People
Natasha O’Hara, Chrissy Baxter, Katelyn Collie, Sarah Lochhead, and Shelby Thoms of Simcoe Contemporary Dancers. (Photo by Mar Lewis).
Meet the Crew
Chrissy Baxter
Outgoing Executive Director
Chrissy earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from SUNY Brockport, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2012. Chrissy has worked with notable choreographers such as Maxine Heppner, Mairead Filgate, Sarah Lochhead, Susan Kendal, and Alayna Kellett-Molotkow. She has been performing with Simcoe Contemporary Dancers since 2014.
Growing up in Upstate New York on the shores of Lake Ontario, Chrissy has danced for as long as she can remember. She began her serious training at LCDA in Oswego, NY, where she fostered her love for dance and appreciation for the creative process.
Since joining the company, Chrissy has choreographed multiple works for the company, learned and performed numerous pieces from SCDs repertoire, been elected dancer representative to the Board of Directors and won an annual dedication award. Chrissy continues to dedicate her time and passion to SCD and looks forward to continuing to present beautiful contemporary dance works across Ontario.
Jaqui Brown
Program Director and Co-Artistic Director
Jaqui is a movement artist and dance teacher from Newmarket, Ontario. She earned a diploma in Performance Dance Studies and a Certificate in the Performing Arts from George Brown College. Additionally, Jaqui earned her degree in Psychology and Spanish from York University. Jaqui joined SCD in 2014. Alongside her work as a performer and choreographer, Jaqui has her own business as a photographer.
Aliyah Beckles
Incoming Administrative Director and Co-Artistic Director
Aliyah is a dance artist and Registered Kinesiologist (inactive) that resides in Penetanguishene. She has trained with Allision Bradley, Sarah Lochhead, Carol Anderson, Helen Jones, Megan Andrews, Tracey Norman, and Susan Lee. Aliyah completed three years of her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance before ultimately switching programs and graduating with her BA Specialized Honours in Kinesiology and Health Sciences. Aliyah’s choreographic works are informed by her own experiences and are reflective of the life stages she has worked through as a Black female identifying performer.
Natasha O'Hara
Outreach Coordinator – Celebration of Dance
Natasha began dancing at the age of 3 right here in Barrie, ON. She has completed exams in C.D.T.A Jazz, R.A.D Ballet, and the Society of Russian Ballet and was dancing competitively by the age of eight. Natasha continued her education with Laurentian University via Georgian College receiving her BA in English Studies. Natasha is currently an office manager and dance instructor in Barrie teaching both recreational and competitive classes. She continues her training in dance by attending various workshops and teaching seminars. Currently she is working towards her Teacher-In-Training Certification with the Society of Russian Ballet. Since joining the SCD family, Natasha has become our Outreach Coordinator, helping to foster stronger relationships with our Simcoe County community.
Bree Booth
Dancer & Volunteer Coordinator
Dancing since the age of three, growing up she completed multiple exams in Jazz, Ballet and Tap and danced competitively in various styles. She also participated in numerous musicals with Kempenfelt Community Players as a chorus member and lead dancer.
After graduating from Seneca College with her diploma in Acting for Camera and Voice, she had the opportunity to audition and perform in various dance films and series (The Next Step, Degrassi, The Swap, Make It Pop and Lost and Found Music Studios – to name a few), learning an array of improv and techniques to help further herself in the dance industry. She has since studied under the likes of Amy Wright, Meaghan Wegg, Jane Pound, Alyssa Martin and more.
In 2017 Breeanna completed her Module 1 and 2 Teaching Certifications in Acrobatic Arts and passed the Aerial and Back Handspring course.That same year she was accepted as a member of Simcoe Contemporary Dancers, a professional not-for-profit dance company, where she rehearses weekly and travels throughout Simcoe County performing. She has also won numerous special mentions/awards for her choreography at past competition’s. Breeanna is excited for another season with her SCD family!
Kasandra Chiaromonte
Dancer, Class Facilitator, & Choreographer
Kas was introduced to the world of dance as a toddler as her mom owned a dance studio at the time, and was early exposed to music, movement, and rhythm. Kasandra instantly fell in love with dance, and at 4 years old, enrolled in her own classes. She practised ballet, tap, acro, and jazz in Brampton, ON and competed intensely all over the region. Kasandra and her family then moved to Barrie in 2002, and she has called our city home ever since. She continued competitive dancing and added lyrical, pointe, and hip hop to her repertoire of disciplines. Ballet and pointe became Kasandra’s favourite discipline as she loved the intricate footwork, grace and softness of each movement. In her high school years, Kasandra was a member of the Eastview Dance Team from 2009-2012. The team performed around the school, helping to create a vibrant artistic culture. Kasandra enjoyed being part of a performing group for her school community. Contemporary dance was heavily practised during these years at Eastview, as Kasandra took multiple dance courses. She learned various movements, timing, techniques, etc. throughout class assignments and performances. Kasandra took a break from dance as she pursued post-secondary education and received a diploma in Early Childhood Education from Georgian College and spent a few years in her field. Kasandra aspires to create again through contemporary dance and movement while being a part of the Simcoe County community. Dance has been, and always will be an integral part of her life.
Eligh Zimmerman
Dancer
Eligh Zimmerman is a self-trained dancer who took his movement to the next level first as a choreographic apprentice with Simcoe Contemporary Dancers before joining the company as a professional member. Later, he earned his diploma in Performing Arts from the Centennial College Performing Arts Program. He is a celebrated drag performer in Toronto known as Sugarstixxx. As a drag performer, he is high energy, running and hosting his own open stage at Pegasus on Church. As a choreographer, he has choreographed many different pieces for dancers and drag performers. As a dancer, Eligh performs in many different styles including Contemporary, Jazz, Tap and Hip-Hop.
Paul Moen
Dancer & Choreographer
Paul Moen is a talented performer with a deep passion for the art of dance. He began is training at a young age and started dancing competitively at age 9, winning numerous awards, including the prestigious “Be Discovered” scholarship for dance training in Los Angeles. After dancing competitively for many years, Paul continued to pursue excellence in performance by training in dance, signing, and acting at George Brown College.
Following college, Paul moved to Sweden, where he expanded his artistic practice by teaching dance. After returning to Canada, Paul continued teaching at Bradford School of Dance where he shares his extensive experience and passion with his students. Paul is also a dedicated member of Simcoe Contemporary Dancers, where he strives to inspire others with his talent and love for dance.
Cecilia Vanderwerf
Dancer & Class Facilitator
Cecilia started dancing at the age of 8 and started competing at the age of 10. She competed up until she graduated High School. She is trained in Jazz, Musical Theatre, Song and Dance, Lyrical, Contemporary, Ballet, Pointe, Acro, and a bit of Tap, competing in many of those styles as well. During her competition journey Cecilia has won many awards, overalls and special awards. As a dancer she has done R.A.D Ballet exams up to the Intermediate level and an Acrobatic Arts level 5 exam. In 2016 Cecilia was a dancer in “The Nutcracker” with the National Ballet of Canada in Toronto!
Post High School, Cecilia completed 2 dance programs at George Brown College, in the 1 year Performance Preparatory Program she graduated with a Certificate with honours and in
the 2 year Performance Program she graduated with a Diploma with honours. During her time at George Brown she was training Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Ballet, Pointe, Acting,
Vocals and Self Choreography classes.
Cecilia has worked with many well known Toronto dancers and choreographers during her college time. She has most recently worked with Alayna Kellett – Molotkow in a piece for Simcoe County Theatre Festival where she reunited with performing after 5 years of not being on stage! Cecilia has been teaching recreational and competitive dancers since 2020 and her competitive choreography has won many awards including special awards, choreography awards and overall awards.
Cece is an ADAPT certified teacher. She loves teaching and watching her students improve and grow and she can’t wait to keep growing as a teacher as well.
Billie Ansley
Dancer
Billie is a contemporary dancer and emerging artist from Barrie, Ontario. With a passion for movement and storytelling, Billie has trained in a range of dance styles and continues to develop her practice through performance and collaboration. She is dedicated to creating meaningful connections with audiences and contributing to the growth of the local arts community.
Hayley Ng
Dancer
Hayley is an emerging professional dancer, and physiotherapist. She started dancing at age 3, and trained in pre-professional ballet throughout high school. During her Bachelor’s degree, she performed soloist roles with Hamilton City Ballet and choreographed ballet pieces for McMaster’s Recreational Dance Team.
During her master’s, she continued her ballet training and launched her professional dance career, where she performed with the Dance : Corps company, at the Youth Day Global event, and as an artist in the Quarantine Qapsule digital archive on the Museum of Toronto website.
After her master’s, she was fortunate enough to have professional opportunities to dance across Ontario. She starred in a lead role in a dance production entitled the Legend of Huli, alongside former dancers of the Mariinsky Ballet, and award winning musicians. She collaborated with professional musicians, such as the Toronto Chinese Orchestra and PhoeNX Ensemble, to produce productions for the general population
and special performances for those with disabilities. She also danced with Moonlight Ballet.
Additionally, she was featured at various festivals such as Digital Shortworks in Stratford (selected as an artist from across Canada to be featured), and Get Out and Dance festival hosted by SCD in Barrie, where she first interacted with the company. She is excited to dance with SCD this season!
Lidia Mateus
Apprentice
Lidia grew up dancing, having trained in ballet, contemporary, jazz, and modern dance. After time away to develop her career in health systems research, Lidia has returned to exploring movement and expression through dance. She continues to purse her love for dance alongside her fellow artists at Simcoe Contemporary Dancers.
Sheralyn Faria
Apprentice
Sheralyn is a passionate and dedicated dancer with 20 plus years of experience in ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap and heels. She has trained with Lori’s Dance place unlimited, National Ballet of Canada faculty, Etobicoke school of the Arts and has taught at several local area dance studios herself. She has performed in numerous productions like the Toronto Fringe festival, Opening ceremonies for Special Olympics, football games, local area cabaret shows, dance studio seasonal shows and recently performed at the SCTF with In Transit by Alayna Kellet hosted by Theatre by the Bay.
Sheralyn is skilled in jazz, heels, and contemporary and has a strong foundation for ballet technique. She is known for her passion on stage and energetic stage presence. In addition to her technical skills she is a creative choreographer with experience in creating pieces for ballet, jazz, heels, contemporary and hip hop. She is always seeking opportunities to explore dance and push her own boundaries.
Sheralyn is excited to continue growing and evolving as a performer and dancer, and is looking forward to future opportunities to perform, choreograph, and collaborate with other artists.
Sarah Lochhead
Founder & Artistic Consultant
Sarah Lochhead holds a BFA honours and MA in Dance Studies from York University. She has worked with notable choreographers such as Julia Aplin, Trish Armstrong, Maxine Heppner, Andrea Nann, and Holly Small and performed with HNM Dance Company, Dance Nonce, Collective HEAT and Menaka Thakkar Dance Company.
In 2013, she was a featured performer at Nuit Blanche where she performed in an installation by Dana Sherwood (Brooklyn, NY) sparking an enduring interest in long duration performance art. She has trained the modern styles of Duncan, Humphrey/Weidman and completed a teacher training with the Limón Company in NYC. She holds intermediate ballet certificates in RAD and Cecchetti method. Her choreographic work has been acknowledged through a Top Citation award from the National Dance Educators Organization (USA) and has been the receipt of grants from the City of Barrie, the Ontario Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Social Sciences and Human Research Council of Canada.
Sarah also previously worked as the Assistant Director at The Dance Current – Canada’s dance magazine! In recent years, with support from the Dancer Transition Resource Centre, Sarah has taken the leap to learn more about another passion – computer coding. Taking courses with Ladies Learning Code (now Canada Learning Code), Lighthouse Labs, and later through the Interactive Media Design – Web program at Georgian College, she has developed her skills as a computer coder.
Sarah is currently working as a web developer and project manager with Sore Thumb Digital Marketing. From her perspective, dance training, choreography, and coding have a lot in common – Iterative creation and refinement, attention to detail, efficiency (of movement or lines of code), crafting a clear journey for an audience or users, creativity, and more. Sarah’s movement practice persists with guest teaching, choreography and developing new works that aim to break down the silos between her areas of interest and the roles in her life.
