ILLUSION DANCE ARTS TEAM
Meet the Teachers
TEACHERS FOR JUNE CLASSES
GUEST CHOREOGRAPHERS
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AMEY RAHEY
Amey began her dance training in Cape Breton, NS at Dance Sync, and currently resides in Halifax, NS. She has trained extensively in numerous styles and has always sought out additional dance education. Having graduated in 2015 with a B.Comm. degree and a major in accounting, Amey is now a freelance choreographer, instructor, and the Creative Director of both Elite Dance Productions: a touring competition and convention company; and DFRNT Dance: an intimate artist development program. Amey has been chosen to take part in many renowned training programs, such as The Gypsy Project LA, the Dana Foglia Dance Training Program, the SoulEscape Company Intensive, and the RUBBERBANDance Winter Workshop. She has also participated in The Galen Hooks Method Artist Development session, under the direction of Galen Hooks. Additionally, she has performed in multiple shows as a company member of Justin Giles’ SoulEscape in Dallas and Los Angeles, at the 2018 Raptor’s home opener, at Toronto’s Original Choreographer’s Ball 2020, and has taught at Arizona’s DancePlex and Toronto’s Underground Dance Centre. She is also a proud member of the Professional Adjudicator’s Alliance.
ANASTASIA WIEBE
Anastasia Wiebe is a Halifax based dancer-choreographer. She began her dance career at home in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia training at the Leica Hardy School of Dance and the Dartmouth Dance Academy. She was a member of KiDanCo from 2011-2013. She performed in Symphony Nova Scotia’s The Nutcracker for four seasons and Gen-Y for Mocean Dance in 2011. She continued her dance training at the Peridance Capezio Center and graduated from their Certificate Dance Program for contemporary/ballet and commercial dance in 2015. Performance credits include Sonderlings, Second Hand News, The Great Big Boo (Dance Captain), Post Modern Jukebox (Good Morning America), and was a performer-choreographer on MTV’s Say it with Song. She has performed works by Victor Quijada, Robert Battle, Lar Lubovitch, Hofesh Shechter, Aszure Barton, Igal Perry, and many more. She is currently co-artistic director and dancer with Nostos Collectives. Anastasia is also an emerging choreographer and has had the pleasure of setting works throughout Nova Scotia and Toronto.
GEORGE JONES JR
George has worked with Britney Spears, JLO, Nicki Minaj, and Usher just to name a few. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Marymount Manhattan College, where he trained in Ballet, Modern, Jazz and Choreography. His degree focused on the production side of the art, which included but were not limited to Sound Design, Lighting Design, Set Design, as well as Videography and Video Editing. After graduating he decided to focus all his energy on training in Street styles with Rhapsody the Company. After finding great success in New York city, he relocated to Los Angeles where his career hit new heights. He has had the honour of touring the world multiple times, appearing on various TV and Award Shows ( Ellen, SYTYCD, Dancing with the Stars, American Music Award, MTV Video Music Awards), and dancing in several movies (Jack and Jill, Footloose).
George was a faculty Commercial hip hop instructor at Movement Life Style, Broadway Dance Center, Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio, as well as Millennium Dancer Complex. He has taught in over 20 different countries and continues to travel, teach and inspire gifted artist all across the world. Commercially, he is represented by MSA Agency and his work has been featured with brands such as Adidas, Vitamin Water, Cathay Pacific Airlines, as well as music videos and movies such as "Pound the Alarm" - Nicki Minaj, "Bills" -Lunch Money Lewis, and "the Best Man Holiday". He has also contributed choreography in several world tours: "Circus Starring Britney Spears"- Britney Spears, " Pink Friday & Pink Friday Reloaded "- Nicky Minaj , "Dance Again World Tour"- JLo. From sold out Arena Tours and Music Videos to Commercials and TV shows, George's unique showmanship and choreography continues to set a standard in the Commercial Dance Industry and is what makes him one of the most sought after Choreographers/Performers. He believes , "There are no limits to what any of us can achieve, with hard work, dedication, and positivity." After many years of performing, George moved to NS a year ago with his wife and young family to share his experience and talents with Maritime dancers.
CHRIS KNOWLES
Christopher Knowles is a Canadian based creator, choreographer and teacher. He has had the chance to travel across Canada and the US creating works for many companies and events, sharing his love and knowledge of dance with the world. Christopher is a George Brown Dance College Alumni. In the past, he served as Artistic Director of Precision Dance Company and choreographed for George Brown Dance College. Christopher was honoured to create and perform works for: Millennium Dance Complex TO , SONY Music Canada, Mac Cosmetics CA, MTV UK, City Dance Corps Toronto, Choreographers Ball, Fever After Dark, Fall For Dance North as well as Dance Weekend for Dance Ontario! All events showcasing Toronto Professionals working talent. Christopher is currently a faculty member at City Dance Corps, Edge Studios and Edge High school. Chris' focus is working on the launch of his professional Contemporary/Modern based dance company @knowledgedancecompany.
JAYLA JAMES
Jayla James is a professional dance artist from Halifax, Nova Scotia, trained in Hip-hop, jazz, heels, contemporary, ballet and musical theatre. Jayla developed a love for the art at a young age, beginning her first dance class at the age of four. She continued dancing in studios in her hometown until her late teen years. At age 18, she moved to the city of Toronto to pursue her dreams professionally. Jayla is a graduate from George Brown College’s Commercial Dance Program (2019). Within the program, she studied such dance genres as hip hop, ballet, jazz, contemporary, and musical theatre, as well as acting and singing. She has performed in music videos and danced with notable dance/performance companies such as Magan Boys Entertainment (2020), High Society Cabaret (2020), Toronto Babe Squad (2020), Nostos Collectives (2017), Voices (2017), and The Woods Hip Hop Dance Company (2016). Jayla’s most recent endeavour is establishing Rendezvous, a commercial dance training program within Halifax, Nova Scotia. Jayla plans to continue to grow the dance community in her hometown to provide more opportunities to young dance artists.