2010-11 COACHING STAFF

Head Coach 
Christine Tavares

Tavares joins the Ridgebacks with an extensive resume and positive reputation, as she is an award winning dancer, teacher and choreographer. She is a certified teacher under Dance Masters of America, Associated Dance Arts for the Professional Teacher and the British Association of Teachers of Dancing. With over 10 years of teaching experience alone, Tavares' students have been known to be the recipients of many honourable awards in Canada.

As a guest teacher to many studios and conventions across the province, Tavares has also taught at Metro Movement Dance Studio, OIP Dance Centre and at George Brown College. In addition, she is associated with the Professional Adjudicators Alliance (PAA) and has adjudicated for numerous competitions across Canada, including BAM (Bust-A-Move), hosted by the UOIT Ridgebacks.

Her acclaimed choreography credits have been featured in numerous fashion shows, musicals and corporate events including: Summer Works, Moto Amore, Mayor's Gala, Motionball Gala, IFBB Toronto Pro-Show, Canadian Cancer Society, Congress of Black Women, Alzheimer's Society, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, West Side Story, Grease (Bluma Appel Theatre at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts in Toronto), Women In Dance (Toronto Centre for the Arts) and the Toronto Rock Lacrosse Dance Team (Air Canada Centre).

As a dancer, Tavares has had the opportunity to perform all around the world. Her performance roles were seen on television, music videos, cruise ships, theme parks, dinner theatres, casinos and numerous corporate events. Some of her accomplishments include performing with Norwegian Cruise Lines, at Walt Disney's Epcot Center and also seasons as dance captain with Paramount Canada's Wonderland in the main stage production.

She continues to travel the world and study with world-renowned choreographers. Her continuous involvement in teacher educational programs ensures that all her students are taught the latest styles and techniques of dance.