The Travelling Stage
The Travelling Stage, where arts education takes centre stage! With a proud legacy spanning 22 years, we were founded by Toni Grates and have since become a leading organization in the field. Our team of dedicated professionals is committed to nurturing young minds and fostering self-confidence through the power of arts education.
THE TRAVELLING STAGE
TONI GRATES, DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER
Toni Grates is the Founding Director of The Travelling Stage; a company she started 22 years ago with a big dream, a hand-made poster and a laundry basket full of props. She spends much of her time creating and advocating for arts opportunities for young people.
She’s worked as an actor and a writer for YTV and CityTV and has performed on, directed and written for stages across North America.
In addition to her work with The Travelling Stage, she teaches Drama and Dance Education at Brock University. She is also honoured to oversee a Far North Community Engagement Initiative in remote communities in the NWT as far as the Arctic Ocean, where The Travelling Stage is working alongside consultants, elders and school superintendents to engage communities through the arts.
She received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Durham Catholic District School Board, where she was first inspired by her high school drama teacher, Mr. Jim Finan. She believes that arts education is essential and has committed her career to creating as many accessible and inclusive opportunities as she can for students and teachers. She strives to lead with compassion and creativity. She is grateful for an extraordinary office and teaching team, who are also committed to impact and change through arts education.
Toni is currently completing her Master of Education from the University of Toronto with a dual emphasis in Arts in Education and Indigenous Education and Decolonization.
She is a very proud mom to two boys, ages 8 and 13.
“Great artists are people who find the way to be themselves in their art.” — Margot Fonteyn
THE TRAVELLING STAGE
OFFICE AND SUPPORT TEAM
Introducing the dynamic individuals who form our office and support team at The Travelling Stage! They are the unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the smooth execution of our programs. With their unwavering dedication, our team ensures that each initiative seamlessly complements school curricula, delivering enriching experiences that leave a lasting impact on over 5 million students across the country. Together, we strive to make arts education an accessible and transformative journey for all.
Amy
Fatima
Tanya
Dionne
Coordinator
Rheanne
Coordinator
“One who expresses one’s self through dance is a dancer. One who expresses one’s self through a dancer is a dance teacher.” — Unknown
THE TRAVELLING STAGE
Teaching Artists
Meet our exceptional team of teaching artists who are passionate about sharing their love for the arts and nurturing young talent at The Travelling Stage. With years of training and experience, they bring creativity, dedication and expertise to every class, inspiring our students to thrive in their dance journey.
Alana Greig
Alyssa Webster
Amy MacDonald
Amy Weslowsky
Andrea Dragosits
Ashley Comeau
Benjamin Thomas
Breanna Maloney
Camila Pereyra
Carolyn Goff
Celeste Chiappetta
Christina Breault
Claire Rice
Colleen Furlan
Concetta Roche
Cora Matheson
Dan Fox
Dani Bone Corbishley
Daniel Krolik
Dharma Bizier
Eddy Alvaro
Elise Plant
Elizabeth DeGrazia
Emma Barker
Emma Dundas
Eric Dahlinger
Erin Chappel
Gabriela Ortiz
Geneviéve Cholette
Gillian Brooks
Hannah Krostewitz
Isabella Kondrat
Jahnelle Jones
Jasmine Solano
Jenny Cairney
Jessica Balyk
Jessica Gomes
Jessica Rosales
Jo Dixon
Jordan Bache
Josh Murray
Kaitlin Kawam
Kaylah Drozda
Kennedy Dale Johnson
Lauren Scott
Leia Le Maistre
Lena Wiklund Lorimer
Lesley Scott Wyles
Lori Sherrit
Madie Brown
Madison Mapes
Malcolm Messado
Margaret Legere
Margarita Camera
Marisa Blankier
Marisa Sherk
Maura LaRue
Michael Kosowan
Mya Leworthy
Nicole Decsey
Noah Webster
Olivia Koren
Reanna Joseph
Reese Cowley
Riddhi Upadhyay
Roy Mulder
Shelley MacDonald
Sinead Allen
Sophie Brender
Taylor Wiens
Trevor-Martin
