CHERYL WHITWORTH
B.A.T.D., D.M.A., A.D.A.P.T. 
Artistic Director / Founder

Cheryl began dancing at the age of 5 and received her training with such well renowned teachers as Brian Foley, Lorri Mackay, Joanne Chapman and David DeMarie.  Cheryl was trained in the R.A.D, A.D.A.P.T and B.A.T.D. syllabus. This enables her to bring forth a wide variety and knowledge to her students.  

Cheryl teaches all levels of dance in jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, musical theatre and acrobatics.    Cheryl’s students have won various awards and scholarships in many Ontario and International festivals.  Her students have held several titles from Dance Masters of America, chapters 43, 8 and 38 including;  2008 Teen Miss Dance, 2004 Teen Miss Dance, 2002 Petite Miss Dance and 3rd runner-up Miss Dance of America 2000 as well as many previous title holders of Mini Miss, Junior Miss, Teen Miss and Mr. Dance.  Cheryl’s student was crowned the National title holder of Petite Miss Dance of America 2003 in Florida.

Many of Cheryl’s students have performed and choreographed routines for Disney World, Florida and Japan as well as Cruise Ships throughout the Mediterranean.  Cheryl has served as a judge for many competitions across Canada and the United States making her a highly respected coach and teacher. 

CATHY COFFEY – B.A.T.D, D.M.A,

Cathy began dancing at the age of 3 and has never stopped. Because of her love of dance she opened Coffey’s Danc’n Place with her sister Cheryl in 1982, where she was the President for 23 years. Cathy continues to teach at Coffey’s where her dancers win overall awards at both regional and national competitions.

Cathy teaches tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical and musical theatre. Cathy has won numerous choreography awards and her dancers have gone on to work at Disneyworld Florida, Disney Tokyo, on various cruise lines and in commercials. Her dancers have been title holders for Dance Caravan, CanDance, Dancefest, Footloose and DMA including Petite Miss Dance of America. 

Cathy is also a respected adjudicator for many dance competitions where she provides encouragement and positive critiques to the competitors. By sharing her love of dance, Cathy hopes to inspire the dancers at CDP to reach for their dreams while instilling positive self-esteem, discipline and commitment.  

LUISA MAURO – R.A.D.

Luisa has had a home at Coffey’s Danc’n Place since 1984.  She set out to fulfill her dreams of becoming a ballerina at the age of four, and was blessed with outstanding teachers and a supportive family who helped turn her dream into a reality.  Luisa has spent the last 14 years growing, giving, and guiding young dancers and helping them reach their goals.
Luisa has been trained in and has taught all levels of ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical and acrobatics.  Luisa is a certified member of the Royal Academy of Dance and Dance Masters of America.  Her students have successfully completed graded and vocational ballet examinations and have won various awards at both regional and national competitions.  Luisa is continuously enriching her knowledge through classes and courses offered at The National Ballet School and the Royal Academy of Dance. 

In addition to her extensive dance training, Luisa has also received her Honours degree from the University of Toronto, as well as her teaching certificate, through the Ontario College of Teachers.  Luisa has been teaching elementary students for the past five years.  She spends her days sharing her wealth of knowledge with her students and her nights motivating and inspiring her young dancers. 
Luisa encourages her students to believe in themselves and their love for dance.  Through her guidance and their determination, each student will achieve success in reaching their goals.      

AMANDA SCIBERRAS –Teaching Diploma R.A.D, CDTA stage division

Amanda began her dance training at the age of 4 with competitive Irish dancing in Edmonton, Alberta.  At the age of 7 Amanda added jazz to her repertoire and was given a scholarship for entrance into the ballet program.  From there Amanda trained professionally at the Edmonton school of Ballet studying ballet both RAD and Cecchetti, jazz, lyrical, modern, musical theatre, dance pedagogy, voice while performing with the Edmonton Festival Company. 

Early in her career, Amanda discovered a passion for teaching and began teaching at the Edmonton School of Ballet within the professional program earning her the prestigious student teacher award as well as grants for the Government of Alberta and Young Dancers Society of Alberta. 

Amanda came to Ontario to train and mentor under RAD vocational grade examiner Elizabeth Paterson (now retired), as well as Anuschka Roes, Amanda Bayliss and Lee Tovey. Here, Amanda received her credentials with the Royal Academy of Dance as well as the CDTA stage division.  After further academic studies of music, child psychology, anatomy, and dance history she earned her Teaching Diploma with the RAD.  Amanda continues to upgrade her skills with courses at the National Ballet School, mentoring under ballet examiners, and workshops with physiotherapist.  Most recently she has focused on injury prevention, rehabilitation courses and training as a registered massage therapist with the focus on dancers/athletes.   Amanda has been teaching in the GTA for the past 15 years with her students successfully completing both graded and vocational exams and success at a variety of competitions. 
Amanda is looking forward to returning to Coffey’s and watching the young dancers discover and appreciate the balance between art, athleticism, creativity, and perfection within dance.

NADINE COFFEY

Nadine Coffey has completed over two decades of dance training and experience with dance competitions.  She is a dancer, teacher, choreographer and adjudicator. Ms. Young has extensive training in jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, acrobatics, musical theatre and adage and has studied with the finest teachers and institutions in Ontario. She has taught all ages of recreational and competitive dancers across Ontario.

Nadine has won numerous awards and titles across Canada and the United States for her dancing and her choreography, including Miss DANCEFEST 2003! Nadine is a certified member of Maple Leaf Dance Masters of America and has completed exams with the Royal Academy of Dance.

Nadine is a certified dance adjudicator with the International Academy of Dance Adjudicators.  Nadine is very proud to have worked with The National Ballet School in developing and performing the choreography used in The Teacher’s Training Program. Ms. Young has also had the opportunity of holding the positions of choreographer and dance captain for Able Entertainment. Ms. Young pursued her quest for higher knowledge of the human body by completing a degree in Kinesiology and Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University. She also holds accreditation with her Nutrition and Wellness, Fitness Instructor and Personal Training Specialist certifications with Can-Fit-Pro and a Pilates instructor with the Ontario Fitness Council.

Through her passion and love for dance, Nadine hopes to motivate and inspire dancers to be the best they can be in all areas of life. She is extremely excited to be returning home to Coffey’s to share her life’s passion and looks forward to a very successful and rewarding dance season!

JULIA COSENTINO

Julia has been studying the art of dance since the tender age of three. Under the direction of Coffey’s Danc’n Place, she is extensively trained in jazz, tap, acro, ballet, lyrical, musical theatre and hip hop. Over the years, Julia has participated in countless dance conventions, and in addition has received training from the world-renowned institution, The National Ballet School. Julia plans to enhance her knowledge of the origins of dance, as well as different styles of dance technique by attending York University in the fall.
Julia has been awarded numerous titles across Canada and the United States for her performances, including Petite Miss Dance of America 2003, Teen Miss Dance of Canada 2005 and her current title, Senior Miss Candance 2008! She has also completed vocational and major exams under the Royal Academy of Dance.
Although Julia has only been teaching and choreographing for a short period of time, her students have won numerous awards and titles. Some of Julia’s students’ accomplishments include 3rd runner-up Junior Miss Dance 2008, Chapter 43, 1st Overall Mini Solo 2008, and the current Teen Miss Dance 2008, Chapter 43. She has also been recognized for her innovative dance style and choreographic works.
Dance has played an integral role in Julia’s life, and she hopes to inspire young dancers to achieve their ultimate goals through the gift of dance!

JESSICA ROCCHETTI

Jessica has been a student of Coffey’s Danc’n Place since she was three years old.  She has since graduated and has begun teaching at the studio.  She is currently enrolled in the York Dance Program.  Jessica has extensive training in jazz, tap, acro, ballet, lyrical, musical theatre and hip hop.  Jessica believes that in order to further advance yourself you need to be exposed to all aspects of dance.  She has participated in dance conventions and has had the opportunity to work one on one with well known choreographers from Canada and the United States, such as Shannon Mathers, Blake McGrath, Jeff Wong and Linda Garneau .
Jessica has been awarded numerous titles including Dance Masters of America Teen Miss Dance of Canada 2008, Chapter 43, 2nd runner-up Junior Miss Dance of Canada 2006, Chapter 43, Senior Miss Niagara Falls 2009, 2nd runner-up Miss Dancefest 2009 and 1st runner-up Miss Dancefest 2010. She has also completed exams under the Royal Academy of Dance.
Jessica has just begun her journey as a dance teacher and choreographer and her students have already won numerous awards.
For Jessica to dance is to be out of herself.  Dance has allowed her to dream with her feet. It’s the rhythm of her life. Jessica’s only hope is that she can teach young dancers to grow, love and appreciate dance as much as she does.

PATRECIA NUGENT
Assistant to Artistic Director

Patrecia Nugent joined the family at Coffey’s in 2003.  Working closely with Cheryl, Patrecia provides assistance to parents and students with information on the studio’s programs and payment related matters.  Patrecia strives to be the “go to” person and if she doesn’t have the answer, she is persistent in finding the answers for you.

Aside from her role at Coffey’s, Patrecia currently works full time in Human Resources.  Along with the Coffey’s team, she looks forward to the upcoming season and greeting new and old members.

NICOLE NUGENT-SHELTON
Office and Operations

Nicole Nugent-Shelton has been with Coffeys for 8 years where she has worked in the office doing administrative work and providing valuable information to dancers and dancer’s parents with her winning smile! She currently holds a full time job as a Financial Operation Analyst during the day. Nicole has 2 kids, a son named Kyle and a daughter named Sage. Her goal is to have her daughter join the Coffey’s dancing family.