Anessa  Marisa Garcia

Program: Social Science - Yr 2
Hometown: Ajax
Years in Company: 1

Anessa has been dancing for 10 years, 4 of those at the competitive level in jazz, tap, hip hop, lyrical , musical theatre, and ballet. She specializes in hip-hop but enjoys performing and learning different styles. Most of her training was at Jacqueline’s School of Dance in Durham, but she has also been shaped by many guest teachers and workshops she has taken with some celebs such as Travis Wall and Brian Friedman. She has received many awards at the studio for improvement and ability to compete different styles at a high level. As well she has earned awards at competitions for her hip-hop trios for style, technique and performance. Last year she helped assist in a hip-hop class for children between the ages of 5 and 8. Anessa has also had plenty of training in drama and musical theatre.

Angelina Bong

Program: Commerce Yr 2
Years in Company: 2

I have been dancing for many years, starting with ballet, learning jazz, tap, hip-hop, Chinese dance, modern dance and a tinge of Indian Dance along the way. Hip-Hop is the style that I had the most exposure to and thus prefer it more as compared to the other styles. I participated in performances in my high school as well as my dance studio back in Singapore. While seeing many dancers becoming more versatile, I want to improve myself to become more capable in adapting to different styles and continue to push myself to the next level. I also love soccer and support Liverpool FC!

Danny Nguyen

Years in Company: 1
Program: Life Sciences 2
Hometown: Woodbridge
Years in Company: 1

To be quite honest, dance wasn’t really something Danny would ever imagine doing... Until the first season of the So You Think You Can Dance premiered in the US, something sparked an interest inside of him. He’d follow the first 3 seasons throughout and a thought that always lingered in the back of his head was “I wish I can dance like that.” As the 4th season was about to start, and along with his final year in high school, he’d finally decided that he should pursue this lingering passion and took a few drop-in hip-hop classes in Toronto. He is a product of drop-in classes and occasional self-taught material and is entering the 3rd year since he started to boogie down. He hopes to further grow and learn from like-minded individuals in the company.

Monique Flynn

Program: Humanities - Yr 2
Years in Company: 1

I have been taking various style of dance since I was 5. I have previously danced at London School of Dance where I gained my foundation in ballet and have since danced at AB Dance School, Sandra Amodeo and Elite Dance Works - all dance studios within the York Region. I enjoy ballet modern hip hop and pointe, as these are areas in which I have been trained. I look forward to learning new and exciting styles of dance throughout my university career

Shadeen Francis

Program: Social Science - Yr 2
Hometown: Whitby, Ontario
Years in Company: 1

Shadeen has had a passion for the Arts since she was very young. She started in theatre, being a part of several dramatic productions in her home town, as well as some local commercials. She discovered her love of dancing when she was 8, competing in Acro with Jennifer’s Arts in Motion. When she was older, she was able to be a part of her high school’s first ever dance company.

Throughout the rest of high school, Shadeen did choreography for Sinclair Secondary School’s Urban Company, and won awards of recognition with her team through various competitions, showcases and the Kiwanis Festival. Although she continued to participate in theatre, Shadeen always found herself engrossed in her dance life.

Jeffrey Appiah-Bediako

Program: Honours Life Science Year 4
Hometown: Toronto
Years in Company: 3

Jeffrey has been dancing recreationally ever since he can remember; from dancing at family gatherings at the tender age of four to choreographing pieces for his elementary school spring concert. He has always enjoyed dance and has expressed keen interest in hip-hop, reggae, and African music, however enjoying any style of music that has a unique beat. In high school, he led his school dance team as head choreographer and made various pieces for school talent shows and events. He also went on to win the first ever catholic school dance competition with his team in his grade 12 year. Upon arriving at McMaster University, Jeffrey joined the McMaster Urban Dance Company as well as the OUCH team. He choreographed various sections as a part of both teams and is currently on this year’s OUCH executive committee. Through the company Jeffrey has had the opportunity to learn from many choreographers through guest workshops.  He is currently the assistant artistic director for the UDC.

Lulu Akinfemina

Bio forthcoming

Sam Bong

Bio Forthcoming