Instructors and Musicians
Charissa Willson
Artistic Director | Owner | Head Instructor
Born in Toronto, Charissa Willson started her dance training at the age of four with mentor Anna McCowan Johnson. Her love for ballet led her to The National Ballet School's professional ballet & academic program, dancing numerous roles each year in the schools annual productions, including The National Ballet of Canada's 'The Nutcracker'. After graduating from The National Ballet School with honours, she was awarded the Floyd S. Chalmers Grant by the Canada Arts Council, and began her post-graduate dance training and work throughout Europe. In 2001, she danced as a soloist with the Jeune Ballet de Cannes in 'Paquita' at Le Festival de Danse de Cannes along with principal guest artists of the Paris Opera Ballet.
Charissa has been teaching ballet (Royal Academy of Dance syllabus), Music and Movement, and Creative Movement for children in Toronto since 2004, and is a trained Early Childhood Educator from Durham College. As music, movement, and singing are integral at Harmony, Charissa, incorporates piano with vocal harmonies in every class. Her love of teaching young children has lead her to develop unique programs for ages 10 months - 10 years at Orange Dot Inc., Toronto private schools including Branksome Hall and The Bishop Strachan School - as well Mooredale Community Centre, The Toronto Lawn Tennis Club and Whitney Junior Public School.
Charissa's unique and engaging approach to children's dance education always involves singing along with movement, creative imagery and stories to encourage the use of imagination and expression. Her passion for the arts and working with children inspired Charissa to found Harmony School of Dance & Music in 2010. All programs offered reflect Charissa's expertise and experience as both a dance professional and beloved children's instructor.
Abby Silvera
Instructor, Music Curriculum & Social Media Manager
Abby grew up in Richmond, BC, where they began dancing at the age of 4. They trained heavily in ballet, as well as contemporary, tap, jazz, voice, acting and musical theatre while growing up. They performed excerpts from the Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Paquita over the years, and received distinction on their Advanced II RAD ballet exam. In 2017, they had the opportunity to attend Boston Conservatory's Musical Theatre Dance Intensive, which inspired their decision to focus on musical theatre after high school.
Abby moved to Toronto to attend Randolph College for the Performing Arts, and graduated in 2020. They are currently working with an emerging collective as an interdisciplinary theatre artist, as well as a babysitter. They also play piano and guitar, and enjoy reading books and writing songs.
Brooke Rourke
Instructor
Hello! My name is Brooke Rourke. I am an actress and dancer currently located in Toronto, Ontario. Growing up as a competitive dancer, I quickly found a love for storytelling through movement.
Since graduating from Randolph College for the Performing Arts (Governor Genera's Award Winner), I have immersed myself in the entertainment industry, performing in musicals, dance concerts, and multiple film and television projects. Some recent credits to date have included, performing at Nuit Blanche in a multidisciplinary piece entitled “Operations”, working on the short film Patchwork Hero, and playing Fredrika in A Little Night Music.
With over 10 years of teaching dance to all levels and ages, I strive to ensure a safe and open environment where every student can grow and be their true self free of judgement.
Maya Katz
Instructor
Maya is a recent graduate of Sheridan College’s Musical Theatre program and has just completed a choreographic mentorship for the first national tour of The Outsiders in New York City. A daydreamer, songwriter, and aficionado of many-a miscellaneous of subject, Maya is a lightning bolt of energy who emphasizes the importance of play, imagination, and heart as integral parts of her teaching and creative work.
Jen Fong
Instructor
Jen is an interdisciplinary artist and performer originally from Regina, Saskatchewan. She has been training in dance and musical theatre for as long as she can remember. She began teaching in 2015, and recently spent a year directing a musical theatre performance program for kids and teens back home in Regina. She's constantly inspired by the energy and passion of young dancers and artists. She graduated from Randolph College for the Performing Arts in 2021, and is actively working in the theatre and film communities both in Toronto and Saskatchewan. A lover of all forms of art, she is also currently working on an undergrad in Visual Arts. Jen is grateful to be a part of the talented team at Harmony, and she loves sharing her passion for both ballet and music with the next generation of dancers!
Amariah Faulkner
Instructor
Amariah Faulkner grew up in Barrie, Ontario, and began dancing and singing at three. She has a strong foundation in RAD ballet, ISTD tap and modern, as well as RCM vocal. With a BFA from Sheridan's Musical Theatre Performance Program, she is a passionate actor, creator, and teacher. She's worked as a performer with companies such as Mirvish, Musical Stage Co, Nickelodeon, and CBC. You may recognize her voice from some of your kids favourite animated shows, such as Daniel Tiger's Neighbourhood, Creative Galaxy, Wild Kratts, and Aurthur. She strives to instill the same passion and curiosity she has for art in young performers.
Molly Corcoran
Instructor
Molly was born and raised in Northern Michigan. At the age of 4 she began training in theater, ballet, jazz, tap, modern /contemporary, and eventually pointe in her teens. Finding a passion for storytelling and performing, she decided to move to Toronto and attend the Dance Performance Program at George Brown College.
Molly later attended the acting program at Vancouver Film School. Together with Film and Theater education and experience, Molly has developed into a dynamic and powerful artist.
Molly is active in the Toronto acting and dance community, teaching and performing in short films and collaborating with fellow Toronto artists.
With years of experience working with children, Molly is excited to bring her knowledge of movement and song to the next generation of dancers.
Sophie Oldford
Instructor
Sophie Oldford (She/Her), is a Toronto based Performing/Visual Artist. She is a recent George Brown Theatre School Graduate. Since graduating in April 2024 Sophie has spent her time producing immersive original musical theatre and performing in her own work.
Additionally, she spends her time photographing artists and performances across the city. However, Sophie is a dancer first as she spent most of her childhood engaging in various genres of dance. She is thrilled to be an assistant teacher; as she loves working around young artists and helping them in fostering a positive relationship with dance.
Fiona Younger
Assistant Instructor
Fiona started taking Ms. Charissa's ballet classes as a toddler and continued with dance till she was about 10 years old. She is now a high performance alpine skier and a high school student at Branksome Hall. Fiona enjoys working with younger children and is excited to help them find their passion for dance!
Gwendolyn Dejani
Assistant Instructor
Gwendolyn has been a longtime fan of ballet and dance. She started dancing when she was just two years old, studying with Miss Charissa at the Harmony School of Dance during the year and in summer camps. When she was seven, she joined the National Ballet of Canada School, first in the Junior Program, then for several years in the Certificate Program where along with Classical Ballet she studied Character Dance and started On Pointe.
Gwendolyn is a student in the Senior School at the Bishop Strachan School where she also enjoys track & field, cross-country and volleyball. During the winter months she also loves skiing in Collingwood.
She is thrilled to be returning to Harmony School of Dance to work with Miss Charissa and the students this summer.
Jenna Geen
Music Curriculum Manager and Social Media Manager
Jenna Geen (she/they) is an interdisciplinary artist. She is trained in a variety of mediums including theatre, music, dance, and movement. Jenna is curious about the various ways in which theatre and dance can be used to investigate ideas, and ask new questions. In addition to their work as a performer, Jenna is also a sound designer (Paprika '22) and musician/songwriter. Jenna is passionate about using live performance methods like dance and music in innovative ways; always remaining curious and open to the exploration process.
Jordan Shime
Assistant Instructor
My name is Jordan and I am a high school student. I did Ms. Charissa's ballet program when I was younger, and have many amazing memories from it that still mean so much to me today. I could not be more excited to help other young ballerinas create memories and a love for dance and music that they will treasure for years to come!
Rebecca Chan
Assistant Instructor
Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, Rebecca Chan is a professional dancer based in Toronto, Ontario. Her whole life, Rebecca has had a passion for the performing arts. She studied performance dance at George Brown College and then later on at London Studio Centre (London, UK). Through the years Rebecca has become proficient in a variety of styles including ballet, jazz, contemporary, commercial and tap while also having received good acting and singing training. She landed one of her first professional contracts with Thursford’s Christmas Spectacular (Norfolk, UK). Since then she has also performed with the London Cabaret Club (London, UK) and Interplay Theatre(Leeds, UK). In 2022 Rebecca signed as a dancer for the Moulin Rouge in Paris, France where she performed for two years. Now, back in Toronto, Rebecca is excited to share her love of dance and cultivate a passion for the arts in our next generation.
Layla Yusuf
Assistant Instructor
Layla started ballet with Ms. Charissa when she was young and quickly fell in love with dancing. She went on to do competitive dance for six years, which taught her a lot about hard work, being creative, and working with others. Now she plays competitive volleyball and goes to Branksome Hall. Layla loves being around younger kids and really enjoys helping them have fun and find something they love, just like she found her love for dance when she was little.
Sydney Gauvin
Assistant Instructor
Sydney Gauvin is a professional actor based in Toronto with years of experience in singing, dancing, and theatre. She graduated from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City and has been studying theatre arts since the age of 7.Having trained in dance from such a young age, Sydney understands how important early exposure to the arts can be, not just for skill-building, but for confidence, creativity, and fun! She is passionate about making the arts accessible to all children and creating a positive, encouraging environment where every student feels seen, supported, and inspired to express themselves through movement. Sydney can't wait to share her love of dance and help young dancers take their first steps into the world of ballet!
Carla Haddad
Assistant Instructor
Carla Haddad is a multi-disciplinary artist who has been immersed in the arts for her whole life. Growing up, she was involved with dance for ten years including ballet, contemporary, and jazz alongside discovering her love for music early in life as well. Carla is a multi-instrumentalist and singer with ensemble and solo experience performing in jazz, symphonic, choral, and acoustic settings. She recently received her BFA in Animation graduating from Savannah College of Art and Design and continues to engage in the local art communities in Toronto through her work in concert photographer along with participating in markets in which she sells her own illustrative work.
Annie Spence
Assistant Instructor
Annie Spence is a multidisciplinary artist passionate about making fantastical works. Annie was born in Toronto, with experience in contemporary dance, aerial silks, costume design, musicals and writing. They are a graduate of York University, earning their BFA in Dance Choreography. In their final year of the York dance program, Annie performed as part of the York Dance Ensemble (under artistic director Syreeta Hector). They most recently performed as part of this ensemble in “Here and Now” (2025), a mixed bill with works by Jane-Alison McKinney, Emily Duckett, and Syreeta Hector. This past winter, Annie was also able to develop their work “About They Go” as part of the Emerging Voices Creator's Lab, with the support of Jane-Alison McKinney and Dedra McDermott. Other recent highlights for Annie include the premier of their work “The Four Clowns of the Apocalypse” in the Bloom (2024), and participating in the Guelph Dance Festival alongside Rock Bottom Movement in 2023. Annie hopes to continue telling stories throughout their career, no matter the medium. Connect with them on instagram: @annie.spence7
Letizia Pent
Assistant Instructor & Pianist
Letizia Pent is an Italian pianist and experienced piano teacher currently based in Toronto while completing her Doctorate of Musical Arts (Piano Performance) remotely at the University of British Columbia. Born into a musical family in Turin, she began studying piano and composition at age five with her father—a teacher, writer, and composer—and voice with her mother, a soprano at Teatro Regio di Torino.
Letizia's education spans Italy, Belgium, and North America, enriched by advanced training at Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi, the Royal Conservatory of Brussels (Erasmus program), and Southern Oregon University (M.Mus.), with current doctoral studies at UBC under Dr. David Fung. She has performed in solo recitals and festivals across Europe and North America, and was a finalist at the Washington International Piano Competition, but her true vocation is sharing music through teaching.
Ballet, modern dance (15 years), and background acting at Teatro Regio di Torino (5 years) inform her expressive approach to piano performance and teaching. She works with students of all ages and backgrounds, including neurodivergent learners, and is committed to making music education accessible and personally meaningful. Letizia regularly composes and arranges music tailored to her students' interests and teaches in Italian, English, and French. Her research focuses on storytelling through programmatic music as a pedagogical tool, reflecting her curiosity and desire to foster each student's unique musical voice.
Skylar Serafim
Assistant Instructor
Originally from Strathroy, Ontario, Skylar Serafim is a Toronto based performer with training in a wide range of styles. She is a graduate of St. Clair College’s Music Theatre Performance program and grew up training as a competitive dancer, developing a strong foundation in technique and performance.
Skylar brings a creative, high energy approach to the studio, emphasizing technique while encouraging confidence, musicality, and a genuine love of movement. She values both discipline and joy in training, creating an environment where students feel supported, motivated, and challenged.
She is passionate about working with dancers of all ages and levels, and is dedicated to helping each student grow not only as a dancer, but as a confident and expressive individual.
Michelle Naidu
Assistant Instructor
Born in India, Michelle Naidu is a versatile performer with a passion for storytelling. Her recent credits include Dreamweavers (Story Theatre), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Ten Lost Years, Ride the Cyclone (C.C.P.A.), and All’s Well That Ends Well (G.V.S.F.). She enjoys sharing her musical and performing experience with a new generation of performers!
Alisha Sawyers
Pianist
My name is Alisha Sawyers and I am a professional Pianist. For as long as I can remember, music has been a source of joy, expression, and a means of connecting with people of all kinds. I have been playing the piano for just over 15 years, and am a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University's Honours Bachelor of Music program where I studied classical piano under the distinguished Dr. Heather Taves. I believe that music is an extremely powerful tool of self expression, and creativity and thus I make improvisation and composition of utmost priority in both my artistry and pedagogical practice.
Jonah Nung
Pianist
Jonah Nung is a pianist and music director based in Toronto. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in music education with a minor in composition at the University of Toronto. Jonah has a strong interest in collaborative piano and frequently accompanies his peers in rehearsal and performance. He has also been involved in numerous theatre productions as a music director, rehearsal pianist, pit musician, and crew member and has worked with Hart House Theatre, No Strings Theatre, the U of T campus theatre community, and X Musical Theatre Company. Jonah is very excited to be playing piano for Harmony School of Dance and Music.
Richard Nguyen
Pianist
Richard is a grade 12 student in the Claude Watson Arts Program at Earl Haig. Through his school, he has been able to participate in large and small ensembles, solo performances, multimedia projects, and composition projects, and has also been able to accompany ensembles, soloists, a musical, and ballet classes. Richard is a dedicated pianist who plans to pursue music post-secondary. In recent years, he has found major success in competitions and performances, including performing as soloist with the Earl Haig Symphony Orchestra in May 2024. He is also a composer who has worked with the acclaimed Bedford Trio to premiere his work in concert. Richard is passionate about promoting arts within the community and exposing it to as many people as possible. He enjoys presenting outreach concerts to retirement homes and schools and also educating kids about music through private teaching. He is excited to be on the Harmony team and foster a welcoming artistic environment for everyone!
Jayden Lo
Pianist
Originally from Hong Kong, Jayden is a current student at the University of Toronto, and has been playing the piano for over 15 years. During his time in Hong Kong, he has been participating in local piano competitions. He also received distinction from the ATCL exam by the Trinity College London. Jayden had been a piano teacher for two and a half years for kids at the age of 6-10 years old, gaining various experiences from youth and music educations.
Jayden has a strong interest in musical performance and education, and believes that music could be a valuable asset for the community, and therefore taking a step forward to become a pianist for the Harmony School of Ballet to continue with his passion.
Sharon Chan
Pianist
Born in Hong Kong, Sharon received full scholarships to study at Wells Cathedral School in the UK as a specialist musician at the age of 14.
Sharon toured with Wells' String Chamber and Symphony Orchestra to London, Germany, Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Beijing during her years at Wells. She also had the honour of playing to the Princess of Denmark at a conference in 2010. In the same year, Sharon won the opportunity to play Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto with the School's orchestra in Wells and Llandaff Cathedrals. An invitation to play the Mozart Concerto No.5 in St. Cuthbert's Church with the Mid Somerset Orchestra followed the year later. Sharon continued her study with Professor Michael Ma at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts upon graduating from Wells, where she won the coveted spot to perform Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto with the School's Symphony Orchestra in her final year. Soon after her graduation, Sharon joined the Hong Kong Sinfonietta and remained a member for 10 years before moving to Toronto. Aside from the violin, Sharon is also an avid church pianist and instrumental accompanist.
Mara Tanovich
Pianist and Assistant Instructor
Mara is a student of the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto, majoring in piano with a specialty in accompanying. She has extensive training and teaching experience in piano, ballet, and violin.
Mara's skills and expertise in music and dance have been mutually beneficial and she believes that combining the two disciplines in early education is very valuable. She is delighted to combine her love and passion for both dance and music through her work at Harmony School of Dance and Music.
