Instructors

Jill Dreaddy
Principal and Artistic Director

A native of St. John's, Newfoundland, dancer, choreographer and dance educator Jill Dreaddy discovered her passion for dance at the age of 5. As an young dancer Jill was eagar to explore the world of dance outside of her own Province and studied at Quintee Ballet School and travelled to various Canadian Cities, L.A. and New York for open classes, workshops and courses. Jill was recipient of the 1995 Dance Teachers Association of Newfoundland scholarship and studied in England that summer at the I.S.T.D. headquaters in London and attended the I.S.T.D. summer school in Chichester.
After graduating from dance college, Jill established JILL DREADDY DANCECO in 1997 (CBS). Jill expanded with a second location in St. John's in 2006. 
Jill teaches the Flamenco and Ballroom/Latin American curriculum at JDD as well as Hip Hop, Tap, Jazz, Latin Jazz, Ballet/Pointe and childrens programs (TIM & M&M). Jill d anced with El Viento Flamenco, a Halifax based flamenco company, for several years and toured across Newfoundland & Labrador and Nova Scotia. Jill continues to travel within Canada, US and overseas to study with top choreographers and teachers to stay on the cutting edge of dance. 

Choreography Credits:
Oliver! for Holy Heart (1998)
Princess and the Pea for Holy Spirit (2000)
Evita for Beothuck Players (2001)
G ypsy for TaDa! Events (2007)
Rocky Horror Picture Show for TaDa! Events (2009)
Little Shop of Horrors for Holy Heart (2009)

Upcoming Projects - Alice In Wonderland TADA! & AOR Presents October 14-16 Holy Heart Theatre

Jill’s knowledge of dance and its many forms, accompanied with her extensive experience, have taught her that ANYONE CAN DANCE!

Tanya Lasby
Tanya is a graduate of the prestigious Music Theatre program at SheridanCollege and is thrilled to be back on the dance scene! Having started dance at the age of 4, Tanya has been the recipient of multiple dance scholarships and awards across Ontario. She has been a student and performer at Sheridan Theatre, a featured performer for Paramount Canada’s Wonderland, and has danced in many diverse settings from community shows to World Cultural Festivals. She is also a member of the accomplished tap group “Turn On The Tap” out of Toronto founded by the acclaimed Paula Skimin. She recently moved to St. John’s with her husband and son Hudson to continue to expand her creative base. Tanya is ecstatic to bring her unique experience to JDD!

Andrea Tucker - Contemporary
Andrea Tucker completed a two year professional dance teacher training program where she completed her Associates in Modern Theatre (ISTD), Tap (ISTD) and Ballroom (CDTA). This lead her to the Toronto Dance Theatre's professional program where she graduated in 2002. Since then she has danced, trained and taught in Vancouver, Japan and Australia. Her training based in Graham and Limon techniques along with elements of improvisation and basic body work has aided her artistic discovery and development. Andrea has been teaching at JDD since Sept. 2007. 

Dounia Hamoutene - Belly Dance
Dounia was born in Algeria and started dancing as early as she could walk. In 1998, she arrived in Newfoundland to pursue her scientific research career. Nostalgia, love of music and a strong desire to share her heritage pushed Dounia to start teaching Algerian Belly Dancing in 2001. Dounia has been teaching at JDD since Sept. 2006.

Dave Gardiner - Breaking & Boys Funk
AKA B-Boy Naga started B-Boying in 1998 and co-founded Atlantic Canada’s longest running B-Boy group, the Lokdown Crew. Dave has been a member of East Rock Crew (ERC) since 2006. Dave has produced a dance workshop tour in BC, "Funky Steppin" a street-dance instructional DVD and one of the 1st Breaking workshops in Atlantic Canada. As a dance teacher he hopes to see some of his students take the dance on as their own, go on to give great performances and win competitions.

Sandra Estevez  - Zumba

After more than a decade working in the scientific community as a chemist, Sandra decided to turn one of her biggest passions, fitness, and make it into her full-time job. Sandra is certified as a Fitness Instructor Specialist (FIS) & Personal Trainer Specialist (PTS) through the Canadian Association of Fitness Professionals (CanFitPro). Additionally, Sandra is an official Zumba Instructor and a member of the Zumba Instructors Network (ZIN) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Sandra has recently appeared on CBC’s “Living Newfoundland” featuring her Zumba Kids class, and on NTV’s “Places to Go with Sharon Snow” leading one of her Zumba classes.
As a personal and group trainer, her philosophy is to design programs that target body fat, increase cardiovascular capacity, muscle tone, balance, and flexibility. Sandra always makes a commitment to teaching the principles of clean eating as one of the key components of any fitness program. Sandra’s focus is to help her clients and participants discover a healthier, stronger, and leaner version of themselves!

JDD Assistants 2009-2010 Dance Season
Victoria Beehan
Heidi Dowden
Emily Fewer
Erica Gosse
Kaylee Morgan