ANN-MARIE WILLIAMS - Teacher/Movement Lab Owner
MA Dance, BFA Dance.  Royal Academy of Dance Registered Teacher

Hello, I’m Ann-Marie.  I’ve been obsessed with dance since I was a kid, and it has led me to the most fascinating places.  While I’m first and foremost a dance teacher (15+ years and counting), I’ve also written a dance book published by OWL KIDS called Learn to Speak Dance; worked as a dance journalist for Canada's Dance Current magazine; spent a few years as an indie dancer in Toronto's contemporary dance scene; and worked on the non-profit side of things making dance conferences and tours happen.  But, my favorite place to be is in the dance studio with a bunch of wildly creative four year olds ready to show me some new moves.

I call myself a classically trained teacher with a contemporary heart.  I learned the craft from the best at the Ryerson Theatre School, where I did a specialization in dance pedagogy and was one of four students invited to train for my teaching examination with the Royal Academy of Dance.  After finishing my BFA in Theatre-Dance, I did an MA in Dance at York University, researching teaching academics through dance.

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Around the studio, I have two super-talented instructors who teach with me:

OLIVIA CITTER
Teaches Parent & Tot, Creative Movement & Ballet
Graduate School of Toronto Dance Theatre

Olivia is a graduate of The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, in the Professional Training Program, and the Etobicoke School of the Arts, where she received the “Presidents’ Legacy Award: CIBC Scholarship” for commitment in the arts. She is currently completing her BFA in Dance at York University.

She brings many years experience teaching young children in a variety of settings. In addition to teaching with us, she is also a dance instructor at the Centre for the Arts at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. Her enthusiasm and warm nature inspires the students, and she a special gift encouraging shy students to participate.  We are very excited to have Olivia on staff at the Movement Lab.

An active independent dancer, Olivia has performed and trained with some of Toronto’s leading contemporary choreographers, and is a founding member of Bare Neck and Brazen, a dance collective that strives to connect artists of different disciplines together.

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What Parents Are Saying...

Here are some of the comments we received from our online (anonymous) customer service survey:

"Ann-Marie is amazing and patient, I don't know how you do it...so just keep doing more of the same!"

"Ann-Marie, you truly are a wonderful teacher and have an amazing connection with kids. Being a dancer myself and knowing the industry to a good extent, I absolutely adore your approach to the parent-tot classes, with enough play but also enough concentration on building proper technique in early years of the little dancers! I haven't seen dance teachers in Toronto area (yet) who can keep kids attention and focus to the degree that she can! Thank you for that!"

"Great job, we're thrilled with the movement lab!"

"I really like how calm Ann Marie is. My daughter adores her. Ann Marie really knows what is age appropriate for the toddlers and that is helping us enjoy the class. My daughter takes great pride in showing her relatives her steps."

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NICOLA HOLLAND
​Assists Parent & Tot, Creative Movement & Ballet
BA Psychology

Nicola began dancing at the age of 3, and from that moment on, knew that dance would always be a huge part of her life. Alongside performing, Nicola has enjoyed teaching dance to a diverse group of students over the years, particularly those who would normally feel hesitant or uncomfortable in joining a mainstream recreational program. Aside from dancing, Nicola is passionate about education and received her Honors BA in Psychology from Western University, and is currently completing her Masters in Social Justice in Education through the Masters of Professional Education stream at Western's Althouse College. Nicola is also certified in Reiki and Child Mindfulness and Meditation. It is her hope to bring Mindfulness into the classroom--whether it be  the school classroom or the dance studio--as a means to offer her students strategies and practices to incorporate into their everyday lives. 

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