Tia Colborne
Artistic Director
Tia began her dance studies in Sarnia. As a student, she competed in dance competitions and was a dancer with the International Ballet Theatre Company, performing in several productions of The Nutcracker. She is a graduate of the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts in Toronto, ON and has trained in Canada and New York, NY. Tia has worked professionally as a contemporary dancer and as a performer in musical productions around the world. She has taught for professional training programs at Sheridan College, Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts and choreographed for the University of Toronto at Hart House Theatre.
She has adjudicated dance competitions and taught master classes across Canada. Tia is a certified member of the Cecchetti Council of America and Canadian Dance Masters. She is dedicated to continuing her own dance education to offer students at Great Lakes Dance Academy the most current and relevant training possible.
Andrew Colborne
General Manager, Co-Artistic Director
Graduate of Music Theatre Performance at Sheridan College in Oakville, ON Andrew has been singing for as long as he can remember. He began his journey into musical theatre at a very early age, doing miscellaneous children’s roles in the high school musicals where his father was a teacher. It was during this time that he began taking classical voice lessons as well as learning various instruments and playing in numerous bands.
After high school, he left Saskatchewan for Oakville, ON, where he was accepted for the Musical Theatre Performance Program at Sheridan College, where he graduated with honours. Since this time, he has been in many musicals across Canada and has played in several bands, one of which took him to Calgary and Vancouver on a large-scale concert tour as a supporting act. Andrew is very passionate about music and voice and is very excited to bring his love and knowledge of singing and performing to the Great Lakes Dance Academy.
Leanne Bradshaw
Instructor
Leanne has come to us from Dundas, Ontario, where she grew up dancing since the tender age of 3. She has been trained in all styles of dance: ballet, tap, jazz, acro, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, breakdancing and ballroom. She has competed across Canada and the United States with high level of achievement, winning many national titles. After High School, Leanne studied at George Brown College in Commercial Dance Studies, a triple-threat program.
After graduating, she worked with and choreographed for many dance companies, including Honeykatz, N.V.US, and The Toronto Marlies Dance Team, plus many more all over the Greater Toronto Area. Leanne also auditioned for the TV show “So You Think You Can Dance – Canada” and she advanced to the top 50!
Leanne has been training students of all ages and styles since her early years as a studio student. Leanne is now certified in the “Acrobatic Arts” Curriculum. This, in addition to years of experience in acro and gymnastics, makes her an excellent Acro teacher. We are pleased Leanne has moved to Sarnia to grow her family and join our faculty.
Hala Miller
Instructor
Hala was born and raised in Sarnia, Ontario. She has been dancing since the age of 5 and has been trained in jazz, tap, hip-hop, contemporary, and ballet. In fact, she is a Great Lakes Dance Academy alumni and is thrilled to be back teaching alongside her former instructors.
Along with dance and teaching, Hala has a passion for musical theatre and choreography. She has been involved in local productions of 42nd Street, Crazy for You, and Faces of Broadway. She has also choreographed for rebounds productions of Fame, The Little Mermaid, and Aladdin. She hopes to continue teaching and choreographing for as long as possible.
Connor Kilian Weigand
Instructor
Connor Kilian Weigand
Connor’s performing career spans Off-Broadway, Broadway, national tours, and performances with major recording artists. He’s appeared in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and worked with ballet and contemporary companies across Europe and the U.S. He has also contributed choreography to video games, Hasbro promotional tours, NFL halftime shows, NHL All-Star weekends, and numerous ballet companies throughout North America.
Most recently, Connor served as Executive Artistic Director of the Performing Arts School of Central Pennsylvania for seven years. During this time, he built strong connections with The Balanchine Trust, providing his students with the rare opportunity to perform “Serenade” under the Trust’s direction. With his dedicated staff, Connor developed a renowned summer intensive, bringing in guest artists from around the world.
As a teacher and mentor, Connor has helped send dancers to prestigious schools and companies such as the School of American Ballet, Boston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and Miami City Ballet. His former students now perform with top companies like New York City Ballet, Nevada Ballet Theatre, and on Broadway.
Connor, his wife, and two children are thrilled to be in Sarnia, enjoying lake life
Renee Coutu
Instructor
Renee Coutu has had a passion for dance since the age of seven. Born in Toronto and raised in Montreal, she has trained at a number of dance studios throughout her childhood and adolescence. The styles of dance she studied include ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, salsa, Afro-Cuban and breakdance. For the past 30-plus years, Renee has been choreographing plays, dance competitions, charity shows, private functions and teaching students of all ages. She has travelled across Canada and the United States, competing and performing in plays, television shows and music videos. She has also worked with Canadian artists, such as Jully Black & Ricky J. In 2005, Renee moved to Sarnia, and in 2010, she joined Great Lakes Dance Academy, where she currently teaches and continues to mentor young dancers and pursue her passion for dance.
Sarah Koehler
Instructor
Sarah was born and raised in Sarnia. She has been dancing ever since she was 3 years old. She is trained in jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical, acro, hip hop, and ballet. In previous years, she participated in a local production of Mamma Mia. She also attended Quinte Ballet School Summer Intensive and she has done a photoshoot for The Audience Dance Rivalry. She is an Alumni of Great Lakes Dance Academy and is excited to share what she has learned over the years.
Carolyn Bristowe
Instructor
Choreographer • Adjudicator • Performer • Educator • Carolyn Bristowe is a versatile choreographer, adjudicator, and performer with extensive experience in both competitive and professional dance. As a Studio Director for over 10 years, Carolyn has choreographed for events such as the KW Choreographers Ball and A Day to Remember, while adjudicating at competitions including Dance Fest and Rhythm Dance.
Her performance highlights include reaching the Top 25 on CTV’s So You Think You Can Dance and serving as Dance Captain and Featured Performer in multiple stage productions with Royal Caribbean. Carolyn has also performed with Tom Cochrane, Sole Power Productions, and appeared in theatrical productions such as The Music Man and Amahl & The Night Visitors.
Carolyn has completed advanced examinations with the Society of Russian Ballet and the Canadian Dance Teachers Association, and is a member of the Professional Adjudicators Alliance. She brings a strong technical foundation and a passion for artistic excellence to every stage and studio she steps into