Faculty
Shannon Hawkins
Shannon Hawkins developed a love for dance from the tender age of 2. Growing up in the dance studio, Shannon trained in Jazz, Tap, Ballet (R.A.D.), Lyrical, Hip Hop and Musical Theatre. Shannon’s talent led her to become a highly successful competitive dancer winning awards and scholarships both in Canada and the United States. She furthered her training with C.D.T.A. and D.M.A. workshops giving her an amazing insight into different teaching methods and choreography styles taught by internationally acclaimed choreographers. These formative years performing, competing & training instilled in Shannon the goal and dream of becoming a dance teacher/choreographer. Shannon also attended Brock University receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree.
Teaching children of all ages for the past ten years enabled Shannon the opportunity to pass on her love for the arts to her students. Shannon teaches her classes with emphasis placed on strong technique, confidence building, showmanship and style. Shannon believes that all students thrive with positive critique and an energetic and fun filled atmosphere.
Shannon is looking forward to many dreams being reached, many goals surpassed and many successful achievements with Dance Etc. Milton!
Marlene Hawkins
Marlene Hawkins has been active in the dance community for over 30 years. Marlene has been an owner, instructor and operator of 3 very successful dance studios in the surrounding areas. She opened up her 1st studio in Oakville during the 1980\’s and in the 1990\’s she opened up her 2nd studio in Waterdown and in the 2000\’s she opened up her 3rd studio in Burlington. Marlene is looking forward to sharing her knowledge as a respected, experienced studio owner and qualified dance instructor in the Milton Community with Dance Etc Milton alongside her daughter Shannon.
Marlene is well known for her excellence in teaching techniques with young children of all ages in Ballet, Jazz and Acro. Marlene has also been active with her other passions, and is a Certified Fitness, Zumba and Zumbatomics Instructor. Her sense of humour, energy & commitment make her so popular with all her students. Her first love is dance…after her family… Michael, Cheri, Shannon & Andrew.
Rebecca Hewlett
Rebecca began dancing at age 4 in Stouffville, ON, where she studied jazz, tap, ballet, musical theatre, and acro. At a young age she began competing and travelled extensively throughout Canada, the United States and Ireland, winning numerous overall and special awards.As a teen Rebecca began to focus on acting as well as dance and she was cast in musicals such as Rent, Bye Bye Birdie, The Wizard of Oz and Oliver. She continued her training in dance, studying with the Alberta Ballet School summer program, New York City Rockettes summer training and Cirque du Soleil teachers program.
More recently, Rebecca discovered a great passion for teaching dance in the classroom. It has been her main focus for the past few years. She continues to hone her skills and enhance her personal development by training with reputable dancers and choreographers such as Annie Wood, Stacey Tookey, Kendra Hughes, Gillian Clarke, Sonya Malaya, Kelby Brown and Blake McGrath.
Kim Jesch
Kim celebrates over 3 decades teaching in the arts industry. During her career, she has been a performer, choreographer, adjudicator, teacher and studio owner. Growing up in a “dancing family” (Audrey Meredith Dance) she is a graduate of Kent State University-TTS, and has 2 teaching certifications in all disciplines of dance.
Kim has worked with many production and theatre companies and combined her passion of dance with her love of theatre to create Milton’s first youth theatre company (MYTP). Kim is excited to join Dance Etc. Milton to share her love of performing in a fun and positive atmosphere!
