Tap dancer, performer, rhythm obsessive
I've been dancing for 25+ years — starting at The Dance Exchange in Oakville then moving on to the Canadian Dance Company, where I trained across tap, jazz, hip hop, ballet, lyrical, and modern. Tap has been the primary focus for the last decade. Something about its insistence on rhythm and direct conversation with the music keeps pulling me back.
I moved to Toronto to deepen my connection to the arts scene. Outside of performing, I co-created and led Conversation Jam (@conversation.jam) — a weekly tap and jazz jam at the Tranzac, an open space for dancers and musicians to preserve the legacy of tap dance with live music. It has since been passed on to Jonah Hamilton and Isabella Aquina and operates as The Shed (@theshed_jam).
Complementary background includes graduating from Etobicoke School of the Performing Arts for Drama, ongoing music theory and production study, and a long practice of improvisation across both dance and performance contexts.
Works
- 2026 Director / Performer
Vinny's Beatzzeria
First headlining gig
- 2025 Performer
Neo Soul Ties
Winchester Theatre
- 2023 Director / Performer
Bonus Stage
Long Winter Festival @ The Tranzac
Footage
FAD // Building Blocks · 2023
Neo Soul Ties · 2025
Clips
2025
2026
2026
From Instagram
The Shed — Conversation Jam
@dahipest
Training
-
Advanced Tech & New Orleans Grooves · 2022
With Dianne Montgomery — virtual intensive. Technique alongside a focused exploration of New Orleans grooves, the birth of jazz, and applying those rhythms to tap.
-
TITF Residency — Dianne Walker · 2019
Toronto, ON — Two weeks learning Leon Collins' Routines #2, #3 and the Waltz from Dianne Walker, Ian Berg, Allison Toffan, and Julianna Kelly.
-
Heather Cornell Residency · 2019
Galiano Island, BC — A teaching-focused intensive with Heather Cornell. The Coles Stroll, polyrhythms, improv, and how to introduce improvisation into a classroom.
-
Tap classes with Tanya Knights · 2016–2018
Dovercourt House, Toronto — Ethel Bruneau's foundational routines and deep focus on Henry LeTang's material.
-
Tap Dance Centre · 2013–2018
Mississauga — Regular classes with Ryan Foley and Johnathan Morin, plus intensives at ECTC with Brill Barret, Mackenzie Greenwall, and Matt Shields.
-
Canadian Dance Company · 2007–2013
Oakville — Foundation training across all styles. Solo and group pieces with Mike Minery and Anthony Morigiarto. Regular JUMP convention attendee.