Amanda Malone, George Brown College
Amanda was born and raised in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario and began her training in dance at the tender age of three. She took classes locally at Turning Pointe as well as Studio Dance Arts, under the direction of Richard Kim. Her studies included the disciplines of ballet, jazz, tap, modern, hiphop and lyrical. She became a competitive dancer at the age of eight and traveled to competitions in Canada and the United States.
Amanda was also a fixture of many Sault productions including, Arkangel Drumdance, the Ontario Winter Games Opening Ceremonies, events for Algoma Fall Festival, the Madrigal at Kewadin's Dreamworks Theatre as well as the Musical Comedy Guild's Chicago.
Amanda studied dance at Toronto's George Brown College, graduating from Dance Foundations as well as the Commercial Dance Program. While attending school, Amanda was a company member of Combustion! The Young Company under the direction of Annie Wood. She participated in many performances in the Toronto area including a showcase with Toronto's Female Hiphop group, The HoneyKats and FfIDa. Upon graduation Amanda accepted a contract with Celebrity Cruise Lines, performing on their ship, the Zenith as well as Celebrity's Infinity.

Elise Gilbert, University of Windsor
Collingwood has always been home to Elise Gilbert and dance, her first love! Dance classes started at the age of 3 and continued until she graduated high school. During this time she developed a true realization of the commitment and dedication required to “follow your dream”. Elise spent many summers attending intensive programs at dance schools such as the Quinte Ballet School in Belleville and The School of Dance in Ottawa. She has studied a variety of dance styles including Cecchetti ballet (achieving her Advanced 1 certificate), modern, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, ballroom, Broadway and flamenco.

During her years as a student of Collingwood Collegiate Institute, Elise was introduced to the dramatic arts. She actively participated in the productions of Little Shop of Horrors and Grease. Her love for the arts grew and she found herself enrolled in the Drama in Education and Community program at the University of Windsor.

This unique program offered courses in Theatre history, acting, improve, clowning, puppetry, dance for theatre, voice, movement as well as psychology, English and earth sciences. Elise enjoyed many special placement opportunities including teaching an English Second Language program as well as Life Skills Students.

She was approached to choreograph Catholic Centrals High School production of Footloose. The highlight of her studies at the University of Windsor was working alongside Professor Bernie Warren Ph.D. She acted as his teaching assistant for Creative Movement and Voice. Professor Warren introduced Elise to the Fool’s For Health Charity where she participated in the Clown Doctor program as Dr. Tutu Twinkle Toes! She also ran a research study regarding the effects of the arts for adults with various mental disabilities.

Elise has recently graduated from the University of Windsor with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Drama in Education and the Community.  he is excited to return to Collingwood and thrilled with the opportunity to work with Ms. Stone and the students of Collingwood School of Dance.

Elise Gilbert is also a licensed Zumba® instructor.

Devon Stone, Associate Diploma, CSC-CICB

Principal
Artistic Director, Devon Stone founded CSD in 2007 after studying dance for over 18 years. A graduate of the prestigious School of Alberta Ballet Teacher Training Program, The School of Dance in Ottawa and the Dance Training Program at the Banff Performing Arts Centre, Miss. Stone also holds her Associate Diploma credentials with the Cecchetti Society of Canada and Cecchetti International-Classical Ballet. As part of her teacher training, Miss. Stone has also successfully completed the course, Applied Anatomy and Physiology Relating to Dance.
After dancing recreationally in Colingwood for seven years, Miss. Stone’s left home to begin her professional ballet training at the Quinte Ballet School in Belleville at the age of thirteen. She then attended Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto; and The School of Dance in Ottawa, where she graduated from their five-year Professional Ballet Program. While in Ottawa, Miss. Stone received the prestigious Celia Franca Scholarship Award. During her final year, Miss. Stone performed Psalmo de Vente, a solo choreographed by Owen Montague for the Happy Birthday Celia Franca Gala, presented at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. 

In the summer of 2001 Miss. Stone was awarded a solo variation, choreographed by Brian Macdonald, while attending the Dance Training Program at the Banff Performing Arts Centre .

Miss. Stone is committed to providing all of her students with high-quality dance education.