Our Team

Hello and welcome to Star! Here’s what our staff would love for you to know about themselves.

Kristin Werner Tap Jazz Contemporary and Musical Theatre Dance Instructor — Kristin Werner (she/her)

B.A., DMA TTS, C.D.T.A., High Five Sport Certified
President of Star Performance Academy Ltd., Dance Educator, Choreographer and Adjudicator
Kristin Werner knew she wanted to teach dance from the age 5, when she would arrange her kindergarten classmates in rows and teach them the positions of the arms and feet.
A trained vocalist, Kristin competed in many festivals as a soloist and choir member. She enjoyed a very successful competitive dance career, ending with gold and silver medals at the IDO Tap World Dance Championships. And finally after performing in musicals with Kitchener-Waterloo Musical Productions, Waterloo Stage, UW Drama, Hamilton Ballet Youth Ensemble and some film and television as well, she switched her focus to education for the purposes of both teaching dance and becoming an entrepreneur.
After completing her Bachelor of Arts in Drama with a Fine and Performing Arts option, Kristin completed both Canadian and American testing for dance teaching in jazz and tap with the Canadian Dance Teachers Association and Dance Masters of America. She continues to study with amazing dance educators through dance education conventions such as Dance Teachers Summit, Dance Teacher Expo and Nuvo teachers workshops.
Kristin completed the Small Business Diploma program at Conestoga College. She is a member of the Kitchener-Waterloo Business Women’s Association and Dance Studio Owner’s Association IC program.
Currently, Kristin furthers her education and programming for Star through Canada’s nationally acclaimed High-Five children’s recreational programming standards. She is also a trained dance adjudicator with PAA and ACE. Kristin’s teaching style is based on a heart-centred approach, moving away from old standards of fear-based learning to an approach that works to inspire each individual to know they have what it takes to make their dreams become reality and make them happen every day. She is so proud of her students’ accomplishments when they graduate from Star’s programs and go out there and change the world!

Abby Campbell (she/her)

Dance
Hi, my name is Miss Abby and I can’t wait to teach you this year! I graduated from Star Performance Academy June 2021 after dancing for four years at this studio. I trained in hip hop, tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, ballet and pointe. I loved dancing on the Star Team and got to perform and compete nationally and locally.
I’ve also graduated from Star’s Assistant Teacher Mentorship Program, which has trained me for leadership and dance education. During my four years at Star, I assisted in both year-round classes and summer camps. I love to keep the class fun and positive and will always encourage growth in both your dancing and you!
I’m so excited to be a part of the staff now and teach! I’m looking forward to meeting you and having the opportunity to dance together this year! See you in the studio!

Amanda Romano-Paret (she/her)

Dance, Fun Stream Director, Assistant Co-Ordinator
Amanda devotes her time to teaching, choreographing, and ever-learning. Professionally, she holds certifications with CLI Studios, as well as Acrobatic Arts with an M2 classification, and in Aerial Hoop. She has a passion for cultivating an enjoyable class experience while learning fun new things.
Amanda began dancing at the age of 3 in her hometown of Hamilton. She began dancing competitively at the age of 7 and continued until she graduated high school. Amanda trained in jazz, tap, ballet, acro, hip hop, musical theatre, lyrical, and contemporary. She completed her Advanced PAEC exams in jazz, tap, and ballet. Amanda has taken her dancing overseas, traveling with her studio, in Italy and Spain.
Throughout her many years of competing, she has won special awards, overall awards, and scholarships. Amanda devoted time to both her studio, and her high school’s competitive dance team.
Since grade 8, Amanda has been an assistant dance teacher and worked her way up to becoming a full teacher by her graduating year.
She is extremely excited to be working at Star Performance Academy! Alongside dance, Amanda earned her Bachelors of Business Administration with a specialization in Entrepreneurship and a minor in Education through Wilfrid Laurier University.

Ann Moore

Music FunTime, Private and Group Vocals
"It is never too soon to discover your passion for singing!"
A certified Neuro-Vocal Teacher and Coach for Popular Styles and a Wilfrid Laurier graduate, with a Psychology Degree focusing on child and adolescent development, Ann has over 25 years of voice and performance experience in various genres which include; classical, choral, pop, musical theatre and barbershop.
Ann uses a student focused and guided approach, safely helping singers of all ages find their true voice, to create free, sustainable, artist-centered singing.
Ann is so happy to be part of the Star Fam and can't wait to share her love of voice with her students!

Bradley Ernest

Music

Music has always been a part of my life. I can still remember the first time I picked up a guitar – that magical feeling under my fingertips made me feel like a rock star! I dreamt of doing it all…shredding on stage, strumming my favourite songs by the campfire and jamming with my friends. I started learning everything I could about the guitar under the guidance of my teacher.

Fast forward to the present, I am a graduate of Fanshawe College’s Music Industry Arts and Audio Post Production programs and have been playing, teaching, performing and recording music for more than 15 years. I enjoy playing the electric, acoustic and bass guitar, piano, ukulele and singing for my friends around the campfire. I am (with the arrival of my own little one!) deeply invested in passing on my love of music to future generations.

I know learning a new instrument can be hard at any age, that’s why I’m here to provide encouragement, celebrate your progress, and help you navigate any obstacles that come your way. My lessons are student centered and focus on balancing fun and engaging skill building lessons.

Ready to make music magic? Let’s get started!

Grace Soucie

Music, Dance
Grace has been dancing and performing since the age of 6. She Recently completed her studies at Randolph College for the Performing Arts in Toronto where she studied musical theatre, and has now moved back to KW where she’s been involved in multiple theatre projects, both on and offstage. This year, she’s choreographed shows such as Godspell, Carousel, Matilda, as well as Cabaret style shows in the past. When Grace is not involved in theatre projects, you can find her doing pottery, baking, or with her dogs.

Greg Moore

Music
When I started playing guitar at the age of thirteen, little did I know it would be an instant love. At the start, I was learning riffs to show off for friends, but after a while I wanted to bring the music together with friends so I grabbed some sticks and started drumming.
Through my teen years, it was all in on music, whether that be jamming in basements, taking part in Bluevale’s "Many Moods of Music," learning other instruments such as ukulele, drums and piano, or going out to as many local gigs as possible. Music was always the centre of attention.
Around the age of 20, I got offered a chance to teach at Star Performance Academy on both guitar and drums. Teaching wasn’t something planned but quickly became another love of mine. It took me back to when I first started playing and showing riffs and chords to friends.
At 22, I took up the classical guitar and studied under Mariette Stephenson. This really opened my eyes to a new way of playing. I furthered a lot of my fingerpicking techniques and took studying music theory more in depth. I finished my RCM exams to Level 4 Classical Guitar (first class honours) and Level 8 Theory (first class honours) certificates.
These days, I'm also a member of the KW Guitar Orchestra. Continuing my education, I’ve also started learning different platforms of music recording/production because in this day and age, knowing software seems to be as important as knowing an instrument. I have also begun production of my own compositions for future release.
Learning music should be fun and enjoyable. I approach each lesson with my students’ goals in mind, whether it be in drums, guitar or ukulele, and help them to play music that inspires them. I have enjoyed being part of the Star Fam since 2011.

Jenn Weatherall

Acting
Jenn Weatherall studied at George Brown Theatre school in Toronto, and then moved to New York City where she continued to study within The Actor's Studio. Upon returning to Canada a couple years later, Jenn formed a band and spent the next few years touring. For the last seven years she has been writing plays , performing onstage, directing, producing and basically creating a reputation as a reliable and risk taking local artist. She has worked with Flushink Productions, Green Light Arts, Lost&Found Theatre; has performed or had her plays performed in HamilTEN, Unhinged Festival, DarkCrop Festival and She Speaks. Jenn has always found her way to the stage, has always enjoyed thinking outside the box, strives to continue to play and explore with childlike enthusiasm and has always chosen to be involved, in some capacity, with children. She has taught classes through the city of Waterloo, at Shining Star Athletics, and at the Bestival Festival.
Jenn is beyond thrilled to be Star Performance Academy's acting teacher. She is excited to explore, play and create with her students, while developing a safe, supportive, inclusive space for all. The sky is the limit this year! And Jenn is looking forward to watching all her students shine!

Maddison Eby (she/her)

Dance, Young Children’s Program Director
I’ve been a proud member of the Star Performance Academy family for 15 years, graduating from the Star Team in 2018. Training in all styles of dance, I have been dancing since the age of 3. After graduation, my love for dance drove me to pursue my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, majoring in dance, at Toronto Metropolitan University. I have trained under the direction of the dance educators at Star Performance Academy and the faculty of the BFA program at Toronto Metropolitan.
In 2018, I was honoured to receive the title of Miss Dance Canada, awarded at the Dance Canada National finals. I have also been a member of Team Canada Dance, and participated in RAD ballet exams, completing my Advanced 2 exam. Over the span of 4 years in high school, I choreographed and captained my school dance team.
I have trained as a performer in dance works in the Toronto professional dance community and have developed choreography that has been featured at Ryerson University, fueling my passion for teaching and choreographing further.
Through participating in the teacher mentorship program and instructing summer camps here at the studio, I have developed a love for teaching. My students' enthusiasm and love for dance fuels my love for teaching and choreographing. Having been given the opportunity to teach and mentor children of all ages, I am extremely excited to teach the students at Star Performance Academy, and am proud to share my passion for dance with my students.

Megan Whiteside (she/her)

Dance
I started dancing at a studio very similar to Star at 8 years old and began competing internationally soon after. I trained in ballet, tap, and jazz, but lyrical will always be my true love.
I continued performing and competing with the University of Illinois dance team before graduating on to dance with Hubbard Street Dance Company and Joel Hall in Chicago. I decided to trade the Chicago winters for the beaches of Australia, but still continued dancing by joining Sydney Dance Company.
My plans changed after meeting a Canadian boy brought me here to Waterloo and then popped the question right here in one of Star’s studios. I am so glad to have found a studio like Star, and so grateful I get to help students learn to love dance, no matter where in the world it may take them!

Melanie Good

Dance

Miss Mel fell in love with the art of dance at the age of 5. She started her dance training at a Kitchener studio in the recreational program and after only 2 years moved onto the competitive team. She completed up to her Advanced R.A.D examinations before graduating. She has trained in New York City with the likes of Ray Leeper, Joe Lanteri, and Mia Michaels. She has also trained in voice and acting throughout her dancing career.

Her students' achievements, whether from personal growth, moving onto professional careers, or studying performing arts in university, are what drive her to continue to learn and grow as a teacher to provide the most unique learning experience to her dancers. She is very excited to be part of the Star family.

Norm Zabala

Music - Virtual
Norm Zabala is a professional musician, singer, composer and music teacher. He holds a BFA with a major in music. Norm has composed and played on many albums and has toured all over the world performing solo and as part of a diverse range of artists, bands and ensembles
Norm became a part of the Star Performance Academy family in 2013. Even after relocating out of the province in early 2023, he remained an integral part of Star as the head of the Virtual Lessons Division. He operates his own studio equipped with top-notch stereo microphones and multiple video webcam angles for teaching purposes. Norm employs an agile student-centred approach to teaching. He uses popular song genres, modern technological devices and music apps to deliver music theory and develop each student’s technical and practical skills according to their chosen instrument. Teaching each student differently based on how they learn best, Norm regularly updates his students’ personal goals, adjusting his lesson plans and motivational strategies to fit each student’s musical journey. He believes that as teachers we should find ways to make the student want to practice rather than leave them feeling that they have to practice. Drawing on his vast experience as a musician, vocalist, and composer, he taps into his wide range of influences and genres to make the lessons fun and enriching for each student regardless of their age and skill level.
As music director, musician and composer for world music artist Florence K, Norm toured France and the UK including opening for Bernard Lavilliers as well as performing at the Bermuda Music Festival, the Isle Of Wight Festival, the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the Vancouver Winter Olympics, Canada Day Festival on Parliament Hill, the Ottawa International Jazz Festival and many more. During this time he was also composing songs and recording on albums including Bossa Blue and Historia de Lola which were certified Gold and won World Album Of The Year for 2007 and 2008 respectively at L’ADISQ Gala.
Norm has also released his own album "The Woodshed Sessions" and composed music for Koba Family Entertainment's production of Franklin the Turtle, "Franklin And The Adventures Of The Noble Knights". After becoming a parent, he transitioned from touring to teaching, building a loyal student base, all while pursuing a full-time career in performing, songwriting, and music recording.

Rebeccah Harder (she/her)

Dance
Rebeccah discovered dancing later in life and quickly fell in love with the art form. She has trained at many studios throughout Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph and Toronto in a variety of styles, including jazz, contemporary, hip hop and most extensively in ballet.
Rebeccah has successfully completed her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies with the Royal Academy of Dance, providing her with Registered Teacher Status, and has successfully coached students through RAD exams grades 1 to vocational. She continues her professional development through RAD Syllabus Workshops, Exam Feedback sessions and attendance at a variety of conferences and workshops.
She has taught multiple styles of dance in Stratford, Baden and surrounding area for the past 10 years. Rebeccah is a big believer that you never stop learning, and she continuously works to improve her qualifications as a teacher. She recently secured her training and certification in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) as well as Alixa Flexibility certification for levels 1 and 2.
Rebeccah also loves teaching acro and has her junior, intermediate and advanced certification through the Acro Dance Teachers Association (ADTA). She has successfully coached many students through their ADTA exams and is a mentor for teachers completing their certification.
Rebeccah has completed her Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology, from the University of Guelph and her Master of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University. Outside of the studio, Rebeccah enjoys a rewarding social work career working with children, adolescents and families. Rebeccah loves teaching, because she loves seeing students grow in their art and as people. She is SO excited to be a part of the Star Performance Academy family and can’t wait to meet you all!

Rosemarie Harris (she/her)

Dance
Miss Rosemarie has been teaching ballet and modern for over 30 years. Her students have won numerous awards and scholarships at international, national and local competitions, and have medaled for Team Canada in ballet and modern at the IDO International Dance Championships. She is a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance (E.T.C.). She completed her training with Elisabeth Paterson (dual examiner with the Royal Academy of Dance). She has completed her Advanced II R.A.D, Advanced I Cecchetti and Advanced II ISTD Modern.
Her continuing education in dance includes a degree in General Arts with a minor in Philosophy, studying ballet and modern there in a four-year program, plus additional classes and workshops in jazz, tap, hip hop and contemporary. Her enthusiasm for learning has brought her together with numerous educators such as Nadia Potts, Glenn Gilmour, Svea Eklov and David Earl.
Miss Rosemarie is also an accomplished musician (ARTC piano performance), and her visual art hangs in corporate and private collections in Canada and the U.S. She brings her broad understanding of the arts to her teaching and choreography in dance.
She is a highly respected dance educator, and her students appreciate her love of all forms of dance and her passion for excellence. She enjoys inspiring her students be the best they can be.

Samantha Patrick (she/her)

Dance
Samantha Patrick is an enthusiastic performer and teacher who has always had a passion for dance. She has been studying dance for 15 years in Kitchener-Waterloo. As a proud graduate of Star Performance Academy and Sir John A MacDonald’s dance program, she specializes in jazz, hip hop, tap, ballet, pointe, lyrical and contemporary.
Her love for choreographing grew when she began choreographing for Sir John A MacDonald’s dance team and Ontario Secondary School DanceFest. Outsourcing, and taking classes of all styles in Toronto at drop-in studios and conventions like Nuvo and CDX has helped her greatly enhance her professional and technical knowledge in respected styles.
Currently, she is also working with DiverseWorks Dance Co. in a newly devised choreography process as an apprentice principal dancer in which her role is to create and explore movement, alongside learn, rehearse and present choreography with mentorship from senior company members who provide educational opportunities for professional development.
Samantha has competed in Canada and the United States, taking home numerous scholarships and awards for her captivating stage presence. She is excited to share her knowledge with her students and show them that they can do it, too.

Sydney Seurattan

Dance
Hi, my name is Sydney Seurattan and I enjoy teaching children to dance in the dance department at Star Performance Academy! I am a graduate of Joanne Chapman School Of Dance in competitive dance, and I am now a student at Wilfred Laurier University. I am BATD certified in Tap and Jazz, while I also teach Acro and Hip Hop! I absolutely love teaching children. I love walking into a class and receiving so much energy and eagerness to dance! My favourite part of teaching is seeing the growth progression from when the students first started in September, to where they’ll get in June!

Guest Teachers

Brooke Rourke (she/her)

Hello! My name is Brooke Rourke. I am an actress and dancer currently located in Toronto, Ontario. Growing up as a competitive dancer, I quickly found a love for storytelling through movement.
Since graduating from Randolph College for the Performing Arts (Governor General's Award Winner), I have immersed myself in the entertainment industry, performing in musicals, dance concerts, and multiple film and television projects. Some recent credits to date have included, performing at Nuit Blanche in a multidisciplinary piece entitled “Operations”, working on the short film *Patchwork Hero*, and playing Fredrika in *A Little Night Music*.
Though my main focus now is within the film and television industry, I believe our bodies and connection with each other is at the forefront of everything we embody. As an artist I strive to promote diverse projects that actively challenge the industry, refusing to stay complacent with the current standards as it needs to be a constant conversation and we must hold ourselves accountable. We are excited to move and groove together in a safe space, free of judgement!

Ciarán Myers (he/him)

Acting, Dance

Hello! My name is Ciarán Myers. I've been working professionally in the performing arts since I was in high school. I am a champion Irish Dancer but life's twists and passions have maintained my focus in contemporary theatre. I believe that language, rhythm, and storytelling shape our thoughts and our culture, they are a big part of what makes us human, and I am here to share and celebrate that.

I have an MFA in Script Writing from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Plays that I've written have been produced in four different countries and I am constantly working on something new. I'm a member of Director's Lab North, the Playwrights Guild of Canada, and an alumnus of the Stratford Festival's Playwrights Retreat.

As an Irish dancer, I've toured significantly in Ontario and beyond, often sharing the stage with leaders in the Canadian folk-roots music scene.

I've also studied Shakespeare performance, vocal technique, various other dance forms, and even clowning with top teachers and practitioners. I take the responsibility of these experiences to be able to pivot my teaching sharply and meet the needs of the students.

Finally, I am a doting dad and grateful to teach young people of many age groups where I can catch glimpses of what is to come for my child's' generation while contributing back to it at the same time. You can find information about my latest creative projects at www.ciaranmyers.weebly.com

Hayley Rourke (they/she)

Hi, my name's Hayley Rourke. I'm a gender non-conforming artist located in Toronto, Ontario, and a recent graduate of Randolph College for the Performing Arts.
Since graduating, my colleagues and I have created a devised movement-based play entitled *Fishbones*. As a collective, we hope to perform a variety of new works, including *Fishbones,* soon.
I’m inspired by film and physical performance art and hope to be a part of multidisciplinary work that challenges people, gender and the notion of what film and theatre can be. At the same time I also like to just move around and make stuff that's not so focused on a distinct meaning.
I've been intrigued by non-traditional storytelling and an immersive audience experience because we are all people, a part of something. Coming from a dance background, my body and the connection with my peers is a vital part of my work. I believe in representation, diversity and accessibility. As a performer I will strive to ensure change within the industry and not look past these things. We must hold ourselves accountable.
Also, devised stuff is really cool, I like devising.

Raymond Russel (he/him)

Dance

Hi, my name is Raymond Russell, and I have been dancing for 10 years, doing various styles within popping and hip hop. At the age of 13, I joined Star Performance Academy. At the studio, I took strictly hip hop and popping classes, and this taught me the history behind the dance styles, plus information on performing, musicality, and expression.

I had much success within the studio competitions due to my teachers pushing me day in and day out, and from the encouragement of my studio. Star Performance Academy helped me to be able to merge the choreo and freestyle/street style to help me stand out and win 1st place in competitions such as Dance Canada, Kick It Up, Fever and many more.

After my years in the studio, I took on the lifestyle of becoming a street dancer who competes in dance battles for cash prizes, recognition, and respect. This caused my dancing friends and I to make a dance crew to help further ourselves in dance. We have done street performances in various cities such as Orangeville, Alliston, and Waterloo.

This being my third year teaching at the studio, I love teaching kids and watching them progress. Being able to be taught at the studio and now teach there always inspires me to make educated and strong-willed dancers! Giving back the knowledge I’ve learned through my own experience and the pioneers of hip hop and popping is something that is key in what I teach.

I found dance has always been special to me. Anytime I am in a down period in life, I can always turn to dance to get a positive feeling out of it and help me pull through. It has moulded me into the person I am today, who I am proud to be, and I continue to inspire the youth to live through dance the same way.

Our Team

Kristin Werner (she/her)

Abby Campbell (she/her)

Amanda Romano-Paret (she/her)

Ann Moore

Bradley Ernest

Grace Soucie

Greg Moore

Hugo Bascur

Jenn Weatherall

Maddison Eby (she/her)

Megan Whiteside (she/her)

Melanie Good

Norm Zabala

Rebeccah Harder (she/her)

Rosemarie Harris (she/her)

Samantha Patrick (she/her)

Sydney Seurattan

Yusif Yusif

Guest Teachers

Brooke Rourke (she/her)

Ciarán Myers (he/him)

Hayley Rourke (they/she)

Raymond Russel (he/him)

Micheal Rourke (he/him)

OFFICE STAFF

Jen McLeod

Kayleigh Radatus

Lauren Prousky

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