recreational and competitive understand the history and true roots of the culture of Hip Hop and for that we are all blessed. Mr Edz brings elevates our DANCE by DESIGN FAMILY.

"Dance brings us together, Motion, sets us apart."

MR EDZ

MISS ADELE

Adele’s expansive theatre education spans 20+ years. Her love for “everything stage” began at a young age and continues to evolve. Her education includes: Mayfield School of the Arts, Toronto Dance Theatre (professional division), Sheridan College (Musical Theatre performance grad). Adele also holds a BA from the University of Toronto, and is certified with the RAD.  She is on Faculty at Centre Stage School of the Arts, and ADA dance company. In demand as an adjudicator, Adele has travelled across Canada for over a decade working with thousands of young artists.  Adele’s choreography is noted as ‘unique, melodic and gripping’. She has won countless awards including many ‘choreography of the weekend’ on the competitive platform. Adele works alongside Canada’s top choreographers for World Performers- where dancers represent Canada at the world level. Adele's work has brought back bronze, silver and gold medals. Her work has been seen at, Fever After Dark, York University’s ‘25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee’,  Theatre Glendon’s ‘Dark Lady’ , and Dancing for Dogs. Adele has taught at a collection of schools over the years offering workshops and outside choreography and worked with Columbia’s professional Samba company as guest ballet instructor. Her resume also includes 2 seasons with the Toronto Argonaut dance team.  Her performance career includes: 'My Fair Lady 'Thousand Islands Play house, Amber Holt (lead) in 'The kneeling

Goddess '- Fringe festival, Lindsey (lead) in 'Happy Family' -Fringe Festival, Rachel (lead) workshop production of ‘Scoring a Hit’. At Sheridan Adele was appointed dance captain on many projects. She was the lead in a contemporary dance show, supporting lead ‘Nickie’ in ‘Sweet Charity’ and recipient of the ‘actor of the year award’.Most recently Adele has been exploring the camera and her Commercial credits include: Manulife, Restylane, Buzzfeed, MuchoBurrito, Tim Horton’s, Auction Ottawa, Aviva Insurance and Humira. Her TV credits include: Fear Thy Neighbour, Ghost Writer, Untold Stories of the ER, and The New Eden. Eager to grow as an artist, Adele studies on camera with Toronto elites such as Jeb Beach, Lewis Baumander, Larissa Mair, Gloria Mann and Sharon Forest as she is very active in the audition circuit! Adele is a positive and compassionate lady and undoubtably an expert in her field.

It is without question that we at Dance by Design are thrilled to collaborate with Adele.  She is a genuine human filled with imagination and is not afraid to explore worlds of dance that are purely just beyond most peoples scope.  Her kind and adorning approach to her students is offered to every child in abundance equally.  To pair with her passion she has a critical eye as only a seasoned educator would have to produce and effect the true sense of a dancer from the inside out.  Adele without question is an integral member of our DANCE by DESIGN FAMILY.

Adele is a gifted and true ARTIST.

"Teach from a place of love and transcend your expression onto another.  Teach how to accept and embrace and sink into the work.  Teach to relax the mind and release resistance, take a breath and then another and then DANCE." 

DANCE by DESIGN

MISS VERONICA

Since the age of 3, entertainment and the arts have always been Veronica’s greatest passion when she began a full commitment to piano and dance. Veronica took part in countless years of high caliber dance competitions, master classes from idols like Mia Michaels, Mandy Moore; working along side choreographers like Nick Lazzarini and Marty Kudelka, and the completion of both RAD ballet exams up to Advanced 1 and Royal Conservatory of Music Exams to Grade 7. Since graduating high school with SHSM program, specializing in the Fine Arts with Honors, Veronica has obtained her Teachers Certificate with Dance Masters of America in Jazz, along with gaining professional experience in both choreographing and performing in shows across the GTA including the Production of “Sinner’s Lounge” at Canada’s Wonderland. Veronica demonstrates a fun and interactive learning experience in all her classes, focusing on dance technique, a dancer’s growth and performance, all while ensuring a welcoming atmosphere and looks forward to being able to share her training and knowledge with dancers this upcoming season!

MISS VERONICA was appointed her dream job (one of many) as a Fire Fighter stationed in Oakville.  She remains one of our highly respected resident teachers/choreographers and will continue to help our students to thrive in the field of dance and to mentor them.  

Our students have the upmost admiration and respect for this incredible young teacher as she has in return for our students . Miss Veronica is a shining light in our DANCE by DESIGN FAMILY.

"Work ethic is everything.  Set your goals, organize your time, know what you want in life and go get it.

Consistency is everything, knowledge is key and experiences are irreplaceable, make good choices."

DANCE by DESIGN