Sara Ioannou MacNeil, A.B.A.T.D., Director

Sara has been dancing into the spotlight since 1990. After achieving recognition for her performances in Canada, the United States and Europe, she is now earning a reputation for striking choreography. As a certified teacher (A.B.A.T.D.) and choreographer she has had the pleasure of watching her own students carry on her success, winning scholarships and overall high mark trophies in modern, hip hop, jazz, tap, lyrical, acro and musical theatre. A dedicated teacher, Sara thoroughly enjoys working with children of all ages and levels of experience. She is also proud of the accomplishments of her recreational dancers.

Sara trained at studios in Southern Ontario and New York state and is well versed in all forms of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, pointe, modern, musical theatre and song and dance.  She has also studied singing for a number of years. During her competitive career, Sara was named overall Senior Performer four times and was also awarded Outstanding Professional Dancer. She is the recipient of many scholarships and high mark trophies. In 1999/2000 she was the B.A.T.D. Senior Tap Champion and tapping out a rhythm is certainly in her blood. She is a three-time member of the Canadian National Tap Team, traveling to Germany to go toe to toe with the world’s top tappers.  In her last year on the team she was dance captain. Training with dance greats Mathew Clark and Kevin Pugh and participating in workshops at the National Ballet School and George Brown College (in association with Ballet Jorgen) are just some highlights of her dance career.  

In 2001 Sara went on to study at Toronto’s prestigious Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, enhancing her dancing, singing and dramatic skills.  While at Randolph, she had the opportunity to participate in workshops with the Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson dancers, as well as dancers from the Broadway Tour of Fosse. She honed her choreographic skills with artists such as Mark Cassius of the Nylons. Sara has demonstrated her triple threat techniques in community theatre productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, Kiss Me Kate, The Wizard of Oz and Crazy for You.  On top of a grueling dance and performance schedule, Sara also found time to provide dance instruction for public school programs as well as teach dance to special needs children in the community. During summer 2002, Sara taught dance for the City of Toronto's Arts Discovery Summer Camp. Sara is a native of Durham Region and the Kawartha Lakes district and is proud to call Bowmanville her home. 

Ami Johnson, Level Three Coach, Instructor  

Ami has competed as a gymnast at the provincial level for six years. She has coached provincial and national level gymnastics for twelve years. Ami’s certification qualifies her as a level three gymnastics coach.  Another one of Ami's accomplishments was performing in Cirque Sublime.

She has been choreographing floor routines since 1998 and enjoys working with kids of all ages and skill levels. We are excited to welcome Ami back to the Spotlight teaching team this year. 

We look for Ami's continued success and the growth of our acro program. 

Jacalyn Cook, A.B.A.T.D., Instructor  

Jackie was the 2006 dancer of the year at Spotlight and is jumping into the role of Instructor with both feet. Since then she has completed her teaching certificates in Ballet, Jazz & Tap with excellent scores on all exams.

She is balancing a career in teaching at Spotlight with her completion of legal administration and mortgage agent diplomas. 

Kelly Brown Monson, Instructor  

Kelly has been involved in highland dancing since the age of 3. She has enjoyed a successful competitive career in dance taking her across Canada , the United States and Scotland . She is the professional member of the Durham Region Highland Dancer's Association and the Past President of Scotdance Ontario . She has served on the executive of Scotdance Ontario for the past 8 years.  

Kelly is a Fellow member of the B.A.T.D. in the Highland and National Branches of Dance. She is also a member of the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dance (SOBHD) Judge's Panel.  

Becky Graham, A.B.A.T.D. ,Instructor

Becky is an award winning competitive dancer for 10 years in ballet, jazz, tap and lyrical.   She has been trained and taken exams in B.A.T.D. for Ballet, Tap, and Jazz.

Becky is exited to be working with Sara and Spotlight now that she is back in the Kawartha region.  

Tia Star Pivirotto,, A.B.A.T.D., Instructor

Tia has been dancing at a competitive level for 10 years in jazz, tap, lyrical/contemporary and ballet/pointe, winning a number of awards. She has been trained and taken exams in B.A.T.D. for Ballet, Tap, and Jazz. Tia has taught various disciplines of dance at many different age groups since 1995.

Tia's earlier years were spent in Lindsay where she learned her craft with Sara. Although corporate life now occupies a large part of her life, Dance will always be in Tia's blood.

Tia is also an energetic entrepreneur and  will be launching Canada's first online designer dress store. Please check it out; www.tiastar.com.

Krysta Zoet,, A.B.A.T.D., Instructor

Krysta has been part of Spotlight since the beginning. She has already won many awards and scholarships. 

It is now time for Krysta to add Choreography and Teaching to her repertoire.  Krysta will continue with her dance career as well. 

Abi started Gymnastics at age 5. She has had a number of top 10 provincial rankings between 2006 - 2008, including  Provincial Vault Champion.  In 2009-10, Abi competed in the provincial finals with the Clarington Coyotes Cheerleading Team as well as Ultimate cheer in Pickering. We look forward to the growth of the Cheer program at Spotlight.

Abi has been dancing at Spotlight since 2008 where she has won a number of awards.