|
Learn More About Us
BYFIELD DANCE EXPERIENCE
Located in the heart of Toronto, Byfield Dance Experience (BDX) is an inspiring dance studio space created by Dora Award and Gemini Award praised choreographer Shawn Byfield. A National authority in dance instruction and veteran of the entertainment biz, Shawn Byfield created BDX to enhance culture in Toronto, offering the space to all aspects of the arts community.
BDX is Toronto's exclusive recreational dance studio for lovers and supporters of dance, but may not have any dance training whatsoever. Inspiring hip hop and tap dance classes are offered from a professional, fun and energizing staff. We offer the chance for young, working adults who want to add more excitement to their lives.
SHAWN BYFIELD
Most Awesome Dance Studio Owner Dude, Battling A Weakness For Dessert
 SHAWN BYFIELD has the distinction of receiving a Dora Award for his expert dance choreography in award winning musical "i think i can". As well, Byfield had the honour of being nominated for a Gemini Award. He is a veteran of TV & film; an internationally renowned tap dance & hip hop dance instructor; Owner and Director of BDX Studio in Toronto, Co- Director of Thrive! Entertainment; and Director of Funk Factory, Canada's Funkiest Tap Dance Ensemble.
A resident of Toronto, Shawn Byfield has taught master classes literally from coast to coast in Canada, and overseas in Israel, Scotland and England. Having taught thousands of students of all ages over the past 15 years, Shawn offers a wide range of inspiring and challenging dance classes and workshops for beginner adults to professional dancers in Toronto.
A few of his film and TV credits include roles in: HAIRSPRAY, Blues Brothers 2000, Taal, Bojangles, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, The Music Man, Death To Smoochie, The Ladies Man, The Juno Awards, Slings & Arrows, Royal Canadian Air Farce, Instant Star; including commercials for The Bay, Got Milk, Rogers Video, Zellers, Much Vibe, Rogers On Demand, McDonalds, Honda, Molson Canadian, and Joe Fresh.
Media has featured Byfield in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, National Post, Now Magazine, Eye Weekly, Toronto Sun, Canadian Living Magazine, CBC Radio, CFRB 1010, Much Music, CBC Television and Breakfast Television. Resume on IMDB
   
He travels often as a teacher and dance choreographer across the country. Past students of Shawn have gone on to work with such artists as Britney Spears, Aaron Carter and Janet Jackson, and have appeared in hit television shows such as So You Think You Can Dance. Many have become respected dance professionals in film, television, cruise ships and music theatre.
When he's away for other professional work, Shawn Byfield brings in top guest instructors and dance choreographers to provide absolutely the most positive, encouraging and fun hip hop and tap dance classes the city has to offer. www.ShawnByfield.com | BLOG
JENNA WILSON
THE Coolest Executive Assistant in Life
 Since her first stage performance at the age of two, JENNA WILSON fell in love with the world of entertainment and hasn't looked back since.
While completing her degree in Communication Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, Jenna received the university's "Lifetime Achievement Award" for her outstanding contribution to student volunteerism including her role as Artistic Director of "Fashion 'N Motion" a major student production involving hundreds of dancers, entertainers and support staff.
Most recently, as a Recruitment Co-ordinator with Mosaic’s Talent Acquisition Team in Toronto, some of the accounts Jenna works on include Labatt, Rogers, Sunoco and Proctor & Gamble where she assembles promotional representatives for high profile marketing campaigns across Canada.
An accomplished dancer and performer herself, Jenna has appeared in an MTV music video with David Michael Anthony as well as numerous appearances on ABC's Showstoppers American Dance Championships and CTV's Miss Oktoberfest Pageant.
While growing up in Kitchener-Waterloo, Jenna trained extensively in tap, Jazz, ballet and Lyrical at Bojangles Art of Dance where, as a member of the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Dance Companies, she competed throughout the United States and Canada and later shared her love of dance as an instructor and programme consultant for children’s, Adult’s and Senior's groups throughout the community.
As Shawn’s Executive Assistant, Jenna is thrilled to work with students and clients, and can't wait to use her creativity, enthusiasm and love of dance to bring new and innovative ideas to the organization. Let the excitement begin… Let’s dance!
Click here to contact Jenna Wilson
LAURA JANKE
Friendliest Communications Manager, Ever
 Laura Janke is a bookworm with a predilection for shoes and purses, who was captivated by the entertainment world at the age of three.
While growing up throughout fifteen different regions within North America, Laura’s escapades included everything from singing duets with her sister, to acting, to cheerleading, and to dancing in a Beach Boys concert. In addition, Laura was mesmerized by musical theater, which continues to be a prominent part of her life.
Laura graduated with Honors in Actuarial Science at the University of Waterloo. To balance her statistical savvy, she involved herself in university productions. Laura choreographed the musical, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, as well as directed, choreographed, and co-produced Footloose.
With her unique experience, Laura brings her creative, organizational, technical, and analytical skills to BDX. Laura is always looking for ways to improve her dancing. She also loves meeting new people, so don't be shy to introduce yourself to her!
RITA PEREIRA
Always Stylish Studio Services Manager
 Toronto's beautician Rita Pereira is the master of meeting her client’s desires. Rita's passion for aesthetics led her toward studying style magazines as she began to beautify her sisters. Consequently, Rita certified her passion after discovering the power of a makeover on one's confidence.
In 2006 Rita opened Salon Beauty Mark,were she employs ten years of experience and training toward her trusting clientele. “To look your best, express your inner confidence, and discover who you can truly become makes for a beautiful life!” says Pereira.
Rita’s community work is an expression of love. Cutting hair for senior citizens, the physically challenged, troubled youth, and abused women is Rita's way of paying it forward. Along with poetry, music, and reading, dance is Rita’s sanctuary. She took her first class with Shawn Byfield in 2004, and has since adopted Shawn as her personal mentor.
Shawn's spirit invigorates Rita in both her personal and business life. Byfield Dance eXperience is about energy, passion, goodwill, love and support. Everyone will find a new and energetic direction at BDX just as Rita did. Beauty is her passion and BDX is her rock.
JESSICA DOUTSAS
Events Manager And Future B-Girl
 Jessica was 3 when she started taking ballet classes at Sandra Amodeo Dance Studio, where her sister and cousin danced. A year later she was in tap - the dance love of her life - and then jazz as well. Competing all over Canada and the USA was always one of her favourite parts of dance, especially when she got to perform huge productions with the entire studio at the EPCOT Centre in Florida's DisneyWorld.
When in high school, Jessica started taking hip hop, and then while at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus, she began her life-long passion for the UTSC South Asian Alliance dance team, where she competed (and won in 2007) in the SAA Culture Show – each of the 16 Canadian Universities gets a 10 minute themed performance with huge props, multiple costume changes, and several styles of dance to showcase, including Bollywood, classical Indian, hip hop, jazz and bhangra (her second dance love, after tap).
Nowadays, Jessica is still dancing with members of the UTSC SAA for performances outside of Culture Show, and takes tap and hip hop with Shawn Byfield. She is also currently at George Brown College for Events Planning with the dream of planning concerts and dance performances all over Canada, so working as the Events Coordinator for BDX is a job dream-come-true!
JENNIFER MCEWEN
Administrative Coordinator Extraordinaire
 From an early age Jennifer realized her love for dance. Growing up in farm country she took ballet, modern, Jazz, tap, and Irish dance classes in the small town of Perth, Ontario. Her love for dance led to love for performance. In the seventh grade, Jennifer had the role of the scarecrow in a local performance of the Wizard of Oz; shortly after, Jennifer was hooked on acting.
She graduated with a BFA from York University’s Acting Conservatory program. She has worked with theater companies such as The Classical Theatre Project, Column 13 Actors Company, b currant, and Pleiades Theatre. Most recently Jennifer acted in various independent short films, including Boxed In (National Film board.)
Jennifer met Shawn Byfield while auditioning for the dance movie How She Move. This audition rekindled her love of dance. Furthermore, Shawn’s passion for dance, his musicality, and his energetic personality soon became contagious, leading Jennifer to join BDX, and eventually, become part of the team. "BDX is a positive, inspiring, wonderful place to Dance Dance Dance!"
MINA JASAREVIC
Funky-Fresh Public Relations Manager
 Hailing from Europe via Ottawa, Mina Jasarevic completed her Bachelor’s degree in Law and Political Science at Carleton University. Shortly after, she moved to Toronto to attain her Master’s in Political Science at York University. Today, she conducts foreign policy research for Toronto’s constituency offices.
Mina’s love for Hip Hop music and culture is reflected in her media-related expertise. Throughout her undergraduate studies, Mina directed and hosted fashion and talented shows, as well as a Hip Hop radio show. Subsequently, she embarked into the world of Hip Hop journalism where she wrote editorials for largest online magazines - including HipHopDX.com – while interviewing a plethora of notable artists from Akon to Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Throughout her journalistic endeavors, Mina served as a PR representative to various clients within the music industry.
In order to beneficially contribute to both journalism and political science, one must have compassion for people and their well-being. That is exactly what Mina found within Shawn Byfield, who not only teaches with skill and aptitude, but also, with a tremendously kind heart. Today, Mina brings her heart and PR expertise to BDX, and is thrilled to complement such an empowering, dynamic, and life altering experience.
CHRIS JAMES
THE Expert Video Guy with Crazy Ideas
 CHRIS JAMES is the executive producer of Grey Area Productions. He is very honored to be at the head of THE Shawn Byfield's Video productions.
Chris is a recent grad of the Toronto Film School, and has been in video production since childhood. Ever since elementary school when he first laid eyes on a video camera, he's been highlighting what makes this world amazing. "A wise man once said, if you are going to shine a light in this world, shine it on beauty. I took that to heart." Being part of Shawn Byfield's campaign is no exception.
Growing up, dance was second nature to Chris. Hearing music and not dancing was almost inconceivable. He learned to dance by watching others. "I like to say that Usher was my dance teacher, because I'd watch his videos and play them back in slow motion and learn from the master." Eventually he got scouted to be in the Infusion fashion show in London Ontario, and that lead to more performances, and finally to Thrive! Dance where he met THE Shawn Byfield.
Being part of Shawn's campaign to make the world better through dance is very important to Chris, because it combines his two great loves. No one can be unhappy while dancing, it's the quickest way to go from 0 to 60 in no time flat. The sooner the world knows, the better. They must know. "If I can inspire one...JUST ONE person to dance by doing this, I'd know I was truly making this world a better place".
www.GreyAProductions.com
|
