Faculty
Six teachers, each with a lane they love. Every one has a current criminal record check (vulnerable sector) and first aid on file, and every one teaches at least one class a week you can watch through the lobby window.
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Marisol Vega
Founder and artistic director
BalletJazz & Lyrical
Marisol trained in classical ballet for fifteen years and danced in touring musical theatre before she opened Count Eight in a borrowed church hall. She teaches every ballet level and still sets the opening number of the June show.
Keeps a jar of spare hair elastics at the front desk. It empties every week.
At Count Eight since 2012 · 6 classes a week · Record check and first aid on file
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Jordan Okafor
Hip hop and breaking
Hip HopAdult
Jordan grew up battling in community centre gyms and has taught hip hop to kids and adults for over ten years. His classes start with grooves and end with a freestyle circle, and nobody is made to go in the middle.
Edits every song himself, so the music in class is always clean.
At Count Eight since 2016 · 8 classes a week · Record check and first aid on file
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Hannah Lindqvist
Tap, jazz and musical theatre
TapJazz & LyricalAdult
Hannah came to dance through musical theatre and fell for tap in college. She teaches rhythm the way you would teach a language: listen first, then copy, then make up your own.
Runs the used tap shoe shelf. Bring outgrown pairs, take what fits.
At Count Eight since 2015 · 9 classes a week · Record check and first aid on file
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Priya Raman
Preschool dance
Preschool
Priya is a trained early childhood educator who also happens to have danced her whole life. Her preschool classes use stories, props and short bursts of movement, because three-year-olds learn in short bursts.
Knows every dancer's favourite colour of scarf by week three.
At Count Eight since 2018 · 7 classes a week · Record check and first aid on file
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Theo Marchand
Competition team director, lyrical and contemporary
CompetitionJazz & Lyrical
Theo danced on a competitive team himself, then trained in contemporary dance. He runs the competition team with one rule above the others: the goal is a better dancer in June, not a bigger trophy shelf.
Posts the rehearsal plan every Sunday night, so nobody is guessing.
At Count Eight since 2019 · 7 classes a week · Record check and first aid on file
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Danielle Ross
Adult program lead
AdultBallet
Danielle started ballet again at 34 after a twenty-year break, which is exactly why she runs our adult program. Her classes are for real beginners and returning dancers, and nobody has to perform unless they want to.
Will tell you the name of every step, twice, without a sigh.
At Count Eight since 2020 · 5 classes a week · Record check and first aid on file
How we choose and train teachers
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They teach a real class first
Every new teacher teaches a paid trial class while Marisol watches. Kids are honest judges.
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Checks before day one
Criminal record check (vulnerable sector), first aid and two references, renewed on schedule.
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Assistants are never alone
Teen assistants learn to teach beside a lead teacher and are never left alone with a class.
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They keep learning
Two paid training days a year, plus outside workshops each teacher picks.
Meet a teacher in class
The best way to meet our faculty is a free trial class. Pick a time on the real schedule and we will introduce you at the door.