MEET OUR STAFF!
ALYSSA THOMAS
OWNER & DIRECTOR
Alyssa began her dance training at the age of 5 in Dartmouth, NS. She trained in ballet, jazz, tap and contemporary dance for over 25 years.
During that time she had the opportunity to train at Broadway Dance Center in NYC, with Bob McCollum of Canada’s National Ballet School and with Rebecca Lazier (New York). She completed the Maritime Dance Academy teacher training program and her CDTA exams in ballet, jazz and tap.
Alyssa also spent many years performing with the Maritime Dance Performance Group, and in more recent years the 30 Something Dance Co-op.Alyssa recently completed year 2 of her three year training in the Adapt syllabus for ballet, jazz, and tap and looks forward to completing it in the near future!
Alyssa began S26 10 years ago and along with her amazing team of teachers has grown it into what it is today. Sharing her passion for dance with her students and making it accessible is her greatest passion !
GRACE FLEMMING
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Grace is a dancer, choreographer and teacher in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Starting dance at the age of 3, she has trained in many styles including Hip Hop, Ballet and Jazz.
For six years she competed and trained with a local youth Hip Hop dance team and then went on to be an apprentice on The Woods Hip Hop Company for two years.
Grace is currently the Assistant Director of Studio 26 Dance Company. She teaches multiple Hip Hop classes both recreational and competitive, choreographs competitive routines and is the Co-Director of the competitive program.
Grace is passionate about passing on her knowledge to all ages and creating a space for dancers to explore their own movement!
AVA THOMAS
TEACHER | HIP HOP & JAZZ
Ava began her dance training at the age of 3. She found her passion in Hip hop but has been training in various styles for the past 13 years. Ava has been choreographing for Studio 26's competitive team as well as teaching various classes at the studio for the past four years and is excited to see her dancers hit the stage.
Ava is heading to Toronto in September to continue her dance career in the dance program at George Brown College. She is excited to learn and bring her knowledge back to the city to share with her students when she is home.
GEORGE JONES
TEACHER | HIP HOP
Choreographer/Instructor/Dancer, has worked with some of the biggest Icons of this generation. The artist that thrusted his career in to overdrive was Britney Spears, but since then he has worked with JLO, Nicki Minaj, and Usher just to name a few. He received his Bachelors of Art from Marymount Manhattan College. Marymount is where George received his training in the techniques of Ballet, Modern, Jazz and Choreography. After graduating and having such a desire and passion to perform he switched gears and decided to focus all of his energy on Commercial Dance. After finding great success in New York city he relocated to Los Angeles where his career hit new heights. He has had the honor of touring the world multiple times, appearing on various TV and Award Shows. As well as several documentaries and films. George is grateful to be apart of the studio 26 family and help develop these young artists into confident and knowledgeable performers.
YASMIN RASHID
TEACHER | HIP HOP & JAZZ
Dancing for over a decade, Yasmin has trained in various styles ranging from ballet and contemporary, to hip hop and house. Yasmin has been involved in the entertainment industry in NS for 7 years allowing her to be apart of multiple music videos, preform with local drag artists as well as various entertainers in the music industry. In addition to performing, Yasmin has been brought onto numerous projects for choreographic purposes as well as modelling.
Training in Toronto and LA with creditable artists and choreographers, Yasmin is always looking to create new connections as she continues to explore the industry.
MALCOLM ROBERTS
TEACHER | HIP HOP & JAZZ
Malcolm Roberts is a passionate dance student and instructor with 6 years of experience in ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and hip-hop. He has completed Maritime Dance Academy’s ITP 3 ballet exam and ITP 4 jazz exam. Recently named Mercy Dance Competition's Halifax Teen Crowned Soloist for 2023-2024, he is also a roster member of 24Talent, having been scouted for his exceptional dance talent.
Malcolm’s teaching focuses on building confidence and creativity, and he is excited to bring his expertise to Studio 26 Dance Company.
ASHYAH CROMWELL
TEACHER | HIP HOP
Ashyah has been dancing with Studio 26 for 6 years and this is her second year as a teacher and choreographer. Ashyah started on Team Legacy and now she is their coach! Ashyah dances on Team Empire and her favourite style is hip hop. Her passion and dedication is an asset to our team and studio as a whole.
AUDRINA BORDEN
TEACHER | HIP HOP
Meet Audrina, A seasoned dancer in her 10th year here at S26. Audrina is a passionate dancer, teacher and now choreographer with her first solo winning top novice solo at competition in 2023. Studio 26 is Audrina’s second home where she finds community, support and encouragement. Audrina is an important part of our dance family here at S26.
KHADIJAH JOHNSON
TEACHER | HIP HOP, BALLET, CONETMPORARY
Khadijah’s journey into the world of dance began at the tender age of 3. Her early passion was nurtured at the Bahamas Dance Theater, where she honed and developed a strong foundation in various dance disciplines. Over the years, Khadijah’s dedication and talent led her to achieve distinctions in all five levels of the Royal Academy of Dance exams. Her training encompasses ballet, modern, hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, majorette, tap, and gymnastics. This diverse skill set has made Khadijah a versatile and dynamic performer, capable of mastering a wide range of dance styles.
In addition, she has sought out opportunities to further refine her skills by attending workshops that were held in The Bahamas, Texas and Philadelphia. These workshops featured some of the dance world’s most renowned choreographers, including Chuck Maldonado, providing her with valuable experience and inspiration.
Khadijah continues to push the boundaries of her art and expand her repertoire. Her passion for dance and commitment to excellence promise a bright future in the world of dance.
JAYDA PROVO
TEACHER | HIP HOP & JAZZ
Jayda has been an integral part of the Studio 26 (S26) family for the past 8 years. She began her dance journey at the age of 3 and joined Studio 26 at 7, where she has expanded her passion for Hip Hop as well as embraces the challenge of exploring other styles of dance. Her aspiration to teach stems from her love for working with younger children, where she is committed to creating a supportive and motivating environment for them to develop their skills and passion for dance.
KEIRA MACDONALD
TEACHER | BALLET & JAZZ
Keira has been dancing since she was 8 years old and is now 16! She started her training at Maritime Dance Academy in ballet, tap and jazz. Keira has completed all dance examinations in RBD ballet, tap and jazz up to level 6. This is her second year competing with studio 26 and she specializes in styles, ballet, jazz, and contemporary. Keira is excited to be teaching jazz this season and passing on her knowledge to the younger generations!
MYA ADAMS
TEACHER | HIP HOP
Mya joined the Studio 26 family in 2019. This year is going to be her sixth year competing for Studio 26 and she can’t wait to make more unforgetable memories. This is Mya’s first year teaching and she is so excited to be able to pass on the things she has been learning from all her teachers and create the same safe space her teachers have gave her the past 6 years. Mya can’t wait for what the future holds within her dancing and this new experience of teaching!
JEWEL JEFFRIES
TEACHER | HIP HOP
Jewel danced at studio 26 in the early days then came back a few years later to join the competition team. This will be her 3rd year dancing competitively and her first year teaching. She enjoys all styles but trains mostly in hip hop. She is looking forward to improving her technique in all styles. Jewel is excited to start another year with her friends and family at Studio 26 and especially excited to start teaching and improve her skills this upcoming year!
MARCELLA WILSON
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Marcella has over 15 years of management experience, brings a strong background in property management, finance, and stakeholder relations.
She is a passionate about promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in her personal and professional life, sharing these important values through teaching.
Beyond her career, she is also a Justice of Peace, which allows her to connect with and serve her community in a unique way.
In her early 20’s, having love for dance, Marcella taught bachata, and salsa in Toronto.
Her connection to Studio 26 has been through her daughter Zoe, who has been dancing at Studio 26 for 7 years.
Marcella is excited to join the team and is looking forward to meeting and connecting with everyone in the Studio 26 family!
TOBI MARTIN FLEMMING
TEACHER | BALLET & ACRO