Michelle Freiburger Nicholson – Artistic Director / Founder

Michelle is an enthusiastic teacher, choreographer, performer and adjudicator who celebrates dance through her innovation and inspiration!

Michelle’s dance career began at the early age of three where she trained under the direction of Margo Hartley at Bojangles Art of Dance in Kitchener, Ontario. Training in jazz, tap, lyrical, ballet, hip hop, musical theatre and modern, she attended one of Canada’s most prestigious schools. Michelle attained her Intermediate level in ballet from the Royal Academy of Dancing (RAD). She went on to receive extensive training in New York City at Broadway Dance Center from well known teachers such as Mia Michaels, Ray Leeper, Wes Veldink, Sheila Barker, David Marques and Michele Assaf. In addition, Michelle frequently attended The Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles to continue her dance training.

Michelle has worked and performed with various dance companies and artists including Helix Dance Project: “Hotel”, directed and choreographed by Linda Garneau, Bell Mobility Celebrity Gala: “Chicago”, The Wes Veldink Movement: “Walking Through Walls”, directed and choreographed by Wes Veldink, The Honey Kats Gala, K-OS “Superstar” music video, Under Construction & Company: choreographed by Sheila Barker and Brian Thomas and with the well known boys group N’SYNC. As well, Michelle danced alongside Stacey Tookey in Broadway a Tropea: choreographed by Terry Beeman, A.C Ciulla and Michele Assaf in Tropea, Italy.

Michelle enjoys staying active in the dance world by teaching, choreographing and adjudicating for numerous studios and organizations throughout Canada.  She has been recognized for her innovative choreography, receiving countless awards for her creativity, conception and overall vision. Michelle is sought after as a choreographer and has choreographed for hair, fashion and comedy shows and for charity events including Megan’s Walk. Michelle’s students have gone on to dance across the continent. They have actively taken to the stage performing for various companies, festivals and schools from The Julliard School in New York City and New World School of the Arts in Miami to Toronto Dance Theatre, The National Ballet of Canada, Ryerson University and Decidedly Jazz Danceworks in Calgary, Alberta to name a few.

Michelle shares her joy for dance by striving to inspire young dancers with her passion and energy. She has brought her love for dancing on the stage into the classroom and enjoys sharing her knowledge with all dancers. Michelle’s desire to teach and motivate has lead her to open her own studio and she is thrilled to introduce Emotion Dance Company, Guelph’s new premier studio! Emotion Dance Company offers only the best in dance instruction and looks forward to bringing out the best in your child while challenging them to be better than themselves.

Lynn Freiburger – Administrative Director

Lynn easily steps into the role of Administrative Director at Emotion Dance Company as she has been involved in the dance industry for over 30 years. She was an integral part of the administration and reception at Bojangles Art of Dance for 17 years. Lynn has a way of putting everyone at ease with her warm heart and inviting demeanour. She has been nominated Woman of the Year by the Sertoma Club for her countless hours of work during the Christmas Miracle. Lynn enjoys volunteering her time at Out of the Cold, an outreach service for the homeless of Kitchener Waterloo.

Lynn is no stranger to working with children as she is a grandmother to 5 beautiful children and enjoys spending her free time making them muffins and cookies! She brings a wealth of knowledge to Emotion Dance Company and is thrilled to share her passion with the parents and students.

Bethany Christen

Bethany has been dancing since the age of 6, originally training at AB Dance studio in Markham, Ontario. She is a motivational choreographer and teacher who lives to dance and share this passion with others. Bethany specializes in hip hop choreography although she has been trained in jazz, contemporary, ballet, musical theatre, acro, tap and salsa. Bethany has been a part of countless workshops and conventions lead by known choreographers Mia Michaels, Blake McGrath, Bobby Newberry, and Kenny Wormald. In addition to teaching, Bethany keeps up in the dancing world by being a part of the Guelph Gryphon Dance Team performing and competing against other Universities. She is extremely excited to be a part of the Emotion Dance Company and is looking forward to providing inspiration and joy for all dancers.

Hope Jessup-Ramsay – B.A.

Hope Jessup-Ramsay began dancing at the age of five where she trained at Sean Boutilier Academy of Dance in Toronto. She competed with the SBAD team for over eight years and enjoyed every minute of it. After finishing high school, Hope attended the University of Guelph where she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. While at the University of Guelph, Hope was a member of the University’s Dance Pak, performing at sporting events and competing in inter-university competitions across Ontario. In her graduating year, Hope was nominated Captain of the Dance Pak where she choreographed, organized and led a team of twenty two dancers. Hope is thrilled to be a part of the Emotion Dance Company team and can’t wait to share her love of dance with younger dancers, giving them the same great experience that was given to her as a child.

Liz Morgante

Liz has been dancing for the past 18 years, training competitively in all styles of dance. She attained Honors for her Intermediate ballet exam through the Cecchetti Society. A former student of Michelle Freiburger Nicholson, Liz has gone on to guest teach at dance studios across Ontario, offering enthusiasm and inspiration to students with her love of dance. Liz is completing her final year of her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Performance Dance at Ryerson University. Expanding her knowledge of dance, Liz travels to New York and Los Angeles to study with the industry’s most sought after professionals. Sharing her knowledge, technical background and love of art her choreography has led her students to various high scores and overall standings at Canada’s most reputable competitions. Liz aims to inspire her students through her passion of dance.

Shauneese Morrison – B.A. (Hons), B.A.T.D., R.A.D.

Shauneese began her dance training at the age of 3 at the renowned Joanne Chapman School of Dance studio. She has over 20 years of extensive training in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip Hop, Contemporary, and Acro. Shauneese graduated from McMaster University where she obtained a BA in Political Science. As a teacher, she holds a teaching certificate in Stage and Acro with The British Association of Teachers of Dancing and is a member of the Royal Academy of Dance.

As a former competitive dancer, Shauneese obtained numerous overall standings and scholarships in both national and international competitions. One of her most memorable was being chosen to represent North America in Italy for the Prix de Italis. Similarly, Shauneese has trained her students to many overall titles, high scores, and scholarships throughout North America.

Shauneese ensures her choreography and knowledge of dance is always at the forefront as she teaches and attends various workshops throughout North America. With her various roles in film and music videos, she is able to provide her students with valuable knowledge for those who have a passion to pursue dance both recreationally and professionally. Her goal as a teacher / choreographer is to create an environment that results in continuous growth, improvement and brings her students’ talents and abilities to new heights. She is excited to bring her dynamic personality to Emotion Dance Company and looks forward to providing inspirational and exceptional training to her students.

Ashley Summers – B.F.A. (Hons) – Theatre: Performance Dance, A.I.S.T.D (CSB)

Ashley is a graduate of the Ryerson Theatre School, where she received a Fine Arts Degree in Dance Performance with honours and was twice the recipient of the Meadowvale Theatre Award. She trained extensively in many dance disciplines and holds her Advanced I certificate in Cecchetti Ballet and her Intermediate certificate from the Royal Academy of Dance. Ashley attended Cawthra Park Secondary School, completing the Regional Arts Program as a dance major. During that time, she was privileged to perform a solo at World Youth Day on the Downsview stage. Ashley has also performed in fFIDA Dance Festival, and has travelled the world, dancing with the Jean Ann Ryan Production Company. Ashley’s most recent accomplishment is passing her Cecchetti Associate Teaching Exam in June of 2011. Ashley has been teaching and choreographing at various studios across the GTA for the last eight years and loves educating young dancers while helping to nurture and inspire a passion for dance.

Jaclyn Tarnoweckyj – B.F.A. (Hons) – Theatre: Performance Dance, A.I.S.T.D. (CSB), P.A.E.C. Full Membership (Ballet), I.A.D.A./P.A.A. (Certified Adjudicator)

Jaclyn is an enthusiastic performer, choreographer and dedicated teacher. Jaclyn began her career in Toronto and throughout her training she was able to study all genres of dance. She received extensive training from many teachers such as Glenn Gilmore, Sheona Bell, Jane Wooding, Sean Boutilier, Nadia Potts, Carol Anderson, Robert Desrosie and Vicky St. Denys.

Jaclyn attended the prestigious National Ballet School of Canada Professional Development Program where she attained her Associate Cecchetti Teachers Diploma (A.I.S.T.D.). In addition she holds her Performing Arts Educators of Canada (P.A.E.C.) in ballet. As a performer Jaclyn has achieved her Advanced Cecchetti Diploma and her RAD Advanced Certificate. She is an adjudicator with I.A.D.A. (International Academy of Dance Adjudicators) and P.A.A. (Performing Adjudicator’s Alliance). Jaclyn is also an honours graduate from Ryerson Polytechnic University where she attained her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance.

Jaclyn has choreographed many overall award winning competitive pieces for various studios in Ontario. She had the opportunity to choreograph for Miss Teen Canada 2008.  Her student was able to win her talent and title as Miss Teen Canada International 2008.

Jaclyn brings a vast range of dance knowledge and training to Emotion Dance Company. Her passion for dance exceeds limits and it is here at EDC she is able to share her love of dance.

Karen Langridge – Can Fit Pro, Zumba Instructor

Karen loves teaching Zumba classes for one simple reason: Every class feels like a party!  It’s an exhilarating, effective, easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired, calorie-burning dance fitness-party that blends red hot international music and contagious steps to move millions of people toward joy and health.  It’s downright addictive!

Karen is a Can-Fit Pro Certified Fitness Instructor Specialist and Zumba Instructor.  She has taught all types of fitness classes ranging from Step to Boot Camp but Zumba is by far her favourite.   It is so much fun you will forget that it’s a workout!  Come join Karen and you’ll see exactly what she means. You don’t have to know how to dance. Just move your body and follow her lead. It’s easy!