Sara Adams often jokes that she started dancing as a fetus, when her mother took a jazz dance class while pregnant. She started taking formal classes at the age of four and hasn’t stopped dancing since. She did most of her early training at Joseph Wallin School of Dance and danced competitively with Footnotes Dance Troupe, mostly dancing jazz, lyrical and musical theatre, along with some ballet training. Over the years, Sara has dabbled in hip-hop, contemporary, modern, tap, highland, Indian, ballroom and African, among others; she loves expanding her movement vocabulary! Sara is currently a school counsellor and specializes in Expressive Arts Therapy (using the arts, including dance, in therapy). She served many years as President of the Board of Dance Nova Scotia and has been closely involved with their Dance for Health: Seniors initatives. She also dances competitively and runs two adult dance troupes: one here in HRM and one in the Valley where she lives. When she’s not working or dancing or advocating for dance, she’s spending time with her two young daughters and husband. Sara is excited to return to the TSDC stage this season. Enjoy the show!
Laurie Barker Jackman started dancing at age 13 with Joseph Wallin School of Dance, focusing mainly in jazz. Her love for dance and performing led her to join and be a founding member of the performing group, Footnotes Dance Troupe. She also had the opportunity to dance in the Nova Scotia International Tattoo for a few years, performing many styles from the jive to Scottish dance. One of her most memorable dance moments? Being choreographed by Paula Abdul at Bust a Move in Halifax – what an experience! She has enjoyed some Latin classes over the years, and takes advantage of any dance floor she comes across! Laurie joined the talented team at TSDC in 2019 and looks forward to connection and moving with this team at every rehearsal. Laurie is a proud mom to Layla and Max and shares many laughs with her Newfie husband. The four of them can often be found in kitchens, dancing.
Christine Christian lives to sing and dance! Born in Toronto and raised in Malta, Christine has been dancing modern and jazz since she was 12. In Malta she performed with various community theatre groups (Phantom of the Opera, Spartacus). Arriving in Halifax in 2001, she started performing at open mics and song writers circles, and taking classes at Halifax Dance. She has also performed with Theatre Arts Guild (Beauty and the Beast Panto) and in Halifax Fringe Festival (The Overlord) and has been a part of TSDC since 2008. Christine has two girls and works as a Pediatric Nurse while keeping her dance skills alive with TSDC and playing music on piano and guitar while at home in her spare time. She aspires to keep progressing these talents and be an example of living life doing what makes one happy with no inhibitions!
Stephanie Craig grew up dancing, studying jazz, ballet and modern for 14 years. In 2011 she joined thirtySomething and ignited her love of dance and performing once again. She was drawn to their energy, camaraderie and, of course, dancing. Dancing with these incredible women over the years has provided new friendships and opportunities she is incredibly grateful for. Much love to everyone dancing with us this year, especially our new members. Further, love to hubby, John, and our tiny beings, Ethan and Logan – thank you for your continued support.
Originally from St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Laurianne Desrosiers made the big move to Canada’s Ocean Playground 14 years ago and joined the wonderful ladies of TSDC shortly after. Dancing jazz and tap from a young age, she participated in multiple dance competitions in Ontario and Quebec. Being able to keep dancing, even as a grown up, is an opportunity that she cherishes. After a year off to enjoy some time with baby Eli, she is thrilled to be back at it! When not dancing, Laurianne can be found freezing at the rink to support her older son Nolan.
Émilie Diallo is excited to be continuing with the ladies of TSDC this season. She began dancing jazz but quickly added tap, musical theatre, and hip hop to her repertoire. Émilie has participated in many dance competitions and recitals for her home studio, Happiness is Dancing in Sudbury, Ontario. After moving away for university, she decided to join the UOttawa Dance Club, where she eventually became an executive member and helped run the club of over 200 dancers. After moving to Halifax, she became a fan of TSDC and decided to join a few years ago. Outside of dance, Émilie is a high school vice principal and is currently completing her second master’s degree. Émilie sends a special thank you to her parents and her husband Seydou for supporting her dance journey!
Melanie Dumaresq is a founding member of thirtySomething Dance way back when she was actually thirty-something. She has created pieces in jazz, musical theatre, contemporary, and hip hop. Melanie is very excited to be dancing with so many amazing humans this year, you are all fabtacular. A special thanks to Mel’s Dad who was an inspiration to push limits, think outside the box, and spread kindness and laughter wherever you go. Many thanks to Rob, William, and Finn, as always.
Veronika Fitzgerald has been with TSDC for five seasons now and is very excited to be back on stage with such a vivacious bunch! Originally from Halifax, Veronika started her dance career at the age of four, eventually enrolling in the ITP program at Maritime Dance, and spent three years as a member of Maritime Dance Performance Group. Veronika didn’t slow down when she attended Mount Allison University either, spending five years as a member of the Varsity Dance team where she performed, coached, and competed in Hip Hop, Jazz, and Contemporary, including two trips to Dance Worlds at Disney World in Orlando. Upon returning to Halifax she haphazardly took adult classes at Halifax Dance before promptly falling off the dance wagon entirely. After a few-years hiatus she is excited to be back in action and is thankful for the TSDC team for putting up with her antics. A huge thank you as well to family, friends, and everyone in the audience for the support!
Melissa Geddes is thrilled to join the dancers of TSDC and to be dancing again. Melissa started dancing at the age of five and her passion for dance only continued to grow. Melissa danced in the Intensive Training Program and performed with the Maritime Dance Performance Group. As the former Assistant Director at Maritime Dance Academy, Melissa taught in both the Children’s Program and the Intensive Training Programs. She continued to dance, as well as teach, while achieving her Bachelor of Commerce and HR Certificate from Saint Mary’s University. She left the dance world to join the family real estate business where she is the Operating Principal at Keller Williams Select Realty. Melissa would like to thank all of the TSDC members, her family, friends and most of all her husband, Mark, for all of their support!
Olivia Grimshaw is thrilled to return for her third season with the TSDC crew! A graduate of the Intensive Training Program at Halifax Dance, Olivia immersed herself in ballet, modern, jazz, and tap for numerous years. Her passion for movement propelled her towards earning a master’s degree in physiotherapy from Dalhousie University. This background has proven itself handy with the TSDC group, mending mid-season injuries and navigating a few frantic backstage moments. Olivia is excited to share the stage with the incredible women of TSDC, including her mom, Mary-Ann.
Tyler Hall has been dancing since the age of 10, starting originally in stepdance. After joining Dal Dance in 2007 he found his love of Jazz, Tap and Contemporary. Teaching and choreographing has always been a passion having taught for the Dal Dance for 9 years as well as the Advanced Intensive Training Program at Halifax Dance in Jazz. Tyler enjoys performing and is excited to hit the stage again in this upcoming production.
Kitchen-dancing with her dad, an unhealthy obsession with the movie ‘Stayin’ Alive,’ and performing in high-school musicals were formative experiences for Kate Hayter, Artistic Director. Kate has taught and choreographed tap and jazz for Maritime Dance, Halifax Dance, and met her husband and TSDC’s AV guy, Christopher, salsa dancing atop a dark bar at pizza corner. As the communications specialist for Dalhousie University’s Fountain School of Performing Arts and a wedding photographer, Kate is a professional cat herder, hand holder and fire-putter outer. Thanks to all the TSDC members, past and present, for 21 years of trust, creativity, and the resulting collective and fabtacular “slightly above lame” TSDC brand. Shout out to her twins, Ruby and Nate, for listening to the same songs (while she choreographs). Over. And over. And over.
Sue Healy began dancing at the old age of 14. Shortly after starting with one teen jazz class, she became fully immersed in ballet and tap. She has also trained in modern, hip-hop, African, Irish step dance, belly dance and salsa. Starting salsa classes resulted in Sue finding her husband, Jeff. When she is not concocting chaotic creations in the kitchen, Sue spends her time dancing and choreographing with TSDC, of which she is a founding member. Her choreographic strength is modern interpretive, where nobody really notices her lack of rhythm. Outside of dance, she enjoys raising chickens, the great outdoors, eating and making a fool of herself. She is a stay-at-home mom and homeschools her children. Her stage babies are Liam, Olivia, Nestor and Charlotte.
Mary-Ann Hudec began dancing at age eight and she’s still at it 60 years later! Ballet was her only dance form until age 17, then she took a long break for education, becoming a doctor specializing in psychiatry. She returned to dance in the 1990s, taking up jazz and modern dance, then discovering tap in her 40s, the genre she loves most! Being part of TSDC has made dance even more fun and dancing with her daughter, Olivia is priceless! Mary-Ann also thanks Rob and Ian for their support and Adrian Veinot, her personal trainer and biggest fan for keeping her strong. Enjoy the show!
Maya Layton is delighted to be back on stage with the wonderful ladies of thirtySomething this season. She has been twirling around since the age of three, calling it “dancing” and is a proud graduate of the Halifax Dance Intensive Training Program and alumnus of the YOung COmpany and Symphony Nova Scotia’s Nutcracker. Maya sends love and gratitude to her better half, Hugh, and their little boy, Graham. Despite a few years hiatus due to medical school, this is Maya’s 10th year with TSDC. She sends many hugs, kisses, and thanks, to her family for their support over the years. Thanks for coming, and enjoy the show!
Barb LeFort has been dancing for most of her life, with a special passion for tap that has never faded. Dance has been more than just a personal pursuit — it’s become a family tradition. She is incredibly proud to share the stage with her husband, Jacques, and to watch her daughters, Isabelle and Gabi, embrace their own love for dance. For Barb, dance is about joy, connection, and lifelong learning, and she hopes to inspire others to find that same spark.
Elaine Mailman took an Introduction to Dance class when she was four and danced full throttle until she was eighteen. She was trained in Dartmouth using the British Association of Teachers of Dancing syllabus at Joseph Wallin School of Dance, and competed with the school and Footnotes Dance Troupe for multiple years. In high school, Elaine took her dancing shoes to the other side of the harbour to Jackie Vacca’s Just Dancin’ and was a member of the competitive dance group FreeZone. After a crisp 14-year hiatus from dancing, Elaine returned to competitive dancing as a member of the Strut Dance Collective (after living many years away from Nova Scotia) – reinvigorating her love for dance. Elaine joined TSDC in 2019, and always loves hitting the stage! Elaine would like to thank her family for their undying support and constant encouragement along the way. Enjoy the show!
Having monopolized the family record player from the age of four, Jennifer McDonald’s parents suggested dance lessons in her preteen years. After dancing her way through middle and high school in Miramichi, Jen took a seven-year hiatus from dance and made the move to Halifax to pursue both a math and engineering degree at Dal. Jen is a founding member of thirtySomething dance and has performed with, and choreographed for the company since its inception in 2004. Jen can typically be found spending her free time on adventures with family, hanging at the gym, or making creations for her handmade business, Vivid Vision Bags.
Emily Munro is so excited to share the stage with the wonderful dancers of thirtySomething this season! It is such a privilege to be apart of this wonderful group once again. Emily began dancing at the age of three at Halifax Dance and is an alumnus of its Intensive Training Program, YOung COmpany, and Symphony Nova Scotia’s The Nutcracker. While at university, Emily was a member of the Varsity Dance Team at Mount Allison University and had the opportunity to experience the competitive side of dance. Emily would like to send an extra special thank you to her mom, sister, friends, tiny human Zoe, and wonderful husband Jack for always supporting and encouraging her dance dreams. Big love, enjoy the show!
Lisandra Naranjo started training in classical ballet at a young age and her passion for dancing grew and developed as she matured. She is an alumnus of Halifax Dance’s Intensive Training Program and Symphony Nova Scotia’s Nutcracker. After a very long hiatus from dance she was excited to join the dancers of TSDC in 2023 and to be dancing again! Lisandra is so proud and happy to dance with such incredibly artistic and supportive people, who inspire her each time she hits the studio. When not dancing, you can find Lisandra practicing law, writing questionable poetry, and having adventures with her partner Jordan. Lisandra would also like to say “Hi mom!” and “Sup sis.”
Kathryn (Appleton) O’Neill was inspired to dance at an early age, but when she joined TSDC, the love of dance took on a whole new and wonderful meaning. Beginning with many years in ballet and modern, she was a founding member of Coastal Dance Theatre in Dartmouth. Later, she discovered the flirty styles and infectious rhythms of Salsa and Latin ballroom dance and competitions. Kathryn joined TSDC in 2009 and knew the group well for its unique style and energy. After 15 seasons with TSDC, Kathryn continues to be grateful for the beautiful friendships created, and humbled by the grace and spirit of her fellow dancers, both on stage and off. Thank you for coming to our show and for supporting us in doing what we love. Most of all, thank you to the best hubby ever, Jeff, and our little fireballs, Miles and Harrison. You motivate and inspire me every day to live, laugh, love and dance to the fullest.
Stacey Robichaud’s dancing days began at the age of three with her mother’s desperate attempt for her to burn off some energy and help improve her coordination. At age 12 she discovered jazz and realized that she loved performing: costumes, make-up, an audience… what could be better? Today, she is still dancing and loving every minute of it. Stacey performed in Halifax Dance’s Jazz Bliss for several years before taking a break to become a Mom. Stacey officially joined TSDC on stage in 2005 (but was given honorary membership into the founding crew due to being nine months pregnant at TSDC’s inaugural show). Stacey is grateful for having all of the fabtacular TSDC members in her life (both past and present). Stacey is thankful to her family for their support over the years to keep her love of dance alive!
Andrea Smillie started dancing at age eight, after her younger and braver sister had tried it out first. Her love of ballet was immediate. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance from York University many moons ago. After a long break to raise three children, and go back to school, she rekindled her love affair with dance when she joined TSDC. She feels very fortunate to be a part of this wonderful group of passionate dancers and is particularly thrilled to be dancing with her niece Maddie, her fourth child Maya, and her daughter Charlotte. Their grace and humour make her heart dance and keep her hope alive. Thanks to all the members of TSDC for your bravery and dedication and thanks to my family for all your support. Enjoy the show.
Maddie Smillie-Sharp is thrilled to be on stage with TSDC again this year. Maddie joined TSDC after many years as a proud audience member watching her beautiful aunt (Guess who? She’s also performing today!). She is an alumnus of Halifax Dance where she completed the intensive training program, Halifax dance’s YOung COmpany and Symphony Nova Scotia’s The Nutcracker. Maddie is honoured to be taking the stage with such an inspiring group of women, who she is proud to call friends and family! Maddie sends her love and thanks to her amazing family and friends. Special shout out to my parents, partner, puppy Henry, and coffee maker for their unwavering support!
Charlotte Snair is thrilled to be sharing the stage again with her mother (Andrea), cousin (Maddie) and oldest friend (Maya). Charlotte started dancing at the early age of three when her parents decided to stop wasting their money on sports given all she would do on the field was dance anyway. She was in the Nutcracker and completed the ITP program at Halifax Dance. Charlotte took a break from dance to complete her degree at Acadia University, followed by a few years living in Ontario. Her love for dance never wavered, nor did the desire to move back to Nova Scotia and to have the chance to dance alongside her favourite person in the world (also Andrea Smillie). She is very thankful to her family, friends, and boyfriend Hassan, for their endless support and for encouraging her to take her dance moves from the kitchen back to the big stage.