Drama
Art
Music
Drama
Pre-School

Our instructors are trained by universities, colleges, other professionals, and by their Professional Associations to offer the highest quality instruction. Their exceptional energy, enthusiasm and proven positive approaches to teaching allow us to offer all levels of instruction from beginner to advanced levels for children, teens and adults, in small group sizes. The Royal Academy of Dance, and now the up-to-date Performing Arts Educators of Canada (PAEC) syllabuses are taught for dance.

Please click on a discipline to "meet" our staff.

Dance and Musical Theatre | Art | Music/Vocal | Drama/Acting | Yoga | Junior PAVAS (pre-school)

Suzanne Zakoor
Studio Director/Owner
Suzanne has a background with more than thirty-five years of experience with children, families, teachers, and programs. Her professional career was as a senior manager in Ontario's Children's Services for provincial, city, county and regional government, colleges and universities. As the Director of Studio PAVAS, Suzanne recognizes the need for high quality, community based arts education that should be a positive and lifelong experience.

Suzanne's artistic experience includes 20 years in music and art, and over 34 years as a gold-level figure skating competitive dance and test judge. Respected on the judging panel, Suzanne chaired a national task force focused on developing an evaluation standard appropriate to the needs and abilities of skaters at different stages in their physical, social, emotional and intellectual development. Suzanne's experience as a manager and director, educator and administrator in the field of Children's Services has led her to a specific and practical philosophy concerning the needs of young people who are drawn to the arts and the positive role of artistic education in the development to minds, bodies and social perspectives - Find your talent and your passion and make it your lifelong's work.

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Caroline Bauer
Acro and Dance Instructor/Junior PAVAS
Caroline was formally trained in competitive rhythmic gymnastics for 9 years. As the Western Ontario's Overall champion, Caroline competed at the world championships in Europe. Caroline has completed her PAEC exams in Ballet, Tap and Jazz, and was a Studio PAVAS competitor in Acro and has won numerous awards over a four year period as the highest overall soloist, in duets, and as part of a group. Caroline has studied Early Childhood Education at Sheridan College which enriches her education and guidance of all her students. Caroline is excited to enter her 4th year of teaching Acro and Dance to students of all ages at Studio PAVAS.

Lindsay Cole-Duncan, CDM, BFA
Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre Instructor
Lindsay is a graduate of the Ryerson Theatre School in Acting, Musical Theatre and Dance, and has also earned Dance Masters of America degrees in Tap and Jazz. With over ten years of dance and choreography experience, and an acting career in film, TV and theatre, Lindsay is in her 5th year at Studio PAVAS.

Alana Elmer
Dance Instructor, Diploma-Randolph's Academy for Performing Arts, Toronto
Alana is an acomplished dancer and choreographer earning numerous credits with dance companies, clubs and in music videos; she was a back up dancer for pop artist Pink and currently dances with the Toronto Dance Theatre. She also enjoys success as an actor in commercials and film with an upcoming project as host of a television show called "Gamer Girlz" on the Global station. Alana was successful in auditioning to be a member of Cirque du Soleil. Alana is in her 5th year at Studio PAVAS.

Kathryn Grant, 4th year student, B.Sc., University of Toronto
Dance Instructor, Irish Dance
We are delighted to welcome Kathryn back to her 2nd year of teaching at Studio PAVAS.  Kathryn comes to the Studio with six years experience as an Irish Dance Instructor from the Grant School of Irish Dancing, Living Arts Center, in Mississauga.  Kathryn has distinguished herself with awards as an Irish Canadian Dance Champion at the Local, National and International level, and as the Second Place Finalist at the Music Festival of Toronto

Sarah Grant, 3rd year student, B.Sc., University of Toronto
Dance Instructor, Irish Dance
We are delighted to welcome Sarah back to her 2nd year teaching at Studio PAVAS. Sarah comes to the Studio with five years experience as an Irish Dance Instructor from the Grant School of Irish Dancing, Living Arts Center, in Mississauga. Sarah is active in her community, developing strong leadership skills through community groups and NGO organizations.  Sarah has distinguished herself with awards as an Irish Canadian Dance Champion at the Local, National and International level

Carina Holland
Dance Instructor
Carina has been an award winning Studio PAVAS competitive dancer for the past nine years attending over 27 competitions. Besides training at Studio PAVAS Carina also attended the Quinte Ballet School and is a dance graduate from Cawthra Park Secondary School. She completed with honours, Advanced Tap, Jazz and Ballet exams. Carina has competed and been awarded numerous highest overall awards in Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, and Musical Theatre for her solos, duets, trios and group performances. Carina trained in New York in 2007 and teaches in our summer camp program. Carina is surely Broadway Bound with her incredible talent and work ethic.

Carina is in her 2nd year at the prestigious New World School of the Arts in Miami. Congratulations to Carina, her parents and her teachers at Studio PAVAS.

Michelle Jedrzejewski, B.A., University of Waterloo
Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Lyrical
Michelle holds an Hounours Degree in Drama and Speech Communications from the University of Waterloo and has been a Dance Instructor with a number of Schools of Dance since 2003. As a dance instructor, Michelle has designed, choreographed and rehearsed routines, and has organized summer intensive programs for various age levels. She has worked on large productions of Aladdin, Peter Pan, and Thumbelina.and has also intructoed theatre since 2005, planning and instructing weekly lessons, helping students to build and rehearse group scenes for performance that ranged in style from musical theatre, clown, mask, storytelling and voice. Welcome, Michelle, to Studio PAVAS.

Remy Karda (on leave)
Dance Instructor (Hip Hop)
Remy is an energetic and enthusiastic dancer and teacher. Her formal training in Hip-Hop, Jazz and Theatre has taken her from Toronto to Manhattan and North Hollywood. Remy has numerous credits as a performer on stage, television, and in commercials, working with Much Music and MTV on various projects. She has been with Studio PAVAS for the past six years.

Julia Leone, CDMA, PAEC
Dance Instructor (on leave)
Julia is a member of Canadian Dance Masters of America, Chapter #38. Julia is a personable, accomplished dance instructor with a creative flair, teaching technique and competitive classes. She has led many of her dance students to award winning presentations at competitions throughout Ontario. Julia instructs classes in Jazz, Tap and Lyrical and is celebrating her 12th year with Studio PAVAS.

Kerri Mezzomo, BSc, PAEC, CDMA
Dance Coordinator
Kerri is a member of Canadian Dance Masters of America, Chapter #38. She is an accomplished performer and choreographer with experience throughout Canada, the United States, the former Soviet Union and Spain. In addition to being a National Champion solo performer, she has choreographed national championship winning routines for the Kiana School of Dance Arts, Soo Dance Unlimited and the Burlington Dance Academy. Kerri is also a dance judge and continues to win awards for choreography, innovation, originality and technique in this her 10th year at Studio PAVAS.

Sarah Norton, B.A.
Dance and Musical Theatre Instructor
A performer and teacher for the past fourteen years, Sarah has trained in Music, Art, Drama and Dance. She has received Highest Overall Soloist awards and Personality Plus awards for her performances as a soloist or as part of a group, in over forty competitions. In May 2002 Sarah was awarded the Adjudicators Choice Overall Entertainment Award for her choreography as a teacher and most recently in 2005-06 and 2006-07. Sarah received a teacher's choreography award for her students' musical theatre routines and directed the Studio PAVAS musial theatre productions 'High School Musical' and 'Seussical The Musical'. Sarah is a graduate of the University of Waterloo, majoring in Psychology and Philosophy. Sarah is celebrating her 12th year with Studio PAVAS.

Ashley Poland, M PAEC
Dance Instructor
Ashley has trained in many disciplines (Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Acro, Lyrical and Hip-Hop) and is looking forward to sharing her enthusiasm and performing experiences with the students at Studio PAVAS. She was an award winning competitive dancer for over fourteen years under the direction of Danny Poland. In 2005-06 and 2007-08 Ashley received a teacher's choreography award for her students' competitive Jazz and Acro routines. Ashley has been with Studio PAVAS for the past six years.

Stephanie Poland, attending University of Toronto
Dance Instructor, Tumbling, Acro, Hip Hop, Jazz
Stephanie is a grauate of the Regional Arts Program - Mayfield Secondary School and is attending the Teaching Program at the University of Toronto. Stephanie trained in gymnastics for seven years, and was a competitive dancer at Performing Dance Arts in Woodbridge. She has received the Highest Academic Award for Dance in 2007 and 2008 at Mayfield School and has choreographed numbers for Mayfield Dance Shows in 2006 and 2007. Stephanie has been teaching dance for the past seven years. Welcome, Stephanie, to Stuido PAVAS.

Krystal White
Dance Instructor, Diploma/MTh-Randolph's Acadamy for Performing Arts, Toronto
Krystal is a graduate of the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, triple threat program with a diploma in Musical Theatre. A teacher, choreographer and performer, Krystal has over 20 years of dance training, and has studied and completed exams under the BATD and RAD syllabus. Krystal's professional credits have taken her all across North America and the Caribbean and have afforded her the privilege to dance with the late Gregory Hines. Krystal continues to take classes in both Toronto and New York to stay current and grow as both a teacher and a performer. She is very excited to be joining Studio PAVAS for her 2nd year to share her love of dance.

Marie Zimmer, Mohawk College of Applied Arts
Dance Instructor, Latin and Ballroom
Marie has been teaching kids Ballroom & Latin to kids and adults over the past 20 years.  She has taught for the Hamilton-Wentworth Separate School Board and Continuing Education Adult Classes and Community Centers since 1991.  Marie is proud to introduce, a new innovative dance program for children.  You will be pleased with ease and progress of enjoyment your child will experience through qualified and enthusiastic instruction.  Ballroom dancing is fun and easy.  The program teaches rhythm and timing with dance and creative movement.  Marie has taught Modern, Ballet, Jazz, Folk, Choreography, an Performance with the Roland and Romaine School of Dance, Toronto, Ballroom with Fred Astaire Studios, and received the Top Teacher award and Full Bronze Medal. We welcome Marie to Studio PAVAS.

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Leslie Cochrane, Ontario College of Art
Visual Artist
Leslie Cochrane is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art and has attended York University's (Honurs) fine art program. Leslie has more than twenty years teaching experience in painting and drawing. Most notably, her background includes a grant involving educational work through the Ontario Arts Council awards program, teaching art for the Scarborough Board of Education and almost two decades as a painting instructor with the Oakville Art Society. Leslie has published posters and prints which have been distributed worldwide, and has also had one woman and group exhibitions in major galleries in Toronto and Quebec. In addition, she has worked as an illustrator for children's book publications. Her philoshophy leans heavily towards a "process over product, journey versus destination" attitude. In this respect, Leslie has found that the student is likely to be more expressive through a more immediate and therefore, personally pleasurable, approach.

Patricia Seaton Homonylo, BA, OAC, MFA
Visual Artist
Patricia offers Studio Pavas a unique combination of Art and Art History.  She has completed her education in Toronto (University of Toronto, Ontario College of Art and Design) and achieved her Masters of Fine Arts in Montreal (Concordia).  Her artwork has been exhibited in the alternative gallery system throughout Canada and into the United States and takes the form of sculpture/installation.  Patricia has taught at some of Europe’s greatest galleries while developing art education programs for Butterfield and Robinson Travel and the Toronto Board of Education.  She has focused her life into everything and anything related to art and its’ making. Her enthusiasm and passion is contagious!

Jennifer Niven, Bachelor of Design, Ontario college of Art and Design
Visual Artist
Jennifer is a Graduate of the Ontario College of Art & Design, Bachelor of Design program, specializing in Industrial Design (2007). She is a creative thinker with strong analytical skills, highly refined drawing and painting technique and solid experience working with wood, metal, plastics and textiles. Jennifer has a passion for learning new things and always
enjoys a challenge. Jennifer is a practicing Artist, painting custom murals, designing furniture, and creating jewelry. Currently, Jennifer is working with Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs May 2008 on furniture design collaboration for Canadian Embassies and is a Stylist & Planner for the OCAD Graduation Show Sept 2006-May 2007. Studio PAVAS welcomes Jennifer to her 1st year at the Studio.

Joe Sampson, AOCA
Visual Artist
Joe is a working professional Illustrator and Fine Artist. He graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design and has continued his studies at the University of Malta. He has a unique understanding of the art making process and is eager to share his knowledge and experiences with students of all ages as he enters his 8th year with Studio PAVAS.

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Heather Emerson, BA, B.Ed
Heather has been the Musical Director for Studio PAVAS' Young People's Theatre Program and she has directed the music for our past productions Bye Bye Birdie, Annie, The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland. Since graduating from the University of Western Ontario with a BA in music and her B. Ed, Heather has over 25 years experience teaching music with the Peel Board of Education and she has been with Studio PAVAS since 1997. Heather is a consumate professional and brings out the highest level of performance in all her students.

James Knowler  BFA, B.Ed., M.Ed.
Music Instructor
James has received his BFA from York University, his B.Ed from The University of British Columbia, and his Masters Degree in Music Education from Simon Fraser University. He taught in the BC public school system for 14 years and had many nationally recognized bands and choirs. He has performed with Grammy Nominee Campbell Ryga, June nominee Carol Welsman, Micheal Burgess, and numerous small and large ensembles throughout BC.  He is also active as a composer and arranger and continues with these projects.  This is his 3rd year at Studio Pavas and he is looking forward to becoming more involved with all facets of the music and musical theatre programs.

Brandon Norton, BA
Business Coordinator, Music Instructor
Brandon graduated from Carleton University majoring in Psychology, with minor degrees in Philosophy and Music. In addition to his administrative and customer service duties Brandon enjoys sharing his love of music; he is an enthusiastic and encouraging drum and guitar teacher. Brandon is in his 4th year at Studio PAVAS.

Art Tarumian, Diploma/Music
Music Instructor
Art is a graduate of Humber College's Music Program with a Guitar Performance Major. He teaches acoustic and electric guitar, bass, drums and theory to students of all ages, covering a wide range of musical styles. Art has varied professional experiences as a working guitarist/musician since 1994. He has been with Studio PAVAS for the past eight years.

Laura Tarumian, Diploma/Music
Music Instructor
Laura was educated at the American School of Modern Music in Paris, France and at Humber College in Toronto. She has extensive experience with live performance in jazz, pop and Latin bands ; she has also recorded for jingles, films and private albums. Laura has performed at the Jazz Yatra International Festival and at the Collingwood Jazz Festival, and she has received the Clement Hambourg Award at Humber College and the FACTOR grant for her song writing. Laura has been with Studio PAVAS for the past eight years.

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Nadia Propper
Yoga Instructor (on leave)
Nadia has been a certified yoga teacher for over 25 years. Currently she is instructing Hatha Yoga at Sheridan College for their Yoga Teaching Certification programme. Nadia is also certified and working for the Multiple Sclorosis Society of Canada. She has been with Studio PAVAS for the past six years.

Pamela Victoria Shaw, B. Comm., CYT, PTS
Yoga and Pilates Instructor
Pamlea holds a Yoga Teacher Training Certificate from Sheridan College and certifications in Pilates and Personal Training and has been teaching Yoga, Pilates and Fittness since 2003. She also has a Bachelor degree in Business and Commerce from the University of Western Sydney and is pursuing a career in yoga and fitness. Welcome, Pamela, to Studio PAVAS.

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Kathryn M. McClure, CECE
Co-ordinator, Junior PAVAS Program, and Art/Drama
An Honors Graduate from the Early Childhood Education Program at Sheridan College, Oakville, Ontario. Kathryn's portfolio spans fifteen years in the E.C.E. field, teaching, training/mentoring undergraduates and supervising multi-level programs (ages 3 through 12). Kathryn has an additional ten years prior experience in Business and the Arts. She has extensive experience in working with children, parents, staff and the extended professional community. Understanding, motivating and teaching children in a warm, nurturing, safe and enjoyable atmosphere is Kathryn's specialty. As a skilled E.C.E., Kathryn brings a variety of abilities to the Jr. PAVAS Program including, assessing growth gradients, predicting behaviors, promoting positive problem solving, fostering social, emotional and physical well-being, through a variety of appropriate developmental practices in programming. Kathryn also teaches yoga and art to young children and is in her 4th year at Studio PAVAS.

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Michael Caruana, BDA
Acting Coach, Teacher
Michael Caruana began Bongo Productions in 1996, coaching actors of all ages, privately, on set, and in classes and workshops, including the highly regarded KIDS ON CAMERA workshops for kids & teens and SUCCESSFUL AUDITIONS workshops for adults, and ON CAMERA SCENE STUDY for adults & teens, while continuously working as an actor and coach. He is fifth year faculty at HUMBER COLLEGE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND APPLIED LEARNING - ACTING FOR FILM & TELEVISION AND THEATRE PROGRAMS, where he teaches ON CAMERA SKILLS & TECHNIQUES & AUDITIONING FOR FILM & TELEVISION.
Michael is in constant demand as an acting coach, on set, privately and in workshops and receives high praise from casting directors, agents, producers and actors alike. He also directs casting sessions for Powerhouse Casting, Gloria Mann Casting and Fade to Black Casting.

Michael has been a working actor for over twenty-five years in the theatre, in Canadian & U.S. film & television, TV commercials, radio advertising, radio drama and animation voices. Michael’s film and television acting credits include: the Pawnbroker in THE NAKED LUNCH and Crown Attorney Shantz in THE SCALES OF JUSTICE both directed by David Cronenberg, THE SANTA CLAUSE with Tim Allen, OWNING MAHONEY with Phillip Seymour Hoffman, ELEVENTH HOUR, WILD CARD, DOC, QUEER AS FOLK , THE ASSOCIATES, BLUE MURDER, RELIC HUNTER, EARTH FINAL CONFLICT, WHERE SLEEPING DOGS LIE, ALL AMERICAN GIRL, DIRTY PICTURES, FOREVER KNIGHT, PALMER'S BONES , TRADERS,  FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH, KUNG FU, E.N.G., and STREET LEGAL.