A member of Dance Master of America (M.L.D.M.A. Chapter 43), Kim has trained in all disciplines of dance, including ballet (R.A.D.), tap (B.A.T.D.), jazz, lyrical, hip hop, musical theatre and acro. For more than 15 years, Kim has inspired her students by sharing her knowledge and passion for dance. She has the ability to bring out the best in her dancers and encourages them to reach their fullest potential, no matter what age or level of dance.

A sought after workshop teacher, choreographer and adjudicator across Canada and the U.S., Kim never stops learning! She has traveled to Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York, to study with the best master teachers and choreographers in the industry. Her students have also enjoyed the benefits of her industry connections. Kim strongly believes in giving her students unlimited dance opportunities and has arranged for her students to work with other well-known dancers and choreographers from across North America.

Kim's innovative choreography and dance style have brought her and her students much recognition across Canada and the U.S. over the years. She has been the choreographer for the first place soloist and first-place runner-up at the "Canadian National Exhibition's Rising Star Competition" while other students have won titles such as "Junior Female Dancer of the Year", "Teen Female Dancer of the Year" and "Teen Male Dancer of the Year" (all representing ADA Brantford), Petite Miss Dance USA, Jr. Mr. Dance USA (Regional), Teen Mr. Dance USA, Teen Miss Dance USA (Regional), and Future Star dancer award. She has even had students selected to represent Canada at a competition in Spain.

Kim's hard work and creativity have also earned her numerous prestigious awards, including "Diamond Choreography Award" (ADA Nationals), Entertainment Award (awarded out of 1,700 routines at the Starpower Orlando Nationals), five-time Sr. Rhythm Cup Winner (Rhythm Dance), Director's Choice Award (Dance USA), and Overall High Score Teen Group (Dance USA). Five Rugcutterz routines were also among the 60 routines chosen out of more than 1,700 to participate in the Battle of the Stars Championships during Starpower Orlando Nationals.

Some of her graduating students have gone on to pursue professional careers in the entertainment industry. Others have become sought-after teachers and choreographers for well known and reputable studios. She has even trained dancers who have joined her on the teaching staff at Rugcutterz Danz Artz. Kim feels a great sense of pride with each student accomplishment and encourages all her dancers to pursue their dreams.

Trained in first aid, Kim realizes the importance of teaching her students to maintain a healthy body and uses proper training methods to ensure the well-being of her dancers.

When she is not teaching or learning new skills, Kim is a performing member of 'What's on? Tap!,' an all-female professional tap dance company which performs at venues across the country.

Julie Meffe

Ballet Teacher and R.A.D Exams, Kinder to Primary Ballet
Rugcutterz Danz Artz would like to welcome Julie Meffe, the newest member to our Rugcutterz faculty. Julie Meffe will teach the examination classes, preparing the students for the R.A.D examinations; as well as teaching the company ballet classes. Julie has a BFA of Honours in Dance from York University. Although her passion is ballet, Julie also choreographs in many different techniques including lyrical, jazz and modern.
 
Jessica Pompeo

Jessica has a creative and eclectic background. She began dancing at the age of three, studying Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theatre and Hip Hop. She has participated in regional & national competitions across North America throughout the duration of her 15 years of dance training winning various awards as a soloist and in groups. She has successfully passed her higher ballet grade examinations through The Royal Academy of Dance and has completed her British Academy of Teachers examination in both Jazz and Tap. Jessica balances her part-time teaching career with her Design career being a graduate from George Brown College, already having her own clothing line. Jessica is thrilled to be a part of the faculty at Rugcutterz Danz Artz and looks forward to pursuing her many aspirations in both artistic fields.
 
Tamara Dyke Compton

We are excited to introduce Tamara Dyke Compton to the 2007/2008 Rugcutterz faculty. Tamara joins us from her latest project on Broadway from the musical Movin’ Out. Tamara toured nationally with the musical for over three years. Prior to that, Tamara was apart of the Broadway ensemble Fame. Tamara has starred in many roles on television, in commercials, as well as in industrials. Tamara received a BFA in 2003 from the Julliard School in New York.
  
Elain Daviau

Elain Daviau is one of the newest members to the2007/2008 Rugcutterz Danz Artz faculty. Elain has over twenty-five years experience in teaching ballet after graduating from The National Ballet School in Toronto. She is certified in Advanced Cecchetti Syllabus as well as Intermediate National Dance. Elain also has received a teaching certificate from the National Ballet School, as well as an Associate Diploma for Cecchetti Faculty ISTD. Elain is one of the few members who is qualified to teach professional dancers with certifications in the GTA.

Lisa Romano

Lisa began her dance training at the age of four, and started competing at the age of seven. Her training included Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, and Hip Hop. She has enjoyed having had the opportunity of being taught by some of the best dance teachers a well-known studios. Throughout her 12 years in dance, she has won many awards and honours; both as a soloist and in groups.

Dancing has allowed her to travel throughout Canada and the United States. She has had many opportunities to work with some great performers and choreographers through workshops and pageants. Dance has allowed her to express herself artistically and has helped her to grow as an individual.

She is presently at York University working towards her Bachelor of Arts degree, as well as her Bachelor of Education. She has done a great deal of assisting throughout her years as a dancer, and has been teaching for two years. She is thrilled and grateful for having been given this opportunity to share her passion for dance with other students at Rugcutterz Danz Artz, and looks forward to an exciting and rewarding year!

Jennifer Smith

Jennifer has been a choreographer and dance teacher for the past 18 years. After obtaining a diploma in Radio & Television Broadcasting and working for several years in the film and television industry, she returned to her first love: dance. As a teacher whose passion for educating students in the area of dance shows in every moment, Jennifer has produced several award-winning numbers and has been recognized for her outstanding choreography. She has been on staff and has guest taught at several dance schools in the GTA. Jennifer continues to train at workshops and dance classes in Toronto and New York City. Jennifer made her professional performance debut in 1999 with the inaugural cast of “What's On? Tap!”. She is an adjudicator at various dance competitions, and is also the director of “The Dance Project”, a company that produces dance conventions and workshops. Jennifer is formally trained in jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, musical theatre, modern and song & dance, and is a full member of the Canadian Dance Teacher's Association (CDTA).

Stephanie Hutchison

Trained in tap, jazz, ballet (R.A.D., Vaganova, and Checcetti), lyrical, and acrobatics, Stephanie Hutchison began dance at five years old and started competing at nine.  An associate member of the Royal Academy of Dance she is also in the process of completing her DMA chapter 43 membership, and BATD certification. In addition to dance training, Stephanie was a national level gymnast up until the decision had to be made as to whether to pursue dance or gymnastics. 

Within nine years of competitive dance, Stephanie has won numerous solo and group awards at national and regional competitions. Some of the soloist accomplishments include: perfect scores - one of which was at the national level for an acrobatics solo; 1^st overalls in acrobatics, jazz, and lyrical; highest scores within disciplines for jazz, ballet, point, acrobatics, lyrical, and open categories; adjudicator’s choice awards; overall dance soloist at the CNE Rising Star competition among others.  Other achievements also include scholarships to travel and train with top choreographers and successful completion of all R.A.D. major ballet exams, including Advanced II (formerly Advanced) in 2004.

After attending a school for the arts, Stephanie has gone on to pursue her honors bachelor of science at the University of Toronto and is completing a double major in criminology and psychology. 

Jason Marinelli

Jason is trained in all forms of dance, but tap and hip hop remain his personal favourites. A winner of many overall awards and trophies throughout his competitive career, Jason brings his more than 15 years of dance experience to Rugcutterz Danz Artz. As an assistant in the company classes, Jason helps competitive dancers fine-tune their technique and choreography. He also teaches the half-time and part-time companies, as well as various recreational classes, including boys hip hop.