owner

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Lauren Tasker is the proud owner of Ultimate Steps since 2015, which is located in Barrie. She offers after school programs for students aged 1.5 and Up focusing on Jazz, Acro, Lyrical, Ballet, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Mini Dance, Tap, Tumbling and Moms and Tots. She acquired her passion for the art of dance at a very young age participating in competitions around Ontario.  She honed her dancing skills through post-secondary education at George Brown College, where she graduated with a Diploma in Performance Arts.  She has had the pleasure of performing in shows such as Choreographers Ball, Cabaret, A Chorus Line, Scrooge! The Musical, Broadway Gold, and she also choreographed The War Show.  She is also a former Toronto Argonauts Blue Thunder Cheerleader captain, and choreographer. Lauren had the pleasure of dancing with One Republic at the 2016 Grey Cup and has also danced with several other celebrities like Nelly Furtado, Black Eyed Peas, and Lenny Kravitz. Lauren has been teaching dance for over 20 years at a number of studios throughout her career. Teaching and sharing her passion with her students gives her great pride. 

Kellie began dancing at three years old under the tutelage of Joanne Vanderloo in Bradford, Ontario. Throughout her adolescence she participated in a number of conventions, examinations (RAD, CDTA), and competitions, receiving top marks, high honours and scholarships. A graduate and the recipient of the Dean’s Medal from George Brown College’s Dance Performance Studies program, Kellie went on to perform in theatres and festivals across Ontario with Contemporary Jazz Company, Combustion! She also spent years dancing at various private and industrial events for “The Dance Company”. A former member of the Toronto Blue Jays’ J-Force and Captain for Ace’s Jr. Jays Youth Dance Team, Kellie danced and was featured as the Emcee for Jr. Jays Saturday’s outdoor stage show for several seasons. In addition to the stage, Kellie was featured in Italpasta’s Project Pasta national commercial and worked as a featured soloist for Celtic Duo “Livewire”. Her choreography has received special awards and top marks at competitions and has been seen in various projects including Etobicoke Musical Productions, as well as short film LOVEGIRL, which was nominated for 4 Canadian Comedy Awards. Most recently, Kellie performed around the world with Holland America Line as a featured dancer and Cast Company Manager.. Kellie is extremely excited to share her passion, knowledge, education with this talented group of young performers.

Kathryn is a very passionate Hip Hop teacher at Ultimate Steps Dance Studio and is recognized for her energetic and enthusiastic teaching style. She has been dancing since the age of 7. Her first ever class was hip hop which she fell in love with instantly. She soon branched out to learn Acro, Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theatre and more. Kathryn discovered that dance was her passion at a very young age and has since competed all around Ontario and also Quebec. She also became a peer leader in high school for dance classes, choreographing dances of many styles for the students' exam performances and arts nights. While in college, she volunteered her time at the high school to continue honing her teaching skills. She finally found a home at Ultimate Steps Dance Studio while trying to pursue her dream to work with kids in the dance world. 

Kristen found her love for dance at a very early age! She began dancing at age 3 and started dancing competitively at the age of 11. Her first dance class ever taken was a mini ballet class and from then on she knew she found her passion in dance. Kristen took Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballet, Acro, Musical Theatre, Lyrical , Tap and Contemporary learning all the different styles of dance & more. Kristen started competitively dancing all around Ontario and even in Quebec. She became an assistant teacher teaching at two local dance studios and in high school did peer tutoring and taught many different dance styles for their exams. Kristen also volunteered at a public school, helping her Grade 6 teacher choreograph dances for their dance club. Dance is her life and she finally found Ultimate Steps Dance Studio to live out her dream teaching dance to kids of all ages & to show her passion through teaching. 

Maddie Williams is born and raised in Ontario and began her dance training at the age of 3. From a young age she developed a passion for the artistry of dance. She has trained in Jazz, Tap, Acro, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Ballet. Being apart of an award winning competition team from the ages of 6 to 18, Maddie gained recognition for her dancing at competitions and conventions alike. Competing across North America winning various overalls and scholarships, Maddie also gained the opportunity to do a short training session with the national ballet. She began assistant teaching at the age of 13 and teaching at 16. From a young age Maddie knew she wanted to be a dance teacher taking a keen interest in ballet, technique, and the development of dance skills. Over the past summer Maddie obtained her Progressing Ballet Technique certification and is currently working on gaining her Russian Ballet Society associate teacher, as well as her CDTA associate membership. 

“Jay” Tyreese Gladstone Turner is a Hip-Hop dancer and music artist based out of Toronto, Ontario. Jay has over 10 years of dance experience and based his style off his influences Les Twins. Jay has won multiple 1st place awards from competitions including  Candance, Bedazzled and On The Floor. Jaymee is currently studying at York University for his Dance Major. His purpose is to spread his joy of dance. Jay often hosts dance workshops for elementary students, high school students and other group to give back  to his community.

Courteney Cox began dancing at the age of three which emerged her love for ballet. Courteney has completed her ballet examinations from Level 3 through to Intermediate with the The Society of Classical Ballet (Vaganova Method). She has been competing since the age of 7 up until age 19 where she received several awards and scholarships for her work. Courteney has received her Diploma in Dance Performance with Centennial College, graduating in 2019. She since has taught at several dance studios in Barrie and surrounding areas. Courteney is quite versatile and teaches Tap, Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Hip Hop, Acro, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Contemporary, Mini Dance and has been trained in African, Indian, Flamenco, and Modern. She has taught ages from 2+ competitively and recreationally. She thrives to teach and is excited for her continuing journey with dance.