Meet The Faculty
Shauntell Schwartz
Studio Director
As the Owner and Director of Zero Gravity Dance Company Shauntell is an established teacher and choreographer. Shauntell has been dancing for over 20 years and teaching since 2003. Shauntell has taught all over Ontario in several major cities.
Taking pride in her unique choreography and strong attention to details. Shauntell is known for her extensive acro training and her ability to choreograph routines that display concept, difficulty, and intensity. She is an extremely sought after acro teacher. Shauntell's choreography has been recognized at numerous competitions across Ontario, and her reputation as an instructor/choreographer is also recognized amongst many.
Shauntell is a fully certified dance instructor, completing several disciplines of BATD examinations 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 Module 1 receiving a grade of 100%.
Shauntell takes pride in all of her accomplishments, but more importantly the accomplishments of her dancers. Her students have won many overall awards, special awards, judges choice awards, scholarships and placements to compete with World Performers Canada. Many of her students have successfully completed their teacher certification with the BATD, and have been selected into the High School/College programs at the National Circus School in Montreal.
As an instructor, Shauntell takes great pride in providing dancers with a safe environment, a place to build confidence, strength and the desire to be the best that they can be.
Brendan De Santis
He has been performing and competing nationally and internationally since 2003 under the direction of Kim O'Neill who has been a significant influence on his success in the dance industry as an established dancer, teacher, and choreographer. Brendan has now established himself as a professional dancer and choreographer. Brendan has studied in various genres of dance which include, Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, and Partnering. Brendan also trained in vocal and professional recording under the director of Kevin Gorman, KG Productions.
Brendan continues to enrich his training, ability, and knowledge in all styles of dance through attending numerous dance schools, workshops, and conventions. Brendan has also completed his examinations in; Jazz, Modern, and Ballet, both BATD and RAD. Furthermore, he was accepted into Ryerson University and York University for the Performance Dance Degree Program.
Brendan is currently finishing his Bachelor of Education at Western University where he enriches his teaching abilities. Brendan is thrilled to be a faculty member at Zero Gravity Dance Company where he strives to instill his love and passion for dance to all of his students.
Competitive Choreographer and guest teacher
Lisa Bedard
Recreational and Competitive Teacher
Although her formal training didn’t begin until she was 10, Lisa found a love of dance much earlier in life, choreographing and performing numbers with her school friends, and younger sister in her childhood home. After joining a local studio, Lisa performed competitively and recreationally in Acrobatics, Jazz, Tap, and Hip Hop with her dance troupe, eventually becoming an assistant teacher, and soon after earning her Associate certification in Acrobatics with the British Association of Teachers of Dancing. Lisa then began teaching and choreographing regularly for local studios.
As a professional instructor, Lisa has expanded her dance training into the areas of Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, and Lyrical. She opened and ran a small studio for 6 years, during which she and her students found much success. Lisa has earned recognition for her choreography on numerous occasions, and her students have been identified as stand-out, high-achieving performers at competitions across Ontario and into the United States. Lisa has also worked as a choreographer for musical numbers with children’s theatre companies.
After retiring as a studio director to make room for family life, Lisa began working as an occasional instructor and choreographer for studios across Southwestern Ontario and ran dance programs for youth, and dance fitness classes for adults in small local towns. Lisa strongly believes in training strong, confident, humble, yet quirky dancers who are driven by heart and soul, and who showcase that quality in each performance. She is a passionate, dedicated instructor, and is thrilled to join the team at Zero Gravity Dance Company.
Liz Higgins
Raised in Goderich, Ontario, Liz took her first ballet class at the age of 9. Her interest in other dance forms such as modern, contemporary, musical theatre, and jazz dance quickly blossomed from there. Liz spent many hours as a student teacher and upon graduating high school, pursued dance at a professional level.
Liz attended George Brown College in Toronto and holds a diploma in Dance Performance Studies. She has trained at Quinte Ballet School of Canada and has performed alongside members of Canada’s Ballet Jorgen. Liz now works full-time in the field of food and nutrition and loves yoga, cooking, fishing, and being outdoors as much as possible. She is thrilled to be able to inspire others to find the joy in dance back in her hometown.
Ballet Teacher
Jennifer Cousteils
Ballet Teacher
Jennifer has trained in ballet, modern and theatre dance for more than 20 years. She is trained with the Royal Academy of Dance and has an appreciation for all aspects of performing arts.
Kim O'neill
Guest Teacher
Kim O'Neill is an established dancer, teacher, choreographer and Graduate from the University of Western Ontario.
She is trained extensively in all dance disciplines, and continues to train, adjudicate, and teach master classes across North America.
Kim is the studio director at OAD in London, Ontario and guest teaches in many other well-knowen studios across Canada.
Shaye Rogers
Recreational Teacher
Shaye is an established teacher and choreographer in acro, jazz, tap and hip-hop. Shay strives to make her students the best dancers they can be, Shaye is dedicated and motivated to share her love for dance.
Shaye choreography has been recognized at many competitions and her level of creativity is a great asset to Zero Gravity Dance Company.
Ashley Johnston
Summer Intenisve Teacher
Ashley has been dancing for over 10 years. During her competitive career, she has received Nemours special awards, overalls, scholarships and invites to summer intensives. Ashley has trained in all styles of dance and has developed a passion for acrobatics, contortion, contemporary and jazz.
Ashley has been teaching students of all ages and styles for 5 years at both competitive and recreational level. She is a licensed teacher in Acro with the British Association of Teachers of Dancing. She received her training from studio Director Shauntell Schwartz, and other well-known instructors, Patricia Coulter, and Meagan Wegg a former Cirque Du Soleil performer.
Ashley is currently enrolled in Fitness and Health at Georgian College and will be bridging to university for her Kinesiology Degree.
Ashley is excited to apply what she is learning in College to the studio, and further her knowledge as a summer intensive teacher here at Zero Gravity Dance Compay and looks forward to sharing her knowledge of dance, fitness, and health with the students in the upcoming years.
Brooklyn Tiffin
Brooklyn has been dancing for over 10 years. During her competitive career, she has been quite successful receiving many overalls, special awards, and scholarships. She has trained in many areas of dance including Acro, Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop and Pointe having a passion for all styles. Training for many hours each week over the years, she has developed great strength and technique especially in Contemporary dance.
Brooklyn has been teaching students of all ages for 5 years at both the competitive and recreational levels. She is a licensed teacher in Acro with the British Association Teacher of Dance. She received her training from studio Director Shauntell Schwartz, and other well-known instructors, Patricia Coulter, and Meagan Wegg a former Cirque Du Soleil performer. She has taken great pride in her training and has broadened her dance technique by attending a number of workshops.
During her spare time Brooklyn enjoys another artistic interest exercising great skill as a photographer. She is highly in demand by her peers booking many family and friend photoshoots.
Brooklyn is recognized for her unique creativity and choreography capability and she looks forward to sharing her talent with the dancers at Zero Gravity Dance Company.
Guest Teacher and Studio Photographer