DANCE INCORPORATED AWARD WINNING FACULTY
Wendy Wood - Director/Owner/Choreographer
Mrs. Wood is the owner and dance director of Dance Incorporated. Having opened her business twenty seven years ago, she hasn't looked back in her endeavour to share her love of dance with her students and peers. Wendy received her training in Toronto, attending George Brown College, Ryerson University, and Randolph School for Performing Arts. Wendy holds full membership with the Canadian Dance Teachers Association, International Teachers of Dance, Professional Dance Teachers Association, and is currently a member of the Professional Adjudicators Association. Having adjudicated across Canada she is a sought after adjudicator having judged competitions such as Danceabition Halifax, Strive Dance Challenge, B.A.M., to name a few. Wendy is an accomplished choreographer, trained in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical and musical theatre. Throughout her dance career, Wendy has been involved in sharing her teaching talents through workshops, seminars and has choreographed for several musicals including Grease, Beauty and the Beast, Broadway Babies, Annie Get Your Gun, Sound of Music, and Leader of the Pack. With the help of her highly trained staff, Wendy gives her students every opportunity to learn and progress by providing a strong technical training in a fun and healthy environment. Many of her routines have won top scores and overall titles and awards at dance competitions throughout Ontario and North America. Wendy has had the opportunity to have worked with such great dance artists, teachers, and choreographers including Gus Giordano, Nadia Potts, Robert McCollum, Mandy Moore, Shane Sparks, Wade Robson, Ben & Offer, Bob Rizzo, and Rhee Gold to name just a few. Wendy continually evolves and always pursues a higher education in dance by taking master classes at the National Ballet School, Steps on Broadway, and Broadway Dance Centre, as well at attending workshops and conferences to enhance her students achievements and dance training. A firm believer in good quality training to develop strong technical dancers, Wendy strongly encourages dance examination programs such as C.D.T.A. and A.D.A.P.T syllabus to promote her high standards in dance education. A sensitive and compassionate teacher, Wendy has incredible energy and shares her love of dance with everyone she works with. Mrs. Wood heads to New York City every summer to upgrade and challenge herself taking workshop by some of the worlds greatest teachers! 2017 school year will be bigger and better than ever!
LINDSAY YANOS - Acro
Lindsay began her dance training in ballet at the age of three. While continuing her ballet training she was also a provincial gymnast at the age of nine when she realized her true passion was dancing. Lindsay received her competitive dance training at Joanne Chapman School of Dance in Bolton, Ontario. She is trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Acrobatics and has had the opportunity to attend many workshops and competitions throughout Canada and the United States. Lindsay has attended many workshops and Master Classes with the industries top choreographers such as Mandy Moore, Luther Brown, Mia Michaels, Blake McGrath, Kenny Wormald, Misha Gabriel, Stacey Tookey and many more. She has traveled to New York City, Las Vegas and Los Angeles where she has been recognized and awarded scholarships throughout the years. Lindsay has attended the Dance Teachers Summit in New York City and is a certified dance teacher with the British Association of Teachers in Dance, specializing in Acrobatics. She was a dancer for the Raptors mini Dance Pak in 2007 and is currently a member of the Toronto Raptors Dance Pak for the 2015/2016 season. Lindsay’s is very excited for the upcoming year and is looking forward to sharing her passion for dance with her students.
KAREEN SENECHAL
Kareen Kotwa-Senechal is the past owner and director of Dance Vision Performing arts studio in Barrie, ON. She is an award winning dancer, teacher and choreographer with over 25 years of training in Pointe, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Jazz and Tap. Over the course of her 18 year teaching career, she has been recognized for the excellent technical training of her students and her notable choreography. Her students have been the recipients of many honourable awards in Canada, winning numerous overall scores in all categories and divisions. In addition, they have received spirit, sportsmanship and commitment awards. Many of her students have gone on to careers in all areas of the dance industry including The National Ballet of Canada, Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, OIP as well as the teaching profession. Having been a successful dance studio owner for 13 years, her passion, talent and drive earned her studio to be recognized as the “Best Studio in Barrie” by local publications, as well as a Governor’s Award for business. Kareen values and continues her involvement with teacher educational programs and national level workshops to ensure that she and her students are updated with the latest styles and techniques.
Kareen is a graduate of the Dance Arts Program at Cambrian College, as well as, a graduate of the Dance Masters of America Teacher Training School, University at Buffalo. She has been an active member of the Canadian Dance Masters of America, Dance Masters of America and Dance Educators of America for 18 years. Kareen served as Director of Examinations for CDMA, Chapter #38 for 10 years, as she is certified examiner regionally and nationally. Recently, she has become a proud member of Professional Adjudicators Alliance.
Kareen is now a freelance teacher that is committed to creating a strong dance education for the students she teaches. She has the ability to bring out the best in all dancers and encourages them to reach their fullest potential. Kareen is delighted to share her life-long passion with a new generation of dancers and looks forward to sharing her knowledge and expertise with the students at Dance Incorporated.
MELINDA MASHINTER
Melinda began her dance training at the age of three. She trained under Miss Wendy at Dance Incorporated as a part of the competitive team for 10 years. She is trained in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theatre and Hip Hop. She attended Brock University for Child and Youth studies where she was a part of the University’s competitive dance team. She was also a teacher for the University’s Dance Club, where she taught both Lyrical and Jazz. She continued her education by attended Nipissing University where she received her teaching degree and is now a teacher for the York Region District School board. She spent the last two years teaching Kindergarten and absolutely loves working with the youngest of the stars at Dance Incorporated. Her two biggest passions are working with children and dance, thus she cannot wait for another exciting year teaching at Dance Incorporated!
Helen May-Jankowski ISTD DDE CB MT T N AISTD D/F/R'n'R, Acrobatic Arts M2 Certified, Acrobatique Certified, UDO Street Dance, LAMDA; Musical Theatre Studies and Drama
Miss Helen started dancing at the age of 3 and never stopped!
Helen attended a local dancing school in Leicestershire, England where she trained as a young dancer exploring many different dance styles and gained her graded and vocational examinations in both the RAD and ISTD syllabi. At the age of 19, Helen was accepted to Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre to train professionally. After 3 years training, Helen graduated with a distinction in both the Teacher Training Course and the Professional Dance and Musical Theatre Course. Whilst here, Helen gained full teaching status with the ISTD in genres; Imperial Classical Ballet, Modern Theatre, Jazz, Tap Dance, National Dance, Disco/Freestyle/Rock'n'Roll, with LAMDA; Musical Theatre studies and Drama and studied to a professional level in Modern Ballroom, Latin American Dance, Hip Hop & Commercial, Contemporary, Double work and Pas De Deux.
Helen has over 10 years of teaching experience, including teaching at a prestigious university in Wales, UK and experience working as an Artistic and Executive Director in Alberta, Canada.
Helen's passion and love of both dance and teaching ensures she continues to develop her career to be the best teacher possible; she works to gain further teaching accreditation's when she isn't busy at the studio. Apart from Helen's internationally recognized teaching status with the ISTD, Helen's additional teaching certification's include being Acrobatic Arts Module 2 certified, Acrobatique certified and UDO street dance credited.
Mrs. Wood is the owner and dance director of Dance Incorporated. Having opened her business twenty seven years ago, she hasn't looked back in her endeavour to share her love of dance with her students and peers. Wendy received her training in Toronto, attending George Brown College, Ryerson University, and Randolph School for Performing Arts. Wendy holds full membership with the Canadian Dance Teachers Association, International Teachers of Dance, Professional Dance Teachers Association, and is currently a member of the Professional Adjudicators Association. Having adjudicated across Canada she is a sought after adjudicator having judged competitions such as Danceabition Halifax, Strive Dance Challenge, B.A.M., to name a few. Wendy is an accomplished choreographer, trained in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical and musical theatre. Throughout her dance career, Wendy has been involved in sharing her teaching talents through workshops, seminars and has choreographed for several musicals including Grease, Beauty and the Beast, Broadway Babies, Annie Get Your Gun, Sound of Music, and Leader of the Pack. With the help of her highly trained staff, Wendy gives her students every opportunity to learn and progress by providing a strong technical training in a fun and healthy environment. Many of her routines have won top scores and overall titles and awards at dance competitions throughout Ontario and North America. Wendy has had the opportunity to have worked with such great dance artists, teachers, and choreographers including Gus Giordano, Nadia Potts, Robert McCollum, Mandy Moore, Shane Sparks, Wade Robson, Ben & Offer, Bob Rizzo, and Rhee Gold to name just a few. Wendy continually evolves and always pursues a higher education in dance by taking master classes at the National Ballet School, Steps on Broadway, and Broadway Dance Centre, as well at attending workshops and conferences to enhance her students achievements and dance training. A firm believer in good quality training to develop strong technical dancers, Wendy strongly encourages dance examination programs such as C.D.T.A. and A.D.A.P.T syllabus to promote her high standards in dance education. A sensitive and compassionate teacher, Wendy has incredible energy and shares her love of dance with everyone she works with. Mrs. Wood heads to New York City every summer to upgrade and challenge herself taking workshop by some of the worlds greatest teachers! 2017 school year will be bigger and better than ever!
LINDSAY YANOS - Acro
Lindsay began her dance training in ballet at the age of three. While continuing her ballet training she was also a provincial gymnast at the age of nine when she realized her true passion was dancing. Lindsay received her competitive dance training at Joanne Chapman School of Dance in Bolton, Ontario. She is trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Acrobatics and has had the opportunity to attend many workshops and competitions throughout Canada and the United States. Lindsay has attended many workshops and Master Classes with the industries top choreographers such as Mandy Moore, Luther Brown, Mia Michaels, Blake McGrath, Kenny Wormald, Misha Gabriel, Stacey Tookey and many more. She has traveled to New York City, Las Vegas and Los Angeles where she has been recognized and awarded scholarships throughout the years. Lindsay has attended the Dance Teachers Summit in New York City and is a certified dance teacher with the British Association of Teachers in Dance, specializing in Acrobatics. She was a dancer for the Raptors mini Dance Pak in 2007 and is currently a member of the Toronto Raptors Dance Pak for the 2015/2016 season. Lindsay’s is very excited for the upcoming year and is looking forward to sharing her passion for dance with her students.
KAREEN SENECHAL
Kareen Kotwa-Senechal is the past owner and director of Dance Vision Performing arts studio in Barrie, ON. She is an award winning dancer, teacher and choreographer with over 25 years of training in Pointe, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Jazz and Tap. Over the course of her 18 year teaching career, she has been recognized for the excellent technical training of her students and her notable choreography. Her students have been the recipients of many honourable awards in Canada, winning numerous overall scores in all categories and divisions. In addition, they have received spirit, sportsmanship and commitment awards. Many of her students have gone on to careers in all areas of the dance industry including The National Ballet of Canada, Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, OIP as well as the teaching profession. Having been a successful dance studio owner for 13 years, her passion, talent and drive earned her studio to be recognized as the “Best Studio in Barrie” by local publications, as well as a Governor’s Award for business. Kareen values and continues her involvement with teacher educational programs and national level workshops to ensure that she and her students are updated with the latest styles and techniques.
Kareen is a graduate of the Dance Arts Program at Cambrian College, as well as, a graduate of the Dance Masters of America Teacher Training School, University at Buffalo. She has been an active member of the Canadian Dance Masters of America, Dance Masters of America and Dance Educators of America for 18 years. Kareen served as Director of Examinations for CDMA, Chapter #38 for 10 years, as she is certified examiner regionally and nationally. Recently, she has become a proud member of Professional Adjudicators Alliance.
Kareen is now a freelance teacher that is committed to creating a strong dance education for the students she teaches. She has the ability to bring out the best in all dancers and encourages them to reach their fullest potential. Kareen is delighted to share her life-long passion with a new generation of dancers and looks forward to sharing her knowledge and expertise with the students at Dance Incorporated.
MELINDA MASHINTER
Melinda began her dance training at the age of three. She trained under Miss Wendy at Dance Incorporated as a part of the competitive team for 10 years. She is trained in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theatre and Hip Hop. She attended Brock University for Child and Youth studies where she was a part of the University’s competitive dance team. She was also a teacher for the University’s Dance Club, where she taught both Lyrical and Jazz. She continued her education by attended Nipissing University where she received her teaching degree and is now a teacher for the York Region District School board. She spent the last two years teaching Kindergarten and absolutely loves working with the youngest of the stars at Dance Incorporated. Her two biggest passions are working with children and dance, thus she cannot wait for another exciting year teaching at Dance Incorporated!
Helen May-Jankowski ISTD DDE CB MT T N AISTD D/F/R'n'R, Acrobatic Arts M2 Certified, Acrobatique Certified, UDO Street Dance, LAMDA; Musical Theatre Studies and Drama
Miss Helen started dancing at the age of 3 and never stopped!
Helen attended a local dancing school in Leicestershire, England where she trained as a young dancer exploring many different dance styles and gained her graded and vocational examinations in both the RAD and ISTD syllabi. At the age of 19, Helen was accepted to Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre to train professionally. After 3 years training, Helen graduated with a distinction in both the Teacher Training Course and the Professional Dance and Musical Theatre Course. Whilst here, Helen gained full teaching status with the ISTD in genres; Imperial Classical Ballet, Modern Theatre, Jazz, Tap Dance, National Dance, Disco/Freestyle/Rock'n'Roll, with LAMDA; Musical Theatre studies and Drama and studied to a professional level in Modern Ballroom, Latin American Dance, Hip Hop & Commercial, Contemporary, Double work and Pas De Deux.
Helen has over 10 years of teaching experience, including teaching at a prestigious university in Wales, UK and experience working as an Artistic and Executive Director in Alberta, Canada.
Helen's passion and love of both dance and teaching ensures she continues to develop her career to be the best teacher possible; she works to gain further teaching accreditation's when she isn't busy at the studio. Apart from Helen's internationally recognized teaching status with the ISTD, Helen's additional teaching certification's include being Acrobatic Arts Module 2 certified, Acrobatique certified and UDO street dance credited.