Our team at Dance London Studio is the heart of everything we do. Each instructor brings a unique blend of experience, training and genuine passion for working with dancers of all ages. We believe that a supportive teacher can make all the difference, which is why our studio is filled with faculty who lead with kindness, patience and professionalism. When you join Dance London, you’re joining a community of people who truly care about helping every dancer grow.
Ashley Aarts
Owner
My name is Ashley Aarts.
I’m the Director and Owner of Dance London and my lifelong dream has always been to teach. I began dancing at the age of three and have studied various dance styles including ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, hip-hop, lyrical and modern. I have completed exams in tap, jazz, and ballet with the Canadian Dance Teachers Association and the Russian Society of Ballet. I’ve also received my dance educator certification with Dance Masters of America in jazz and tap, and am a certified Pilates instructor.
I had the privilege of studying at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York City, and am proud to have received the school’s top entrance award, The National Scholarship. During my time at AMDA, I studied ballet, tap, jazz, theatre dance, acting, voice, and musical theatre with some of America’s top performers and teachers. Following graduation, I accepted a performance contract with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, where I performed as a dancer and was selected to be an aerialist.
I’m passionate about lifelong learning, so I’m always trying to further educate myself by attending dance conventions to stay up to date with current dance trends and teaching techniques. I’ve attended the Paula Morgan Teacher Workshops in Toronto as well as the Pulse Teacher Workshops in New York City.
I first joined the Dance London Family in 2009, and I wholeheartedly fell in love with the environment Ruth Anne and Tammy Rogerson-Lechner created. At Dance London, each dancer is equally valued—no matter how many classes they are taking or how long they’ve been with us. There atmosphere of an extended family among both students and staff. Most importantly, Dance London does not compete its dancers.
Dance, although very sport-like in discipline, is first and foremost an art form. By removing the competition from dance, dancers are able to embrace the art of dance for all that it is. They have a love for performing, as well as have an in-depth understanding of technique—without the competition.
In 2015, Ruth Anne Rogerson retired and I had the honour of taking over ownership of Dance London. I promise to always nurture and encourage the atmosphere Ruth Anne and Tammy created—a place that is fun, welcoming and inspiring for the students.
My objective as a dance educator is to build strong technical dancers that have stylized movement and great performance qualities. From the dancers that take one class a week to our company dancers, each child is so very special to me and I have so much joy watching them perform.
To new families joining us: it’s my pleasure to welcome you to our DL Family. To our returning families: here’s to another amazing season.
In the words of Ruth Anne Rogerson, “Dance your way through life and you’ll be happy!”
Abbey Macdonald
Instructor
Abbey has been dancing since the age of 6 and has been a part of the Dance London family for 12 years. She has trained in many styles of dance including jazz, tap, ballet, musical theatre, modern, and lyrical but tap has always inspired her the most. For the past four years, Abbey has also been an active member of the dance program at South Collegiate Institute as a dancer, choreographer, artistic director and member of the South Dance Company, giving her the opportunity to work with choreographers from all over North America, and participate in many master classes and workshops through the Toronto Dance Theatre and McMaster University.
On top of performing in Dance London’s annual year-end show, Abbey has performed locally for A-Channel, Art Harvest Festival, Western Fair, and most recently had the chance to perform alongside members of the Canadian Children’s Dance Theatre at Dance Ontario’s Dance Weekend in Toronto. In the past couple of years, Abbey has gone from being a class assistant to substituting for other teachers at Dance London, to teach during the summer dance camp programs, and is now excited to be teaching her own classes this year. Abbey can’t imagine her life without dance and cherishes every moment spent on stage or in the studio.
Jamie Moore
Artistic DIrector
Jamie started dance at the age of 6 in England where she studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Acro and Lyrical dance. Competitions and exams were a routine part of her training. She was nominated for several student scholarships as a result of these exams and at the age of 12 won the Regional Tap Championship Award.
Jamie attended many seminars, conventions and summer schools, gaining a wealth of knowledge from many leading professionals in the industry. During her teenage years, she was part of her studios Teacher Apprentice Programme, much like Dance London’s Assistants program, which helped nurture her love for teaching.
Upon completion of her first teacher’s exam she moved to Cyprus to take on a full time teaching position, also furthering her teacher’s qualifications and training in the RAD method of ballet. After Cyprus, she moved to Norway for 5 years where her time was divided between teaching and performing professionally in a dance company. Finally ready to settle down, Jamie fulfilled her lifelong dream to move to Canada and was lucky enough to find Dance London almost immediately. ‘I love teaching with the Dance London Family and love the approach the studio take that every child is treated equally no matter how many classes they take. Dance London truly is our 2nd home.’
Brianna Moretti
DLPC Director
Brianna Moretti began dancing at the age of 4 at Joanne Chapman School Of Dance. She’s trained in various styles such as jazz, acro, tap, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, and musical theatre. She has been awarded distinction with her ballet examinations with the Royal Academy of Dance and has participated in her Solo Seal.
She has competed at both regional and national dance competitions and has been with Joanne Chapman school of dance when they have won both 2011 and 2015 Studio of the Year at The Dance Awards. Brianna has been fortunate enough to win many regional overalls and a National Title at the age of eleven. Her extensive training has given her the opportunities to work with Emmy award winners Travis Wall and Mandy Moore as well as broadway choreographer Al Blackstone.
Brianna is a graduate from Mayfield Secondary School Regional Arts Dance Program and a certified member of the British Association of Teachers of Dancing in both Stage and Acrobatics. She has recently graduated from the University of Western Ontario in a Bachelor of Sciences with a Major in Medical Sciences and a Minor in Dance. She continues to share her passion for dance by educating young children about dance and the many benefits it has to offer.
BATD Certification in Stage (Jazz & Tap) & Acrobatics
Ruth Ann Rogerson
Founder
Ruth Anne is known around the studio as Mama Tap! She founded Dance London with her daughter Tammy Lechner in 1993 & retired in 2015 when Ashley Aarts had the honour of taking over Dance London.
Ashley promised to always nurture and encourage the atmosphere Ruth Anne and Tammy created—a place that is fun, welcoming and inspiring for the students.
Ruth Anne is still keeping those dancing feet tap dancing! She remains part of our Dance London family and visits the studio often.
Our team at Dance London Studio is committed to creating a non-competitive environment where dancers can learn at their own pace and build confidence both in and out of the studio. With backgrounds in ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, contemporary and early childhood movement, our instructors bring a wide range of expertise. More importantly, they know how to connect with each dancer, understand their needs and celebrate their progress.
Choosing a dance studio is about more than choosing a class. It’s about choosing the people who will guide, support and uplift your dancer. At Dance London, our team is dedicated to providing an experience that builds confidence, nurtures creativity and celebrates the joy of movement. We’re proud of the community we’ve built, and we can’t wait for you to meet the people who make it all possible.