Energetic, versatile, and motivated – Natalie’s dynamic personality and unique experiences as: a National qualifying swimmer, professional dancer, recreational boxer, Kinesiologist and, soon to be, Chiropractor, inspired her company name: Body Dynamics.
Natalie began competitive swimming in 1983 – a mere six years of age. By 1992, she had qualified for the Canadian Nationals, and the Canadian Olympic Trials in the 800m & 1500m freestyle. Natalie’s swimming career, lasting fifteen years, was comprised of notable successes: several medals at the Canadian Junior Nationals, Canadian Eastern Cup, and the Far Western Championships. Moreover, she qualified for the England Tour Team in 1987, the Far Western California Team in 1992, and 1993, and the McMaster Varsity team in 1995, and 1996.
In 1998, Natalie’s dance ability was discovered by David Wilson (a professor and dance coordinator at McMaster University) in a Kinesiology dance practicum. With David’s encouragement, Natalie reluctantly began studying Hip Hop at McMaster University, all the while arguing: “but ….I’m a swimmer!” By 1999 she was dancing with two McMaster teams – MAC Troopers, and Pulse. Inspired, and having graduated, Natalie decided to return to Toronto with the goal of becoming a professional dancer. Being 23 years of age, many attempted to dissuade her: “your too old to start dancing … you can’t expect to keep up with individuals who have been dancing their whole lives.” Yet, Natalie refused to be discouraged and has since experienced a myriad of success. Natalie has been dancing for the Toronto Argonauts Blue Thunder Team since 2005, and hopes to be successful in the upcoming 2007 auditions. Natalie has performed as an extra, in Kardinal Offishall’s video, Bakardi Slang; Mya’s video, Fallen, and on BPM TV’s Urban Groove Show with Thrive. Natalie has attended Master Workshops presented by the industry’s leading professionals: Luther Brown (Choreographer: Alicia Keys, Shawn Desman, Sean Paul, and the film: “Honey”), Lisette Bustamante (Choreographer: Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, Aaliyah, Usher), Jae Blaze (Choreographer: Sean Paul), and Sho-Tyme (Choreographer: Mya, Gwen Stefani. Dancer: Salt N Pepper, TLC. Tours: Mya, Jay Z, J-lo). Natalie’s expertise as a dancer has allowed her to perform with some of Toronto’s hottest urban companies: Envious, Nexx Level, Bella Divas, Dynamic Flows, and Thrive.
Natalie’s innovative choreography, unique teaching style, and unwavering dedication to her students, have been fundamental in the continued success of Body Dynamics; and its enthusiastic acceptance by both teachers and students. Natalie aspires to provide students - regardless of socio economic status, age, or gender - the opportunity to experience dance. Her goal is to instill confidence, improve coordination, promote health and wellness, encourage creativity, and, importantly, inspire others as she was inspired. Natalie is currently teaching her specialized dance programs to numerous schools and fitness facilities in the GTA, and Calgary Alberta. Moreover, she is currently teaching Hip Hop at Sean Boutilier's Academy of Dance
and Donita’s Ballet School.
Body Dynamics has been further successful in its delivery of distinctive personal, and group, training and rehabilitation programs. Inspired to learn the etiology, treatment, and prevention of sports injuries, Natalie completed the Honors Bachelor of Kinesiology program at McMaster University and is currently studying Chiropractic at CMCC (Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College). Moreover, she worked as a Kinesiologist at the Institute of Sports Medicine (rehabilitation centre for many of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vince Carter, and a myriad of Canada’s Olympic athletes), and ACT Health Group - actively rehabilitating motor vehicle, and workplace, accident victims. She organized and directed ACT’s Work Conditioning Program in its Brampton location, and was solely responsible for ACT’s Aquatic Rehabilitation Program. Natalie intertwines her extensive knowledge of the body and sports injuries, with her experiences as an amateur swimmer, professional dancer, and recreational kick boxer to, ultimately, create unparalleled training programs. Natalie’s clients range from the general public, to amateur athletes, to professional performers/athletes. She has worked with: Cascar Super Series Driver, Kelly Williams; and Mamma Mia performers, Crystal Martinez and Marisa McIntyre.
Mariano Abarca
www.abscrew.com www.marianoabarca.com
Mariano is an extraordinary instructor, enthralling performer, and an accomplished choreographer. Mariano's passion for dance was cultivated at an early age - he was raised in a home enveloped by music, thus, his body inevitably became his instrument. Initially, Mariano was exposed to, and continued to excel in, the Latin styles of dance: salsa, meringue, and the Columbian folk dance, Cumbia
Mariano’s natural ability, and intense appreciation of dance, ultimately, inspired him to study alternative styles of dance - hip hop, b-boying, popping and locking. As a teacher and choreographer, Mariano has been working in Toronto in excess of ten years. As a dancer, competing with his crew: Bag of Trix, Mariano has represented Canada in break dancing battles in Japan, Germany, the U.S, and Korea. Mariano has worked with artists such as: Wyclef, Len, K-os, Mya, Grand Master Flash, Arrested Development, and Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock … to name a few. Furthermore, some of his television appearances include: Much Vibe, the introduction to Rap City, and Save the Last Dance Television Mini-Series. Remarkably, Mariano was privileged to choreograph and dance in a performance for The Prince of Wales.
Mariano’s incredible musicality, his diverse skill base (hip-hop, b-boying, popping, locking), his remarkable experiences as a performer, his knowledge of the history and growth of hip-hop in Canada, and his willingness to share all that he knows with his students, make him a rarity in the world of hip-hop. His dancing abilities, combined with his passion for teaching and choreographing, render him one of the best instructors in North America
La Toya
La Toya has been dancing since she was able to walk. Technically trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Gymnastics since the
age of 3, La Toya currently works as a hip hop dancer and teacher in Toronto. As a dancer, La Toya has appeared in the movies "Bojangles" tap dancing alongside the late great tapper Gregory Hines and as a hip hop dancer in the movie "Honey" starring Jessica Alba. In 2005, La Toya shot the sequel to the dance movie "Save the Last Dance", starring singer Ne-Yo and Coumbus Short, where she was one of the featured hip hop dancers. You may also recognize La Toya from NBA's Toronto Raptors Dance Pak, where she was a dancer for the team from 2002-2005. La Toya has also worked with the most sought after video director Little X, dancing in videos such as "Pon di Replay" by Rihanna, Keshia
Chante's "Bad Boy", and Marios's "Let me Love You". Last year La Toya performed with R&B singer Massari at the JUNO
Awards in Halifax and the Canadian Urban Music Awards in Toronto. Dancing for Massari, La Toya has toured all over the world recently getting back from a 7 week tour in Australia, Europe North Africa and the Middle East. This past summer, La Toya was one of two dancers chosen to perform alongside Fergie (Black-Eyed Peas) at the Much Music Video Awards in Toronto. La Toya stays very busy in and around Toronto, so keep your eyes open for this up and coming entertainer!!!
Meghan Cafferky
www.freewebs.com/melandmegs/aboutus.htm
Meghan started her dance training at the young age of three. For years as a child she trained, performed and competed in Ballet, Jazz and Musical Theater. In her teenage years she began taking hip hop lessons and knew she had found her true passion. Upon graduating from high school, her love and dedication for all things performing arts led her to The Canadian College of Performing Arts. After an intensive year she received her diploma and began her career as a dance teacher. Her thirst for knowledge and desire to spend the rest of her life dancing brought her to Toronto, where she enrolled in York University’s Dance program. Living in Toronto gave Meghan opportunities to perform that she would have otherwise missed out on had she remained in B.C. She has trained with Shawn Byfield and Jeff Wong in their hip hop company Thrive! As a company member of Thrive, Meghan performed in several shows at the Betty Oliphant Theater, danced for MuchMucsic’s Fanedmonium as well as BMP Television’s Urban Grooves. She has done various other performances all over the city including The Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square as well as various charitable events. At York, Meghan learned about this art form from angles that have reshaped her ideas about dance and have given her a new perspective on her role as a dancer, a choreographer and a teacher. Meghan views dance as a powerful tool that can enrich people’s lives. Her desire to share this with people has led to her career as a teacher. Meghan has taught many places in North America including B.C, Ontario and South Carolina. She has taught at a variety of places in the city including Dance Teq and City Dance Corps. Currently, she teaches at Turning Pointe Academy of Dance and is running her own hip hop classes with Melissa Nacimento at Habbeba’s Dance Studio.
Crystal Martinez
Crystal recently completed a four week run at Massey Hall, in the Broadway musical, “Annie Get Your Gun” starring country star, Billy Ray Cyrus and Broadway star, Louise Petre. In May of 2005, playing the role of “Ali”, she closed the Broadway hit musical “MammaMia!” at the Royal Alexadra Theater, completing her 4th season with the company. She made her professional debut in May 2000, in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, with CanStage. Other credits include three seasons at Paramount Canada’s Wonderland as lead vocalist, and Off the Wall with StageKids Company. She was also featured in a documentary entitled Class Act with the Life Network Channel. She is a graduate from Randolph School for the Performing Arts, where she studied voice, dance and drama and was the recipient of the “triple threat award.” Additionally, for the past three years, Crystal has been studying boxing at Huf Executive Fitness under the direction of Professional Boxer Olga Heron. Furthermore, she has spent the last year training clients for Good Life Fitness Club. Her diverse dance background, boxing expertise, and extensive training knowledge have rendered her a dynamic fitness specialist and professional performer.
Celeste Bernard
Celeste’s professional dance career began at the tender age of 4 when she began taking Ballet lessons at Marie Ann Longlade School of Dance. Soon she developed an interest in other styles of dance and began to take lessons in Latin, Ballroom, Dance Hall and her true passion, Hip Hop.
Her love of self-expression through dance, particularly Hip Hop, has allowed this young lady many opportunities to perform her art. She has instructed Hip Hop classes in various gyms and community centers. She has performed as a back up dancer for up and coming Toronto artists and taken part in charitable events and sold out shows.
Amidst all this Celeste has also managed to earn a degree in Criminology at York University. While working towards her degree she joined one of York’s competitive Dance teams and fell in love with yet another form of dance – Bhangra, Bharatanatyam (classical) and Bollywood style dancing. As a member of York’s South Asian Alliance Dance team, Celeste gained much creative control and had the opportunity to choreograph many of the routines. The group went on to win 5 prestigious titles in her two years on the team.
Celeste’s dynamic personality, open-mindedness and willingness to learn have led her to the development of many skills. It is her goal to share her skills with others so that that they can express themselves through dance. “For the greatest gift is the gift of self-expression.”
Wellesley Robertson
www.abscrew.com
You could almost say that Wellesley is a natural born performer and has been dancing in one form or another ever since he could walk. Wellesley brings high energy and a sense of fun to dancing that is infectious to all those who watch. His style is a combination of classic “old skool” break dancing… with a mixture of “new skool” acrobatic tricks.
With a degree in Sport and Physical education combined with his experiences as an elite gymnast and soccer player, Wellesley has an extensive background in health and physical fitness. He is also certified as a soccer, gymnastics, trampoline and volleyball coach. With these certifications he coaches children helping them reach their full potential with a teaching style that makes learning fun yet challenging. He has also worked with children with special needs.
With ABS Wellesley is known as the “hype man.” He’s the guy that not only gets the crew pumped before a show but also getting the audience into to the show. This comes naturally to him due to his experiences as an M.C. for events, such as leadership conferences, graduation and award ceremonies and as the mascot for Laurentian University.
Living by the motto “Step Up And Make It Happen!” those who know Wellesley know that he’s doing exactly that and challenging all those around him to do the same!!
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