Our Faculty

Our faculty serve as a cornerstone of our dance studio by being a hub for creativity, learning and artistic expression. Our teachers are internationally acclaimed and have won numerous awards for dancing, teaching and choreography. 

Shauntell Schwartz

  • As the Owner and Director of Zero Gravity Dance Company, Shauntell has built a reputation for excellence in the dance community. Her commitment to providing top-notch training and opportunities for growth has led to numerous awards and accolades for both her students and the company. Shauntell is also a sought-after guest teacher and choreographer at workshops and conventions across the country. Her dynamic and creative approach to dance has inspired countless dancers to push beyond their limits and explore new possibilities within their art form. Overall, Shauntell is not only a talented dancer, teacher, and choreographer but also a true leader in the dance.
    Shauntell is a fully certified dance instructor, completing several disciplines of BATD examinations and receiving Honors. She is a licensed teacher in Acro and Stage with the British Association of Teachers of Dancing and has completed her BATD Membership Acro. Shauntell holds certification with Acrobatic Arts, Aerial Arts, Hoop Theory and Kinder with Performing Arts Educators of Canada.

Debra Jones

  • Debra has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the world of dance and performing arts. She has been completed jazz, tap and ballet exams in RAD, Al Gilbert Syllabus, CDTA, and ADAPT.  She won numerous awards and went on to study at York University and University of Manitoba. She is also a certified gymnastics coach through NCCP, an Examiner, Mentor and Registered Teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance, and has also studied both Cecchetti and Vaganova syllabi. Ms. Jones has worked as a choreographer of many semi-professional and professional theatres. We are pleased to have Debra teach for our competitive students, as well as our Adult Ballet classes.

    RAD examiner

Ella Iza

  • Ella's dedication to dance has not only brought her success in competitions and exams, but it has also shaped her into a disciplined and hardworking individual. She spends countless hours in the studio perfecting her craft, always seeking feedback from her teachers and mentors to continue growing as a dancer. Her love for the art form shines through in every movement, captivating audiences with her talent and artistry. Ella has won several awards, overalls, and special recognition throughout her dance career. She has taken dance exams through The British Association of Teachers of Dance in Acro, Jazz, and Ballet and received top marks. Ella is a certified teacher through BATD in Jazz and Acro, and also certified through Progressing Ballet Technique. We are thrilled to welcome her back to our teaching staff!

Olivia Hesse

  • Olivia has danced since the age of three and at the competitive level for over 15 years.  Olivia's hard work and commitment have paid off, as she has earned numerous awards and accolades for her exceptional talent and skill on the dance floor. Her love for dance shines through in every performance, captivating audiences with her grace, precision, and artistry. During this time, she has won many awards, overalls, and special recognition. She has taken dance exams with The British Association of Teachers of Dance in Acro, Jazz, Tap, Modern, and Ballet, and received top marks. Olivia has worked her way up to a teaching position with our studio, and we are thrilled to welcome her to our faculty. She is a certified teacher with BATD. Olivia is excited to welcome her students this season and to share her love for dance! 

MacKenzie McNichol

  • MacKenzie has dedicated over a decade to dancing at a competitive level, achieving numerous awards, overalls, and special recognitions along the way. She has successfully completed dance exams in Acro, Jazz, and Ballet with The British Association of Teachers of Dance, consistently earning top marks.

    Throughout her years of experience, MacKenzie has honed her skills by assisting renowned instructors such as Shauntell Schwartz, eventually earning a teaching position. She is a certified teacher in Acro with BATD, demonstrating her commitment to excellence in dance education. MacKenzie's passion for dance is evident in her dedication to helping her students reach their full potential. 

Jessie MacDonald

  • Jessie MacDonald started dancing at the age of 8 in the KW area competing in Canada and the United States. She has taught many different dance genres while travelling across Canada and expanding her teaching career in Vancouver, BC. Jessie has received choreography awards for her for groups and solos of all ages and has attended many master workshops and auditions include workshops taught by Mark Samuels, Blake McGrath, Paul Becker, Tara Jean Poppawich and also Luther Brown who is a judge and choreographer on the hit T.V. series, So You Think You Can Dance. Jessie has also attended auditions for the hit T.V. series, Riverdale, Step Up and MTV Awards in either Vancouver or the Toronto area. She has completed her certification in the Acrobatique Acrodance syllabus and incorporates her Acro dance knowledge for competitive and recreational students into her choreography for Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern and Contemporary. Jessie is dedicated to nurturing her students' growth and helping them reach their full potential, all while keeping their passion and love for dance.

Clare Partridge

  • Clare began her competitive dancing career at a young age, achieving numerous scholarships and earning a spot on the prestigious World Performers Canada team. She thrives on challenging herself and continuously seeks to enhance her technique. Clare has successfully completed dance exams in Acro, Jazz, and Ballet through The British Association of Teachers of Dance, consistently achieving top scores.

Shaye Rogers

  • Shaye started her dance journey at a young age, immersing herself in Acro, Jazz, Tap, and Hip Hop. Throughout her career, she has been associated with The British Association of Teachers of Dancing (B.A.T.D), successfully completing examinations in various dance styles. Shaye has also received training from Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (ADAPT) in Ottawa, and now brings her expertise to Southwestern Ontario, where she conducts daily dance classes.