Faculty
At McCarthy School of dance we pride ourselves on our world renowned staff. All of our teachers are experts and professionals in their disciplines and love to share their wisdom with our students. Being a family owned and operated business we have chosen a staff that is both professional and personal so that all our students feel like a part of the family.
Kathrine McCarthy (Director)
A.S.R.B., A.C.D.T.A., A.I.S.T.D., T.C.R.A.D., I.D.O. Judge.
Kathrine McCarthy is an internationally known and accomplished dancer, teacher, adjudicator, choreographer.
Kathrine studied with the National Ballet School, professional program, and continued training with the Oakville Ballet, and many other styles of dance at studios in Ontario.
Both herself and her students have won many awards and scholarships at competitions.
Kathrine has taught, as well as danced professionally in the UK (including Richmond Dance, Inside/Out Contemporary Dance Company & Jazzoofy Dance Company).
Kathrine has an extensive background in a multitude of dance disciplines receiving Honours, Distinction, and the highest marks for her ballet, jazz, tap and modern dance examinations - all grades, and major levels (R.A.D., I.S.T.D., C.D.T.A.).
Kathrine trained for her solo seal award R.A.D.
She is also trained in Gymnastics, and acrobatic jazz competitively.
She has won National Awards and Scholarships in both Vocal and Drama.
As a choreographer for Team Canada Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, and Modern; Kathrine’s choreography has won numerous medals for Formations, small groups, Duets, and solos.
She has also been a coach and Team Captain for Team Canada Dance since 2010.
In 2016 Kathrine McCarthy earned the title of being an I.D.O. Judge (International Dance Organization)
She has been teaching Classical Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern, Acrobatic Jazz, Tap, and Musical Theatre for over 25 years.
Her students range from recreational, examination, competitive, and professional.
She has taught throughout Southern Ontario as a guest teacher and permanent teacher in several dance schools, and is in demand for adjudicating and workshops.
Kathrine McCarthy is the director of McCarthy School of Dance in Burlington, Ontario.
Lynne McCarthy (Co-Director)
Lynne McCarthy began her dance and performing career in England at the age of six, performing in musicals and pantomimes. Lynne modeled professionally across Europe and was the muse for the Dorothy Perkins design house. She also trained and performed with the esteemed Sadler’s Wells Ballet and Walsall Operatic Society before emigrating to Canada and continuing her teaching studies. She became a Teaching Member of the Royal Academy of Dancing, gaining her Teacher’s Certificate and Teacher’s Diploma. She is currently a Member with the Society of Russian Ballet (Vaganova) and the Canadian Dance Teachers Association. In addition to excelling in their ballet studies and exams, Lynne’s students have always, and still continue to, win many awards and scholarships. Lynne has been teaching for over 35 years and has trained teachers as well as professional dancers. She has been a Team Canada choreographer for ballet since 2006.
Courtney Andrew
Courtney began her dance career at McCarthy School of Dance at the age of 3. She became a competitive dancer at the young age of 4, performed her first solo at the age of 5 and continued until she graduated high school. Throughout her competitive career she has won many special awards for dancing such as judges choice, highest jumps, great facial expression and outrageous legs, just to name a few. She has trained in many styles of dance such as ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, acro, hip hop, musical theatre, lyrical, modern and contemporary. She has been successful with exams in both R.A.D. (ballet) and C.D.T.A. (jazz and tap), consistently receiving high marks like Highly Commended and honours. She became a dance teacher’s assistant at the age of 11. She loves teaching and has a passion for children. In addition to working towards her C.D.T.A. certification for teaching acrobatic jazz, Courtney in is the summer camp instructor for McCarthy School of dance. She recently graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Arts (Child, Youth and Family) and she is has recently graduated from teachers college.
Stephanie Truman
Stephanie started dancing at McCarthy School of Dance and has been dancing for more than twenty years. She has studied many styles, including ballet, jazz, modern, acro, pointe, lyrical, and musical theatre. Stephanie graduated from the dance program at York University in 2014 and now holds a BFA with honours. She is also a certified teacher with the Society of Russian Ballet and with Acrobatic Arts. During her training, Stephanie achieved great success in dance competitions, most notably becoming the World Champion in the Ballet Duo category in 2007 and 2009. Stephanie is the co-founder/director of Forma Contemporary Dance, an online-based dance project. She has been teaching for more than ten years and her students have won numerous overall and special awards at dance competitions throughout Ontario. Stephanie is excited to continue sharing her love of dance with her students at McCarthy School of Dance!
Emily Chia
Emily started her dance journey at the age of three in Mississauga, Ontario at Sean Boutiller Academy Of Dance. Upon moving to Oakville, Ontario, Emily had started her competitive training at McCarthy School Of Dance in Burlington, Ontario. She was a competitive member until her graduation in 2013, competing in various styles such as ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, hip-hop and musical theatre. Emily has won multiple awards and scholarships at various competitions that the studio attended across Ontario. In 2010, she was an I.D.O Dance Team Canada member for ballet, jazz and modern. She has received training with various choreographers including Alex Wong. She has completed C.D.T.A ballet exams in mutiple grades and major levels. Emily attended the University of Windsor for her B.A in Dramatic Arts. She was president of the Lancer Dance Pack in 2016. She has taught and choreographed in Oakville, Windsor and Burlington, Ontario. Emily strongly believes in the power of dance and using it as a positive outlet for mental health. Emily is currently working towards further certifications. She is egar to share her passion for dance for generations to come.
