because every dancer deserves an encore.

 Shawn Bracke is a versatile Choreographer, Dancer and Visual Artist, creating movements for stage, film and television. His work is story-based and aims to inspire audiences to think critically and feel deeply. His aesthetic stems from his strong technical training and a professional career that's immersed in the commercial and concert dance worlds.

Having spent time living in Vancouver, London UK, Milan IT and now in Toronto, Canada. Shawn has gained credits working with major brands.

Selected Choreography credits include: Macy's, Snapchat, The Hudson Bay, Tim Hortons, General Motors, The Abnormal Beauty Company (Deciem), Much Music MMVA's. Shawn's Directorial and Choreographic Dance On Film works have been featured in over 25 International Film Festivals.

As an instructor he has taught at over 250 locations (studios, conventions and training programs) in Canada, the US, the UK, France and Italy. For continued education for Professional and Pre-Professional Dancers, he created The Workshop Series, workshops designed to help Self Employed Artists hone in on their skills and learn new tools to enhance their business. 

From professional performances to choreography, Nakita has been immersed in the dance world for the past 29 years. Born and raised in Cambridge, Ontario, she has advanced training in ballet, lyrical, jazz, and hip-hop, with extensive experience in acro, tap, and contemporary.

Nakita is a member of the Professional Adjudicators Alliance and holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology (minor in Psychology) from the University of Waterloo, a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Athletic Therapy from Sheridan College, and her Registered Massage Therapy certification. She continues to pursue her passion for dance while expanding her knowledge as a choreographer, teacher, and adjudicator — all while running her own Athletic Therapy and Massage Therapy practice. Her mission as a therapist is to bridge these two worlds through injury prevention, ensuring dancers receive the highest quality training and care possible.

During her university years, Nakita served as Captain of the Waterloo Competitive Dance Company, leading the team to Third Overall Top School in Canada and Rhythm Cup Champions. She trained with Toronto-based contemporary company Kalos Collective, working with top choreographers throughout the region. Performance highlights include being a featured dancer in Inverse (Toronto) and the 2015 Miss Canada Universe Pageant.

Her choreography has earned two National Grand Championships at Starbound National Talent Competition, multiple MOVE Dance Finalist placements and Top 3 standings, and the Young Choreographers Award. Nakita continues to work as an adjudicator, choreographer, and guest instructor throughout the Tri-Cities and GTA.

Nakita strives to be a role model and inspiration to the dancers she works with and finds joy in watching the next generation grow in the studio.

“I dance because there’s no greater feeling in the world than moving to a piece of music and letting the rest of the world disappear.”

Ryan Scheel is a recognized Creative Director and Performer whose multifaceted career spans Creative Direction, Stage Production, Choreography, Casting Direction, Dance Instruction, Event Hosting, and Production Coordination. With a dynamic presence both on and off stage, Ryan has built a reputation for delivering visionary creative leadership paired with exceptional performance excellence.

Throughout his career, Ryan has collaborated as a Choreographer, Dancer, Creative Coordinator, and Stylist for an extraordinary roster of global talent including Madonna, Sting, Ariana Grande, Hedley, Kiesza, Psy, Mia Martina, Waka Flocka, Nick Jonas, Jason Derulo, Ed Sheeran, Fifth Harmony, July Talk, Coleman Hell, Shawn Desman, Shawn Hook, Vanessa Hudgens, Julia Michaels, Camila Cabello, Anne-Marie, Marshmello, Meghan Trainor, Elijah Wood, Jamie Fine, Bebe Rexha, and Alexander Stewart.

His television and live broadcast credits include the iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards, iHeartRadio Jingle Ball, We Day, and numerous internationally recognized music videos. Ryan has also worked alongside industry-leading companies and networks such as Bell Media, We Day, OUTtv, Sony Music, Warner Music, Cherrytree Music, Universal Music, Sleepless Records, 604 Records, Republic Records, Lokal Legends, Big Machine Records, C.P. Records, and acclaimed production houses including Silent House Productions, Squared Division, Black Skulls Creative, Kreative Soul Entertainment, The Field Productions, Door Knocker Media, and Uomo Productions.

As a performer, Ryan has toured globally with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and Celebrity Cruise Lines (CCL), captivating audiences worldwide. His theatrical credits include major stage productions such as Peter Pan, Annie, High School Musical 2, Mary Poppins, and Hairspray, showcasing his versatility across commercial and musical theatre platforms.

Ryan is also a certified International Adjudicator under The International Academy of Dance Adjudicators (I.A.D.A.), recognized for his expertise and leadership in the competitive dance circuit. He serves as an Event Host and Emcee for prestigious platforms including Toronto Kids Fashion Week (TKFW) across Canada, New York Kids Runway (NYKR), Accessible Media Inc. (AMI+), and numerous high-profile events nationwide.

In addition to his performance and production work, Ryan is the Head Faculty Member at the Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre, where he trains and mentors emerging artists in Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre — shaping the next generation of performers.

Born and raised in Waterloo, Ontario, Stephanie trained locally and then moved to Belleville, Ontario to train full time in the Professional Training Program at Quinte Ballet School of Canada. Furthering her training, Stephanie attended many summer ballet intensives at the National Ballet School, Quinte Ballet School, and Alberta Ballet School. Stephanie was also accepted into the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s post graduate program. Following a year of training at George Brown College in conjunction with Ballet Jörgen, due to a chronic ankle condition, she  shifted her focus to teaching and found a passion for sharing her love of dance with young dancers.

Stephanie is currently teaching at Evolve Dance Centre and has been since its opening in 2016. As head of Evolve Dance Centre’s Part Time Competitive program, she loves helping her students reach their full potential. 

Stephanie is so excited to share her love of ballet with the dancers at Encore!

 Dancer. Choreographer. Teacher. Actor. Writer. Nicholas Tull is a true multi-hyphenate artist whose passion for movement has fueled an incredible career. With training in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, modern, tap, African, samba, capoeira, and Caribbean dance, Nick is constantly evolving and pushing creative boundaries.

He has performed for global superstars like Janet Jackson, Kylie Minogue, Shawn Desman, and Busta Rhymes, and worked with major productions including Warner Brothers, Nickelodeon, Universal Studios, and YTV. Beyond the stage, Nick’s artistry extends into acting (Schitt’s Creek, What We Do in the Shadows) and playwriting (BionicBlue at Canadian Stage).

As the Director of Airtight Entertainment, his dancers have gone on to perform with Disney, Cirque du Soleil, The Next Step, So You Think You Can Dance Canada, and more. A respected educator and adjudicator, Nick has taught across Canada, the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean, bringing his knowledge and passion to the next generation of dancers.

Lauren Keating is a heels dance instructor and choreographer with over a decade of experience dancing in heels and more than eight years of teaching experience. She is the founder of Heeling Dance Inc., a dance and fitness business offering inclusive classes across Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and Ayr in a variety of styles and levels.

Lauren began her teaching journey at Wilfrid Laurier University and went on to launch the Heels and Chair Dancing program at Underdog Dance Corp. She has taught at the Montreal Heels Festival for two consecutive years and specializes in working with adults who have little to no prior dance experience.

Her teaching style blends Pilates, personal training, and dance technique to create anatomy-forward, accessible lesson plans for all bodies and skill levels. Known for her fun-forward approach, Lauren uses humour and encouragement to guide students through even the spiciest choreography.

Over the past three years, Lauren has trained five competitive heels teams. Most recently, her team earned first place at the Waterloo Heels Festival and second place at the Montreal Heels Festival.

From choreography to performance, Nicky has spent the past 27 years happily immersed in the world of dance. She has studied extensively in a wide range of genres, including acro, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, tap, pointe, ballet, and hip-hop. Nicky specializes in teaching acro and contemporary and is often sought out as a guest instructor for workshops and intensives in these genres.

She continuously pursues opportunities to enrich her knowledge and skill in the art of dance. Throughout her teaching career, Nicky has earned numerous credentials, including certifications through the Acro-Dance Teachers Association, Progressing Ballet Technique, and the Adapt Teacher Training School. She is also a member of the Professional Adjudicators Alliance.

Nicky has enjoyed a wide variety of performance experiences. Highlights include a guest appearance on Carnival Cruise Line, performing at the Waterloo Choreographer’s Ball, and dancing at a Toronto Raptors basketball game. She also performed as an actress for Busy Bees Parties from 2013–2017.

Passionate about the creation of movement, Nicky has choreographed professionally for several years, setting pieces for both industrial and competitive performances. Her choreography consistently earns overall awards, special awards, and choreography awards at competitions. Additional choreographic highlights include wedding choreography, work for London’s 2019 Fringe Festival show Say Nothing, and NLC Dance Company’s 2022 production Exhale.

Beyond professional choreography, Nicky is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of dancers. She has instructed at top-tier events such as CREO Dance Movement (2024 Faculty), Matricks Acro Intensives (Master Instructor), and Encore Adult Dance Convention.

Today, Nicky continues to pursue her passion as an adjudicator, freelance choreographer, and guest teacher throughout the Tri-Cities and GTA. She is also a choreographer and instructor at Evolve Dance Centre in Kitchener and Carol Kitchen’s Dance Centre in Brantford, and the proud owner and director of Learn 2 Dance and Breaking Boundaries Movement.

 Antonio Sardella is a movement phenomenon, mastering over 50 dance styles from classical ballet to commercial, ballroom, and aerial performance. His career spans dancing for Lady Gaga under Parris Goebel, starring as Peter Pan at Tokyo Disney, headlining productions with Royal Caribbean and Holland America, and performing across North America, Europe, and Asia. As Director of Arthur Murray Yorkville, he’s trained champions, redefined competitive ballroom in Canada, and earned the 2025 Top Manager Award, with his choreography winning national accolades and featuring on Canada’s Drag Race and major stage productions. A sought-after emcee, adjudicator, and masterclass instructor, Antonio brings precision, passion, and storytelling to every stage — with his sights set on returning to work with Lady Gaga, this time as her visionary choreographer. 

Lauren Martin is an award-winning tap dancer, choreographer, and educator who has been teaching since 2007 and choreographing since 2011. With deep roots in competitive dance and years of experience training dancers across Ontario, she is known for creating rhythm-driven, musical, and technically strong tap work that challenges dancers while keeping the joy at the forefront.

As the owner of Cool Aunt Creatives and co-organizer of Encore! Adult Dance Convention, Lauren is especially passionate about accessible programming for adults. She believes no one should ever feel like they’ve “aged out” of dance and is dedicated to building spaces where dancers of all backgrounds can train seriously, laugh freely, and reconnect with their love of movement.

 Kim Engel is the Owner and Artistic Director of TDC Dance Company, located in Beeton, Ontario. She began her dance journey at the age of three, excelling in various disciplines such as ballet, jazz, acrobatics, musical theatre, modern, tap, contemporary, and lyrical. Over the past 20 years, Kim has been recognized for her outstanding and unique choreography, as well as her ability to teach perfected technique and performance skills. Many of her students have achieved both regional and national dance titles. Kim is a certified member of the Canadian Dance Teachers Association and Dance Masters of America, Chapter 43. Her passion for dance and dedication to her students have solidified her reputation as a respected figure in the dance community.