Jacques Monfiston
President / Founder / CEO
Jacques Monfiston started dancing at the age of 7. He fell in love with the sport the day he stepped into a dance class at the Ottawa Dance Academy under the direction of Deborah Lamothe. After attending Ottawa University for 3 years and taking a long break from dance of over 10, he decided to train again at the age of 25 at Greta Leeming Studio of Dance. One of his many highlights has been to represent Canada at the World Dance Championships and bringing back home the gold medal. He adjudicated regional competitions for the Canadian National Dance Championships and was the 1st Canadian judge at the 2001 World Jazz Dance Competition and also adjudicated the 2002 World Tap Dance and Show Dance Championships in Germany. Jacques was also the tap adjudicator at the Manitoba Dance Festival in 2008. Jacques continues to improve his talent by being on scholarship to two leading Performing Arts Training Centers. He has taken numerous dance classes at Edge Performing Arts Center, Broadway Dance Center, Steps and also has worked with some of L.A. and New York City’s top choreographers. Jacques’ professional work includes traveling the world as an entertainer with Norwegian Cruise Lines and Costa Crociere Inc. Jacques was also part of the inaugural dance company Helix Dance Project in Toronto under the direction of Linda Garneau. He was also in numerous commercials, industrials such as Bell Mobility, Coca Cola and Radio Shack to name a few.
Jacques was also in South Africa where he conducted workshops and choreographed numerous dance routines for various dance institutions. Jacques also teaches, conducts workshops and does competitive choreography for studios worldwide. Jacques made Tokyo, Japan his home for over 2 years working for Walt Disney at the Broadway Music Theatre. He was also in musicals/plays such as My Fair Lady, Cats, Cyrano De Bergerac, Annie, Guys And Dolls, Dance Legends, Chicago, Anything Goes and the smash hit West Side Story at the Stratford Festival Theatre. Jacques was recently in Germany, Poland, China and Japan where again he was the 2009 Canadian Judge at the World Tap, Modern and Jazz Dance Championships. He also conducted workshops, did some choreo and a bit of modeling during his travels in Europe and Asia. Jacques was also a featured dancer and the assistant-choreographer in the smash hit show Dance Legends. Jacques also co-directed A Chorus Line with Faye Rauw for the Toronto Theatre Company and was selected by the Toronto District School Board to be a Dance Mentor for a project called Dare To Dance. He has also worked with the Canadian Opera Company in a show called Nixon In China. Jacques is also the 4 time gold award winner Team Canada National Choreographer. Jacques is the proud owner of Five Star Dance Company and World Performers Canada Inc where he provides performance opportunities to dancers and cultural experiences abroad. On top of his busy schedule, he continues to teach for the Peel and Toronto District School Board and at numerous dance studios, schools and conventions around the world. LIVE LOVE DANCE!!!
Kim O’Neill
Artistic Director / Choreographer
Kim O'Neill is an established dancer, teacher, choreographer, and Graduate from the University of Western Ontario. She is trained extensively in all dance disciplines, having been trained under the direction of Matthew Clark. She is the proud owner of the O’Neill Academy of Dance, in her home town of London, Ontario.
Kim continues to peruse her dance career, represented by Da Costa Talent Agency in Toronto. With more than 15 years of professional work under her belt, Kim has become a well- established dancer and performer. Kim began her professional career as a featured dancer for the Helix Dance Project, under the direction of Linda Garneau. Kim has performed at numerous co-orperate industrial shows including the Bell Celebrity Gala, Crystal Ball Charity Event, C.I.M Awards, Contessa Awards, Steve Nash Charity Event, World Pride, Hold Em’ for Life Gala, Gilda Awards (dancing alongside Eric McCormack), Mary Kay Event Gala (2016/ 2018), Chandelier Ball” (Elgin Theatre’s 100th anniversary spectacular ), and the 2018 Goldwell Fashion show, under the direction of re-known choreographer Kevan Allen, to name a few. Kim completed a series of appearances on CBC's "Over the Rainbow (Sean Cheeseman),” "Warehouse 13’s” finale episode of “42nd Street,” The Strain, Beauty and The Beast, Bomb Girls (CTV), and “Canada’s Smartest Person.” Kim can be seen in the motion pictures "Save the Last Dance 2: Steppin Up,” and "Camp Rock.” She also had the pleasure of working on the hit TV series "Schitt's Creek" as a skeleton crew dancer, and Assistant to the choreographer (Jeff Dimitriou), for 2 featured dance scenes for season 5 of the t.v series. Kim also had the pleasure of assisting Jeff Dimitriou with the off- ice training and choreography for Canadian Ice Dance Champions, Paul Poirier and Piper Giles. Kim was also a top 100 finalist for the Canadian Premiere of So You Think You Can Dance, Canada.
Kim’s theatre credits include: Andrew Lloyd Weber's "Song and Dance", Drayton Entertainment's, Aladdin, Cinderella (DC), Robin Hood (DC), Peter Pan (DC), Dance Legends 2010 / 2011 (DC), Big Band Legends (DC), Rock n’ Roll Legends (DC), Dance Legends at The Grand Theatre in London, Ontario (Assistant Choreographer / DC), Return to Grace (RGA Productions) at the Ed Mirvish Theatre in 2014 / 2017, the Princess of Wales theatre in 2019, and at the Fallsview Casino (2015, 2017, and 2019). Kim was also thrilled to join the Canadian National Tour of Return to Grace in 2015 / 2016, as well as, continue the tour in Bangkok, Thailand (2015). A highlight for Kim was dancing as a soloist for Canadian Country Music Star / Singer, Chad Brownlee, at the 2016 Canadian Country Music Awards (Choreographer / Soloist dancer).
Sarah Nolan
Choreographer
Sarah was classically trained in ballet having graduated from Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet Professional Division with Distinction. She went on to dance professionally with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet for three years until an injury forced an untimely career change. Sarah’s performances include Giselle, The Nutcracker, Les Sylphides, Swan Lake, Concerto Barrocco, Les Patineurs, Seventh Symphony, and Deuce Coupe. She was also cast as the Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty and performed a solo variation in the ballet Paquita. In 1996, Sarah attended the Professional Ballet Program at the Banff Festival of the Arts in Banff, Alberta.
Sarah made the transition from dancer to teacher and choreographer in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where she received her professional teacher’s certification from the Royal Academy of Dance in London, England. While residing in the prairies some of her career highlights include founding the Saskatchewan Contemporary Ballet (SCB) and serving on the artistic team of Dare to Dance. Since moving to Ottawa, Sarah has had the opportunity to be the resident choreographer for Les Petits Ballets, a youth performing company located in Ottawa.
Sarah is thrilled to be launching into DanceRoots’ 8th season and is excited for the opportunity to share her experience and passion with her students!
Jen Carter
Choreographer
Jen Carter began dancing at the age of 10 in Peterborough, Ontario. She trained competitively with Premiere Studio of Dance until the age of 19, where she trained in many dance styles. It wasn't until age 13 that Jen recognized her great passion for urban dance, and decided she wanted to further a career in the dance industry. She then went on to participate in the Integrated Arts Dance Program at Peterborough Collegiate and Vocational School, where she found her love of teaching and choreographing. Through out her high school journey she was presented with many opportunities including: competing in Hurley Walk the Walk in California, dancing on the Rick Mercer Report, 2 trips to New York City to train at Broadway Dance Centre and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, 6 different high school competitions (where she was awarded 2 scholarships and remembered for her many performances as well as pieces she choreographed), and multiple shows each year. She is now a member of the Toronto Dance Community after moving in September 2015. Fall of 2012 is when Jen’s teaching journey began. Her first opportunity was given to her at her home studio, where she began teaching ballet, jazz and tap to kids ages 3-5. Over the years her love for urban dance took the lead and she was hired to choreograph at several studios. Jen now teaches workshops for high school students, private lessons for special needs children, choreography for 3 competitive teams and subbing drop in classes at The Underground Dance Centre. Jen is currently at Centennial College in the Dance Performance Program, assisting Leah Totten and teaching at studios while building her name. With previous training in BOSS Dance Company (under the direction of Leah Totten), and Hot In Heels: The Company (under the direction of Angela Mahoney), she is very grateful for all of her opportunities. Jen has found that it is extremely important to take inspiration from everything and everyone around her as her goal has always been to inspire and touch those she comes in contact with. She looks forward to continuing her growth as a dancer, teacher, choreographer and person through her hard work and dedication to her craft.
Jeff Wong
Choreographer
As owners & Directors of DANCE INC, this husband and wife team are truly unstoppable! Their goal is to inspire young dancers to persue their dreams and reach their goals! Both Jeff & Breanne have studied in all styles of dance, performed all over North America and been a part of the Dance industry for more than 20 years working in movies, commercials and live performances. They are constantly reinventing themselves to be at the top of their game.
Their teaching & choreography is what sets this duo apart from the rest! They are best known for inspiring young dancers through their passion and creative teaching skills! These two are dedicated to bringing their students and studio to the next level!
Building the studio on the foundation of “Inspiring One Child at a Time” Jeff & Breanne have done exactly that, inspiring many of their dancers to go onto professional careers in the dance industry!
Their competitive company dancers are taken to great heights throughout each and every competitive season. With their creativity of bigger and better routines each year, earning them the praise of adjudicators and teachers all over North America.These two are driven to make their mark as Creators, Role Models and Dance Educators in Durham and The Entire Dance Industry!“Their desire is to teach, their passion is to dance, their purpose is to inspire!”
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