Studio PAVAS Teachers

Our Teachers

Drama
Art
Music
Drama
Junior Pavas

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 up-to-date Performing Arts Educators of Canada (PAEC) syllabuses are taught for Ballet, jazz, Tap, ACRO, Hip Hop and Musical Theatre.

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

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.

_________________________________________________________________________

Caroline Bauer
Acro and Dance Instructor, E.C.E/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 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 5th year of teaching Acro and Dance to students of all ages at Studio PAVAS.

Lindsay Cole-Duncan, CDM, BFA, ACTRA
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 6th year at Studio PAVAS.

Alana Elmer, ACTRA, Toronto Dance Theatre Professional Dancer
Dance Instructor, Diploma-Randolph's Academy for Performing Arts, Toronto
Alana is an accomplished 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 6th year at Studio PAVAS.

Hannah Gow
Dance and Musical Theatre, Stage Manager
Hannah trained with Studio PAVAS for 9 years and is excited to share her experience and passion for dance with her students for the past two years. Hannah has completed her PAEC exams in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz, and was a Studio PAVAS competitor in Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, and Musical Theatre for 8 years. Hannah has also developed a passion for Acting and Musical Theatre, taking on lead roles in five plays in the past three years and winning two Awards of Merit for Ensemble Performances at the Sears Ontario Drama Fesitval. Since 2007, Hanna has been our the Stage Manager for Studio PAVAS musical theatre productions, and is pursuing post secondary education in the Arts..

Kathryn Grant, B.Sc., University of Toronto
Dance Instructor, Irish Dance
Kathryn is in her 3rd year of teaching at Studio PAVAS. Kathryn comes to the Studio with 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, B.Sc., University of Toronto
Dance Instructor, Irish Dance
Sarah is in her 3rd year teaching at Studio PAVAS. Sarah comes to the Studio with 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 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. While at Studio PAVAS, 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 3rd year of university at the prestigious New World School of the Arts in Miami.

Michelle Jedrzejewski, B.A., ACTRA
Dance, Musical Theatre
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 instructed 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. This is Michelle's 2nd 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, and is an executive member of Performing Arts Educators of Canada (P.A.E.C).. Kerri is also a dance judge and continues to win awards for choreography, innovation, originality and technique in this her 11th year at Studio PAVAS.

Jennifer Neale, BA Dance, Ryerson University
Dance Instructor
Jennifer has been training for over 15 years in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical and Musical Theatre, and the past 4 years in Modern and Ballet with the Ryerson University dance program. Jennifer was also a competitor for over 10 years, achieving platinum and gold awards for solos, duets, trios, and groups. In 2008, Jennifer's Modern choreography was awarded highest recognition at numerous competitions. Since 1997 Jennifer has been with Studio PAVAS now as a university trained teacher.

Sarah Norton, BA
Dance and Musical Theatre Instructor
A performer and teacher for 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. Again, in 2005, Sarah was awarded teacher's choreography awards for her students' musical theatre routines. Sarah has directed Studio PAVAS musial theatre productions 'High School Musical' and 'Seussical The Musical'. Sarah has also been our choreographer for all nine musical theatre productions. Sarah is a graduate of the University of Waterloo, majoring in Psychology and Philosophy and is celebrating her 13th year with Studio PAVAS.

Ashley Poland, PAEC
Dance Instructor, ACRO, Lyrical, Jazz, Open, Tap/Ballet
Ashley has trained in all dance and ACRO disciplines 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. Since 2005-06 Ashley has received teacher choreography awards for her students' competitive Jazz, Open, Lyrical, and Acro routines. Ashley is in her 7th year with Studio PAVAS.

Stefanie Poland
Dance Instructor, Tumbling, Acro, 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 seven years and is in her 2nd year with Studio PAVAS.

Krystal White, ACTRA
Dance Instructor, Diploma/MTh-Randolph's Academy 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. Krystal has received numerous awards as a choreographer and teacher for her Tap and Musical Theatre routines. Krystal is in her 3rd year with Studio PAVAS.

________________________________________________________________________________

Leslie Cochrane, OCA
Visual Artist
Leslie Cochrane is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art and has attended York University's (Honours) 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. Leslie has taught at Studio PAVAS since its beginning.

Patricia Seaton Homonylo, BA, OAC, MFA
Visual Artist and Art Coordinator
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! Patricia is in her 3rd year of teaching at Studio PAVAS.

Joe Sampson, OCA
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 9th year with Studio PAVAS.

______________________________________________________________________

Rob Boniface, Hon BM, B.Ed
Music Instructor
Rob is an Honours graduate from McMaster University with a BA of Music, and from the University of Toronto Faculty of Education. He has over 30 years experience as a music teacher with the Dufferin-Peel School Board, teaching Grade 7 to OAC students. Rob has prepared students for RCM exams, bands, and musicals. he is also the Musical Director and Piano Player for the Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble. Studio PAVAS is happy to have Rob in our music department for a 2nd year.

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 Coordinator and 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, Juno 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 5th 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 9 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 9 years.

_______________________________________________________________

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 7 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 for her 2nd year.

_______________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

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.

Jamie Duncan, BFA, ACTRA
Drama Teacher, Director
Studio PAVAS is thrilled to have Jamie as Director for our 10th Musical Theatre Production. Jamie has directed 3 other musical theatre productions fro Studio PAVAS. Jamie is a graduate of the Royal Conservatory Theatre at Toronto's Ryerson University. Jamie has been acting for the past 15 years, with experience in numerous roles with the Stratford Festival and has been nominated for a "Dora" award. Jamie will also direct Studio PAVAS new drama production class and its performance.