Alumni

Lucie Schmidt

• Class of 2019: Professional Training Program, School of the Toronto Dance Theatre
• 2012-2015: The Nutcracker/Symphony Nova Scotia
• Other Performance: Merry Musical Evening & World Wide Open/MITE for Families
• Intensives: Gaga NYC Winter Intensive (Jan. 2019), Henny Jurriëns Stichting (Summer 2018), Kenny Pearl Emerging Artist Intensive (Summer 2018), ProArteDanza (Summer 2017), Peggy Baker Dance Projects (Summer 2015), The School of Toronto Dance Theatre Pre-Professional Intensive (Summer 2014 & 2015)
• Awards: 2018 Robert George Jackson Award/Nova Scotia Talent Trust, Nova Scotia Talent Trust (2016-2018), 2018 Walker Wood Foundation Bursary/School of Toronto Dance Theatre, Advanced Dancer – Distinction (Society of Russian Ballet)
• Photo-Cathy McKelvey

Leica has taught me how to be attentive to the smallest details without losing sight of the bigger picture. How to be respectful. How to be confident. How to stay humble and grounded. – Lucie

Hannah Mae Cruddas

• Dec. 2014-2017: ‘Clara’ in The Nutcracker/Symphony Nova Scotia
• 2012-present: Principal Company Member, Canada’s Ballet Jörgen
• 2011: Apprentice, Ballet Jörgen Canada
• 2011: Graduate, Canada’s National Ballet School
• Age 14, Semi-Finalist, Genée International Ballet Competition
• Awards: Nesta Toumine Award/Society of Classical Ballet (2004), Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts/Nova Scotia Talent Trust (2007), Janice Flemming Award/Nova Scotia Talent Trust (2009)
• Website, Photo-Lawrence Ho, courtesy of Ballet Jörgen Canada

Rebecca Wolfe

• Class of 2019: Humber College, Theatre Performance
• 2014 & 2015: Theatre Arts-School of Performing Arts, George Brown College
• Television: Mr. D (Principal ‘Natalie’) CBC Season 4, 5, & 6, Trailer Park Boys (season 12)
• Film: Know What I’m Sayin’…? (Principal ‘Ashley’) Taylor Olson; Don’t Forget To Step (Young Girl) Jonny Thompson; Guys (Principal ‘Jenny’) Leah MacDonald
• Theatre: The Peace Project Alexis Milligan/Transitus; Four Hours (Brenda) Joan Burrows/Alumnae Theatre; Bard of the Boardwalk (2015 Company Member)
• 2013-14: Theatre, Dalhousie University
• 2005-2013: The Nutcracker/Symphony Nova Scotia
• Summer Studies: Mermaid Theatre of NS, The Stratford Festival-Theatre Performance Intensive, School of The Toronto Dance Theatre, The White Mountain Dance Festival, The Bates Dance Festival
• Awards & Certification: 2018 Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts/Nova Scotia Talent Trust, 2018 Humber College Dean’s Scholarship for Theatre Performance, 2018 Humber College School of Creative & Performing Arts Scholarship, 2017 Theatre Nova Scotia Award/Nova Scotia Talent Trust, Nova Scotia Talent Trust (2015, 2017, 2018), ACTRA Maritimes Certificate of Achievement for Mr. D/CBC, Society of Classical Ballet Advanced Dancer & Associate Teacher, Basic Actor Combatant/Academy of Dramatic Combat
• Website, ACTRA, Representation-Sky Talent Group, Photo-Cathy McKelvey

Anastasia Wiebe

• 2018-Present: Company Member, Mocean Dance
• 2016-18: Dancer & Choreographer, Nostos Collective (Toronto & Halifax)
• 2016 Performance: Beats & Intensions, Loop/Expect Theatre, Mizpah/Christina Digiuseppe
• Fall 2015-present: independent dance artist
• 2015: Graduate, Certificate Program, Peridance Capezio Centre
• Winter 2015: Company Member, De Funes Dance (NYC)
• Four seasons, The Nutcracker/Symphony Nova Scotia
• Summer Studies: RUBBERBANDance/Domaine Forget, Ballet Jörgen Canada Summer Intensive, The White Mountain Dance Festival
• 2011: The Gen-Y Project/Mocean Dance
• Video, Photo-Cathy McKelvey

Petra O’Toole

• 2013-14 École Philippe Gaulier-First Year Program & Second Year Clown
• 2011: Graduate, Dalhousie University-Combined Honours Theatre & German
• Select Film: Scarlines (Hotel Clerk) Stephanie Young/NSCAD; Machismo (Principal) Dylan Aucoin; Nigredo (Principal) Kristen Swinkels/Film 5 AFCOOP
• Select Theatre: Instrumental Widows (Supporting Lead) Dorian Lang/Insomniac’s Handbook; Into The Woods (Baker’s Wife & Assistant Choreographer) Heinar Pillar/DAL Theatre; “Hey” (Principle) Matt Peach & Petra O’Toole/Halifax Suitcase Festival; The Country Wife (Supporting Lead) James Dodding/DAL Theatre
• Select Direting: Obsession/2013 Atlantic Fringe Festival; Waiting for Batteries/2014 Atlantic Fringe Festival
• Representation-Sky Talent Group, Photo-Amy Gibson

I bring the technique & discipline I learned from Leica with me everywhere I perform. As an actor, my body is a precious tool. Whether it be on stage or in film, the training I have received has been invaluable to my career. – Petra

Hilary Knee

• 2016: Graduate, Professional Training Program, School of the Toronto Dance Theatre
• Summer Studies: Ballet Jörgen Canada Summer Intensive, School of the Toronto Dance Theatre
• Two seasons, The Nutcracker/Symphony Nova Scotia
• 2011: The Gen-Y Project/Mocean Dance
• Awards: Sharon Moore Solo Project (2016), Nova Scotia Talent Trust (2013-2015)
• Video, Photo-Cathy McKelvey

Emma Kerson

• Feb. 2017: Common People perform Blue Valentine as part of Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie’s Bright Nights series with commissions from Tedd Robinson and Simon Renaud.
• Present: Co-Director of Common People with Andrew Hartley
• Present: Independent Dance Artist performing the works of choreographers: Julia Aplin, Patricia Beatty, Elizabeth Chitty, Jennifer Dallas, Robert Desrosiers, David Earle, Ana Grappler, Andrew Hartley, Michael Sean Marye, Sharon B. Moore, Meagan O’Shea, Peter Randazzo, Simon Renaud, Menaka Thakkar
• Present: Instructor, School of the Toronto Dance Theatre Young Dancers’ Program; Co-Director, the School of the Toronto Dance Theatre’s Summer Dance Camp
• Present: Instructor, Quinte Ballet School of Canada’s Professional Training Program & Recreational Division
• 2011: Graduate, School of the Toronto Dance Theatre Professional Training Program
• Awards: funding from the Toronto Arts Council, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Canada Council for the Arts (2012-present); Metcalf Foundation Grant (2013); Sharon Moore Solo Project (2011); Kathryn Ash Leadership Award (2011); Millennium Excellence Award (2009-2010); Nova Scotia Talent Trust (2008)
• Website, CADA-ON, Photo-Michael Sean Marye

Lise Cormier

• Select Theatre & Musical Theatre: Habib’s Unforgettable All Night House Party (Resource Centre For The Arts & Western Canada Theatre); Les Zinspirés 3D (Théâtre français de Toronto); The Tale of a Town Nova Scotia (Magnetic North & Fixt Point); Markham Tales and The Tale of a T-Shirt (Fixt Point); The Barber of Seville (Soulpepper); Fire (Live Bait Theatre); Perfect Pie (LunaSea Theatre)
• Select Film & Radio: ‘Misty Simmons’ on Backbencher (CBC Radio); She’s Too Young (Boulder Pictures)
• Graduate, Sheridan Institute’s Advanced Diploma in Music Theatre Performance
• Singer/Dancer in Les Feux Follets, Charlottetown Festival Young Company Training Program
• Studied Clown, Bouffon & Le Jeu with Philippe Gaulier
• Awards: Dora Nominations for “Outstanding Performance Ensemble” in Les Inspirés 3D (Théâtre français de Toronto) & The Tale Of A T-Shirt (Fixt Point); Nova Scotia Talent Trust, Theatre Nova Scotia Award
• Website, ACTRA, UDA, CAEA, Representation-Catherine Knights, Catalyst TCM, Photo-Little Blue Lemon

Through her extensive knowledge of the body & her passion for dance, Leica has provided me with strong dance technique & the ability to pick up choreography quickly. – Lise

Vivika Ballard

• Winter 2015: EMERGE Project/Mocean Dance
• Summer 2014: Company Member, Nostos Collectives
• 2012, 2013: ‘Clara’ The Nutcracker/Symphony Nova Scotia
• 2013: Fresh Tracks/Mocean Dance
• 2013: Apprentice, Masque of the Red Death/Phin Dance
• Graduate, Professional Division, Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School
• 2005: professional debut as ‘Young Clara’ in The Nutcracker/Royal Winnipeg Ballet
• Corps du Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet in Nutcracker, Peter Pan & Romeo & Juliet
• Photo-Cathy McKelvey

Jillian Jung

• Fall 2014-Present: Trinity College Dublin-Medicine
• 2014: Graduate, Dalhousie University double major in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Sociology & Social Anthropology
• Training: 2011-2013 The Leica Hardy School of Dance, prior-14 years at the Victoria Carter London Dance Centre
• 2012 & 2013: The Nutcracker/Symphony Nova Scotia, Instructor the Leica Hardy School of Dance
• Society of Russian Ballet Certification: Advanced Dancer & Associate Teacher
• Photo-Cathy McKelvey

Thank you for not only fostering my love of dance, but also for reminding me that success is achieved through tireless effort and dedication. I am so proud to say that I have learnt from you, and that like all great teachers, you inspire me to do better than my best. – Jillian

Sarah Hopkin

• Fall 2017: Dark Horse Dance Projects; Works by Cathy Kyle Fenton at the Ottawa Dance Directive, Performer
• 2017-Present: Contemporary Instructor, Choreographer & Dancer for The School of Dance, Ottawa
• Summer 2017: The Movement Gallery, Co-Director/Choreographer/Performer
• Summer 2016 & 2017: Peggy Baker Dance Projects, Demonstrator
• Summer 2015 & 2017: The Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival, Performer
• Fall 2016: Public Recordings, Performer
• Summer 2016: Dora Award Nomination for best ensemble dance performance as part of Toronto Dance Theatre’s cast of Echo
• 2015-16: The Toronto Dance Theatre, Junior Company Member
• Winter 2015: Mocean Dance, Intern; Dance Ontario’s Dance Weekend, Performer
• Class of 2014: Ryerson University Performance Dance (BFA)
• Summer 2014: Company Member, Nostos Collectives
• Other Summer Studies: École Supérieure De Ballet Du Québec, Toronto Dance Theatre, and ProArteDanza

Leica believed in me and gave me the tools I needed. To this day I remember personal corrections she gave me that were tailored specifically to my body. – Sarah

Jessica Lowe

• 2015: Graduate, York University, Bachelor of Fine Arts- Dance, performing the works of Darcey Callison, Julia Sasso, Carol Anderson, John Ottman, Susan Lee & Megan Andrews. Mentoring from Linda Garneau & Eryn Waltman.
• 2012-2014: Intern, The Dance Current magazine
• 2014-Present: Co-founder Nostos Collectives, a contemporary dance company showcasing emerging artists in Halifax & Toronto
• Photo-Chelsea Dahlgren

Nicole Pelot

• Present: completing her 200-hour vinyasa yoga teacher training at Blue Point Yoga Center under Sara Doyle and Sarah Trelease
• Present: Duke University – advanced ballet and modern dance, and performer in ChoreoLab
• 2012-Present: PhD student, Duke University Biomedical Engineering developing computational models to study the effects of high frequency signals on small nerve fibres
• 2011: Graduate, Dalhousie University Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) & Bachelor of Science (Physics)
• 2004-2012: Student Teacher-in-Training & Instructor at the Leica Hardy School of Dance
• Graduate, Halifax Dance-Intensive Training Program
• Society of Russian Ballet Certification: 2005 – Advanced Dancer, 2012 – Associate Teacher
• Website, Photo: Nicole Pelot (top), Anya Pelot (bottom) by Alec Himwich

Under Leica’s wonderful mentorship for a decade, I gained the knowledge and experience to become a confident dance instructor. I am very grateful for the opportunity to train as a dancer and a dance teacher under her guidance. – Nicole

Olivia Aubrecht

• Summer 2015: After Godot/Heritage Repertory Project with Randy Glynn
• Winter 2015: EMERGE Project/Mocean Dance
• Spring 2014: Graduate, Ryerson University-Dance Major
• 2014-2015: Company Member, Nostos Collectives