MIA METCALFE 

Director

Born into a family of entrepreneurs, Mrs. Metcalfe has followed her parents’ passion in owning and operating small businesses. Mrs. Metcalfe has always had a deep passion for the arts and culture.

A graduate of The University of Toronto (Sociology) and The University of San Pablo, Spain (Masters in Broadcasting), Mrs. Metcalfe’s first venture into business was co-owning and operating a private high school in Toronto.  It was at this time, that her passion for children’s education was first inspired. 

A mother of four children, Mrs. Metcalfe settled into Whitby in hopes of creating a new business in the Durham region. Upon hearing that Prima Ballet School, a vital dance institution in the Brooklin community, was closing as a result of the pandemic, she was moved to intervene and determined to keep the ballet school open. 

Not only is Mrs. Metcalfe over-joyed to be part of Prima Ballet School’s long history, she is honoured to continue to nurture the joy of ballet, dance and theatre performance within our community.

DANIELLE DEAN

Director of Admission & Operations

Danielle has a wealth of experience in both the business world as well as years of experience in Aid and Development with international children’s charities. Part of her work history includes starting the first volunteer program in Romania which involved the recruitment and training of volunteers from around the world to work with marginalized youth, she was honoured to be able to start the first "Big Brother, Big Sisters" program in Romania.  Danielle worked at both the government and ground level to advocate and change the lives of Romanian orphans and street youth.  During this time Danielle also worked on Development programs in Bosnia and Albania.

Danielle was also one of the first Canadian franchisees of The Body Shop. Having sold her franchise a few years ago, she is ready to drive Prima Ballet School into the future. Danielle has also been a devoted dance mom for the past 15 years as both of her daughters danced competitively. 

It is one of my greatest pleasures to see the Prima Dancers grow and develop.  Not only to see their skills improve but to see their confidence grow is an amazing privilege to watch.  We strive to develop a safe, warm and inclusive environment for all of our Dancers.  We want all of our Dancers to feel like they are an important part of the Prima Family.

KALIE HUNTER

Ballet Teacher

Originally from Victoria BC, Kalie has been dancing from a very young age. By age 11 she knew she had found her calling and never looked back. She has her BA in dance from The School of Alberta Ballet/University of Calgary and spent her first few years out of school freelancing with various dance companies/choreographers such as La Caravan Dance Theatre and Ballet Espressivo.

After travelling to many countries with Silverseas Cruise Lines as a featured dancer/aerial acrobat she moved to Toronto which she now calls home. Her theatre experience includes: Annie (Boylan sister), Cinderella the Panto, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (Drayton Entertainment), Robin Hood the Panto, S’narled (Capitol Theatre).

As of late, Kalie is venturing into choreography and has been kept busy with competition dances, industrials for corporate events, and most recently on Lydia Ainsworth’s latest music video “Diamonds Cutting Diamonds”. Kalie teaches and adjudicates all over the country.  Kalie is also one of the owners of the legendary Metro Movement Studio in Toronto.

She loves to see the passion of dance in all ages and teaching dancers of all levels and can’t wait to dance with you!

MARIA LAPHAM, B.A. (HONS.), R.A.D., P.B.T.

Ballet Teacher

Maria Lapham (Ms. Maria) started her Ballet training in England with the Royal Ballet before coming to Canada. Ms. Maria joined a Toronto area touring company, where she performed the lead in productions of Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake. Maria later earned her Honours B.A. degree in Kinesiology (Dance) from the University of Waterloo before attaining her Royal Academy of Dance, Registered Teaching Status. Maria was accepted to both the Royal Winnipeg and National Ballet of Canada teachers’ programs. She also trained in the Vaganova (Russian) style under the renowned Bella Kovarsky to compliment her Classical training.

Maria has taught recreational and competitive dancers in the Durham Region for over twenty years. Maria has successfully coached students towards their Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) Ballet examinations from Primary to Advanced levels including Teacher Certifications. Maria has had students accepted into the National Ballet School, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Quinte Ballet School, and had her pupils become University graduates and dance studio owners. 

Maria is dedicated to coaching students to achieve the high standards set by the Royal Academy of Dance for all levels of examination with consistent success.

Maria’s passion and unique approach to combining Ballet with kinesiology and Pilates, makes for a knowledgeable and refreshing experience in dance.

AVA rose

Junior Dance Teacher

From a very young age, Ava has had a strong passion for dance.  Ava began dancing at the age of three and her love of dance continues to grow. Ava became a competitive dancer at the age of 7 and from there  developed a love of being on stage. She has trained in all styles of dance – ballet, tap, contemporary, jazz, lyrical, musical theatre and hip hop.  Ava has always found dance and acting as a great outlet for her energy and creativity.

Ava came to Prima Ballet School to continue her pre-professional training and is attending the Arts and Music Program at High School. Ava has  developed from Teaching Assistant to Jr. teacher at Prima.  Ava is our Camp Leader and runs our Prima Birthday Parties as well as hosts regular events at Prima,  she looks forward to continuing and developing in her role at Prima Ballet School. 

Ava has been chosen to represent Team Canada for the World Performers Team and will compete in Portugal 2023.  Ava also trains in Hip Hop at  Dark Dance Studio in Toronto for 4 hours a week.

Ava brings a great spirit and care to everything she does at Prima.  We love all the ideas, hard work and energy that Ava brings to the studio.

Naomi Menezes

Hip Hop Dance Teacher

Naomi began moving to the beat of her own drum at only four years old. Her passion for dance was immediate, and has since grown into a passion for teaching.  Naomi wanted to be just like the instructors that she idolized and was inspired by. Growing up she studied multiple dance styles, but she was captivated by the art of hip-hop. Fast forward to today, her dream has come true: teaching hip-hop at Prima Ballet School! 
Her goal is to let each student find their own unique groove, bringing the love of hip-hop to children, and letting their creativity run wild. 
Naomi is a gentle spirit who has a natural talent for working with dancers of all ages. She uses humour and empathy to ensure students are comfortable, understood, and motivated. She is all about inspiring the next generation of hip-hop dancers, one step at a time!  
Naomi loves dancing with her little boy, who she hopes will follow in her footsteps one day as a dancer!

Sarah

Teaching Assistant

Sarah has been dancing at Prima for 8 years. Dance has always been an outlet for Sarah to express herself, forget her troubles and make friends. She is passionate about ballet and is trained in both RAD and Vaganova. 

Sarah has also developed a love of performing and participated in Prima Ballet School’s “The Nutcracker” for 5 years. She also enjoys learning and working in the styles of jazz and contemporary both of which she loves.  Sarah is a dance student in the Performing Arts program at a local high school.

 Sarah is looking forward to continuing her dance journey in the pre-professional program at Prima Ballet School and has recently been accepted into  the Arts Program in high school.

Sarah has been working hard with her teachers and has been volunteering her time at Prima Ballet School.  We are honoured to have Sarah become a Teaching Assistant at Prima Ballet School, her dedication to everything she does, and her positive attitude are a wonderful addition to our team.