Hannah Mae Cruddas
Hannah Mae started training at the MCPA in 2001 when she was 8 years old and loved everything about it right away. Until the end of summer 2009, Hannah spent many wonderful, fun times in classes, performances or just hanging out with the amazing teachers and students there. Hannah loved every moment she spent in the Professional Training Program. Hannah graduated from the PTP in 2009, and has since graduated from Canada’s National Ballet School. In August 2011, Hannah Mae accepted a position with Ballet Jörgen Canada in Toronto.
“The genuine love, support and guidance that everyone at the Conservatory showed me has helped to give me the strength and the confidence to go on to become what I want to be in my life. The technical training is excellent but the development of artistry and the joy of learning is encouraged so much that it has helped my growth, not only as a dancer but as a person. Thank you to all of my teachers but especially to Ms. Dearborn – you’ve done more than I can say.” – Hannah Mae Cruddas
Amanda LaRusic
Amanda LaRusic graduated from the Teacher Training Program in 2009 and is now dancing in the Professional Training Program at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre.
“One of the best decisions I’ve ever made was to do the TTP at MCPA. I really feel I was pushed to my limits every day and the individual attention given by the teachers made an enormous impact on my dancing. I met some incredible people/teachers/dancers that I will always be friends with no matter where I go. MCPA will always be one of the first places I visit when I return home to Nova Scotia.” – Amanda LaRusic
Alexandra MacLean
Alexandra MacLean graduated from the Conservatory’s professional program in conjunction with King’s View Academy in 2008. She is currently attending Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and Fordham University in New York City where she is majoring in dance. At Ailey, she’s had multiple opportunities not only to further her classical ballet training but also to explore West African, Jazz, and various modern techniques. She’s also had the opportunity to work with various contemporary choreographers and is currently working with fellow students on new pieces and furthering her own choreography skills.
“My time at the Conservatory was definitely very memorable and defining. Not only was I given the personal attention that I needed to grow as a dancer, but I also developed life long relationships with the wonderful staff and students, who encouraged a “family-like” environment and made the Conservatory feel like a second home to me. It’s obvious that all of the teachers enjoy what they do and I accredit Barbra for her wonderful encouragement, and the rest of the staff at the conservatory for taking a genuine interest in each and every one of their students.” – Alex MacLean
Emily Caruso Parnell
Emily Caruso Parnell has been teaching dance in the studio and classroom for more than fifteen years. Emily was a member of the MCPA dance faculty in 1996-97. A native of Sudbury, she completed her undergraduate dance training at Bennington College and York University (HBA). She is a graduate of the Bachelor of Education program at the University of New Brunswick. Emily is also a registered teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance (TC) and is a student in the Masters of Arts in Dance Theories and Practices program (focus on dance education) at the University of North Carolina Greensboro from which she expects to graduate in 2011.
In addition to her work in studios, Emily teaches in the Rainbow District School Board as a dance/drama itinerant teacher working with teachers to support the implementation of the elementary arts curriculum. She is in demand as a provider of professional development for teachers both within and beyond her board, having recently presented at the 2007 and 2009 conferences of the Council of Ontario Drama and Dance Educators, in the Bluewater District School Board and at the Northern Ontario Regional Arts Conference. Emily was recently honoured for her work in the community by being named the Sudbury YWCA’s 2008 Young Woman of Distinction.
Ian Parsons
Ian Parsons began his dance training at MCPA, and was an inaugural member of the Conservatory’s Professional Program in conjunction with King’s View Academy. From MCPA, he went on to attend Canada’s National Ballet School, where he graduated in 2007. After he graduated, he joined the National Ballet of Canada as an apprentice, appearing in such productions as The Nutcracker, Cinderella, An Italian Straw Hat, and the North American Premiere of John Neumeier’s (choreographer and director of the Hamburg Ballet) “The Seagull”. In August 2009, he moved to Europe to join Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, where he is currently, appearing in full length works of Artistic Director Jean-Christophe Maillot, as well as other contemporary masters such as Jiri Kylian.
“The professional dance program at MCPA not only gave me the technical background required to begin a professional career in dance, but the environment and the people there fostered and nourished my passion and love for the art form that I commit myself to every day. I owe Barbara Dearborn and the rest of the staff at MCPA a great deal. They were like my second family during the time I spent working with them. Every day, I go into work and think, “I love what I do, I am so lucky to be able to do this every day.” They helped me facilitate the pursuit of my passion, and I don’t think that I could ask for anything more from a group of such dedicated mentors.” – Ian Parsons
Jordan Sanford
Jordan Sanford graduated from the MCPA Teacher Training Program in 2009. She is the Assistant Director of Dance ConXion and is currently attending Acadia University where she plans to complete her Bachelor of Education.
“Being a student at MCPA gave me memories and friendships that will last a life time. The instruction the MCPA teachers provided me with gave me the materials and the confidence to enter the dance world as a knowledgeable dance instructor. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to be taught by the amazing teachers at MCPA; we in Nova Scotia are so fortunate to have a program for young dance teachers to explore and grow their love for dance.” – Jordan Sanford
Andrea Stout
Andrea Stout has been teaching dance for many years throughout Nova Scotia and more recently in Calgary AB. In 2006 she graduated from the MCPA Teacher Training Program and has completed her Membership in Ballet and Jazz and Associate in Tap with the CDTA (Canadian Dance Teachers Association). Andrea has also completed several other examinations with the RAD and the Cecchetti Society of Canada; she is currently enrolled in the RAD Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies program. Andrea was also the Dance Captain of the MCPA Ballet Ensemble (2007-2008).
Andrea has also studied with Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (Calgary, Alberta) after being accepted into their Professional Training Program. It was at DJD that Andrea had an intensive study in various techniques such as: Luigi, Mattox, Betsy, Lindy Hop, Jump Rhythm, West African, Tap and Afro-Funk styles. These styles were taught from teachers such as: Vicki Adams Willis, Hannah Stilwell and Michele Moss.
Andrea has returned to the Halifax area and is currently a faculty member in MCPA’s School of Dance.
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Are you a former dancer at The School of Dance? Did you graduate from one of our diploma programs? Are you a former faculty member? Let us know what you’ve been up to. We’d love to hear from you. Feel free to include a bio and/or picture so we can post your information on this page! Send your update to: admin@maritimeconservatory.com.
